Best Construction Estimating Software Of 2024

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Why We Picked Corecon

Corecon is easy to use and has a powerful set of features to handle construction management projects. Exporting and importing data from other tools like Sage/Timberline is easy. Users are pleased with its reporting feature as they allow them to edit reports. It gives users access to databases to create reports. QuickBooks integration isn’t seamless for some users and may get buggy. Users say that it may be fit for a small number of large projects. All the information about client billing and subcontractor work is available in one place. The support team is reasonably helpful.

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Pros & Cons

User Friendly: The system is intuitive and accessible, as noted by approximately 85% of users who mentioned its usability.
Functionality: It offers a robust suite of successful construction project management tools, as reported by 83% of the users who mentioned the product’s functionality.
Integration: Nearly 66% of the users who mentioned its integration capabilities are satisfied with them. Users say that integration with Planswift and QuickBooks is robust.

Interface: Nearly 75% of the users who mention its interface do not find it easy to navigate.
Learning Curve: It has a steep learning curve, as mentioned by 100% of the users who talked about its learning curve.

Key Features

Accounting Integrations: Integrate with QuickBooks, Sage 50, SAP Business One and Xero.
Estimating: Create estimates with up to a four-tier breakdown and markups available at every level.
- Contact Management: Create and search contacts off-site through internet-enabled devices. Sync existing contact databases with Outlook. Receive alerts when licenses or insurances are close to expiration.
- Lead Tracking and Analytics: Track and analyze leads using dashboards. Create classification structures for leads to organize opportunities as per business needs. Set up awarded projects and eliminate duplicate data entries using the lead-to-project wizard.
- Drawings and Specifications: Share drawings and specifications through the team link portal. Add notes to images, documents and blueprints using document viewer.
Utilities: Transfer the existing accounting system’s financials using a simple sync tool to help cut down on manual data re-entry.
Project Management: Manage all aspects of a project to help streamline daily business processes.
- Scheduling: Import schedules from Excel or Microsoft Project. Assign tasks to workers and review timelines to keep projects on track using calendar functionality.
- Quality Control and Safety: Create checklists to conduct quality checks. Document and distribute inspection reports using punch lists.
- Correspondence and Documentation: Store journals, issues, RFIs, submittals and transmittals in an accessible location. Share data securely with internal and external team members.
Mobile Interface: Enter and view data on the go. Handle daily logs, task updates, timecards and expenses off-site.
Job Costing: Access financial documents anytime to help make quick and informed business decisions.
- Procurement: Automatically copy RFP packages and estimate items to purchase orders or subcontracts. Manage procurement requirements of suppliers and subcontractors.
- Timecards: Allow workers to clock in and out with geotagging.
- Financial Analytics: Manage multiple project budgets using financial dashboards.

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Buildxact

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^$249

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Why We Picked Buildxact

Buildxact garners positive reviews for its user-friendly interface, efficient takeoffs, and affordability, making it a popular choice for contractors seeking to streamline workflows and improve project management. Users appreciate its intuitive design, which minimizes the learning curve and empowers even beginners to quickly grasp its functionalities. Integrated tools and pre-built libraries expedite takeoffs, saving time and reducing errors in material calculations, leading to more accurate estimates and competitive bids.

However, some users find its reporting capabilities less versatile compared to competitors. While Buildxact offers basic reports, they lack the customization and depth desired for comprehensive data analysis and insights. Additionally, customization options are limited, potentially hindering adaptation to highly specific needs or complex projects. While a mobile app exists, its functionality is restricted, making it less suitable for managing intricate tasks on the go.

Buildxact stands out for its affordability, with tiered subscription plans catering to various company sizes and project volumes. This makes it accessible to a wider range of contractors compared to some competitors with similar features. Users also praise its customer support, with most reporting prompt and helpful responses. However, during peak seasons or for complex issues, wait times might be longer.

In conclusion, Buildxact is a user-friendly and affordable construction management software with strengths in takeoff speed, accuracy, and ease of use. However, its reporting and customization capabilities are less robust, and the mobile app has limitations. Users considering Buildxact should weigh its strengths against its limitations and compare it to competitors based on their specific needs and budget.

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Pros & Cons

User-friendly interface: Praised for its intuitive design and clear navigation, Buildxact minimizes the learning curve and empowers users to quickly grasp its functionalities, even with limited software experience.
Fast and accurate takeoffs: Integrated tools and pre-built libraries streamline the takeoff process, saving users time and reducing errors in material calculations, leading to more precise estimates and bids.
Real-time project tracking: Buildxact offers a centralized dashboard for tracking project progress, costs, and tasks in real-time, enabling better decision-making and proactive issue management.
Improved communication & collaboration: Built-in communication tools and shared project data foster seamless collaboration between teams, subcontractors, and clients, enhancing project transparency and efficiency.
Time-saving automation: Features like automated report generation and proposal creation free up valuable time for contractors to focus on core business activities and strategic planning.
Affordable pricing: Buildxact's tiered subscription plans cater to various company sizes and project volumes, offering a cost-effective solution compared to some competitors, making it accessible to a wider range of contractors.

Limited reporting options: While Buildxact provides basic reports, some users find them less customizable and comprehensive compared to competitors, limiting in-depth data analysis and insights.
Fewer customization options: Buildxact offers limited flexibility in customizing workflows and user interfaces, potentially hindering adaptation to highly specific needs or complex project types.
Mobile app limitations: While the mobile app allows basic project access, users report shortcomings in managing complex tasks or leveraging full functionalities compared to the web version.
Integration issues: Some users encounter challenges with integrations between Buildxact and other software, requiring troubleshooting or workarounds, potentially impacting workflow efficiency.
Not ideal for large projects: Buildxact's scalability might be limited for very large or intricate projects, where more robust features and advanced management capabilities might be necessary.
Learning curve for complex features: While generally user-friendly, some advanced features might require more in-depth training or support, especially for users unfamiliar with construction software.

