What is an Xactimate Macro?
In short, a macro is provides Xactimate users an efficient way to replicate repetitive tasks. As such, while estimating mitigation claims using macros is a given. If you aren’t utilizing this tool, you are doing yourself a huge disservice.
How Can Macros in Xactimate Improve Efficiency?
You can create a macro in Xactimate that is a single line item with a note attached. Then each time you apply the macro in a room, it will automatically have your F9 note attached. If you are quoting the s500, the s520, or even OSHA standards to justify line items, these notes can be extensive. So having them included as a macro will help speed up inputting these line items. You can also create an entire room as a macro.
You can create a Cat 1 room with 4 fans, Cat 1 with 5 fans, etc for each category. This macro will include everything your company standard includes for that room. Then you just delete what wasn’t done or adjust the quantities to fit the job actually performed. You can even create macros that separate demo and equipment. That way there will be less adjusting of the macros. These are great tools…. When used correctly.
Want to learn how to make effective macros?
There are Some Issues When Simplifying the Procedure to Just Using Macros….
Have you ever started driving to work and next thing you know you were in the parking lot and had no idea how you got there? Your brain went into autopilot mode. Well as you do estimate after estimate during the course of a day, if you don’t stay engaged, your brain will go into autopilot mode. Then mistakes will be made. This especially happens when using full room macros. Make sure you go back and review every line item to see they were changed. Otherwise, once it goes to an adjuster, expect a call.
Using macros exclusively also tends to stiffen an estimator’s line item growth. They will tend to use the same line items over and over instead of diligently looking for new line items or line items that may more accurately describe your scope of work. Small additional items that were performed but aren’t a part of the company standard or the macro tend to be missed.
Watch a free video on macros on Reets TV Streaming!
How Can You Resolve Being in Autopilot?
As an estimator, take time to search the most commonly used Xact categories. Look for new line items, line items that you want to research more, line items that you don’t commonly use. Get familiar not just with your macros but the Xact categories as a whole. To help some of the inaccuracies that are inherent to estimating, have a review process in place. Having another estimator, project manager or mitigation manager review your finished estimates will halt this. Found money goes straight to the bottom line pretty much. Otherwise, it would just be lost all together. It will rarely happen that an adjuster will see something you didn’t charge for and tell you to add it. So have someone familiar with estimating look over the job for errors. Also, be balanced when using your macros. Don’t become over reliant on them.
Written By: Nick Sharp
Nick Sharp has worked with Jeremy Reets for over a decade now. He started in carpet cleaning and mitigation before moving to the construction side as a project manager. He then was the senior estimator for Champion Construction for over 8 years. Since its inception in 2015, Nick has been an instructor of our Restoration Estimating & Negotiating course. His most recent venture is as a restoration estimate consultant. Nick is an Xactware Certified Trainer and is also has his Level 3 Certifications in Xact 28 and X1. He’s a bad boy on that sketch but better at finding lost money!