Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/40026
WORLD FENCE NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 77 Learn How To Build For PROFIT! The North American Fence Contractors Association presents its inaugural FENCE TRAINING SCHOOL! What: Fence Training School When: October 20-22, 2011 Where: Delta, Colorado Cost: $295/person NAFCA members $350/person non-members Limited number of spaces Learn from the best in the industry! Instructors have over 500 years of total experience! Primary Instructional Installation – Chain Link Secondary Classes – Ornamental Metal • Agricultural • Vinyl • Gate Operators • Wood Job Costing • Sales Training Contact us today for more information or an application! 770-757-9094 • www.4nafca.com 2631 Corporate Circle, East Troy, WI 53120 Estimator's WorkSheet brings job estimating into the 21st Century Computers, technology and the In- ternet have become an integral and permanent part of modern life. So, the Estimator's WorkSheet was created to keep up with this growing trend and modernize the often tedious and time consuming task of preparing fence es- timates. The Estimator's Worksheet was created and developed by Jackson Chaker, a life-long fence man who started as a delivery boy and worked his way up to senior foreman and com- pany owner. He currently is senior es- timator and consultant to Quality Fence Company in Paramount, Calif. Chaker has established a small business named Chaker "Z" Publica- tions, which specializes in PDF cre- ations, including the Estimator's WorkSheet and a wide variety of cus- tomized PDF forms such as video brochures, catalogs and magazines. Chaker mastered Javascript, HTML, and Flash Action Scripting, and, using a combination of these skills, he was able to design the Esti- mator's WorkSheet and other complex PDF forms. Chaker said the idea originated one day when he was searching through several suppliers' paper cata- logs, pricing out materials to give a customer a price for a fence job. "It's taking too much time," he thought. "There has to be an easier and faster way. All these suppliers' prices could be in one database." He then designed and wrote the Javascript coding for the Estimator's WorkSheet. He notes that he created it in PDF so it would be ac- cessible on any computer using the free and widely available Acrobat Reader or full Acrobat Pro program. Also, in some cases, it can be run on devices such as iPhones and iPads. "In essence, the Estimator's Work- Sheet can be viewed as a multi-phase PDF database loaded with your fence suppliers' materials prices so all the es- timator has to do is breeze through it, make material selections, and the Esti- mator's WorkSheet makes the calcula- tions – right down to the nuts and bolts" he said. "Using the Estimator's Work- Sheet, I can break down material costs for a job, prepare the customer's writ- ten quote, generate an itemized parts list for the crew's work order, produce gate tickets for the welding shop and, if needed, a wide selection of shop drawings and a selection of trade forms like change orders, liens, sub- contracts, etc. It's all done automati- cally within a few minutes. It's the greatest tool I've ever used," he said. The Estimator's WorkSheet is the product of both the fence trade and computer programming. "While you're working, the Esti- mator's WorkSheet fills out two copies of the work order. One copy goes to the foreman so the crew can pull parts, eliminating the time it would take for them to figure it out, which gets the crew out of the yard faster. Then one goes to the office secretary for the company records," he said. "Then, the Estimator's WorkSheet prepares your gate tickets to send to your welding shop for fabricat- ing. Not to mention prepar- ing the other forms such as extra work order or liens so they're ready, if you need them." In addition, the Esti- mator's WorkSheet has a selection of over 35 draw- ing to choose from. Other types of PDF forms and/or documents that "Z" Publications can design include but are not limited to: contracts, invoices, price lists, parts catalogs, shop drawings, inventory control with bar codes, spec sheets, and work orders. To receive a demo version of the Estimator's WorkSheet or for further information regarding the Estimator's WorkSheet, call 562-220-2885 (of- fice), 562-316-7498 (cell), or e-mail zpublications@yahoo.com. Aborksheet pa o ormed b e ve , w o the Estimator' , g e quote , w also g erwise complicated computations are perf where doz W s y the pr rk or nerated. o ens of oth- rkSheet main der and gate tic ogram. A written kets are