READ THIS FIRST

HomeTech
ADVANTAGE
Getting Started Manual
Easy-To-Use Estimating Software

Version 5.0

Record Your Program Information Here:

Serial Number: ___________ Key Code: ______________________________

Registration Number: ______________________________________

HomeTech Publishing
10534 York Road Suite 101 Hunt Valley, MD 21030
Technical Support 951-461-8490
Copyright 2011 by HomeTech Publishing. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
No part of this manual or the electronic data provided may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or
information storage or retrieval systems, for any purpose except copying for archival purposes
by the licensed user, without the prior written consent of HomeTech Publishing.
Information contained in this documentation and software is subject to change without prior
notice. The software described in this manual is provided under a license agreement and may
be used only in accordance with the terms of that agreement.
While reasonable efforts have been made to supply complete and accurate information,
HomeTech Publishing, SDSI Business Systems, Inc., their employees, distributors
of HomeTech ADVANTAGE, or the authors of this manual assume no liability resulting
from any errors or omissions from the manual, from the use of the information
contained herein, or from the use of the software itself.
HomeTech ADVANTAGE is a trademark of HomeTech Publishing. Microsoft and
MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Technical Support
951-461-8490

HomeTech Publishing
10534 York Road Suite 101 Hunt Valley, MD 21030
(800) 240-8210  Fax (410) 630-7302
 Table of Contents

HomeTech ADVANTAGE Getting Started Manual

Introduction .............................................................................................................2
System Requirements .....................................................................................2
Checking the Package Contents .....................................................................2
A Few Things You Should Know .....................................................................3

Section 1: Installing the HomeTech ADVANTAGE Software ..............................4

Running the Installation Wizard ......................................................................5
Accepting the License Agreement ..................................................................6
Entering Purchaser, Serial Number and Key Code Information .................... 6
Verifying Version Type, Seats and Install/Purchase Date .............................. 7
Installing the Program and Data Files .............................................................8
Completing the Installation Process ............................................................... 9

Section 2: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE ................................................10

Starting the Program ...................................................................................10
Logging In the First Time .............................................................................10
Loading the Local Area Modification Index (LAMI) ......................................11
Entering Your Contractor Information ..........................................................14
Changing or Adding Users and Changing Passwords .................................16

Section 3: Accessing HomeTech ADVANTAGE Update Service Site ..............19

Connecting to the Update Service ..............................................................21

Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE ...................................................24

Choosing an Update to Install ....................................................................24
Logging In to the Update Service ...............................................................25
Creating a Password for the Update Site ....................................................26
Verifying or Changing Your Information .....................................................28
Downloading the Update ...........................................................................28
Installing the Update ...................................................................................29
Verifying the Update Has Been Installed ..................................................33
Technical Support ......................................................................................35

Section 4: Installing ADVANTAGE On a Windows VISTA Computer ...............36

 Introduction

Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of the HomeTech ADVANTAGE Project Estimator for Windows, cost
estimating software developed exclusively for users of HomeTech cost estimator manuals. Our goal is to
help you produce cost estimates quickly, accurately and professionally. The software is designed to
provide maximum flexibility for the most advanced users without sacrificing the ease-of-use required by
persons less familiar with computerized estimating. This manual contains all the information you need to
install the software and get ready to create an estimate.

If your booklet shows screen shots of a previous version, dont worry the steps are the same in
ADVANTAGE 5.0. IF YOU ARE INSTALLING ADVANTAGE 5.0 ON A Windows Vista COMPUTER,
PLEASE REFER TO THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION INSERT WRITTEN ESPECIALLY FOR
Windows Vista. Take a few minutes to read the manual and get acquainted with the features of
HomeTech ADVANTAGE before you begin. Once you see how fast and easy it is to prepare a
professional looking estimate, we are confident that you will find HomeTech ADVANTAGE to be an
indispensable tool for your business. Thank you for buying HomeTech ADVANTAGE, and welcome to
computerized estimating!

