Objective
Estimating is one of the most important aspects of running a successful construction company, yet most contractors are reluctant to embrace new technology to help them with their bidding. Why? Because it's easier to get stuck in a rut with a system "that works" than it is to take the initiative to adopt a new approach that may help expand your business.  Let's face it, estimating software will never be as fun as drafting and navigating 3-D models within Chief, but it can be equally as influential in your business' success.

Contrary to popular belief, estimating on your computer does NOT have to give you a headache. My goal is to present new approaches to estimating that will hopefully meet open minds and stir some people to improve their company's efficiency. 

Experience
I was raised in a family business in which my father was not afraid to put me to work.  As soon as I was old enough to handle a push broom, I was doing just that on job sites. I spent several summers doing carpentry until it was determined that my computer skills made me better suited for drafting and job-costing. I would like to think that I played a small role in helping our family's business, Orfield Remodeling, Inc., earn the status of Remodeling Magazine's Big 50 in 2003 and recently win three National Contractor of the Year (NARI) awards.

Career
After graduating from the University of Notre Dame's College of Engineering in 2003, I have dedicated my time to developing estimating software for the contractor community. My company, Clear Estimates, Inc., has been selling software for two years and has experienced tremendous growth in that time.  Our user-base is consistently expanding and our software consistently changing. Since the program's inception there have been three major releases and a fourth expected to arrive before the end of the year, all of which have been guided by participation with contractors and enthusiastic encouragement from our users.

When I'm not working, I enjoy wedding planning with my fiancée Cara, hanging out with my family, and living in third world countries in the middle of the Pacific.

Feel free to contact me about anything: nolan@clearestimates.com

Nolan Orfield, CEO
Clear Estimates, Inc.
www.clearestimates.com