Simon had noticed that his estimation process frequently involved assembling combinations of estimates for standard tasks such as tiling, plastering, running pipework, etc. Each of these tasks had a distinct estimation template for the parts and materials needed to complete the work, but were essentially the same from project to project.

His thought was that it should be possible to quickly create new estimation workbook for a particular quotation, by re-using these pre-existing task estimation templates, and then assembling them into a quotation as/when needed for the task, with all the totals pulled through to a summary covering note on the front sheet.

Simon had begun to standardise and compile a list of each of these estimation templates, but needed my help to automatically assemble these into a custom quotation.

I built and demonstrated a working prototype of his concept within a few days of our first meeting. A few button clicks was then all it took to produce an outline customer quotation and covering letter, ready for editing and emailing.

Creation of an estimate then involves filling in the customer details (in practice read in from another spreadsheet) and then populating the task templates with job-specific details such as measurements and options.

I also added the ability to print off derivatives of the estimate for use by individual tradesmen, and functionality to email the response automatically to the end client.

This estimation workbook saves Simon a great deal of time when responding to requests for quotations from public authorities or private customers. It also avoids the risk of simple formula errors or cost-element omissions causing problems in the calculations, as the quotation is constructed automatically from tried and tested parts.

Simon is an enthusiastic Excel user in his own right, and continued to update and extend this workbook from the original basis I developed. He has been in contact many times since the initial delivery, each time with a long list of ideas about what he would like to do next.

Along the way, I've suggested and implemented a few design changes, remodelled the database a little, added buttons to the ribbon, built custom userforms, and written lots of software, but the workbook remains a realization of Simon's original concept enabled and enhanced by my Excel experience and know-how.