Key Features

Accounting: Sync invoices and purchase orders to keep track of cash flow. Reduce human accounting errors by automating the entire accounts payable process.
Activity Dashboard: Track and organize all project activities in an interactive dashboard. Manage areas that require improvement and allocate labor in necessary areas.
Assembly Takeoff: Measure material and labor quantity to get an overall cost estimation of the project. Streamline materials and project management.
Bid Management: Create and manage bids quickly to win more work. Carefully design attractive bids that capture the imagination of clients.
Billing: Automate traditional billing and make the process more productive. Reduce paper dependency and process bills faster.
Change Order Management: Manage work change and additional services from contractors in a single place. Never miss out on anything while calculating payable amounts.
Contractor Management: Update contractors daily with changes in project schedules. Keep them accountable for all services they provide.
Audit Trail: Keep track of cash invoices and all transactions and processes through audits. Stay on top of bills and project progress to maintain accountability.
Calendar Management: Organize the workforce to complete priority work first and on time. Designate effort to required areas and plan calendars accordingly.

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Sage Estimating

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^$365

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Why We Picked Sage Estimating

Sage Estimating has garnered positive feedback from users for its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface. The software's ability to manage projects from initial estimates to final invoices has been praised for its efficiency and time-saving benefits. Users appreciate the software's ability to track costs, schedule work, and generate invoices, streamlining project management processes. The intuitive design of Sage Estimating has also been highlighted, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.

Compared to other construction estimating software options, Sage Estimating stands out for its robust functionality and ease of use. While some competitors may offer similar features, users have found Sage Estimating to be more intuitive and comprehensive. The software's ability to integrate with other business tools, such as accounting software, has also been cited as a significant advantage. This integration streamlines data flow and reduces the need for manual data entry, further enhancing efficiency. However, some users have noted that the software's pricing may be higher than some competitors, which could be a consideration for smaller businesses.

Sage Estimating is well-suited for construction businesses of all sizes that require a comprehensive solution for managing their projects. Its scalability allows it to adapt to the needs of growing businesses, while its ease of use makes it accessible to businesses with limited technical expertise. The software's ability to improve project efficiency, accuracy, and communication makes it a valuable tool for construction professionals seeking to optimize their operations and deliver successful projects.

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Pros & Cons

Estimating Accuracy: Sage Estimating helps ensure accurate estimates by allowing users to leverage current material pricing and labor rates, which can be adjusted to reflect regional variations.
Efficiency: The software's database of construction assemblies and pre-built templates can significantly reduce the time required to create estimates, boosting overall efficiency.
Flexibility: Sage Estimating caters to various estimating needs and preferences by offering multiple takeoff methods, including 2D takeoff, which involves measuring directly from digital plans.
Integration: The software seamlessly integrates with other Sage products, such as Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate, promoting a smooth workflow and data consistency across different construction management tasks.

Steep Learning Curve: Sage Estimating has a complex interface and workflow, making it challenging for new users to learn and navigate efficiently. This can lead to frustration and a longer onboarding process for teams transitioning to the software.
Limited Customization: The software offers limited options for customization, which can be restrictive for companies with unique estimating processes or reporting requirements. This lack of flexibility may necessitate workarounds or manual adjustments outside the system.
Integration Challenges: Integrating Sage Estimating with other construction management software or accounting systems can be complex and may require additional configuration or third-party tools. This can hinder data flow and collaboration between different departments.
Cost: Sage Estimating can be expensive, especially for smaller construction firms or those with limited project volumes. The pricing structure, which often involves upfront costs and ongoing fees, may not align with the budget constraints of all businesses.

Key Features

Takeoff: Calculate quantities from electronic blueprints to create accurate estimates. Automatically update quotes while modifying drawings. Allow multiple estimators to work on the same project using multi-user functionality.
Liberty Reports: Create project proposals and comparison reports as well as conduct job cost analysis. Present data professionally using colors, fonts and visuals.
Audit Trail: Trace transactions by date, category, type and value. Generate summary and detailed breakdown reports. Export reports into PDF and CSV formats.
Database: Access trade-specific databases to add cost items into bid worksheets. Integrate with Microsoft SQL Server to store data securely.
Project and Job Costing: Integrate with Sage 300 to track and monitor project statuses. Manage expenses of subcontractors and general contractors.
Management Console: Manage administrative tasks and grant access permissions to authorized users.

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ConstructionOnline

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^$49

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Why We Picked ConstructionOnline

ConstructionOnline receives praise for its comprehensive features, particularly its scheduling tools, which allow for efficient project management and collaboration. Users appreciate the ability to create detailed schedules, assign tasks, and track progress, ensuring projects stay on track and within budget. The software's document management capabilities are also highlighted as a strength, enabling users to store, organize, and share project documents securely. ConstructionOnline's financial management tools, including budgeting, invoicing, and expense tracking, are commended for their accuracy and ease of use.

However, some users note that ConstructionOnline's interface can be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features. The learning curve associated with the software is a common concern, as it may require additional time and effort to fully utilize its capabilities. Additionally, some users mention that the mobile app's functionality is limited compared to the desktop version, which can hinder accessibility and convenience for users on the go.

