In the competitive construction industry, using the best construction estimating software is vital to ensure project success. Accurate estimating sets a strong foundation for the project scope and budget and for various stages, such as planning, procurement, execution, and completion. The firm setting stone holds onto the entire structure of the construction project.
However, preparing meticulous estimates is not easy. It requires an in-depth knowledge of technology, vast experience, and a profound understanding of the intricacies of the construction project. This is where construction estimating software, the most crucial part of construction, steps in, leading to the smooth alignment of your construction business.
What Is Construction Estimating Software?
Construction estimating software helps companies, construction managers, and contractors better align the cost calculation process. Its exciting features are its accuracy, automation, and speed. Before starting the construction, the contractors are required to submit the bids. These comprise all the information, such as the quantity and type of materials needed, the number of staff hours it will take to complete the project, and all the cash and resources allocated.
A construction project can only start with a rough draft of a cost estimate. Cost estimates tend to fluctuate as prices are updated over time. Some items need to be included or more represented in the cost estimate. There is a massive margin of human error at this point. So, construction cost estimating software assists us with its automation and accuracy. It arranges all the data and gives the estimated pricing with a few clicks.
Key Benefits Of Construction Estimating Software
- It aids contractors, construction companies, and business owners in drafting accurate estimates and helps them move away from time-consuming tools. It also instills trust and confidence in client contractors.
- Serves users and clients with as automated tools as possible for data entry and retrieval, along with speed and high accuracy.
- Reduces the potential to forget to cross-check the available items and materials required.
- It enables the construction contractors and clients to adjust the instant quantity takeoffs and construction cost estimates easily.
- It tracks any cost deviations from the original tract and alerts the contractors and clients about the change. Thus, it helps to stay focused on the same price.
Kinds Of Construction Estimating Software
Two particular subsets of construction estimating software include takeoff and bid management. These solutions help small construction contractors, and firms organize and integrate them to create a practical construction framework.
Takeoff—This function of construction estimating software automates data entry and quantifies the materials and resources required from the start of the construction process to project completion. It aligns well with the bidding process and displays all kinds of expenses incurred during the construction.
Bid Management- This function of construction estimating software simplifies and automates the manual process of bid preparation, filing, submission, and approval, which are crucial parts of a construction project to secure and win over more projects.
Types of Construction Estimating Software and Their Functions
| Software Type | Main Function | Best For |
| Takeoff Software | Automates data entry and material quantification. | Contractors who need accurate material measurements and resource planning. |
| Bid Management Software | Streamlines the bid preparation, submission, and approval process. | Construction firms needing to handle multiple bids efficiently. |
| Project Estimating Software | Integrates takeoff and bid management for end-to-end project cost estimation. | Larger businesses handling complex projects that require integration across teams. |
| Data-Driven Estimating Software | Uses historical data to predict costs based on past projects. | Businesses that rely heavily on past performance and data analytics for decision-making. |
Construction Estimating Software Feature
Construction estimating software displays several essential features that are listed below:
Real-Time Calculations
Construction calculators automatically determine and predict the costs of materials and equipment that will likely be incurred in the construction project. The construction cost calculators automatically update the prices as the construction process progresses.
Adjustments to Specific or Overall Bid Estimates
Construction estimating software can monitor and control costs during the construction process and, if available, offer recommendations for any economical alternative. This helps to streamline the project’s progress.
Blueprint or Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Image Import and Export
Construction estimating software facilitates importing or exporting existing or newly developed computer-aided designs.
Proposal Templates
Construction estimating software has dual options for proposal templates. Either the software comes with already-present proposal templates, where you just need to drag the template and enter data points into it, or you can create specialized proposal templates custom-made to your clients’ needs.
Proposal Generator
Construction estimating software should be capable of extracting data from takeoff, the resource cost database, the historical database, and any imported data into an integrated proposal generator. The proposal generator is responsible for accurately and precisely calculating bids filed as an essential part of the construction project.
Takeoff
With construction estimating software, contractors can effectively quantify the materials required during the entire construction project.
Additional Construction Estimating Software Features
Historical Database
Construction estimating software provides its users with access to a database that already contains information such as the amount of material used, the number of employees recruited, the number of staff hours paid, the jobs completed, and other relevant data about the construction project. Using this data, the contractors can better estimate the costs by thoroughly reviewing the history.
