With all of the different programs available, it might be hard to know which one is right for you. Here are a couple of ideas for narrowing down the choice.
Talk with other users-if you know any contractors, talk to them about what software they use. Almost everything is done with computers now days and home construction is no different. At one time, budgets were drawn out, in the dirt, at construction sites. Now budgets are entered into budget planning software and they are returned, itemized on spreadsheets. Ask around and find out some names of the software that is commonly used.
Try to find a download-the key to finding a program that is going to work for you is finding a template that makes sense to you. The less computer savvy you are, the more important it will be for you to get a hold of a nice, user-friendly program. Once you have a couple of names of programs recommended to you search for those programs on the web. Quite often companies will have free downloads that let you look at the program and draw up a mock budget. If you are able to find a program to download and try you will be in a much better position to decide if the software is right for you.
Avoid downloads that say "shareware"-if you are searching for downloadable programs to try, be on the look out for the word, "shareware". Shareware is software that is not safe for your computer. Never download shareware for any reason. Once you do, both your computer and your identity are at risk.
Go to a construction supply store and look at the software available-you will be able to find budgeting software at any store that sells software but at a construction supply store, you might be able to get some advice as well. Ask the sales person what he or she knows about the different software. Chances are pretty good that they will have had some feedback on at least some of the software. Read the packages carefully and try to decide which product will best suit your construction needs.
Shop online-online stores like eBay offer some great features like customer comments. If you are looking for software at eBay (or Amazon, or other online stores) you can find out a lot more about the product than you can by just reading the back of the box. Go online and find out what other builders have to say about the software. EBay uses a star system (one star for poor and five stars for awesome). Look only at the products that are sporting four or more stars.
If you don't like the software, try again-you might do all the right research but find out once you get the software on your computer that it not going to work for you. If you don't like the format or something else about the software, you will not put yourself out much to try another brand.