On-Screen Takeoff vs Countfire

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Our analysts compared On-Screen Takeoff vs Countfire based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Takeoff Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

On-Screen Takeoff assists construction professionals and contractors with performing estimation and pre-launch presentations seamlessly. Generate attractive bids to win more work. It streamlines workflows by calculating measurements while the user adds markups to construction drawings. From commercial to residential contractors, it takes the heavy load of managing bids off employee shoulders.

It also has a window dedicated to bid design. The bid wizard provides users step-by-step guidance while creating new bids. It has an overlay feature that lets contractors distinguish between new and old data by marking new ones in blue and the old ones in red. It lets contractors bid adieu to paper in favor of digitized processes, therefore saving time and additional supply costs.

Pros

  • Quick & Flexible
  • No Runway Needed
  • Lower Operating Costs
  • Reduce Noise Pollution
  • Urban Air Mobility

Cons

  • Limited Range
  • Weather Dependence
  • Safety Concerns
  • Lack of Regulation
  • Infrastructure Needed
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Countfire is an automation software that assists construction workers in performing seamless estimations. It has the capability to conduct automatic on-screen calculations and reduce overall estimation time. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing contractors use it to automate counting and provide CAD and Excel integrations.

Improve accuracy with quality control reports and ensure drawings and estimations are comprehensive and complete. Estimators can create symbols to automatically count across the entire structure. It is cloud-based, allowing users to access work remotely through mobile devices and computers.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Fast takeoff creation
  • Cloud-based accessibility
  • Collaboration features
  • Free plan available
Cons
  • Limited free plan features
  • Fewer integrations compared to competitors
  • Reporting tools can be basic
  • Customer support wait times
  • Limited customization options
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$15/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$99/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Automate Workflows: Limit time spent on duplicate processes by automatically saving calculations for future use before submitting bids.
  • Reduce Errors: Take the guesswork out of performing accurate takeoff measurements using automated calculations to reduce errors that lead to costly reworks.
  • Go Paperless: Save all takeoff measurements and details online to reduce dependency on paper. Drive efficiency and reduce supply costs by making takeoff processes digital.
  • Save Time: Eliminate manual blueprinting processes and leverage digital mediums to perform takeoffs in less time. Perform calculations digitally in seconds to allocate labor and resources to other work areas.
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  • Enhanced Efficiency: Countfire automates tedious manual tasks like counting symbols and materials, significantly reducing takeoff time and effort. This allows estimators to focus on critical tasks like project analysis and pricing.
  • Improved Accuracy: Automated takeoffs minimize human error, leading to more accurate estimates and fewer costly rework scenarios. The software also includes built-in checks and audit trails for further quality assurance.
  • Increased Collaboration: Cloud-based access enables real-time project collaboration among team members and stakeholders, regardless of location. This facilitates faster decision-making and smoother project execution.
  • Streamlined Workflow: Countfire integrates seamlessly with various estimating software and data sources, eliminating the need for manual data entry and streamlining the overall workflow. This saves time and reduces the risk of errors.
  • Greater Scalability: Countfire accommodates projects of all sizes and complexities, making it suitable for growing businesses. The scalable pricing structure ensures affordability as your needs evolve.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Countfire provides valuable insights into historical data and project trends, enabling informed decision-making about pricing, resource allocation, and project management.
  • Enhanced Communication: The software generates professional reports and proposals with accurate takeoffs and pricing breakdowns, improving communication with clients and stakeholders.
  • Reduced Costs: By minimizing errors, streamlining workflows, and improving efficiency, Countfire helps businesses reduce overall project costs and improve profitability.
  • Competitive Advantage: Faster, more accurate estimates and efficient workflows enable businesses to submit competitive bids and win more projects.
  • Improved Client Satisfaction: Accurate estimates and clear communication lead to greater client satisfaction and trust, strengthening client relationships.
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  • Assembly Takeoff: Estimate material and labor costs in one go. Leverage takeoff assembly to complete measurements seamlessly.
  • Electronic Plans: Collect and save records securely in a digital format throughout project life cycles. Simplify data accessibility for in-field workers through mobile devices.
  • Issue Management: Identify and resolve issues related to staff, suppliers and contractors that can impact projects.
  • Subcontractor Management: Feed client visions to subcontractors for projects and establish efficient communication to keep them updated. Monitor project progress and subcontractors to ensure everything is in order.
  • Optical Character Recognition: Identify individual objects of similar shape and size in drawings. Remove or make adjustments to objects in images seamlessly.
  • Paste Logic: Paste objects in the same space and direction for ceiling and multiple-room projects to reduce time spent on manual takeoff processes.
  • Overlay: Streamline plan review processes by comparing drawings and making changes in-house. Add decorative designs to make projects stand apart.
  • Templates: Leverage custom templates and style sheets to set up projects. Combine different styles to achieve maximum data precision in bids.
  • Multi-Condition Takeoff: Select multiple takeoff conditions at once and make processes seamless. Add and edit different shapes on images without wasting time.
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  • Assembly Takeoff: Reduce time needed for conducting takeoffs and completing measurements quickly. Bid on more projects without hiring additional personnel.
  • Electronic Plans: Chart objectives and daily proceedings electronically. Secure digitized plans in the cloud to provide access to all workers.
  • Issue Management: Design and execute contingency plans in the event of a disaster. Back up data and files securely to ensure nothing is lost.
  • Project Management: Direct and coordinate materials and labor throughout project life cycles effectively. Achieve predetermined objectives and attain daily goals by allocating labor to the correct places.
  • Takeoff: Execute takeoffs to determine the number of materials and amount of labor needed for a project. Submit accurate bids to win more work quickly.
  • Estimating: Conduct accurate estimations to determine the viability of a project. Minimize unforeseen costs to increase client satisfaction and attract repeat customers.
  • Projections: Stay on top of project completion time and progress through projections. Align and redirect efforts to accelerate certain areas of projects based on data.
  • Drag & Drop: Save valuable time by dragging and dropping items in the dashboard. Complete measurements with just a few mouse clicks.
  • Performance Metrics: Stay on top of workers and daily project metrics. Allocate sufficient effort to areas needing improvement and ensure projects run smoothly.
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Product Ranking

