Professional Builder visits a Surrey contractor who has made HBXL Building Software an integral part of his business
When you’re pricing a complex home improvement project with multiple moving parts – getting just one of them wrong can be a costly mistake. Using spreadsheets and your own calculations is inherently open to error – and time consuming. Enter HBXL and its time saving, high performing EstimatorXpress software, a solution that Olly Rooks of Rooks Construction has wholeheartedly embraced.
We caught up with Olly at a substantial remodelling job in an affluent and leafy corner of Surrey. Here, a 30 sq m single storey extension, is complemented by a renovation of the entire interior (215 sq m), together with over 600 sq m of landscaping around the property. “Whilst the external façade remains the same, the inside has been gutted and we’re transforming the existing layout,” explains Rooks Construction’s eponymous founder, Olly Rooks. “There’s a new kitchen, bathrooms, central heating system, complete rewire and improvements to every room. There’s so much going on in a job like this and it’s where EstimatorXpress really pays off.”
Rooks Construction offers a full design and build service with HBXL representing just one component of a highly professional operation. The company’s Grayshott office is a useful resource for guiding potential and existing clients through a project in person, and all work is obtained through recommendation, or by collaborating with local architects. “Having a premise on the High Street does make us very much a part of the local community, and it means we’re much more accessible for new and existing customers. It means there’s always full transparency and we can update a client at any stage.”
Olly began his building career as a sole trader in 2010 and the Surrey firm has since expanded to an 11-strong team that can take on three or four jobs at any one time. The work he undertakes demands quality and the highest possible finish within the available budget. “When it comes to estimates, accuracy is obviously central, because you need to be confident that your figures are reliable for the client and that you’ve factored in a fair and reasonable profit margin, but the time saving is a huge benefit,” continues the 40 year-old.
“I’ve been using the HBXL software since 2023 and before that I was using spreadsheets. I would say I’ve more than halved the time it takes to compile even a very complex quote, and the more proficient you become the quicker you are. When you’re just using your own system of spreadsheets sourcing the right prices for materials is in itself an onerous task. HBXL’s Price Tracker means the up to-date prices are included and these are automatically amended/updated on a frequent basis to reflect what you’re actually paying. Just in terms of man hours the software pays for itself very quickly.”
“On this job, for example, we’ll be building an 85 square metre patio with a retaining wall. Not only does EstimatorXpress make sure that we’re specifying the surface material accurately but if I need to add the cost of a site dumper to bring material up that’s easily added as a sundry item, whilst you can equally remove any elements that are not relevant.”
At the same time the Rooks Construction team are able to build a calculator for elements such as a driveway. That includes every layer required such as sub-base, gravel and gravel grid, with a cost then determined, this can also be saved back to the Master Price book as a custom estimating calculator that can be repeatedly used again in future when required.
Whilst mastering the software is, with practice, a straightforward proposition, the Rooks Construction proprietor has found the HBXL team to be invaluable. “The support from Joe Walsh at HBXL has been first class, and they’ve spent a lot of time on the phone with us. When we first started using the software they were always on hand, and I also took part in some of the online training. The live sessions HBXL offers are very useful and there’s videos that you can go back to again and again.
“At the same time, EstimatorXpress does follow a methodical sequence, which makes working your way through the different elements of the build to calculate a price for every part a straightforward task. We can alter any amounts so that it accurately reflects what our suppliers are charging us and, once you’re more conversant with it, you can find creative ways to utilise what the system offers, so that it’s working for your business.”
Customer service
For Olly, the detail that a HBXL generated estimate provides the client lays the foundations for a relationship of trust from the outset. “The feedback from clients, even if we haven’t taken on the job, is always positive – they invariably tell us they really appreciate the thorough and
comprehensive documents we’ve provided. Not only that but there have been a couple of times where we’ve over priced a build and we’ve actually been able to give some money back, which does a lot for the reputation of the business.
“You can actually choose exactly what you want to show the customer, and for me the more you can break down an estimate into its build stages the better that is for them. If they have any concerns about a particular element we can bring them to our office and drill down into it further. We work on high value jobs and if we get the numbers wrong at the start we’re in big trouble,” concludes Olly. “EstimatorXpress goes a long way to making sure that doesn’t happen.”
For further information on HBXL Building Software visit https://hbxl.co.uk/try-professional-builder/
If you would like to find out more about the work of Rooks Construction go to Homepage – Rooks Construction.
