LiteningFast Feature Comparison Chart

Estimate the way you work

Adjust sections to fit your needs

Structured takeoffs

Simplified budgets in QuickBooks

Notes in each level of the estimate

Trackable estimating, not guesstimating

Faster and easier takeoffs with "Super" items

Design the database to fit your needs, not someone elses

Update material costs in your database at the click of a button

Update labor costs in your database at the click of a button

Update equipment costs in your database at the click of a button

Learn the system in hours not weeks or months

Copy Estimate to show your customer options

Templates to start your estimates quickly and reduce errors

View estimated costs while your estimating

Adjust prices in your estimate not stuck with generic pricing

Adjust profit and overhead on any job

Break your job into phases for more visibility

Interface to Microsoft Word for exceptional looking estimates

Interface to Microsoft Excel for estimates and analysis

Two licenses for desktop and laptop computers

Synchronize databases between computers

Networkable

Automatic checking and download of updates

Automatic job schedule based on your estimate

Back up database to CD or network

Lifetime free support 800 phone number or email

Enter your own cost items

Browse n' Build Catalog 20,000+ items
 

Simplified Assemblies
Assemblies allow you to put items together that are used together to simplify the estimating take off process. For example, you might create a wall assembly that the studs, top and bottom plate, insulation, and drywall. So, when your doing your takeoff you enter the number of linear feet once and the quantity of studs, top and bottom plate, insulation, and drywall are automatically calculated and ready to print as individual items in your material list. Simplified assemblies allow you to create assemblies without going through all the gyrations like entering information in a spreadsheet cell.

Material list
Once you've completed the estimate you can print a material list. This will include all the materials you're going to use on the job. You can get the list displayed in several different formats. As noted below you can get exact pricing from your suppliers using this list.

Update prices from suppliers
After you print the material list, you can send it to your suppliers and have them fill in the prices for your materials. You can enter that actual prices into your estimate (and update your database) with the actual prices you're going to pay for the materials. This means that you material costs are going to be exact saving you the frustration of being off on your material costs.

Labor list
You can print a list of how many hours by labor type or how many hours by task to be performed so you know what crews are going to be needed. This is also valuable if you have a foreman on the job so he or she can keep track of how should be spent on each task.

Extended Assemblies
You have complete control over the your assemblies. Anything that can be entered into a spreadsheet cell can be entered into the quantity field of an assembly item. You can, for example, calculate the square feet of roofing required based on the rise and run of the roof.

Import data from other sources
If you subscribe to a price service or your material suppliers provide an update on a CD or over the internet you can update that information into your database. After the information is entered for the first time you can update the prices with three button clicks. It's simple and it's easy. What this means to you is that you can keep your vendor prices up-to-date with virtually no effort.

Create purchase orders in QuickBooks
Once you get the job you can select the vendors/suppliers that you want to send Purchase Orders to and have them automatically created in QuickBooks for printing and tracking. This means that you have more control over your vendors and their invoices.