Construction Estimating Software
Reviews and Ratings

Construction estimating software is often part of construction software solutions, either as an add-on module or as an integrated third party solution. Estimating software in a construction business provides the ability to generate an estimate, or bid, for a job and establish an initial budget. Estimating software will often provide customized databases for different construction specialties, such as general contraction vs. electrical contracting.

Although many construction companies are still using Microsoft Excel for estimating, an estimating solution provides more detail for greater accuracy of estimates. Features such as user-defined assemblies, multiple price points and automated calculations provide greater efficiencies when producing estimates. And when estimating is integrated with construction accounting software, job detail can be automatically transferred from estimating to accounting for instant setup.

Notable capabilities available with some estimating programs:

Integration with Job Cost, Address Book, and Purchasing applications.

Takeoffs
Item Takeoff lets you work with multiple items before moving them into your spreadsheet. Assembly Takeoff lets you take off groups of items or a construction system all at once. Model Takeoff starts with a list of “interview questions” about your project and allows the take off an entire project or building at once. A Takeoff Audit Report lets you see all the items in your estimate in the order they were taken off, including date and time of takeoff, sequence, phase and so on.

Divisions of work
For divisions of work that are being subcontracted out, some programs offer a subcontractor bid grid, in which you can log the subcontractor’s name, bid quantity, unit price, total bid amount, and notes. Additionally, a cuts-and-adds log lets you log in last minute changes to the bid that might make the difference between winning and losing the job.

Additional estimate related capabilities and/or applications which are available in some products provides an ability to organize, manage and analyze your estimate. Functions like Cut & Fill for earthwork estimating, Digitizer, Buyout, Viewer, provides non-users with the ability to sort, review and report on estimates.

Databases
A number of estimating databases are available with varying levels of detail. Some simply provide a structure or starting point for your own database building efforts. Others are complete and offer current pricing and extensive detail such as codes (WBS – Work Breakdown Structure) allowing you to automatically resort your estimate in a variety of ways for better estimate analysis.

Cost Comparison reports let you identify changes between your conceptual, interim, and final estimates on a project. Integration can sends details to and from the change management function and estimating.

For comparisons of different construction software products, download the free Construction Software Selection Kit.

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