Materials and Resource Cost Database
The construction estimating software provides its users with access to the date containing material types, quantities, and the cost of materials used in the project. Thus, the contractors can easily learn the comprehensive and latest prices of materials for procurement.
Project Progress Reporting and Tracking
Although the cost estimating software doesn’t provide its users with an extensive project management function, it helps track the process’s different phases. Consequently, clients can regularly cross-check the initial estimate with the latest progress.
Who Uses Construction Estimating Software?
All kinds of stakeholders in the construction business regularly use estimating software. Construction firms and contractors who don’t want their projects to overflow their budgets pull historical databases from the software to analyze the budget estimates accurately. Despite the existence of trade-specific software, many general contractors and construction firms believe in the efficiency of construction estimating software. Construction firms in NYC, in particular, benefit from specialized construction cost estimating services that leverage this for precise budget management and project efficiency.
Which Is The Best Construction Estimating Software?
Now that we’ve covered the key features to look for let’s explore some of the best construction takeoff software options currently available:
- Bluebeam Revu
- PDF editing and markup
- Accurate digital takeoff and measurement tools
- Customizable toolsets for specific types of construction projects
- Cloud-based collaboration
- Integrates with popular project management software
- ProEst
- Cloud-based access for easy collaboration
- Digital takeoff with automatic material quantities
- Cost database with real-time pricing
- Integration with other estimating and accounting software
- User-friendly interface
- PlanSwift
- Import PDF, CAD, and other file types
- Accurate digital takeoff with automatic scaling
- Built-in cost database for materials
- Customizable reporting
- Integrates with accounting and project management tools
- Stack
- High-quality digital takeoff tools
- Material lists and detailed cost estimate
- Cloud-based for easy collaboration
- Integration with significant estimating and accounting software
Also Read: How To Estimate Construction Costs
Cost Estimating Software For Various Businesses
The ideal software will depend on your specific requirements and the scale of your business.
- Clear Estimates and Buildxact offer competitive pricing and user-friendly interfaces for small construction businesses or individual construction contractors.
- For larger businesses, Sage Estimating, STACK, CostOS, and Procore provide extensive functions and integration abilities that can deal more effectively with complex projects.
- Companies looking for data-driven estimating would get advantages from Destini Estimator and CostX.
- If you’re in the electrical industry, ConEst provides functionalities tailored explicitly for electrical contracting.
- If you manage a remodelling business, Clear Estimates and Buildertrend have a comprehensive database of costs that will prove fruitful to your business.
How To Choose The Best Construction Estimating Software?
When it comes to choosing the right software, the primary purpose is to focus on the specific features that cater to the requirements and specifications of your construction project. The following features must be taken into consideration while choosing construction estimating software:
- Customizability and Flexibility:
It is crucial to be flexible and adaptable to different kinds of projects, contracts, and bidding conditions. The software offers features that meet the requirements and are custom to your construction project and company. These features allow you to create customised proposals, a historical database, a material and resource cost database, unique templates, and particular reporting tools.
- Integration Capabilities with Other Software:
Estimating software should be able to collaborate and integrate effectively with other project management software. You should look for software that can work well with different resources, such as project management tools, accounting software, and customer relationship managers (CRMs). The software enables the smooth flow of information between various systems, thus helping you stay on a competitive edge.
- Ease of Use and User Interface:
A user-friendly interface reduces the learning curve and increases your team’s learning flexibility. An easy-to-use interface allows you to input data easily, produce reports, and easily access all of its functionalities. An easy-to-navigate interface helps you use it to the maximum of its potential and reduces the chance of potential errors.
- Customer Support:
In case of any software queries and confusions, the construction cost estimating firms offers instant and effective expert estimating support . They offer a broad scope of services such as live chat, email support, call assistance service and online assistance at various platforms. You should look for cost estimating software firms who are willing to provide you basic training regarding the software usage, so you can benefit from the software maximally.
Conclusion
Choosing the best construction estimating software is a critical decision that can significantly affect the effectiveness, productivity, and profit margin of your construction business. It’s a tool that can effectively improve your bid accuracy, project management ability, and cost control strategies.
While this extensive lead to the most suitable construction estimating software should serve as a crucial aspect in making an informed decision, it’s essential to thoroughly consider your distint requirements and circumstances. Each construction business is unique, and what works best for one may not work as well for another.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this guide, please let me know in the comment section, what you think.
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