Quest Takeoff and Quest Estimator - Concrete Equipment Inc

AUTOMATED TAKEOFF AND ESTIMATING SOFTWARE FROM
MAXWELL SYSTEMS
I n t e g r a t e d C o n s t r u c t i o n S o f t w a r e S o l u t i o n s
Maxwell Systems
Quest Takeoff and
Quest Estimator
S Y S T E M S

Maxwell Systems
Quest Takeoff and
Quest Estimator
Maxwell Systems offers complete estimating
solutions for all types of construction contractors.
And we back up all our products with thorough training and support to ensure our customers
get the most out of our products. Read on to learn more about the advantages Maxwell
Systems can bring to your business. Or contact us directly today for the full story.
Maxwell Systems Quest Takeoff
Quest Takeoff is a program that will keep you at the forefront of construction software technology.
With it you can complete a digital takeoff of any structure shown on a set of blueprints, all without
actually using paper blueprints.
Key Benefits
• Exclusive digital takeoff capabilities enable you to save time and money
• Fully compatible with other Maxwell Systems construction management programs
Maxwell Systems Quest Estimator
Quest Estimator is the core of our Quest product line. Beginning with the digitized takeoff and
concluding with generating the final bid, Quest Estimator is just the tool you need to create a winning
bid, no matter what your specialty.
Key Benefits
• Takeoff and estimating solution in a single convenient application
• Can provide you with unprecedented efficiency in the estimating process
• Unique features help ensure the accuracy of your estimates
Providing relevant, timely, and accurate
information, Maxwell Systems Quest Estimating
Software delivers valuable insight that can improve
the way you do business.

Estimating Technology Overview
Construction estimating technology has come a long way
from the days of pencil and paper. The introduction of
automated estimating brought unprecedented benefits
to the construction industry. And Maxwell Systems
continues to break new ground with the fastest, most
accurate and easiest to use takeoff and estimating
software solutions available.
Maxwell Systems serves all 16 divisions of construction
with comprehensive estimating and accounting solutions.
So no matter your expertise, it’s ours, too. Our awardwinning
software, matched with state of the art hardware
and unparalleled support, make Maxwell Systems the
right choice for any estimator.
Maxwell Systems’ solutions have innovative features no
other company offers. Our software can help you get
each estimate done quickly, correctly, and confidently.
You’ll be able to bid more jobs and make more money
than you thought possible.
Issue Affecting Your Business
Lack of efficiency due to outdated
estimating methods.
Working with separate, incompatible programs.
The Maxwell Systems Solution
Our automated takeoff and estimating software
can help you complete jobs up to 10 times faster
than before.
Maxwell Systems Quest Estimator is an all-inone
takeoff and estimating system that’s
compatible with other Maxwell Systems products.
Inaccurate takeoffs producing a flawed final
bid.
Takeoff has missing or hidden components.
Maxwell Systems’ takeoff technology is accurate
to within 1/1000 of an inch, so you can be sure
your numbers are correct.
Our 3-D Visual Assemblies enable you to
examine every element of a structure from every
possible perspective on a computer screen,
helping you ensure everything that should
be on the takeoff is actually there.
“My Maxwell Systems estimating software is not a canned solution. It’s more flexible, and the end user is able to do what
they want to do. It adapts to your way of thinking. I can see profits directly linked to our use of the system. Maxwell Systems’
software enables us to bid jobs with profits and overhead in mind. And it gives us a good sense of profit and loss as we work
through a job. We were never able to do that before.”
Fred Weber
Founder, Weber Construction

Maxwell Systems Quest Takeoff
Are paper blueprints going out of style
Maybe not just yet. But more and more companies are
discovering the advantages of digital plans every day.
Maxwell Systems can provide the digital takeoff
technology you need to keep up with the competition.
A good estimate naturally begins with an accurate takeoff. Maxwell Systems Quest Takeoff can help
ensure that’s exactly what you get each and every time. There’s simply no more precise program for
calculating your areas, lengths and quantities.
What sets this takeoff program apart from every other is its state of the art digital takeoff capabilities.
With Quest Takeoff you can perform a takeoff of anything found on a set of blueprints without ever
touching a set of blueprints!
While paper blueprints may still have a place in construction, they are no longer a requirement.
Digital takeoff can save you thousands of dollars on blueprints; further, it can spare you the hassle of
working with those awkward, bulky paper plans for good.
Quest Takeoff is available as a standalone product or
bundled with Maxwell Systems Quest Estimator.