System Requirements
The minimum hardware and software requirements for HomeTech ADVANTAGE are:
 an IBM or 100% compatible Pentium personal computer or higher processor running Windows Vista,
Windows XP, or Windows 2000. At least 400MHZ CPU is recommended.
 64 megabytes RAM required.
 a standard MPC compliant CD-ROM drive.
 a hard disk with at least 40 MB of free space
This manual assumes that you already have Windows installed on your computer and are familiar with its
operation. If you need help with Windows, please refer to the documentation provided with your Windows
software.

Installing HomeTech ADVANTAGE on your computer only takes a few minutes. If you have loaded other
Windows programs, the process will be familiar. The Installation Wizard will load the program and
databases into your computer.

Checking the Package Contents

Before you install the program, check the contents of your HomeTech ADVANTAGE package to make sure
that you have everything. You should have:
& Getting Started Manual (which you are now reading)
& 30 Minute Guided Tour training guide
& CD-ROM installation disk
& Product serial number and key code
& HomeTech Remodeling and Renovation Cost Estimator manual (may be shipped separately)
& If you are missing any of these items, contact HomeTech immediately at (800) 240-8210.

2
 Introduction

A Few Things You Should Know

HomeTech ADVANTAGE comes with a 60-day money back guarantee. Whether you order and download
the software over the Internet or purchase the software directly from us, you may utilize the full program for
60 days. If for any reason you decide ADVANTAGE is not right for you, well gladly refund your money.

When you purchase the software, you will receive a serial number and a key code that you will be asked
to enter during the installation process. This will allow you to use the full program for the 60-day guarantee
period. Sixty days (60) after you install the program, you will be reminded to register the program. If you
do not complete the registration process, the ADVANTAGE program will not be useable after the
trial period expires until you register and take the necessary steps to re-activate the program.

ONCE YOU REGISTER THE PROGRAM IT IS NO LONGER RETURNABLE SUBJECT TO THE MONEY-
BACK GUARANTEE, SO DONT HESITATE TO USE IT FULLY DURING THE 60-DAY TRIAL PERIOD.

HomeTech ADVANTAGE includes features that provide enormous flexibility in screen layouts, report
formats, markups, assemblies and cost items to make it easier for you to use our system in ways that are
consistent with the way you do business. But what makes HomeTech ADVANTAGE unique are the
HomeTech Cost Book databases that are included as a part of the system. For more than 46 years we
have researched construction costs for remodelers, contractors and handymen and we strive to make sure
those costs are as accurate as they can be. We modify the costs in our databases twice a year to reflect
the actual costs in more than 218 different regions of the United States and Canada.

AS A NEW PURCHASER, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO ALL COST DATA UPDATES FOR A FULL YEAR.

At the conclusion of your first full year you will have the opportunity to purchase one or more additional
years of updates by renewing your subscription.

In addition to receiving updates to your cost data, keeping your subscription current ensures that you will
receive program enhancements and upgrades as well as access to our technical support, training and
services.

As your needs grow, HomeTech ADVANTAGE will grow with you. ADVANTAGE is fully networkable and
can be used by one user or several users. We have multi-user packs for three, five and ten-user
organizations, so as your need for additional estimators grows, feel free to contact us about additional
licenses for your system.

Finally, we at HomeTech view our mission as helping remodeling contractors be more successful in their
businesses any way we can.

At HomeTech we know that your purchase of our products marks the beginning of a relationship, not just
the closing of a sale. If an issue or concern arises in your remodeling business that you would like to
discuss with one of our experts, feel free to call us at 1-800-240-8210.

Thousands of contractors have told us over the last 46 years that we have changed their remodeling
businesses for the better and we would like to add you to that list.

3
 Section 1: Installing The HomeTech ADVANTAGE
Software

Section 1: Installing The HomeTech ADVANTAGE Software

IMPORTANT:

Before you install the HomeTech ADVANTAGE program, you will need to close all open programs
and disable any anti-virus or other programs that may be running in the background.

Save what you are working on in other programs and close them.

