Getting Started with Estimate Works for Word

When you first download Estimate Works, or install Estimate Works from a CD-ROM, the following main components will be installed on your system.

• Estimate Works program startup file (EstimateWorks.exe) - installed to the directory you specified during the install wizard (usually C:/Program Files/Estimate Works Word).
• Estimate Works Word template file (EWPaintPro.dot) - installed to the directory you specified during the install wizard (usually C:/Program Files/Estimate Works Word).
• Estimate Works database (estimate.mdb) - installed to the directory you specified during the install wizard followed by the sub directory 'db' (usually C:/Program Files/Estimate Works Word/db). If you have the Enterprise version of Estimate Works for multiple users, you can change the database being read by the software to another database located on your network (see Setting the Data Source for more information on this topic).  
• Estimate templates - installed to the directory you specified during the install wizard followed by the sub directory 'templates' (usually C:/Program Files/Estimate Works Word/templates).
• Report Files - installed to the directory you specified during the install wizard followed by the sub directory reports (usually C:/Program Files/Estimate Works Word/reports).

When Estimate Works™ launches, Word 2000/2002/XP/2003 performs a macro virus scan  in Microsoft Word. It will be indicated on the status bar at the bottom when the virus scan is running.

The Estimate Works™ toolbar will not load until the macro virus scan has been completed. 

When you first run Estimate Works™ you may be presented with a similar "Security Warning" window. This will enable DevWave Software Inc. to be added as a trusted source so that you can continue to run Estimate Works™ with your security settings on 'high'. To view our certificate, click on the 'Details' button on the window.  

To add DevWave Software Inc. as a trusted source, check the 'Always trust macros from this source.' check box and click on the 'Enable Macros'  button. 

Default Rates and Settings:

To start using the program, it is necessary to ensure that the default settings for your company are set correctly. Read the Setting Defaults - Company Defaults sections before you begin.

Estimate Works is shipped with a number of default rates that are based on nationally published amounts. Rates can be edited and new items added as needed. Read the  Setting Defaults - Setting Item Rates sections for more information.  

Creating an Estimate:
For an overview on creating an estimate see Producing Painting Estimates.

Related Topics:

Setting Company Defaults
Setting Material Descriptions and Rates
Producing Painting Estimates