With this digital takeoff program you can
perform a takeoff off anything found on a set of
blueprints. You can take digital plan files from
an online plan room, CD-ROM or other source,
in many common types including PDF, TIF, GIF
and CAD formats, and upload them directly
into the program. Digital takeoff can save you
thousands of dollars on blueprints and spare
you the hassle of working with bulky paper
plans.
Once your digital plans are imported into the
program, just select the appropriate cost item
library, choose a cost item, and start tracing on
your computer screen with a mouse.
This versatile program lets you flip, rotate and copy
structures, which saves you from having to retrace
identical structures. It also lets you customize your
cost item libraries, or import them straight from
other programs. And when your plans are suddenly
changed, it lets you instantly compare your new plans
to the older ones.
Use the Link feature to attach any file – a
photo, etc. – that is relevant to the takeoff
structure.
Key Benefits
• Exclusive digital takeoff capabilities allow contractors to save time and money
• Compatible with other Maxwell Systems construction management programs

Maxwell Systems Quest Estimator
Estimator is the core application for all Quest estimating solutions. But don’t let the name fool you – it’s
actually an all-in-one automated takeoff and estimating system.
Quest Estimator, the industry’s premier estimating software, has unique features that can help you
experience unprecedented accuracy and efficiency – completing jobs up to 10 times faster than with
obsolete manual methods like pencil and paper. These will give you the opportunity to bid more work and
make more money.
Digitizing (calculating lengths, areas and quantities
of count items) with Quest Estimator consists of
laying your plans on a digitizer, setting the scale,
then tracing the plans with a stylus pen. After you
complete your measurements, send them to your
estimate to prepare your bid. (If you work with digital plan
files, you can even upload them directly into Quest Estimator
using an optional digital takeoff module, then digitize them with a
mouse. Read the Maxwell Systems Quest Takeoff section of this
brochure for more information.)
The Notepad keeps track of all your quantities and
cost item specifications, providing a convenient audit
trail for your job. It’s like a virtual legal pad with a
running list of everything on the takeoff. A mouseclick
lets you sort these items as needed, convert
items from one unit of measurement to another, or
get totals for your quantities.
The Database is a centralized storage location for
historical pricing on cost items that are relevant
to your specific type of business. You can create
as many customized databases as you want, with
unlimited cost items in each. If you’re already
using Excel or another Windows-based third-party
program, you can continue to use it. Just import
your data directly from that program into Quest
Estimator.

The Estimate is where your bid really
comes together. This feature enables you
to create cost breakdowns by the criteria
of your choice, generate lists of cost items
and view subsets and subtotals of your
estimate. You can also create estimate
templates with items you regularly use,
saving you from having to start from scratch
each time you do an estimate.
The Summary screen is where you
can subtotal costs from your estimate,
organized by work breakdown structure
codes. You have complete control over
which codes you subtotal. The Summary
screen also gives you the capability to set
baseline costs and compare any changes
in the estimate to those baselines.
Digitizer boards are
sophisticated electronic tools
that enable you to measure
quantities to 1/1000th of an
inch. Also known as tablets,
digitizers are faster, more
accurate and easier to use than
other types of takeoff tools.
They are available either as a
hard board (pictured) or in a
portable rollup version.