ConstructionOnline distinguishes itself from competitors by offering a wide range of features within a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple software solutions. Its robust scheduling, document management, and financial tools provide a comprehensive solution for construction professionals. The software's focus on collaboration and communication is also a key differentiator, as it facilitates seamless interaction among team members, clients, and subcontractors. ConstructionOnline is most suitable for established construction companies and professionals who require a comprehensive project management solution with advanced features. Its extensive capabilities cater to the needs of larger projects and teams, providing the tools necessary for efficient project execution and collaboration.

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Pros & Cons

Centralized Communication: Streamlines communication among project stakeholders through features like instant messaging, email integration, and file sharing, reducing miscommunication and keeping everyone informed.
Improved Collaboration: Facilitates collaboration with tools for task management, scheduling, and document control, enabling teams to work together efficiently and avoid duplication of effort.
Enhanced Project Visibility: Provides real-time insights into project progress, budgets, and potential issues through dashboards and reporting tools, allowing for proactive decision-making and improved project outcomes.
Increased Efficiency: Automates routine tasks such as generating reports, sending notifications, and tracking time, freeing up team members to focus on more strategic activities.
Reduced Risk: Offers features for risk management, including change order tracking, issue management, and document version control, helping to mitigate potential problems and ensure project success.

Limited Customization: Users have expressed frustration with the lack of flexibility in customizing certain features, such as invoices and reports, to align with specific workflows or branding requirements.
Mobile App Functionality: The mobile app has received feedback regarding its limitations compared to the full desktop version. Some users find it challenging to access and manage information effectively while on the go.
Learning Curve: Due to its comprehensive feature set, ConstructionOnline can have a steeper learning curve for new users. Navigating the platform and understanding its full capabilities may require additional time and training.

Key Features

Sales Management: Manage leads and monitor sales funnels to meet business goals.
- Lead Tracking: Filter leads by statuses, sources, sales representatives and more. Track activities such as meetings and outreach changes using a timeline viewer. Stay updated about potential revenue opportunities and sales workflows by creating lead pipelines.
- Call Logging: Document emails, text messages and conversations to keep track of communication activities. Filter call logs by projects, contacts and creators. Attach relevant documents and photos to call logs.
- ClientLink: Create client login pages to keep them in the loop about project statuses. Receive client inputs about change orders electronically.
Financials: Monitor cash flows to keep projects on budget.
- Estimating: Track financial activities using dashboards. Integrate with Excel to accurately calculate job costs. Save and reuse estimates templates to help avoid workflow errors.
- Quantity Takeoff: Automatically overwrite existing costs to reduce expensive errors. Accurately measure volumes, counts and areas to help win bids. Generate estimates using existing takeoff templates to speed up estimating processes.
- Change Orders: Mitigate potential disputes to save projects from legal hassles. Allow clients to sign change orders electronically. Automatically send confirmation emails to subcontractors, suppliers and clients to keep them on the same page.
- Accounting Integration: Integrate with QuickBooks to eliminate redundant data entries. Import or export financial data with just a click. Securely store project files in AWS data centers.
Communications: Share latest project updates using the Envoy Chat suite. Attach relevant documents and photos to chats to divulge critical information. Archive messages when jobs are completed.
Schedule Management: Assign and monitor project activities to help complete projects on time.
- Calendar: View upcoming tasks, events and due dates to help plan ahead and keep projects on track. Integrate with Google and Outlook calendars to help keep team members updated about ongoing activities.
- Gantt Charts: Quickly modify schedules without manually adjusting each task using critical path functionality. Filter tasks by days, weeks or months.
- Time Tracking: View workers’ clock-in and -out time and location using geofencing technology. Analyze employee reports to help boost productivity levels.
Project Tracking: Analyze project data to help make informed decisions.
- Daily Logs: Document work activities electronically to eliminate hassles of going through bundles of physical files. Automatically record weather conditions of job sites to understand reasons for delays. Record and attach photos to incidents using safety logs.
- Punch Lists: Organize lists by classifications, dates, phases and more. Perform inspections by creating punch lists to avoid missing out on important quality checks.
- Reporting: Share project reports with teams and clients to keep everyone on the same page.
Planroom: Upload, markup and share project plans with team members. Automatically send notifications to workers about changes in plan sets.
Document Management: Store project files securely for future references.
- RFI Tracking: Sort RFIs by due dates, statuses and recipients. Allow clients to respond to RFIs via email.
- Submittal Workflows: Opt for parallel or sequential workflows as per business requirements. Determine who’s responsible for advancing submittals by using a ball-in-court indicator.
- Transmittals: Send transmittals from the field or office using the mobile app. Create logs to automatically track sent items and quickly search for critical documents.
Score Cards: Filter teams’ activities by employees or task types to view accurate breakdown of overall performances. View pending and overdue tasks to make sure projects are on track.

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RedTeam

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^$45

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Why We Picked RedTeam

RedTeam is a construction collaboration platform that helps its customers face daily commercial construction challenges and manage projects on and off the field. Its basic level of functionality is easy to manage and operate. It provides seamless navigation capabilities throughout the system and a mobile app feature to enhance the user experience, but many reviewers have noted that it slows down and freezes sometimes. The submittal process is time-consuming and cumbersome. Also, it offers limited training tutorials and resources for new users, and its updates are difficult to understand. However, the support team is readily available and responsive to help requests.

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Pros & Cons

Ease of Use: Its basic level of functionality is easy to manage and operate, as noted by 86% of reviewers who mention ease of use.
Mobile App: Its mobile app feature is useful in the field, as stated by 56% of the users reporting mobile app.
Customer Support: Around 78% of reviewers who refer to customer service report that its support team is readily available and responsive to help requests.
Navigation: It is easy to navigate through different tools and options in the system, as observed by 57% of the users who specify navigation.

