What is Construction Estimating Software?
Construction estimating software is used to streamline and enhance the process of creating accurate and reliable cost estimates for construction projects. This software is best suited for general contractors, home builders, and construction professionals, so they can easily calculate the overall expenses involved in a construction project. The software simplifies tasks such as estimating costs for labor, materials, equipment, and other project-related expenses.
With construction estimating software, users can input project details such as project scope, blueprints, material requirements, labor hours, and prevailing market rates. The software then uses algorithms and historical data to predict cost estimates while also taking into account factors such as local regulations and inflation. This technology makes sure that construction businesses have access to precise and consistent estimates and allows for real-time adjustments in response to any project changes.
Overall, construction estimating software is a valuable asset for workers in the construction industry, enabling them to deliver competitive bids, enhance project profit margins, and ultimately achieve successful project management.
Popular Construction Estimating Software Products
Types of Construction Estimating Software
There are many diverse types of construction estimating software, each suited to specific construction businesses with specific needs. By learning about the various types of estimating tools, you can find a solution that caters to your unique requirements. Understanding the key features and functionalities of individual project estimation platforms will help you make an informed decision.
Some of the different types of construction estimating software include:
Cloud-based Construction Estimating Software
This type of construction cost estimating solution allows users to access their information from any device with an internet connection. This makes collaboration easier for team members, especially when they’re working on different jobsites. Cloud-based software provides real-time updates and a centralized location for all cost data, making it a popular choice for modern construction companies.
Integrated Construction Management Suites
These solutions use integrations to combine the estimating process with other systems such as project management, CRM, customer support, and accounting software. This streamlines the overall construction process, allows for project cost savings, and improves data consistency as users don’t need to transfer data to other software tools.
Digital Takeoff Software
Digital takeoff solutions focus on digitizing the process of measuring materials and quantities from blueprints or drawings. This works to reduce manual errors and accelerate the construction takeoff process by automating workflows. An example of this type of software is Procore’s Takeoff and Estimating solution.
Cost Database Software
This type of solution allows users to access extensive databases that contain information about current material prices, labor costs, and equipment rates. The information supports the creation of cost estimates by using the most up-to-date cost information to provide accurate estimates.
Bid Management Software
These tools use automation to facilitate the process of creating professional proposals. The solution helps users organize and submit bids for construction projects easily through features such as templates. It streamlines overall productivity, improves communication with contractors and subcontractors, and reduces human error.
How to Choose Construction Estimating Software
It can sometimes be difficult to choose the best construction estimating software for your construction company, as there are lots of different software options available. In order to help you narrow down your options, it’s important to consider the key features a good cost estimation tool should have. A deeper understanding of the solution can help you select construction management software that positively impacts your business.
When choosing the right project estimating solution for you it’s important to consider the following:
Customizable Templates
Look for a solution that allows you to create and save customizable estimating templates for things such as change orders or bid management. This not only saves time but also makes sure you can tailor the templates to your needs to create consistency across projects. This is an important feature because having a centralized location for important data streamlines document management.
Digital Takeoff
Explore whether the software has digital takeoff capabilities. Not all construction estimating software has this feature, but by choosing one that does, it can help you perform digital takeoffs and create an accurate account of resources, making it easier to manage material costs.
Integration with Project Management Software
If your business already has web-based project management tools in place, search for estimating tools that will easily integrate with these platforms and other existing platforms that you may use. This minimizes the need for onboarding and ensures that your information is easily accessible from one location.
Comprehensive Cost Database
The software you choose should include a detailed and up-to-date cost database. By giving you clear estimates about the cost of materials, labor rates, and equipment, it provides you with valuable information so you can manage your project in the preconstruction stage. Having accurate and reliable forecasts will help the construction process.
Reporting and Analytics
Having a software solution that allows you to access detailed reports and insights is important. Being able to clearly visualize data through spreadsheets and graphs can help you identify cost trends, optimize resources, and make informed decisions. This can help you plan future projects and identify trends.
Benefits of Construction Estimating Software
Implementing construction estimating software into your construction projects has many advantages. Being able to access detailed estimates quickly helps both large and small businesses manage their projects.
