How Plumbing Estimators Benefit From McCormick

Plumbing estimators face unique challenges in the commercial construction industry.

Between complex mechanical systems, changing material prices and evolving project scopes, creating accurate bids isn’t easy.

Add the pressure of fast turnaround times, fierce competition and the risk of underbidding or overbidding can seriously affect an estimator’s bottom line.

That’s where specialized plumbing estimating software with integrated takeoff tools, comprehensive material databases, and automated labor calculations like McCormick comes in

Designed specifically for commercial and industrial plumbing contractors, McCormick helps experienced estimators, cost estimators, and takeoff specialists generate precise, professional, and profitable bids — faster and more confidently.

With over 40 years of experience, McCormick Systems understands the unique demands of the plumbing trade.

In fact, McCormick is ranked as one of the Top 10 Construction Estimating Software leaders based on a comprehensive assessment performed by SelectHub research analysts, a testament to its robust capabilities.

In this article, we’ll break down how McCormick supports plumbing estimators and why switching from generic estimating tools to McCormick’s trade-specific solution is a smart move for your business.

Key Takeaways for Plumbing Estimators:

• Estimators can create accurate bids quickly using digital takeoffs that calculate quantities directly from your plans.
• Access a built-in database of plumbing materials, fixtures and assemblies to save time and improve accuracy.
• Enable estimators to efficiently calculate labor costs based on crew productivity, wage rates and project location.
• Seamlessly adjust estimates as changes arise with easy-to-use change order tools.
• Generate branded, consistent proposals that reflect true costs, reducing risk and boosting professionalism.

Eliminate Manual Takeoffs and Reduce Errors

Manually estimating material quantities from blueprints or spreadsheets leaves too much room for error.

For commercial and industrial plumbing contractors, this is especially risky when estimating piping systems, fixtures, fittings and accessories that vary by building type, code requirements and water systems.

Takeoff and estimating software eliminates the need for manual calculations to help you develop a winning takeoff and estimating process

McCormick’s industry-leading takeoff tools allow estimators to perform construction takeoffs directly from digital blueprints, so you can automatically calculate pipe lengths, fixture counts and fitting quantities in real time.

McCormick’s Design Estimating Pro is a powerful, integrated digital takeoff solution built directly into the software, making this process seamless.

From takeoffs to proposal generation, the software simplifies your estimating for accurate construction bidding, reducing the likelihood of errors.

This not only improves accuracy but also drastically reduces the time spent measuring, the likelihood of missed items or duplication and the effort of cross-referencing drawings manually.

Use a Plumbing-Specific Database Estimators Can Trust

Generic estimating software often lacks the depth needed to properly estimate plumbing work.

It can’t account for the thousands of specific components and labor units unique to plumbing installations.

McCormick’s comprehensive plumbing estimating database includes:

• Thousands of pre-built items and assemblies tailored to commercial, residential and industrial plumbing
• Current material costs that are easy to update and adjust based on material suppliers and market fluctuations
• Support for copper, PEX, PVC, cast iron and other pipe types with accurate labor and material factors specific to each
• Assemblies for common installations like commercial restroom renovations, medical gas piping or ADA-compliant fixtures.

With access to these comprehensive, consistently updated resources, plumbing estimators can build comprehensive estimates without reinventing the wheel for every project.

Improve Labor Cost Accuracy

Labor can make or break a plumbing estimate.

With so many variables — material types, install methods and crew sizes — manually tracking labor units and hours is time-consuming and leaves room for error.

Inaccurate labor estimates can lead to significant underbidding or inflated prices that lose bids.

McCormick’s plumbing estimating software simplifies labor cost calculations through:

• Including industry-standard labor units for thousands of plumbing items
• Allowing estimators to adjust labor units manually based on project complexity and crew productivity rates
• Making it easy to apply labor factors across an entire estimate or by phase, area or system
• Integrating with current wage rates and local labor regulations

Because labor data is built into the McCormick construction estimating software item and assembly database, you can quickly generate labor hour totals that align with your real-world install experience.

Whether you’re working with a two-person crew or a large team, you’ll have a clear view of how labor impacts your total to improve your construction bids.

Manage Change Orders With Confidence

Plumbing projects frequently evolve, with design changes or site conditions requiring modifications to original plans.

Without a system in place to manage these changes, the estimator risks underbilling for additional work.

McCormick helps plumbing estimators with efficient construction change order management by offering user-friendly, fully cloud-based tools for quickly updating quantities and pricing and detailed audit trails to support billing and documentation.

Being cloud-based means you can access and manage your estimates and change orders from anywhere, on any device, ensuring your team is always working with the most current project data.

This flexibility is a significant advantage in the fast-paced construction world.

This protects your profit margins and ensures all additional work is properly accounted for.

Produce Polished, Professional Proposals

An accurate estimate is only part of the job. You also need to deliver a proposal that clearly communicates scope, cost, and value to your clients.

A professional proposal instills confidence and sets you apart from competitors.

McCormick’s proposal generation let you create branded, consistent proposals with your own logos and custom formatting.

Then, automatically pull data from your estimate to eliminate double entry, as well as save and reuse proposal templates and common conditions for future bids.

This improves efficiency, builds client confidence, and enhances the professionalism of your bids.

Stay Current With Real-Time Pricing Updates

Beyond just having an updated database, the market for plumbing materials is constantly in flux.

The price of copper, PVC and other key components can change daily, and economic uncertainty can amplify these fluctuations, making accurate material costing even more critical.

McCormick’s software enables estimators to automate pricing updates.

This crucial feature ensures your bids always reflect the most current material costs, preventing profit erosion due to unforeseen price increases after a bid is submitted.

It allows you to stay competitive and maintain healthy margins.

Seamlessly Integrate With Accounting Software

Accurate estimates are crucial, but they’re just the first step in a profitable project.

To truly optimize your workflow and ensure financial clarity, your estimating data needs to flow seamlessly into your accounting system.

McCormick understands this critical connection. With McCormick, you can seamlessly sync your accounting and construction estimating data so you can respond quickly to changes, without sacrificing accuracy or transparency.

This eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors and ensures that project costs, progress and profitability are tracked consistently from bid to completion.

With real-time data transfer, you can make informed financial decisions, streamline invoicing and maintain complete transparency throughout your business.

See Why Plumbing Estimators Choose McCormick

Whether you’re bidding on a large-scale commercial job or a high-pressure retrofit, having the right tools makes all the difference.

McCormick’s takeoff and estimating software is built specifically for the demands of plumbing contractors — helping you bid faster, more accurately and more profitably.

It’s a comprehensive solution for managing every aspect of the estimating process.

From detailed takeoffs to labor calculations and seamless proposal creation, McCormick equips plumbing estimators with everything they need to succeed.

Talk to a McCormick specialist today to see how you can estimate faster, win more bids, and eliminate manual takeoff errors.