Limited Training: It offers limited training tutorials and resources, as stated by 56% of reviewers specifying training.
Slow Performance: Over 89% of the users who refer to performance note that it slows down and freezes at times.
Submittal Process: The submittal process is time-consuming and cumbersome, as noted by 75% of reviewers mentioning the submittal process.
Updates: Updates are difficult to understand and execute, as specified by all the users referring to updates.

Key Features

Project Management: Build a collaborative work environment to help streamline project processes.
- Change Orders: Create a reference list of previously established prices of project change orders. Reduce confusion as to where project pricing is coming from and create organized change orders.
- Submittals: Create and track submittal packages to help capture critical metadata.
- RFIs: Receive, track and share RFIs to maintain up-to-date activity logs.
- Scheduling: Integrate with Microsoft Project to import and export project documents. Access information off-site using the Gantt scheduling tool.
Subcontractor Verification: Run reports to identify any subcontractors whose credentials have expired.
Integrations: Integrate with Autodesk, PlanGrid, Levelset and DocuSign to help optimize project tasks.
Punch Lists: Make last-minute safety checks and pass on completed products to project owners.
Financials: Create commercial invoices and manage project budgets.
- Cost Plus Billing: Provide clear job costs documentation including employee expenses and subcontractor payment applications. Allow project donors to request documentation for monthly billing.
- Invoice Approvals: Validate vendors’ credentials such as invoices and insurance documents. Record and combine T&M sheets into invoices to generate accurate bills.
- WIP Reports: Access project information in real time to help organize finances efficiently.
CRM: Manage and track leads to build customer relationships. Convert leads into projects to create bids with just one click. Manage opportunities and compare competitive scores using an opportunity management reporting tool.
Reporting: Generate daily reports to help maintain visibility throughout the enterprise. Identify issues before they become critical problems.
Field Management: Allow workers to log hours using the mobile app. Capture images from the field and attach them to daily reports. Forecast weather conditions to keep projects on track.

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McCormick Estimating

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^$300

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Why We Picked McCormick Estimating

McCormick Estimating has garnered positive feedback for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, making it a popular choice among construction professionals. Users appreciate the software's ease of use, highlighting its intuitive design and straightforward functionality, which allows them to quickly learn and utilize the software effectively. The software's affordability further enhances its appeal, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. Additionally, McCormick Estimating offers a wide range of features that cater to various aspects of the estimating process, including takeoff, bidding, and project management, providing users with a complete solution for their construction estimating needs.

However, some users have noted that McCormick Estimating may not be as powerful as some of its competitors, such as Bluebeam Revu or PlanSwift, particularly when it comes to handling complex projects. These users have expressed a desire for more advanced features and capabilities to address the intricacies of larger-scale construction endeavors. Despite these limitations, McCormick Estimating remains a valuable tool for many construction professionals due to its ease of use, affordability, and comprehensive feature set. The software is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized contractors who require a reliable and efficient estimating solution without the complexity and cost associated with more robust software options.

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Pros & Cons

Estimating Accuracy: McCormick is known for its comprehensive database of construction costs, which helps estimators produce more accurate bids and reduces the risk of cost overruns.
Efficiency: The software automates many of the tasks involved in estimating, such as quantity takeoffs and pricing, which can save estimators a significant amount of time and effort. McCormick also integrates with other construction software, such as project management and accounting systems, which can further improve efficiency.
Customization: McCormick allows users to customize the software to meet their specific needs, such as creating custom reports and databases. This flexibility makes it a suitable solution for a wide range of construction projects.
Collaboration: McCormick's cloud-based platform enables teams to collaborate on estimates in real-time, regardless of their location. This can improve communication and coordination among team members.

Steep Learning Curve: The software's complexity can be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features and functionalities. This can lead to a prolonged onboarding process and require significant time investment to achieve proficiency.
Cost: McCormick Estimating software can be expensive, especially for smaller construction firms or independent estimators. The pricing structure may involve upfront costs, subscription fees, or module-based purchases, which can impact affordability.
Customization Challenges: While the software offers customization options, tailoring it to specific workflows or industry requirements can be complex. Users may require advanced technical skills or rely on support services to achieve desired customizations.

Key Features

Accounting Integration: Stay on top of financial processes with all major accounting functions in one application.
Assembly Takeoff: Complete measurements and estimate material and labor costs to stay on top of schedules.
Audit Trail: Trace financial data of particular transactions right from the general ledger to corresponding source documents using audit trails.
Bid Management: Manage and update bids according to estimation data to ensure on-time submissions.
Billing: Carry out systematic billing of materials and labor costs to update transactions regularly.
Customizable Templates: Create, edit and manage templates for different projects. Choose unique templates to portray material values clearly.
Electrical Estimating: Estimate and submit bids to win projects and increase business.
Electronic Plans: Carry out takeoff operations according to schedule and update milestones as needed.
Issue Management: Resolve operational issues and ensure smooth project workflows.
Plumbing Estimating: Get quick and accurate estimates, PDF takeoffs and design-builds to create instant material lists and professional final bids.
Project Management: Stay on top of daily proceedings in projects. Manage and update particular points to speed up operations.
Reporting/Analytics: Leverage analytics to extract reports of past projects for future use.