The main benefits of construction estimating software include:
Cost Savings
One of the advantages of the software is that it uses advanced algorithms and up-to-date cost databases. This estimating feature creates reliable cost estimates, mitigating the risk of calculating incorrect project expenses.
Improved Collaboration
Estimating software allows for improved collaboration among project stakeholders. Facilitating communication reduces the chances of miscommunication and makes sure that everyone working on the project is on the same page.
Accuracy and Consistency
Construction estimating software can be used to track various aspects of a project. By utilizing the information from the solution, you can create an accurate view of the project and make sure it’s a smooth process.
Professionalism and Credibility
The software can help you create detailed and professional estimates. These clear estimates enhance a company’s credibility and reputation, as they’re up-to-date on the latest industry trends. This approach can attract more clients and projects.
Enhanced Productivity
Automating repetitive tasks ensures ease of use, takes less time, and provides a centralized platform for collaboration, which results in increased productivity. It allows team members to stay informed and know every stage of the project, from planning to execution.
Common Features of Construction Estimating Software
| Feature | Feature Description |
|---|---|
| API | Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are programmatic intersections with external products or platforms that allow for custom integrations with your own solutions or other solutions you are using. |
| Calendar Management | Manage and update calendars for scheduling or consolidation of events across teams, departments or business functions. |
| Contact Management | Manage large amounts of personal or business contacts in a centralized system. |
| Customer Management | Manage customer databases and/or track outstanding shipments, payments and more. |
| Data Export | Exporting functionality can be used to streamline the migration of data sets and information across systems, platforms or applications. |
| Data Import | Importing functionality allows you to use data sets from other systems or platforms to cut down on data entry requirements or to more easily migrate records from similar applications you have used in the past. |
| Data Visualization | Data visualization features render a visual interpretation of data sets through the use of charts, infographics and other visual cues generally in form of a reporting dashboard. |
| Multi-Account | Support for several different accounts, for example different social media platform accounts. |
| Multi-Site | Support for several different websites in the same application. |
| Multi-User | Supports more than just one user account and generally allows for collaboration with colleagues. |
| Process Reporting | Process reporting enables users to generate reports and graphs based on KPIs to identify inefficient processes, bottlenecks, and unproductive employees. |
| Project Management | Manage projects from conception through the planning stage to delivery and post-project reporting phases. This allows organisation teams to organise resources, plan budgets and improve efficiency in the delivery of project objectives. |
| Report & Compliance | Attain tailored reports and checklists. |
| Resource Management | Manage company's internal and external resources efficiently. |
| Scheduling | Schedule tasks, resources, appointments, payments, communications, etc. |
| Software Integration | Connect third-party software. |
| Task Scheduling/Tracking | Schedule and track tasks and deliverables in form of to-do-lists. |
| Third-Party Plugins/Add-Ons | Offers additional features or integrations built by third-party developers in form of plugins or add-ons. |
| Workflow Management | Workflow management focuses on streamlining the coordination of tasks related to the work a business does. |
Latest User Reviews of Construction Estimating Software Products
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"Great Solution For Construction Projects"
- Easy to use & Manage your company hierarchical and stats from a digital mobile and web apps. - The app include al... All Construcllo User Reviews
"Love to use"
I like it's smooth functionality. it is really works efficiently and specially it is based on cloud so that it is us... All JobFLEX User Reviews
"Terrible product. Even worse customer serv..."
The price was good but paid the price for it. Terrible product in so many ways. All Contractor Foreman User Reviews
"Caution regarding their trial period"
Not much, I really did not get a chance to use the service much during my trial period and wanted to cancel my subscr... All Contractor Foreman User Reviews
"Comprehensive Construction ERP Software"
Comprehensive feature set tailored for construction projects Excellent project and resource management tools Strong... All Highrise ERP - Construction Management Software User Reviews
"I've been using MaxCut since it first laun..."
Massive Time Saver: In the past, I would spend hours on manual calculations. With MaxCut, I simply enter the informat... All MaxCut User Reviews