Don't Use Your Manufacturing Software For Pricing Cabinets

A lot of people think it is a no-brainer to use their manufacturing software for pricing and quoting custom cabinets. Whether you are using Cabinet Vision, Mozaik, KCD, CabinetPro, or any other manufacturing software, you have probably thought about using it's built in pricing module.
In this video I will give you three reasons why I think you shouldn't use your manufacturing software for pricing and quoting cabinets.
▶️ Forced To Draw Every Job
▶️ Everybody Designs Differently
▶️ Limits Potential Customers
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[@markbedrich8728]

Great video. Striking a balance with the tire kickers and the bonafide potential clients is the holy grail. As a pricing method linear feet is a joke but to weed out the riff raff it has its place.

[@myronwittmer]

Tire kickers:) nice. I agree that lineal foot pricing is a joke. The only thing it has going for it is simplicity. Otherwise, It just leaves so much on the table.

[@rayray2001111]

KCD prices cabinets and counters in minutes , takes a bit to set up (like 3 days) but once your done it’s really fast ( get vendors that don’t raise prices too often (Chinese vendors)). Only thing I use Easystone shop ($50 a month) to do vain mach. I do around 60 kitchens a month ( I have 12 keys for KDC ) im thinking of getting 1 cabinet vision to work with SCM router and robot

[@myronwittmer]

Wow, sounds like a high production setup. Out of curiosity, is KCD not doing everything you need it to do or what is making you look at a Cabinet Vision key?

[@frostcnc4712]

Couldn't agree more Myron... often way too much time invested before a customer is even committed.

[@myronwittmer]

Thanks Nic!

[@MoreHace]

Hi, thanks for the video. What would u do then?

[@myronwittmer]

Good question. I touch on on at the end of video by saying to use an external pricing software such as an Excel spreadsheet or a quoting specific software. I’ll be making more content on this topic in the coming weeks also.

[@alexbordo4449]

I draw a quick draft in Kcdw. Then use excel spreed sheet I created. Takes me 10 minutes. Then I'll tag on extras depending where job is located. Downtown is more expensive. 2nd, third floor and so on is more expensive. Type of home. Expensive homes are more expensive. And so on. Difficult clients are more expensive also. I paid my dues. In time you learn.

[@TheOmar1389]

great video … i think the best approach would be to take measurement and do a rough layout plan and than offer a proposal and if the client payed a downs payment then processed with design ...

[@myronwittmer]

Sounds like a good process. It is definitely going to be different for each shop, so my video was mainly intended to challenge people to think about how they are doing things.

[@TheOmar1389]

thank Myron for ur replay ... i would like to hear your opinion on this software CabinetSense it is an extension for SketchUp dose it compete with mozaik or KCD

[@myronwittmer]

I’ll download a trial tomorrow morning and see what I can learn about it.

[@myronwittmer]

I do love Sketchup for modeling so I am curious to see how this extension works.

[@TheOmar1389]

what software u use in your daily work?

[@benjaminrobinson6968]

You have the ability to order entry.. .you can literally bid jobs in seconds in CV... mozaik sucks.. ill give you that. CV needs xbidding now to take full advantage of the bid center... but is alot better of a system then our win98 ran system!!

[@TheTrollsCorner]

I can do a rough drawing in 30 minutes and have a quote ready in a hour I think you need faster drafters that understanding what a quote drawing it

[@MattFormoso]

welll shooot what do you recommend?

[@myronwittmer]

Haha, it does sound like a dire situation doesn’t it? For some shops, this model can work. I wanted to make this video to make people think about the cons of this pricing model. Feel free to shoot me and email and we can chat more.

[@marcocastillo1159]

Excellent video, thank you for your content, would you be interested in giving us some private tutorials on cabinet vision, how can I contact you?

[@myronwittmer]

Thanks Marco! You can find me email in the about section of my channel.

[@scottbuehler7511]

I understand where you are going with this, but that seems to also be a waste of time to just throw out a lineal footage bud. There is no way you could come close to being any where of what the real bid would be without working up drawings and using some type of bidding software, such as those programs you mentioned. Im just curious why you made a video saying why not to use the software program, but really did not give and good alternatives??

[@myronwittmer]

Thanks for the reply Scott. The point of the video was saying don’t use your “manufacturing software” for pricing. I also agree with you that lineal footage is not an ideal method. I was only recommending people to use some sort of external process or software for quoting other than your “manufacturing software”. I’m going to be talking more in upcoming videos about some of the software solutions that are available specifically for pricing. This video was simply a starting point to challenge the idea of using your manufacturing software for everything and to get people to think about their process.