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Buyer's Guide

Construction Estimating Software Is All About Generating Accurate Quotes and Improving Your Bid-Hit Ratio

By Riya Jamble, Technical Content Writer at SelectHub

Electrical Contractor Software BG Intro

Make construction estimating software your trusted ally and bid farewell to calculation errors and inaccurate estimates. These solutions can be your knight in shining armor if you’re looking to replace your current systems or are on a quest to achieve estimating accuracy and maintain data consistency.

Ready to embark on the quest for your perfect match? Let this buyer’s guide be your trusted companion on the journey to selecting the ideal solution for your business.

Executive Summary

Constructing estimating software helps you optimize business processes, improve your bid-hit ratio and achieve estimating accuracy.
Cost databases, visual assemblies, bid management capabilities, takeoff modules and pre-built templates are some of the core features you should look for in construction quoting software.
Stay informed about key industry trends: integrations, visual estimating, and the advancements of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Prepare a list of vendor-related questions to gain a thorough understanding of their offerings, ensure compatibility with your requirements, and make an informed decision that aligns with your business needs and goals.

What This Guide Covers

What Is Construction Estimating Software?
Deployment Methods
Primary Benefits
Implementation Goals
Basic Features & Functionality
Advanced Features To Consider
Current & Upcoming Trends
Software Comparison Strategy
Cost & Pricing Considerations
Questions To Ask Yourself
Questions To Ask Vendors
Next Steps
Product Comparisons
Additional Resources

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What Is Construction Estimating Software?

Construction estimating software is a digital solution that helps contractors, estimators, project managers and other construction professionals generate accurate estimates, produce professional proposals and streamline construction workflows.

They enable you to create itemized lists of materials and their costs, calculate quantities, and generate comprehensive reports that outline the estimated expenses.

You can also adjust costs based on market fluctuations, factor in overhead expenses and account for various contingencies.

They usually integrate with:

Some vendors offer trade-specific estimating solutions to accommodate the unique needs of specialty contractors and company owners. Some of these include:

Understanding the differences between takeoff, estimating and construction bidding is essential for successful project management. Let's delve deeper into the differences to fully grasp their unique characteristics.

Estimating vs. Bidding vs. Takeoff vs. Bid Management

Estimating, bidding, takeoff and bid management solutions may have some similar functionalities, but their purpose is quite different.

When you read their product descriptions, they may sound the same, and you might select the wrong software. So, it’s important that you know what they mean. We’ve discussed the same below.

Estimating Software

These solutions help you create quotes and produce professional bid proposals. Some core functions include:

Customizable templates
Pricing databases
Integrative capabilities

Takeoff Software

These applications help you pull information from digital blueprints or spec sheets to determine material quantities. Some core features include:

RFI management
Digital takeoff
Material and quantities database
Custom assemblies

Bidding Software

These systems assist you in submitting tenders to clients for managing or undertaking projects. Some standard functions include:

Project management tools
Subcontractor portal
Proposal generator
Scheduling

Bid Management Software

These platforms assist you in streamlining your bidding processes and improving efficiency. Some core features include:

Bid organization
Document management
Bid tracking
Bid form creation

Vendors use the above-mentioned terms to help you identify their products' primary functions.

You’re here, which means you’re looking for an estimating solution. But if you need help with takeoff and bidding operations, we recommend you consider a solution offering integrative capabilities.

What Buyer Type Best Describes You?

You need to understand your buyer type to streamline the selection process and find a solution that best caters to your unique circumstances. Some common types include:

General Contractors: They oversee construction projects and typically manage multiple subcontractors, budgets and timelines. Look for estimating software with project and subcontractor management and reporting tools.
Specialty Contractors: They focus on specific trades or services such as electrical, plumbing or HVAC. Prioritize software that aligns with your trade requirements, such as specialized takeoff tools, trade-specific cost databases or industry-specific software integrations.
Construction Managers: They oversee the entire construction process, from planning and scheduling to budgeting and quality control. Choose software offering comprehensive project management capabilities, including cost tracking, resource allocation, scheduling and collaboration tools.
Residential Builders: They focus on constructing homes and residential projects. Consider residential-specific features like pre-built templates, customization options, and integration with sales or construction accounting software.
Estimators: They specialize in accurately determining project costs by analyzing plans, specifications and other project details. Seek software with robust takeoff capabilities, quantity surveying tools, cost databases and estimating templates.

Assess your workflows, project types and desired features to make an informed buying decision.

Expert recommendations and analysis on the top Construction Estimating Software

Deployment Methods

When looking for estimating software, you have two options for access: (1) install the software on your own computers or servers, or (2) access it online via web browsers and mobile devices.

On-premise software refers to installed products, while you can access online solutions through the cloud. We’ve discussed the pros and cons of each below.

Online Estimating Software

Pros

Convenient access from any internet-connected device
Offline access available through certain advanced products using local applications and data sync
Automatic updates provided by the software developer
No need for manual updating or additional fees

Cons

Vulnerable to cyberattacks
Occasional software crashes
Reliant on a strong internet connection
Significant expenses

On-Premise Estimating Software

Pros

No internet connection required
Secure data
Controlled software upgrades

Cons

Reliant on technical operators for installation processes
Frequent maintenance checks required
Limited storage capacity
Vulnerable to data loss

Considerations

Carefully weigh these considerations to select an estimating solution that aligns best with your business requirements.

Scalability: If your business is likely to expand or you anticipate fluctuating estimating needs, online software offers more scalability. They can accommodate a growing user base and adjust resources according to your needs. On-premise software may require additional hardware or server upgrades to accommodate increased usage.
Security: On-premise software gives you greater control over data security since it remains within your own infrastructure. If your industry requires strict data control or compliance, an on-premise solution may be preferable.
Costs: On-premise solutions often involve upfront license fees, maintenance costs and potential hardware investments. On the contrary, online software typically follows a subscription-based model, which may include ongoing fees but eliminates the need for significant initial investments.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific needs, preferences and constraints.