If you are using Windows NT 4.0 or later, select the Task Manager from the Applications tab and then
choose Close All.

If you are unable to install the program successfully, call Technical Support at 951-461-8490 or
800-240-8210 for some alternative methods.

There are two ways to install HomeTech ADVANTAGE on your computer:

1. Download from the Internet

or
2. Installed from the ADVANTAGE program CD

Either way, the program files are exactly the same. The only difference is that the first screen that comes
up when you start the CD does not appear when you download from the Internet. So, if you downloaded
the program from the Internet, start with Step 2.

4
 Section 1: Installing The HomeTech ADVANTAGE
Software

Step 1

Place the CD in your CD drive. If the

Welcome to Release 5.0 screen does
not appear within 30 seconds, do this:

Click on Start. Click on Run. Click on

Browse.

Change to your CD drive in the Look-

In box near the top. The files on the
CD should appear in a few seconds.

Click on Setup. Click on Open. Click

on OK to run the Setup file.

Start the Installation Wizard by Clicking

on Install HomeTech ADVANTAGE
Cost Estimator.

Step 2
The Installation Wizard is running.
Welcome to the InstallShield Wizard for
Click on Next. HomeTech ADVANTAGE Unit Cost
Estimator 5.0

The InstallShield Wizard will install

HomeTech ADVANTAGE 5.0 on your
computer. To continue, click Next.

5
 Section 1: Installing The HomeTech ADVANTAGE
Software

Step 3
Read the License Agreement. If you
accept the terms, Click on the radio
button next to I accept the terms in the
license agreement and Click on Next.

If you do not agree to the license

agreement, HomeTech ADVANTAGE
cannot be installed.

Step 4
Complete the Customer Information
form with your own information.

Your serial number and key code are

located on the receipt for payment
form, confirmation email and/or in the
software package you received. If you
cannot locate these items, call
HomeTech toll-free at 1-800-240-8210
to have them retrieved for you.

It would be a good idea to record

these numbers in the front of this
booklet or another safe place in case
you ever need to reinstall the
program.

Click on Next.

6
 Section 1: Installing The HomeTech ADVANTAGE
Software

Step 5
If you wish to install the program files to a
location other than the default location, your
C: drive, Click on Change and identify the
directory you wish to use. Install HomeTech ADVANTAGE 5.0 to
C:\HomeTech Applications\Hometech
If you are installing the multi-user version of Advantage 50
HomeTech ADVANTAGE, you will be asked
to assign file locations for both the Program
Files and the Database Files. Be sure to
load the Program Files on your local hard
drive and the Database Files on your
network drive.

Once the file locations are as you wish, Click

on Next.

Step 6
Verify that the Multi-User box, Total Seats
and Order Date entries are consistent with
your purchase.

The screen to the right shows the correct

information for a single-user.
10-15-2008
If you believe there is an error, call
HomeTech at 1-800-240-8210.

If the entries are correct, Click on Next.

7
 Section 1: Installing The HomeTech ADVANTAGE
Software

Step 7

The files will be copied to the location

specified in Step 5.

Click on Install to install the program files.

Step 8

Your HomeTech ADVANTAGE program is Installing HomeTech ADVANTAGE Cost Estimator 5.0
being installed.

The progress of the installation is measured Please wait while the InstallShield Wizard installs HomeTech
ADVANTAGE 5.0. This may take several minutes.
by the green status bar.

8
 Section 1: Installing The HomeTech ADVANTAGE
Software

Step 9

When the InstallShield Wizard Completed

dialog appears, Click on Finish.

The InstallShield Wizard has successfully installed

HomeTech ADVANTAGE 5.0. Click Finish to exit
the wizard.

Step 10
The HomeTech ADVANTAGE program icon
will now appear on your desktop screen.

Congratulations. You have now completed the Installation of HomeTech ADVANTAGE.

Now continue to the next section of this booklet, Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE to load your Local
Area Modification Index (LAMI), enter your company information and set-up users.

