Goldenseal Estimating Software Topics-- Practical Estimating Accuracy

How Accurate is Goldenseal?

How accurate can I expect Goldenseal estimates to be?

Well, it depends on how you use it! This section explains about what kind of accuracy you can expect from Goldenseal estimating software.

Our Experience

When we first started using the unit costs and spreadsheet calculations that are now in Goldenseal, Turtle Creek Construction hit within 5% of actual costs on nearly all of our construction project estimates. After a couple years of refinement, we were hitting within 2% on nearly all of our estimates.

Many users have told us that they get similar results with Goldenseal.

Click here for ways to increase the accuracy of Goldenseal estimating software.

Goldenseal versus Paper Estimates

Before computers, we felt lucky to get estimates within 10% of actual costs.

Generally you can expect much higher accuracy from software that includes unit costs, for the following reasons:

Once you've included items in a template, Goldenseal never forgets them.
People make math errors. Computers don't.
Goldenseal automatically keeps up with the most price changes.
Goldenseal lets you include a detailed specifications list very quickly. That means you can include the cost of small details that you might miss when using a "rule of thumb" price.
Goldenseal is hard-nosed about actual costs, which may help prevent you from engaging in "wishful thinking" or over-optimism.

What Affects Accuracy

It is easier to get high accuracy when you are doing work that you've done before, and when there aren't too many unknowns or complications to the project.

Naturally, the more time you spend on an estimate, the more accurate you can make it. And the more experience you have, the easier it is to get high accuracy quickly.

Click here for ways to calibrate Goldenseal estimating software, to make sure it is accurate for you.

WARNING-- It is impossible to guarantee any level of accuracy with any estimating software, book or system. It all depends on what the user puts in!

Click here to return to estimating topics.