Picture the Winning Bid:
The 3-D Visual Assembly
Maxwell Systems pioneered the interactive 3-D Visual
Assemblies, which is like a graphical checklist that shows
your structure coming together on a computer screen.
This is a lifelike takeoff image that enables you to zoom,
rotate, go inside and even separate the components of any
structure.
Though sophisticated in design, interactive 3-D Visual Assemblies couldn’t be easier to use. After you’ve
digitized a structure, open the corresponding Visual Assembly. Adjust the parameters or quantities of your
components as needed. Then save the Visual Assembly and send it to your estimate to generate your
quantities and costs.
There’s no better way to create fast, accurate takeoffs. With just one measurement, you can complete your
takeoff and instantly price out dozens of cost items. And when you’re done with one project, you can save
your Visual Assemblies for use on future projects with similar structures.
Interactive 3-D Visual Assemblies will ensure you deliver an accurate bid, and give your clients a clear,
impressive picture of their investment. They literally help you picture the winning bid.
This feature is completely customizable to the type of construction you do. If concrete is your specialty, for
example, you’ll get a full set of concrete Visual Assemblies with Quest Estimator. We’ve created dozens of
Visual Assemblies for all standard structures and put them together in packages that cater to the unique
estimating requirements of your type of business.
Finishing Drywall
Masonry Block

A Small Sampling of Our Visual Assemblies
Concrete Slab: The expanded view enables you to separate all the
components of a structure and view them individually from any angle.
Sitework Curb
Framing Wall Timber
Tiltup Panel
Roofing Steep Slope

Fully Integrated Construction Business
Management Software Solutions
For a fully integrated system, look to Maxwell
Systems’ accounting products. These integrate
directly with our estimating products, providing you
with the convenience of a complete construction
management solution from one company.
also enjoys an unprecedented overview of their
entire business process from takeoff to cash. A
Maxwell Systems construction management solution
enables managers to get a true measurement of the
efficiency and accuracy of their team.
A fully integrated system is beneficial to everyone
from the estimator up to the chief executive officer.
While estimators and accountants benefit from our
programs’ accuracy and ease of use, management
Proposal Writer
Simplify the process of creating and tracking proposals with Proposal Writer. This optional module helps
Maxwell Systems estimating software users quickly accumulate bid details and produce proposals in the
format desired by your customers. A Proposal Wizard guides you through a three-step process to include just
the right amount of detail in every proposal. Proposal Writer features also include:
• Proposal Tracking: Proposal
Writer helps you organize
proposals by status and by
color coding for a quick look at
outstanding proposals.
• Memo Fields: Create memos of
unlimited length for in-depth
specifications. These
specifications may be visible
or hidden when compiling
proposals.
• Historical Records: Proposal
Writer provides easy access to
historical proposals for reference.

Solid Solutions and Support from an Industry Leader
With over three decades of expertise in the industry,
Maxwell Systems is a leading provider of construction
business management solutions. We’re not here just
to provide you software, however; we offer complete
support and training to complement our products.
A Variety of Training and Support Options
Maxwell Systems has one of the most comprehensive
support programs available, including dedicated
customer service representatives, access to technical
support, software updates, training, and more. Our
technical support team is available to assist you
for emergency support 24 hours a day. We provide
updated versions of our software on a regular basis,
so you always have the best estimating technology
available. We also offer flexible training options;
participate in a training session at one of our corporate
locations, or learn closer to home at a regional training
session, in a private one-on-one session, or through
Training on Demand.
In addition, we offer professional services including
consulting. We can help you use your system to its
fullest potential and apply the technology to your
specific needs.
Look to an Industry Veteran
Founded in 1975, Maxwell Systems is an industry
leader in construction business management and
property management software solutions and
services. We’re dedicated to helping our 10,000
customers streamline their estimating, job cost
accounting, and project management processes and
improve profitability. Maxwell Systems possesses the
knowledge and experience to help customers grow
their business while maximizing the return on their
technology investment. Our headquarters are in King
of Prussia, PA, with offices in Baltimore, MD, Fort
Collins, CO, Santa Cruz, CA, and Sarasota, FL.
For more information on Maxwell Systems,
visit www.maxwellsystems.com or call 1-800-688-8226, press 1.
© 2007 Maxwell Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Maxwell Systems, Quest, and Estimator are trademarks of Maxwell Systems, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the
property of their respective companies or owners.
Maxwell Systems has made all due effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this document. Maxwell Systems assumes no liability for any damages incurred directly from any
errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information contained in this document. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

S Y S T E M S
www.maxwellsystems.com