With every New Year comes the promise of a new start, of new beginnings. For builders and those in the construction and development industry, many couldn't wait to say goodbye to 2009. With lending frozen on new development and customers looking to purchase or make improvements to existing homes, and development costs surging, 2009, and now 2010 is the year to look into cost cutting measures to survive and thrive later this year and on into the future of this second decade of the 21st century. One way to do just that is to be more accurate and save time when developing estimates. BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders, recently released a new resource for builders that will help them do just that. Estimating with Microsoft Excel® Third Edition, a book and companion CD by Jay Christofferson, takes readers through generating an estimating workbook in Microsoft Excel® 2007, step by step to save time and avoid costly errors.

“Most builders rely greatly on Microsoft Excel for estimating projects. This new book and companion CD walks readers through all the ins and outs of using Excel and streamlines the estimation process, saving builders valuable time and money," said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a homebuilder from Tulsa (OK). “The book teaches builders how to master the estimating process and easily incorporate changes, such as project alterations or materials substitutions, without starting from scratch…and without sacrificing profits."

Estimating with Microsoft Excel, Third Edition includes formulas for calculating common materials and other project costs, including concrete, rebar, labor, permits and taxes. Christofferson, who also developed the popular Microsoft Excel-based EstimatorPRO® construction estimating program, demonstrates how to apply and customize the formulas for everyday construction project management.

“The book contains helpful information on calculating profit margin and offers several detailed tables and a worksheet with sample Excel formulas," added Christofferson, a professor of construction management at Brigham Young University and associate director of the school of technology, and a licensed contractor who has built hundreds of custom and production homes. “The accompanying CD also contains sample Excel workbooks that address various stages of the estimating process and demonstrate Excel features that will help builders automate worksheets."

While technology is often a great means to cut costs, the beginning of a new year also reflects a terrific time to focus on working smarter and learning your trade to maximize time, costs and your business plans. To follow are a few tips to making that happen in 2010: 1) Delegate: In this DIY (do it yourself) society we live in today and most people believing in the “if you want it done right you have to do it yourself" mentality, this piece of advice is the hardest to implement but perhaps the most important. If you are to grow – as an individual and as a company -- acquiring this ability is primary.

2) Attend – and hold meetings: Builders groups, real estate associations and local gatherings of civic and business professionals can not only advance your knowledge but also, with networking, provide new leads and business opportunities. Lastly, by brining everyone together in your firm under one roof can help make your operation run more smoothly and lead to better success.

3) Embrace Internet marketing: Social media, Web site(s) and community forums. Gone are the days of the traditional marketing, mass media approach. Your customers are your board of directors; listen to them and grow.

The New Year is an opportunity – seize it and move you and your business forward.

[Note: Estimating with Microsoft® Excel, Third Edition is available for purchase at www.BuilderBooks.com]

Published: January 27, 2010

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Peter L. Mosca is president and founder of BAK Communications, Inc. He has over 22 years of communications and media consulting experience, serving a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the CCIM Institute and the REALTOR Association on all three levels – national, state and local. He is the Spokesperson Trainer for the CCIM's Jay Levine Academy and trains hundreds of residential REALTORS nationwide to be effective industry spokespeople. He is consistently ranked as "excellent" by about 90% of those who attend his presentations. While his principal consulting focuses are public speaking and media relations development and content delivery and management, Peter is also the host of the Voice America Network's weekly radio program, "Income Property Investment Talk," a one-hour program that brings the powerhouses of commercial and residential real estate to property investors every Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST. Peter is married 17 years to his wife Barbara. They have two children: Ashley, 15 and Kelli, 12. Hence, the name BAK Communications, Inc.