Expert recommendations and analysis on the top Construction Estimating Software

Primary Benefits

When it comes to estimates, clients understand they're not set in stone. But inaccurate quotes can still harm your credibility. That's where construction estimating solutions come in, safeguarding your company's reputation by delivering accurate and reliable estimates that build trust with your clients.

We’ve outlined some benefits you can expect from construction quoting platforms.

Benefits of Construction Estimating Software

Increase Accuracy

Construction costs keep on fluctuating. The S&P Global PEG ECCI 2023 report observed that the material/equipment cost index declined from 63.7 points in April 2023 to 52.7 points in May 2023, showing an 11% decrease in material/equipment prices.

Construction estimating solutions come preloaded with cost databases to help you keep track of labor, material, subcontractor and equipment expenses, helping you generate estimates closest to the true costs of projects.

Optimize Job Costs

Estimating software enables you to analyze costs more effectively, helping you identify areas where you can optimize expenses. By comparing different scenarios and adjusting variables, you can make informed decisions to minimize costs and maximize profitability.

Maintain Consistency

By employing construction quoting software, you can establish standardized templates, centralize data management, use parametric estimating, analyze historical data and implement version control.

Enhance Project Management

With construction quote software, you can efficiently allocate resources, maintain cost control, track project progress in real time, manage changes effectively, foster collaboration, and communication and generate comprehensive reports.

Improve Efficiency

Managing multiple estimates is no easy feat. As humans, we get distracted easily. And that distraction can cause costly mistakes.

Estimating solutions help you automate calculations, streamline data entry, accelerate estimating processes, integrate workflows and stay mobile.

These capabilities significantly improve efficiency in your estimating workflow, enabling you to save time, reduce errors and increase productivity.

Expert recommendations and analysis on the top Construction Estimating Software

Implementation Goals

Goal 1 Make Data-Driven Decisions	Construction projects consist of enormous data. Instead of drowning in the flood of information, you can turn this data into actionable insights using estimating applications. Reporting and analytic functions enable you to analyze past quotes to help you identify and fix estimating issues. Furthermore, they aid you in tracking tasks, finances and customer satisfaction ratios via the dashboard.
Goal 2 Boost Productivity	Miscommunication and lack of information can cause project delays. Ross Davis, director of APJ critical facilities at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, says, "It's important that everyone's on the same page from feasibility and design to handover and operations." Quoting solutions allow crews to send messages to contractors or project managers via a messaging portal to keep them in the loop about progress at the site. They enable workers to view and download files from an accessible location. Some even provide a mobile app to help you and your teams stay on top of things on the go. Furthermore, they enable multiple estimators to work on the same project in real time.
Goal 3 Avoid Calculation Errors	It’s risky to rely on manual calculations. Your budget can go haywire, resulting in cost overshoots. Digital solutions integrate with takeoff software to help you calculate areas, quantities, production costs and risk factors, enabling you to spend more time on strategic planning and focus on building your business.
Goal 4 Gain a Competitive Edge	A happy customer tells a friend; an unhappy customer tells the world. Clients can make or break your business. Construction estimating solutions provide CRM tools to help you build meaningful relationships with clients. They enable you to brand invoices, statements, proposals and estimates, making your organization look professional. They allow you to conduct competitor analyses to stay ahead of your rivals. Furthermore, you can send important documents to clients through a secure file-sharing portal.

Goal 1

Make Data-Driven Decisions

Construction projects consist of enormous data. Instead of drowning in the flood of information, you can turn this data into actionable insights using estimating applications.

Reporting and analytic functions enable you to analyze past quotes to help you identify and fix estimating issues.

Furthermore, they aid you in tracking tasks, finances and customer satisfaction ratios via the dashboard.

Goal 2

Boost Productivity

Miscommunication and lack of information can cause project delays. Ross Davis, director of APJ critical facilities at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, says, "It's important that everyone's on the same page from feasibility and design to handover and operations."

Quoting solutions allow crews to send messages to contractors or project managers via a messaging portal to keep them in the loop about progress at the site.

They enable workers to view and download files from an accessible location. Some even provide a mobile app to help you and your teams stay on top of things on the go.

Furthermore, they enable multiple estimators to work on the same project in real time.

Goal 3

Avoid Calculation Errors

It’s risky to rely on manual calculations. Your budget can go haywire, resulting in cost overshoots.

Digital solutions integrate with takeoff software to help you calculate areas, quantities, production costs and risk factors, enabling you to spend more time on strategic planning and focus on building your business.

Goal 4

Gain a Competitive Edge

A happy customer tells a friend; an unhappy customer tells the world. Clients can make or break your business.

Construction estimating solutions provide CRM tools to help you build meaningful relationships with clients. They enable you to brand invoices, statements, proposals and estimates, making your organization look professional.

They allow you to conduct competitor analyses to stay ahead of your rivals. Furthermore, you can send important documents to clients through a secure file-sharing portal.

