Pat Smith, Estimating Consultant

DB Data, Inc. is excited to announce the re-implementation of our quarterly newsletter, Project Update, a publication for our valued customers and colleagues. We will keep you up-to-date on industry news, our mutual successes, product updates, and tons more. Have feedback and suggestions for our future editions? Send it our way; we’d be delighted to know what you’re thinking.

In this edition we are thrilled to spotlight Pat Smith, a long-time DB Data Consultant.  There’s also a sneak peak at a phenomenal success story, announcements about upcoming training classes, and more, more, more.

Success Story:  Phoenix Pipelines
Phoenix Pipelines, Inc. has been installing underground utilities - water, sewer and storm - on private and public projects, since 1988.   Projects have included: shopping centers, multi-family, sports facilities, subdivisions, schools, business parks and more. They pride themselves on service and performance. Furthermore, with each job they provide comprehensive bids complete with value engineering options, experienced field management teams to oversee projects and comprehensive accounting to manage all of the administrative aspects of each project.

As Phoenix Pipelines, Inc.’s business grew, they realized the need for a construction-specific accounting solution. What happened? After upgrading to Timberline, Phoenix Pipelines, Inc. brought in DB Data to complete the implementation, conduct training, and skyrocket Timberline to the highest level of customization possible, to match Phoenix Pipelines’ mode of operation.

“One of the reasons Phoenix Pipeline is having such great success with using Timberline is  that  their  key  employees  are  really  interested  in  getting  most  out  of  system,” proclaimed Sr. Consultant, Gary Jacobson. “They are excited about the flexibility to have Timberline fit exactly what they do.”

According to DB Data President, Daren Baldwin, “Our Senior Consultant, Gary, has done an amazing job of customizing Timberline to meet Phoenix Pipelines goals.   He has taken it to the furthest extent to make our client more efficient, profitable, and happy. As a result, we have a very positive, ongoing relationship between our companies.”

Mark Your Calendar - The date and location for this year's Timberline Closing Procedures Class When: December 7, 2007
8:30 a.m. to Noon
Followed by a served lunch
Where: Embassy Suite Biltmore
2630 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Tuition: $125 per person
Topics: Tax Form Changes, Printing W-2s, & Proper Backup Procedures.

4TH QUARTER CLASSES
Check the DB Data Inc. website for all the current Timberline Class listings.  There, you will find the entire fundamental curriculum’s for the core   Timberline applications.

October 2007
16th   -  Timberline Purchasing & Inventory
18th   -  Timberline Project Management
19th   -  Timberline Project Management
25th   -  Timberline Beginning Report Designer 1
26th   -   Timberline Beginning Report Designer 2 

November 2007
7th     - Timberline Estimating Fundamentals 1
8th     - Timberline Estimating Fundamentals 2
27th   - Timberline Accounting Workflow 1
28th   - Timberline Accounting Workflow 2
29th   - Timberline Beginning Crystal Reports 1
30th   - Timberline Beginning Crystal Reports 2

Pat Smith makes estimating processes flow like a river
Do your estimating processes flow seamlessly from the Estimating Department to Accounting? Regardless of what type of construction your company performs, Pat can help your company become even more effective in the Estimating Department. With valuable experience as a construction company owner, developing housing tracts and building custom  and  semi-custom homes, Pat has the real-world know-how needed to be the Estimating Product Manager for Timberline Software Corp. Pat can recommend realistic solutions that can springboard your business to success!

Pat jumped into the industry immediately after earning his master’s degree in business. He was hired first as a Land Appraiser for a loan department, then he tried his hand at real estate as a Broker in California. When Pat is not busily helping construction companies, his passion is traveling. His favorite destinations include Sydney, Singapore, and Seattle. Pat and his wife are also both licensed pilots, and at one point Pat played a mean game of golf. However, his favorite activity now is helping companies score a hole-in-one with their estimating processes.

We don’t want you drowning in data-entry by using multiple applications! Let us help you integrate your estimating processes with the rest of your office applications. Eager to learn more? Sign up now for Pat's Timberline Estimating Class.

19 Common Errors in Construction Cost Estimating
Few cost estimates for bidding on construction projects are made that do not contain errors of one kind or another. Too many errors on the plus side can be a major reason for a bid not being competitive. On the other hand, too many errors on the minus side can cause the contractor to lose money if awarded the contract. Below are some of the most common sources of errors in construction cost estimating:

1. Errors in arithmetic
2. Taking wrong measurements from plans and specifications
3. Using the wrong wage rates for labor
4. Insufficient or excessive allowances for labor
5. Materials and supplies improperly priced
6. Using incorrect units of measure
7. Including poorly maintained machinery or equipment
8. Failure to visit the project site
9. Overlooking or miscalculating haulage costs
10. Failure to review building codes, permits, and inspections
11. Failure to consider quality of workmanship required
12. Omitting Items the cost estimator considers to be minor
13. Duplicating the work of subcontractors
14. Failure to review the bids of subcontractors
15. Overlooking items
16. Taking shortcuts in cost estimating
17. Not allowing for realistic contingencies
18. Including contingency items without reason
19. Inadequate or excessive overhead charges  

Holding out for a hero
Do you know of a company that is struggling with their construction accounting software, or not getting enough support with their current system? We can save the day! Just let your fellow colleagues know that we are available to assist them and that we would be honored to have an opportunity to earn their business.

Our customers get personal attention, prompt support (by the area’s best consultants no less), and access to outstanding training opportunities. Holy successes, Batman!