Clear Estimates vs Sage Estimating

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Our analysts compared Clear Estimates vs Sage Estimating based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Construction Estimating Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Sage Estimating Software Tool

Product Basics

Clear Estimates is a cloud-based software designed for contractors and remodelers to address estimation needs. It prepares professional proposals and estimates and calculates average costs while providing pricing data for 400 areas of the U.S. It also comes preloaded with 15,000 parts with detailed labor and material costs.

Over 60 templates for jobs such as garages, bathrooms, kitchens and additions are available. All parts come equipped with contract language to help users avoid writing long proposals. It offers several customization options, enabling users to create and edit templates and parts in boilerplate language.
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Sage Estimating helps construction professionals create cost estimates to increase bid-winning ratios. It can be deployed on the cloud and as an on-premise module. It streamlines the buyout process by helping with vendor selection, bid solicitation, cost tracking and purchase order creation.

It enables estimators to combine objects from various projects to leverage volume discounts. It supports materials gathering and audit trails. Furthermore, it aids decision-making by generating reports and providing accurate data. Use it to pull 3D and 2D data with a single click.
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Product Assistance

Documentation
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Live Online
Videos
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Documentation
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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Product Insights

  • Streamline Workflows: Integrate with QuickBooks to reduce accounting errors. Enable employees to track work hours electronically. 
  • Generate Error-Free Estimates: Access built-in material and cost databases to avoid quoting mistakes. Create quotes in just a few clicks using internet-enabled devices. 
  • Impress Clients: Produce professional proposals in minutes. Add the company logo, name, address and phone number to reports. 
  • Save Time: Integrate with Buildertrend to complete projects on schedule. Use customizable templates to produce precise estimates. 
  • Deploy on the Cloud: Store data in a secure environment. Enable employees to view and download documents from a centralized location. 
  • Stay Mobile: View information from anywhere at any time using Android or iOS devices. Monitor project progress off-site. 
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  • Generate Precise Estimates: Store quotes in the estimating database for quick access. Compare quotes side by side to save time. Utilize built-in estimate templates to avoid quoting errors. 
  • Perform Accurate Takeoffs: Automatically trace building components by recognizing logical connecting lines in vector PDFs using artificial intelligence. Integrate with eTakeoff Bridge and Dimension to auto-send quantities to estimates. 
  • Streamline Workflows: Integrate with Sage 300 Construction and Sage 100 Contractor to export purchase orders, budgets and subcontracts to avoid data entry errors. Access RSMeans cost databases to prevent estimating mistakes. 
  • Make Data-Driven Decisions: Simplify business reporting and analysis processes with liberty reports. Transfer data from Excel to the system’s database to reduce accounting and quantification errors. 
  • Go Digital: Leverage digital takeoff tools to count quantities and calculate measurements. Enable employees to access documents from one central location. 
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  • Estimation: Access cost databases to create accurate estimates. Reuse data from previous estimates to save time. 
  • Customizable Templates: Remove unwanted parts, change pricing details or add additional components to jobs to speed up estimating processes. 
  • Integrations: Import sales and receipt data to QuickBooks. Export estimates to Buildertrend. Send customer data to existing CRM systems using Zapier. 
  • Localized Pricing: Access region-specific material and labor costs. Acquire pricing data of 400 areas across the U.S. 
  • Professional Proposals: Automatically generate formal proposals by adding parts from databases prewritten in contract language. 
  • Reporting: Update and track project statuses from the project information tab. View statuses of sent proposals and invoices. 
  • Change Order Management: Add alternate prices to projects to maintain financial stability. 
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  • 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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Product Ranking

#12

among all
Construction Estimating Software

#31

among all
Construction Estimating Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

57
72
24
73
69
79
45
89
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Platform Capabilities
Platform Capabilities
Document and Database Management
Reports and Dashboards

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Clear Estimates
Sage Estimating
+ Add Product + Add Product
Bid Management Cost Management Document And Database Management Estimate Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Takeoff Capabilities 24 69 45 78 93 75 62 0 73 79 89 83 91 62 86 50 0 25 50 75 100
29%
0%
71%
71%
14%
15%
75%
0%
25%
75%
13%
12%
45%
0%
55%
82%
18%
0%
77%
0%
23%
86%
0%
14%
100%
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80%
20%
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63%
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37%
38%
50%
12%
67%
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33%
67%
33%
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0%
100%
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100%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

33%
0%
67%
25%
0%
75%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 221 reviews
Great User Sentiment 168 reviews
90%
of users recommend this product

Clear Estimates has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 221 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

82%
of users recommend this product

Sage Estimating has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 82% when considering 168 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.1 (15)
4.54 (112)
4.11 (79)
4.5 (109)
4.1 (66)
n/a
3.5 (8)

Awards

Clear Estimates stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Interface: Users praise the platform for its user-friendly design, making it easy to navigate and input project details, even for those who aren't tech-savvy.
Accurate Material Costs: Clear Estimates is recognized for providing reliable material cost data, ensuring estimates are grounded in real-world pricing.
Detailed Reports: The software generates comprehensive reports that clearly outline all aspects of the estimate, facilitating transparent communication with clients.
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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.
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Limited Customization: Some users have expressed frustration with the limited ability to customize templates and features to align with their specific workflow or company branding.
Learning Curve: While generally considered user-friendly, some individuals have noted a learning curve associated with mastering all of Clear Estimates' features, particularly for those transitioning from traditional spreadsheet-based estimating methods.
Mobile App Functionality: A subset of users have pointed out limitations in the mobile app's functionality compared to the desktop version, particularly regarding offline access and editing capabilities, which can be inconvenient for on-site use.
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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.
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Is Clear Estimates clearly the best estimating software out there? User reviews from the past year suggest that Clear Estimates is a solid choice for construction professionals, particularly those focused on residential remodeling. Users praise its ease of use, highlighting the intuitive interface and pre-built templates that expedite the estimate creation process. The software's integration with QuickBooks is also a big plus, streamlining accounting workflows. However, some users express frustration with the limited customization options for reports and proposals. While the software offers some flexibility, it may not fully satisfy users who require highly tailored outputs. A key differentiator for Clear Estimates is its comprehensive database of locally adjusted costs for materials and labor. This feature ensures accurate estimates, saving users from the hassle of manual research and adjustments. Users also appreciate the software's regular price updates, guaranteeing they're working with the most current data. This is particularly crucial in today's volatile market, where prices can fluctuate rapidly. Overall, Clear Estimates is best suited for small to medium-sized remodeling contractors who prioritize ease of use and accurate cost data. Larger firms or those with more complex reporting needs might find the software's limited customization options restrictive.

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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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Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Construction Estimating Software


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