9
 Section 2: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Section 2: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 1
Start your HomeTech ADVANTAGE
program by double-clicking on the icon
on your desktop.

5.0

Alternatively, Click on Start and

Programs, double click on HomeTech
ADVANTAGE Cost Estimator 5.0 to
open the program.

When you open ADVANTAGE, the Log

In screen will appear.

Step 2
HomeTech ADVANTAGE comes with
two user names pre-loaded.

User Admin has a default password of

admin. The password is case-sensitive. 5.0

User Guest has a default password of

guest.

For your first use, Log In as user Admin

with the password admin.

Click on Login.

10
 Section 2: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 3
The HomeTech ADVANTAGE splash
screen will appear briefly.

5.0

Copyright 2008 J. Barnett, N. King

HomeTech Information Systems, Inc. H. Reynolds

Step 4
After the ADVANTAGE splash screen
disappears, the main estimating
worksheet screen will appear.

The System Configuration window will

appear, indicating that you need to
determine and set up your Local Area
Modification Index (LAMI).

Click on OK.

11
 Section 2: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 5
Type the first 3 digits of the zip code where
you perform the majority of your work. Click
on OK.

Step 6
HomeTech ADVANTAGE will load the Local
Area Modification Index for the four
CostBook databases. The CostBooks are:
Remodeling, HouseBuilders, Kitchen & Bath
and Handyman. This will also adjust the
data-base costs to reflect costs in your area.

If you want to add other cities or regions

where you may do work, check the box next
to Click here if you have multiple LAMIs.
You can add up to three additional LAMI
areas. Enter the first 3 digits of the zip code
to display the areas.

Click on OK to complete the LAMI set up

process.

12
 Section 2: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 7

A window will appear. Click on the LAMI

area you want to lock in as the default LAMI
area.

Click on OK.

50

Step 8
A small window to confirm the default LAMI
area will appear.

Click on Yes.

This will load the LAMI data for your area to

the databases. This will adjust the costs to
reflect labor and material costs in your
default LAMI area.

13
 Section 2
: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 9
Click on Utilities from the horizontal
menu on the main screen.

Click on Setup.

Step 10
From the Setup screen, Click on the
Contractor Information tab.

14
 Section 2
: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 11
Fill in your company information.

Click on OK.

Step 12
Now Click on Utilities from the horizontal
menu at the top of the main screen.

Click on Security.

15
 Section 2
: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 13

You can change the names and passwords

of the pre-loaded user names, ADMIN and
GUEST. You can also add additional users
from this window.
5.0

If you make any changes to names and

passwords, remember to write them down in
a safe place.

Step 14

A HomeTech ADVANTAGE user may have

either Administrator or Estimator
privileges.
5.0
There must be at least one user at the
Administrator level.

Only Administrators can add or delete user

names or reset passwords for anyone other
than themselves.

16
 Section 2
: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 15
You may add as many users as you need.

However, the number of users who may use

HomeTech ADVANTAGE at one time is
5.0
limited to the number of seats you
purchased.

Click on Exit when done.

Step 16
The first time a user logs in, or when a
users password has been reset by an
Administrator, the Change User Password
window will appear.

17
 Section 2: Setting Up HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 17
The user will need to create a password.
Enter it twice to ensure accuracy.

The new password will take effect as soon

as the user Clicks on Accept New
Password.

Step 18

The Log In window appears when the user

opens HomeTech ADVANTAGE.

The user enters a User Name or selects it

5.0
from the drop-down list and enters the
correct password (which is case-sensitive).

Now Click on Login to access the

HomeTech ADVANTAGE program.

Congratulations. You have now completed setting up HomeTech ADVANTAGE and are just about
ready to start estimating.

Next Step:
Continue to the next section, Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE on page 19.

