Wendes Systems

Wendes Systems produces mechanical, plumbing and ductwork estimating software, and its depth of reference data is the strongest argument for it. The Wendes master data catalogue includes more than 200,000 items, which removes most of the setup work that otherwise consumes weeks before a new estimating system produces its first usable bid.

Labour is where estimating disputes actually originate, and Wendes supports three independent bases: Wendes National Labor rates, MCAA labour rates from the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, and PHCC rates from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association. Being able to estimate against a recognised industry standard rather than an in house assumption matters when a bid is challenged.

WenPipe covers piping and includes advanced productivity features: automatic pipe and fitting connection, specification driven estimating, a customisable database, and interfaces to CAD, accounting systems and project management. On screen job takeoff runs on a single screen or across multiple monitors, which reflects how estimators actually work with large drawing sets.

The HVAC mechanical estimating and takeoff product includes built in mechanical, plumbing and piping assemblies that are easily customised, and results can be exported to customised Excel report extensions. Wendes describes its software as designed for a data rich industry and the downstream workflow that follows the bid. Pricing is not published, with a free demonstration and software trial offered instead.