#8

among all
Takeoff Software

#35

among all
Takeoff Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

79
65
93
67
88
75
14
14
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Project Management
Trades Management
Plans Management
Measurement Management
Measurement Tools
Project Management
Reports and Dashboards

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

On-Screen Takeoff
Countfire
+ Add Product + Add Product
Measurement Management Measurement Tools Mobile Capabilities Plans Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Trades Management 93 88 14 99 74 100 57 100 67 75 14 81 72 100 86 64 0 25 50 75 100
93%
0%
7%
67%
0%
33%
83%
8%
9%
75%
0%
25%
14%
0%
86%
14%
0%
86%
100%
0%
0%
82%
0%
18%
67%
8%
25%
67%
0%
33%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
57%
0%
43%
86%
0%
14%
100%
0%
0%
64%
0%
36%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

40%
0%
60%
10%
0%
90%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 282 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 290 reviews
87%
of users recommend this product

On-Screen Takeoff has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 87% when considering 282 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

94%
of users recommend this product

Countfire has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 290 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.4 (90)
n/a
n/a
4.71 (150)
4.3 (156)
4.7 (140)
4.4 (36)
n/a

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated On-Screen Takeoff and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Measurement Management and Project Management.

Measurement Management Award
Project Management Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Countfire and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Project Management. Countfire stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Project Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Functionality: The software provides the necessary tools and features for performing fast takeoffs, according to 79% of users.
Ease of Use: According to 89% of users, the solution has a friendly user interface and seamless navigation experience.
Performance: About 86% of users mentioned that the application offers a robust takeoff platform that experiences little to no downtime.
Reporting: Regarding reporting, approximately 84% of users said that On-Screen Takeoff has efficient reporting that helps clinicians extract daily reports seamlessly.
Support: According to 96% of users, support representatives are helpful and come up with swift answers to queries.
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Automatic Counting: Users appreciate that Countfire automates the process of counting symbols across multiple PDFs, significantly reducing the time and potential for error compared to manual counts.
Excel Integration: The ability to seamlessly export data to Excel is highly valued for simplifying the estimation process and allowing easy manipulation of counted data.
Scale Calibration: Countfire’s scale calibration feature assists in ensuring that measurements are accurate, enhancing the reliability of takeoffs.
Straightforward User Interface: The intuitive interface is frequently mentioned as being easy to navigate, making the learning curve for new users relatively short.
24/7 Access: Being cloud-based, Countfire gives users the flexibility to access their projects anytime and anywhere, which is particularly beneficial for professionals who are often on the move.
Dedicated Support: The responsive and helpful customer support team is often highlighted as a strong point, providing assistance whenever users encounter issues.
Continuous Improvement: Users are reassured by the fact that Countfire regularly updates its software, addressing bugs and adding new features based on user feedback.
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Data Visualization: According to 75% of users, the application provides a complex data visualization that might cause navigation issues.
Connectivity & Integrations: About 63% of users reported that the software disconnects from sister platforms, such as QuickBid, and is unable to identify CAD files.
Sharing: According to 86% of users, the solution might be a bit difficult for staff to comprehend at first.
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Learning Curve: New users often report a significant learning curve with Countfire's interface and functionalities, which can impede the initial adoption and efficiency of the software.