18
 Section 3: Accessing HomeTech ADVANTAGE Update
Services

Section 3: Accessing HomeTech ADVANTAGE Update Services

One of the most important features of HomeTech ADVANTAGE is the ability to download program and
LAMI updates to your computer over the Internet in order to keep data as up-to-date as and that you have
the latest program features. There are two basic types of updates available:
Type 1 HomeTech ADVANTAGE Service Pack
UPDATES

The Service Pack is posted whenever a programming

change is made between new program releases. It is
designed to add features and correct errors in the
program. All users should download and install the
Service Pack whenever it is updated. You can check
whether you have the most current Service Pack by (Service
Pack
clicking on Help | About HomeTech installed)
from the horizontal menu from the programs
main screen.
The number after the Version number on that screen is
the Service Pack most recently installed on your system.
When you connect to the Update Service, compare the
date of the available Service Pack download to the one on
your system. If the available Service Pack download is
more recent than the one in your system, download and
install it.
Type 2 Local Area Modification Index (LAMI)
UPDATES

LAMI Updates are posted every quarter and reflect the most recent cost changes to the items in the
databases. LAMI Updates will not change costs of custom items you have created. Be sure to
download and install the LAMI Update each quarter to keep your costs current. You can check which LAMI
area and quarter your system is using by clicking on one of the cost books listed in the left vertical menu
bar on the left of the main screen. When the database opens up, at the very top of the screen you will see
the database, LAMI code, quarter and year. Generally, you can expect LAMI Updates to be posted within
two to three weeks of the beginning of each January, April, July and October.

Note: If you do not have Internet access, call HomeTech Technical Support at 1-800-240-8210
to arrange for an update disk to be mailed to you.

Next Step:

Access the Update Service Site to download and install your updates.

SELECT ONLY ONE UPDATE

AND INSTALL ONLY ONE UPDATE
AT ONE TIME.
19
 Section 3: Accessing HomeTech ADVANTAGE Update
Services

Step 1
Now that your HomeTech ADVANTAGE
program has been installed, there are
files to be converted and configuration
to take place.

In order to do this, simply double-click

on the HomeTech ADVANTAGE icon on HomeTech ADVANTAGE Cost Estimator 5.0
your desktop to open the program. C:\HomeTech Applications\Advantage 50

Step 2
The window Services Available on
Update Site will now appear.

20
 Section 3
: Acces
isng HomeTech ADVANTAGE Upd
a
te
Serv
ices

Step 3
Each time you open your HomeTech
ADVANTAGE program, the Services
Available on the Update Site screen
will appear.
4th Quarter LAMI 2008
A list of available updates will be Service Pack 5.0.3
Announcements
displayed each time.

Step 4
YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE AN
INTERNET CONNECTION TO
DOWNLOAD THE LAMI FILE.

To be sure you have the most current

4th Quarter LAMI 2008
LAMI installed, Click on the box to
Service Pack 5.0.3
the left of the LAMI Update. A
checkmark will appear in the box. Announcements

Now Click on the Get Updates

button.

21
 Section 3: Accessing HomeTech ADVANTAGE Update
Services

Step 5
The Welcome to the Update Service
window will appear.

If you would like to install an update, Click on

Show Updates. This will display a list of
updates available to you for your HomeTech
ADVANTAGE program.

Proceed to Section 4 for further instruction.

Step 6
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN INTERNET
CONNECTION or if you want to skip the
update at this time, Click on Exit.

If you do not want to see the Services

Available on the Update Site window every
time you open your ADVANTAGE program,
go to Select Number of Days.

Open the pull-down menu. Select your

reminder preference. If you choose 7 days,
you will see the window once every 7 days
when you open your ADVANTAGE program.

22
 Section 3: Accessing HomeTech ADVANTAGE Update
Services

Step 7
When you are done, Click on Exit to leave
the Services Available on the Update Site
window and be able to enter your HomeTech
ADVANTAGE program.

PLEASE NOTE:
Some users do not have access to the Internet or prefer not to download the HomeTech ADVANTAGE
updates. Please contact HomeTech Publishing at 1-888-240-8210 for
alternate methods of obtaining the updates.

23
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 1

Click on Show Updates from the Services

Available on the Update Site window.