Expert recommendations and analysis on the top Construction Estimating Software

Basic Features & Functionality

Cost Database	In this competitive market, accuracy is crucial. Construction estimating applications enable you to access material, labor and equipment cost databases to produce detailed estimates and win more jobs. You can access these databases from remote locations using internet-enabled devices. Copy items from external sources like RSMeans, Army Corps Engineers Equipment Rates and Craftsman Costbooks to create a custom pricing database.
Visual Assemblies	As an estimator, you have a lot of projects to work on. Adding items one by one from the costbook to your estimate is time-consuming. With construction estimating platforms, you can create and access visual assemblies to save time. The illustrations or images enable you to recheck if you selected the right items. They help increase quoting accuracy and offer a knowledge base for novice estimators.
What-If Analysis	Project delays occur due to several factors such as weather conditions, equipment failures, incorrect data and labor shortages, causing your projects to go off budget. And reworking estimates isn’t an easy task. An electronic solution lets you conduct what-if analyses to help you create and compare bid variations and generate multiple estimates to adjust to changing needs.
Historical Database	Construction quoting applications help you store past project details like estimates, designs and plans in a secure cloud environment. You can access this historical database to predict future project costs.
Pre-Built Templates	Do you create quotes using Microsoft Word? Manually entering data is a struggle, isn’t it? Estimating apps come with customizable templates, helping you generate bid proposals and estimates in an industry-standard format. You just need to enter project specifics to produce submittals.
Reporting	Being a construction professional, you know that delays and cost overshoots are the villains of the construction industry. Construction quoting software provides reporting functionalities to help you analyze trends and identify and resolve issues at an early stage. Some apps also integrate with big data analytics platforms, helping you make informed, data-driven decisions. You can generate job cost, project, accounting, material and labor reports to evaluate operational and financial workflows and develop risk management plans.
Job Costing	Estimating apps enable you to assign and link cost codes to job costing solutions to ensure precise calculations. Track labor, material and equipment costs, analyze job profitability, and forecast future expenses. You can integrate with accounting solutions like QuickBooks for Construction, JOBPOWER and Acumatica to calculate job costs accurately.
Proposal Generator	Quoting applications enable you to design your own template or choose a desired format from the template library to aid you in creating professional proposals in minutes. You can email your proposals to clients from within the platform.

Expert recommendations and analysis on the top Construction Estimating Software

Advanced Features & Functionality

Bidding	Bidding functionalities help you access subcontractor databases, prequalify subs, send bid invites, compare bids side by side, analyze supplier quotes and design professional proposals in just a few clicks.
Takeoff	Estimating applications let you upload digital blueprints and pull a comprehensive list of materials required for projects. They allow you to adjust quantities according to job requirements manually. You can convert 2D models to 3D to better visualize project needs and perform precise takeoffs. You can drag and drop items from the takeoff screen to the estimate to speed up estimating processes. Integrate with third-party takeoff solutions to get consistent outputs.
Project Management	Quoting platforms offer project management capabilities, helping you minimize overhead, reduce delivery times, improve communication and build business strategies.
Conceptual Estimating	Some quoting apps allow you to create conceptual estimates to assist you in predicting overall costs based on initial designs, shedding light on potential cost overshoots at an early stage.

Expert recommendations and analysis on the top Construction Estimating Software

Current & Upcoming Trends

To stand out from your competitors, you need to have an idea about recent trends. Below we’ve highlighted some trends that could play a significant role in changing the future of the construction industry.

Construction Estimating Software Trends

Integrations

Construction professionals now prefer a connected ecosystem of solutions over standalone products. Whether it's through an end-to-end platform or a network of seamless integrations and APIs, the goal is to create a cohesive system where all construction-related solutions work together seamlessly.

You can effortlessly transfer data from your estimating software to project management tools or share project updates with stakeholders in real time. This consolidation and integration empower you to streamline your workflows, boost collaboration and make data-driven decisions with ease.

Visual Estimating

In the past, you had to endure the pain of manually performing calculations and creating estimates using spreadsheets. But now, you can use visual estimating techniques to get the job done quickly. Many contractors and estimators like yourself use BIM software for visual estimating purposes.

With BIM, you have a 3D version of blueprints loaded with vital data that helps you better visualize projects’ scopes.

BIM tools assist you in directly calculating measurements, performing takeoffs and identifying risks from the underlying models. Any changes you make automatically apply to all documents and schedules.

Check out our article on BIM capabilities and features to learn more about BIM.

Artificial Intelligence

In the past, you may have faced difficulties in filtering out duplicate estimates, accounting for ambiguous requirements and identifying key cost drivers such as materials, equipment, subcontracted services, labor and intangible expenditures. However, the landscape has changed with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI).

Now, AI empowers you to weigh dependencies and generate detailed reports, enabling you to make intelligent decisions. They help you automate tasks and process accurate estimates.

Machine Learning

Machine learning algorithms help you automatically extract data from building information models or other systems like CostX, PRISM and Global Unite, eliminating the need for manual input.

You can classify historical data according to International Construction Measurement Standards with natural language processing. After organizing the data, you can perform cost benchmarking.

You need to train and test the natural language classifier to gain precise results. Load large volumes of historical datasets and generate cost groups and categories.

To know more about where the industry is headed, check out our article — Construction Trends: Industry, Technology and Market Landscape.