Cost Considerations: Some users find Countfire's pricing to be on the higher end compared to other takeoff solutions, which might be a deterrent for smaller businesses or those with tighter budgets.
Integration Limitations: Countfire may not integrate seamlessly with other construction management platforms or ERP systems, creating potential data silos and workflow disruptions.
Customer Support: A few users have expressed dissatisfaction with the responsiveness or effectiveness of Countfire’s customer support during critical times.
Feature Set: Countfire may lack some advanced features that are offered by competing products, which could limit the software’s appeal to users with complex or specific needs.
Performance Issues: Occasional software slowdowns or crashes have been reported, potentially affecting large-scale projects with numerous drawings.
File Compatibility: There are instances where users have encountered difficulties with uploading or processing certain file types, hindering project progress.
Reporting Tools: The reporting capabilities of Countfire may not meet the expectations of all users, particularly those needing detailed or custom reports for project analysis.
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Reviewing user experiences from the past year paints a mixed picture of On-Screen Takeoff (OST). While users praise its strengths like user-friendliness, efficiency gains, and robust features, some weaknesses and differentiating factors set it apart from competitors. On the positive side, users consistently laud OST's intuitive interface and ease of learning, making it accessible even for those new to digital takeoffs. Its time-saving features like auto-measurement and pre-defined libraries are game-changers, boosting productivity and minimizing errors compared to manual methods. Additionally, OST boasts powerful features like cloud collaboration and real-time updates, improving communication and project transparency, which users find advantageous over competitors lacking such capabilities. However, some weaknesses emerge. Occasional reports of glitches and stability issues raise concerns, and the subscription pricing model, while offering flexibility, can be less cost-effective for smaller firms compared to perpetual license options found in competing products. Additionally, some users miss advanced features present in pricier alternatives, like integration with specific industry software or comprehensive reporting tools. Ultimately, OST's value proposition lies in its user-centric design, efficiency gains, and collaborative features. While not the most feature-rich or budget-friendly option, it excels in ease of use and caters well to users seeking a streamlined and intuitive takeoff experience. Choosing between OST and competitors depends on individual needs and priorities, with users valuing user-friendliness and efficiency likely finding OST a strong contender.

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Analyzing user reviews of Countfire from the past year reveals a generally positive sentiment towards its efficiency and user-friendliness. Users praise its automated takeoff capabilities, particularly for repetitive tasks like counting fixtures or conduit runs, highlighting significant time savings compared to manual methods. This automated aspect is often contrasted favorably with competitors, who may require more manual input or lack intuitive interfaces. Another strength frequently mentioned is Countfire's customer support, described as responsive and helpful. Users appreciate the quick resolution of issues and the availability of training resources. This stands out compared to some competitors who might have less accessible or limited support options. However, some reviews mention limitations in handling highly complex projects with unique geometries or extensive custom requirements. While Countfire offers advanced tools, users suggest it may not be as adept in these scenarios as certain competitors known for robust 3D modeling integration. Additionally, the subscription-based pricing model might be perceived as less cost-effective for smaller businesses or infrequent users compared to perpetual license options offered by some alternatives. Overall, Countfire seems to be a strong choice for electrical contractors seeking to streamline takeoff and estimating processes, especially those valuing user-friendliness, automation, and responsive support. However, for highly complex projects or budget-conscious users, exploring competitor offerings with advanced 3D modeling or perpetual licensing might be worthwhile.

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Screenshots

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