Masonry Magazine November 2008 Page. 21
MASONRY COMPUTER ESTIMATING
Masonry Computer Estimating
That Does It All... in 3D!
by Tradesmen's Software
Do Faster Takeoffs!
Eliminate Mistakes!
See the actual building being displayed in 3D as you do your take-off in either PLAN mode, PERSPECTIVE mode, OUTSIDE mode, INSIDE mode or at any ELEVATION. Complete your take-off, then walk through or around and see the actual finished building(s). SAVE $- No more walls, bandings, openings or even buildings missed from your estimate. Figure special wall shapes like PIERS, GABLE, SLOPE or STEPS!
Calculates CMU: HALF and FULL BULLNOSE, DOUBLE BULLNOSE, CHAMFER, or SASH for any or all OPENINGS, JAMBS, CORNERS, CONTROL JOINTS and any SPECIAL CUTS. Integrate with Accounting Software and transfer data to Microsoft Excel. Runs on Windows PCs and Bootcamp/Windows on Intel Macs. 30 day money back guarantee. Support available 7 days a week. Comes with more than 400 items in material database.
Negotiating projects with a 3D image will win you more contracts and enhance your professional image.
TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE, Inc.
1-800-494-4899
See for yourself at:
www.tradesmens.com
SEE US AT MASONRY SHOWCASE BOOTH #S12704
CIRCLE 163 ON READER SERVICE CARD
November 2008
Masonry 19
OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS, CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS AND CONSUMERS WITH AN EASY WAY TO SELECT AND SPECIFY PROFESSIONAL MASON CONTRACTORS.
Jeff Buczkiewicz
Executive Director of the MCAA
Opting to earn the certification is a major commitment for a business as the masonry firm must have 100 percent of supervisory staff attain 15 continuing education credits in order to qualify to sit for the exam. Once the primary and supervisor have attained the appropriate credits, the primary must sit for an exam and pass it with a score of 80 percent or better. There are currently more than 40 professionals registered for the program.
"I think the program is structured with some teeth to it," says recently certified Rob Barnes, president/COO and third-generation of his family's 53-year-old company, Dee Brown Inc. in Dallas. "The test is not easy. You're not just going to walk in off the street without knowing the industry and pass. I think it will strengthen our industry over time as more and more people come into certification."
Barnes believes the certification programs will help "police the industry" and hopes to see certified masonry contractors in the specs for jobs in the near future, which is one of the main goals of encouraging more contracts to get certified as proof of their competence in the industry.
Also having recently passed the certification test, Mark Horn of A. Horn Inc. in Barrington, III., agrees.
"It'll demonstrate to our clients our dedication to ongoing training and professionalism," he says, noting that many of the required classes are excellent for business owners in the industry and a benefit to the management team, which can then share the information with the entire staff.
Virgil Henley, of Henley Concrete and Masonry Inc. in Crestview, Fla., was among the first four to complete the program and says he liked the program, but is concerned that some may find it difficult to get in the required hours.
"It's going to be tough for somebody just beginning," says Henley, a 15-year veteran of the industry. "There just aren't a lot of classes out there. But anytime you try to initiate something you will have to work out the bugs."
Henley notes that the real benefit of certification won't come until the industry can get architects, engineers and developers to spec certified mason contractors, a point echoed by Patrick Halloran of Halloran Masonry in Athens, Ga., whose company was certified through the MCAA this year.
"As a masonry contractor, being licensed and recognized by the MCAA is just a feather in my hat," Halloran says. "I've got 33 years in the business and like to know the industry recognizes the value of a certified mason contractor.
"It's going to be something everyone needs to pursue if they're going to be successful; it's going to weed out the lesser qualified,"
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