A window will appear entitled New updates

& Messages.

Step 2

A list of available HomeTech ADVANTAGE

program updates and the most current
quarterly LAMI will appear.

Click on the orange arrow to the left of the

update that you would like to download.

Since you want the LAMI, Click on the arrow

next to LAMI.

To download LAMI, Click on Learn More

that appears below the current LAMI Update.

24
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 3
Now Click on the blue link for the
HomeTech User Site.

Step 4
Enter the Serial Number of your
HomeTech ADVANTAGE program in
the empty box.

Click on the orange Go button.

Your serial number can be found on

your invoice.

If you need help finding your serial

number, call 1-800-240-8210 and we
can look it up for you.

25
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 5
If this is the first time you have logged into
the Update Service Site, enter the email
address you provided when you purchased
your HomeTech ADVANTAGE program.

Click on Go.

If you do not know the email address in our

files or you get a message that the email you
entered does not match the address on file,
call Technical Support at 951-461-8490
for further instructions.

Step 6
Enter your email address into the blank box
and Click on the Go button.

If the email address you entered matches

the one we have on file for you and you have
not logged into the update site before, you
will need to create a password. You will see
a message indicating that a password has
not been created for this account.

Click on the Go button to create your

password.

26
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 7
Create a password for your account at least
6 characters in length. Enter it again and
then Click on Accept.

Be sure to write the password down in a

safe place.

Whenever you access the Update Service

Site in the future, you will only need to enter
your serial number and password to verify
your subscription before downloading
available updates.

If your email address changes, be sure to

notify HomeTech to keep our files current.

Step 8
Enter the password you just created and
Click on Go.

27
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 9
Review the information we have on file
regarding your HomeTech account.

If you make any changes, be sure to Click on

Save Changes to keep them.

Once you have confirmed the information is

correct, Click on Continue.

Step 10
Your subscription information will be
displayed. Click on Download LAMI.

28
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 11
An instruction screen will appear with any
additional information you may need to
install the update.

If your HomeTech ADVANTAGE program

is open, be sure to close it before
proceeding with the download.

Click on the download file.

In this example, Click on 2011LAMI.EXE

Step 12
Click on Run. This will download the LAMI
files to your computer.

29
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 13
If you receive this security warning from
Internet Explorer, just Click on Run.

Name: 2008LAMI.exe

Step 14
The current LAMI available for
download will be displayed.

Click on OK.

30
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 15
Confirm that WinZip self-extractor will
unzip the LAMI files to the location of
your program files.

For most users the default location of

C:\HomeTechApplications\HomeTech
50 will be correct.

If you installed your program files to a

different location, change the path that
appears in this window to unzip the
files to the correct directory where
your files are located.

Note: If you installed the multi-user

version of HomeTech ADVANTAGE
on a network, you should change the
path to the location where you
installed the database files.

Once the correct path has been

specified, Click on Unzip. The self-
extractor will download and extract the
LAMI files.

When complete, Click on OK.

Step 16
Once the compressed files have been
unzipped, a box will appear confirming
the successful operation.

Click on OK.

Click on Close or the X in the top right

corner to close the self-extractor.

31
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 17
A final confirmation that the files have been
transferred successfully should appear.

Click on OK.

Close the window by clicking on the red X in

the upper right-hand corner.

Step 18
Open HomeTech ADVANTAGE and log in.

You must have Administrator-level

privileges to update your system.
5.0

32
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 19
When the main screen appears, Click on
LAMI from the horizontal menu bar at the
top of the page.

Click on LAMI Update.

The Update CostBooks window will be

displayed. Click on OK.

Step 20
The Local Area Modification Index
Update box will appear. In the box at lower
left a LAMI area will be highlighted.

This indicates your local area followed by

the quarter and the year of the LAMI update
you just downloaded.

Click on OK.

33
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 21
Your local area should be indicated in
the Default Local Area Box. Confirm
that the default LAMI area is correct.

Click on Yes to activate and update

your data.