Expert recommendations and analysis on the top Construction Estimating Software

Software Comparison Strategy

Selecting the right construction quoting software for your needs requires careful consideration of several factors. Here are some steps to help you in the process:

Define Your Requirements: Start by identifying your needs for construction quote software. Consider factors such as project size and types, company size, budget, number of user access required, and features needed.
Assess Software Features: Evaluate the capabilities of each software against your requirements. Look for features such as takeoff tools, cost databases, project templates, subcontractor management, integrative capabilities, cloud-based accessibility and customizable reporting.
Consider User-Friendliness: Look for demos, free trials or tutorials to get hands-on experience and assess how comfortable you and your team are with the software.
Evaluate Integration Capabilities: Determine whether the estimating software integrates with other tools you use in your construction workflows, such as inventory management software, accounting or BIM applications. Integration can streamline your processes and data sharing between systems.
Consider Software’s Scalability: Ensure it can handle your current projects and has the potential to accommodate future growth. Additionally, assess the solution’s ability to customize estimates, templates and reports to match your specific project requirements and branding.
Assess Support and Training Options: Check if the vendor offers technical support, user documentation, video tutorials, feature-specific walkthroughs and training programs. Responsive support and available resources help you overcome challenges during implementation and daily use.
Request References and Demonstrations: Reach out to their existing customers to understand their experience and satisfaction level with the software. Additionally, ask for a personalized demonstration to see how the app performs in real time and if it meets your expectations.
Make an Informed Decision: Finally, based on your evaluations, compare the solutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your requirements, budget and growth plans. Consider the long-term value and potential return on investment (ROI) the software can provide for your construction estimating processes.

Still wondering where to begin? You can refer to our Lean Selection methodology to simplify software evaluation processes.

Cost & Pricing Considerations

You should never buy a product based on just one recommendation. That’s like heading into a war without a plan. Below we’ve discussed several pricing factors that can help you choose the perfect solution for your organization.

You should always ask vendors about their pricing model and license validity period. Some providers offer a one-time payment facility, while others offer a monthly subscription.

Leave no room for doubts while discussing the cost of the system. You don’t want to make any decisions that can negatively impact your company’s financial health.

Generally, cloud-based products cost less compared to on-premise solutions upfront. You should decide on the best deployment type for your company beforehand to avoid spending unnecessarily.

It’s important to determine your company’s size. Spending on a solution that doesn’t fit your business size can cause budget overshoots. For instance, Clear Estimates serves small businesses, whereas Estimate Rocket caters to organizations of all sizes.

Some vendors offer customized features to best suit your needs. But these additional features might cost you extra. You should always ask providers about the charges of requesting add-ons.

Providers offer phone, chat and email support. Advanced options might come at an additional fee. Most vendors enable you to submit tickets through a support portal. This portal may or may not be chargeable. You should never fail to ask providers about support charges.

Most vendors offer online, on-site and hybrid support. Some also provide training resources like product manuals and video tutorials. Others might conduct live Q&As, walkthroughs and webinars. However, you may need to pay to access some of these training services.

Expert recommendations and analysis on the top Construction Estimating Software

Questions To Ask Yourself

Before approaching vendors, it's important to ask yourself the following questions:

What estimating challenges do we hope to resolve with construction quote software?
How will the software fit into my existing technology infrastructure and workflows?
What collaboration tools do we require?
Do we need the app to integrate with other construction management systems?
Who will use the software and what features do they need to make their job easier?

Construction Estimating Software Key Questions To Ask

Questions To Ask Vendors

Use these questions as a starting point for conversations with vendors about their services and software:

About the Software

Does the app provide built-in cost and material databases?
What level of data encryption does the software offer?
Can the software handle complex calculations and handle contingencies or what-if scenarios?
Are there any limitations on the number of users or projects we can manage within the software?
Does the software produce industry-standard compliant cost reports and documentation?

About the Vendor

What support options are available and what’s the average response time for resolving issues?
What’s the implementation timeline and when can we expect tangible benefits?
How often do you release software updates, and are they included in the subscription?
How long has your company been in the construction estimating software industry?
Do you offer data migration assistance?
What’s your product roadmap like? Are there any upcoming features or enhancements planned?

Next Steps

If your aim is to generate perfect quotes, streamline business operations, win more jobs and produce professional proposals, construction estimating software is your best bet.

Are you ready to choose the best construction quoting software for your company? Check out our free comparison report to compare solutions and narrow your options.

We designed this guide to assist you in your software selection journey. Hope we were able to help! Please feel free to contact us by phone or email mentioned on our website for any further assistance.

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Additional Resources

About The Contributors

The following expert team members are responsible for creating, reviewing, and fact checking the accuracy of this content.

By Riya Jamble

Technical Content Writer

Riya is a Technical Content Writer at SelectHub. She writes content for our construction scheduling and bidding, CMMS and medical billing categories. She's also a part of the social media team where she crafts posts that engage and resonate with our audience. Riya holds a Graduate Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India. Fueled by a love for black coffee, her day begins and ends with its energizing ritual. Riya enjoys a variety of TV series, including Friends, Suits, American Horror Story, and How to Get Away with Murder. During her free time, you'll find her reading or spending time with her close ones. She believes in magic and is waiting for that day when reality compromises and fairytale swirls around with a smile.

Technical Research By Shweta Bhandari

Senior Analyst

In her role on SelectHub's research team, Shweta Bhandari works on categories like manufacturing, CMMS, construction ERP, takeoff software, supply chain management, field service, construction bidding software and construction estimation software.

Technical Review By Kankana Kalita

Principal Analyst

A seasoned business and research analyst, Kankana Kalita specializes in ERP, CMMS, manufacturing, construction, supply chain, HRMS and CRM. Prior to joining SelectHub, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering, an MBA in Operations and Marketing, and worked in email marketing and logistics.

Edited By Ryan McElroy

Content Editor

Ryan McElroy is a Content Editor and Senior Market Analyst at SelectHub who writes and edits content on various software types, along with their broader concepts and the industries they serve, including medical, construction, CMMS, supply chain management and legal. He studied at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and earned his BA in Journalism in 2016. During his free time, you’ll find Ryan playing video/card/board games, sipping coffee and reading speculative fiction, or listening to music his loved ones often describe as “headache-inducing.”