Step 22
The LAMI Update will calculate and
apply the correct modifiers for your
local area on each of the cost books in
your HomeTech ADVANTAGE
system.

34
 Section 4: Updating HomeTech ADVANTAGE

Step 23
When complete you will return to the
main screen.

To confirm that the update is now

installed in your system, you may
Click on any of the Cost Books from
the vertical menu bar on the left side.

Or you can select a Cost Book from

the pull down menu under
Databases at the top of the screen.

Step 24
At the very top of the Cost Book
screen, the Cost Book, LAMI code,
current Quarter and Year should be
identified and match what you just
downloaded.

If the LAMI update is not correct,

return to the estimate screen by
clicking on the Estimate tab at the top
of the vertical menu bar on the left
side and begin again with Step 19.

If you are still unable to load the

correct LAMI, call Technical Support
at 951-461-8490.

You have successfully downloaded your LAMI update. Remember to check back regularly for newly
posted updates to keep both your HomeTech ADVANTAGE program and HomeTech data current.

TRAINING: Take the 30 Minute Guided Tour to learn how to estimate a simple remodeling project using
HomeTech ADVANTAGE. The 30 Minute Guided Tour that came with your package has everything youll
need to know to learn the basics. Also, be sure to attend the FREE Training Webinars in order to become
more familiar with using your HomeTech ADVANTAGE program.

35
Cost Estimator Books
Our Local Area Modification Index (LAMI) cost databases are what make HomeTech Publishing different from all other
estimating packages. With over 14,000 items in the LAMI databases, all of the pricing is specific to where you do business.

HomeTechPublishing.com
800.240.8210

The first step to making a profit in remodeling is having accurate costs

Let HomeTech Publishing Help You Get Those Estimates
Off Your Desk And In Your Customers Hands!
Take a minute now and ask yourself these 3 questions:
1. Are you spending too much time figuring estimates?
2. Are inaccurate estimates robbing you of profits?
3. Are you losing business because estimates dont get done in time?
If you answered YES to any of these questions its time to put the
HomeTech Publishing Cost Estimator Books to work for you!
before the customer accepts your estimate. We produce individual books
for over 200 local areas of the country, each one containing costs specific
to those individual areas, assuring that the costs you use are accurate for
your local area. And every cost printed in the manual you receive has been
checked and double-checked within the last 90 days! HomeTech Publishings
reputation is built on delivering the most accurate, localized information
available period!
Our research staff contacts hundreds of local suppliers to give you pin-point
accuracy in material costs. And we track labor costs in over 200 different
areas of the country so your costs will be competitive with other successful
remodelers in your local area. This gives you the power to sell remodeling

It is now easier to get your Cost Estimator books with multiple ways to order! Simply mail back the order form below to
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Please detach and return with your payment.

Please select which books and quantities you would like to purchase:

REMODELING & RENOVATION KITCHEN & BATH

COST ESTIMATOR COST ESTIMATOR Total $__________________________ (Maryland residents please add 6% sales tax.)
$119.00 + $12.95 s/h $99.50 + $12.95 s/h Paid by: Check (Please make check payable to HomeTech Publishing.)
TOTAL $131.95 TOTAL $112.45
Visa Master Card American Express Discover
(Additional books are $79.50 + $12.95 s/h) (Additional books are $79.50 + $12.95 s/h)
Card No. ___________________________________ Exp. Date: _____________

Name: ______________________________________________________________
QTY _______ QTY _______
Company: __________________________________________________________
HANDYMAN HOUSEBUILDERS
Address: ___________________________________________________________
COST ESTIMATOR COST ESTIMATOR
$99.50 + $12.95 s/h $99.50 + $12.95 s/h City: _____________________________ State: _____________ Zip: __________
TOTAL $112.45 TOTAL $112.45 Phone: _______________________ Email:________________________________
(Additional books are $79.50 + $12.95 s/h) (Additional books are $79.50 + $12.95 s/h)

Thank You For Your Order.

QTY _______ QTY _______ HomeTechPublishing.com