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Contractor Foreman

NOW: Starting @ $49/m for the WHOLE company, Contractor Foreman is the most affordable all-in-one solution for small and medium trade and general contractors who want a better way to manage their projects. *FREE Trial + 100 Day Gu...Read more about Contractor Foreman

IntelliBid

Conest IntelliBid is the most comprehensive estimating software for electrical, low voltage, and datacom contractors. At its core, IntelliBid is a bid management and cost estimating system that helps contractors calculate labor an...Read more about IntelliBid

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QuickMeasure OnScreen

Quickmeasure is a useful tool for companies that currently manage their estimations in excel but do not have a formal takeoff system. The system integrates with excel so that users do not have to tailor their process as per the so...Read more about QuickMeasure OnScreen

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SharpeSoft Estimator

SharpeSoft Estimator is an on-premise cost estimating software for contractors and sub-contractors in the construction industry. Offered on a best-of-breed basis, SharpeSoft provides integrated tools for labor and equipment costin...Read more about SharpeSoft Estimator

4.6 (23 reviews)

9 recommendations

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On-Screen Takeoff

On-Screen Takeoff is a construction estimating and takeoff solutions for contractors and construction professionals. The solution offers tools for estimating, managing bids and having project visibility. Both commercial and reside...Read more about On-Screen Takeoff

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HeavyBid

HCSS HeavyBid estimating and bidding software is built specifically for the construction industry. Used by more than 50,000 estimators, HeavyBid helps users build estimates and manage daily bids. The software helps automate ...Read more about HeavyBid

4.6 (504 reviews)

3 recommendations

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Contractor's Office

Contractor's Office from PrioSoft is an on-premise construction estimating software capable of handling the needs of contractors across a variety of industries include paving, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, concrete, general contract...Read more about Contractor's Office

Clear Estimates

Clear Estimates is a construction estimating system for remodelers and contractors which allows them to create estimates, produce bid requests, draft proposals, manage customers and more. It integrates with QuickBooks and allows u...Read more about Clear Estimates

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Buildertrend

Buildertrend provides pre-sale tools including a built-in customer relationship management (CRM) system, bid requests, project proposals, plus more. Project management tools include scheduling, budgeting, timesheets, and more. Cus...Read more about Buildertrend

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Estimator360

Estimator360 is a cloud-based platform for construction estimating and management. It is suited for smaller construction companies and contractors with a focus on residential projects. The software performs building calculati...Read more about Estimator360

WinEx

Roctek’s WinEx Grade is a quantity takeoff and analysis tool. This solution allows you to take a PDF or other supported image formats and import PDF linework, import CAD linework, or use assisted-drawing tools to enter linework in...Read more about WinEx

4.6 (69 reviews)

17 recommendations

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CompuTool

CompuTool Connect is an integrated suite of business applications designed exclusively for the construction industry. It can be scaled up from the basic version by adding on applications to accommodate growing companies. Base...Read more about CompuTool

5.0 (2 reviews)

COBRA Contractors Software

COBRA contractors solution is a construction, accounting and service management suite designed for specialty contractors including electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractors. It combines estimating, bid management, project manageme...Read more about COBRA Contractors Software

4.2 (6 reviews)

B2W Estimate

B2W Estimate software for heavy civil construction estimating and bidding enables contractors to bid with speed, accuracy, and strategy. Users can pre-populate a centralized database with cost data and structures for labor, tasks,...Read more about B2W Estimate

4.5 (198 reviews)

3 recommendations

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WenDuct and WenPipe

WenDuct and WenPipe are construction estimating and digital takeoff systems designed specifically for mechanical contractors. Wendes Systems, the maker of WenDuct and WenPipe, has a long history of helping specialty contractors cr...Read more about WenDuct and WenPipe

4.5 (43 reviews)

5 recommendations

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PlanSwift

PlanSwift is the #1 Takeoff & Estimating software in the world! PlanSwift software is designed for Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Residential GCs and Subcontractors in almost every construction trade. With PlanSwifts...Read more about PlanSwift

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FastPIPE

FastPIPE is an advanced mechanical and plumbing estimating software for commercial, industrial and residential plumbing, HVAC, and industrial contractors. FastPIPE piping estimating software features onscreen takeoff of pipe, fitt...Read more about FastPIPE

4.7 (132 reviews)

14 recommendations

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QuoteSoft

QuoteSoft is a takeoff, estimating and bid management solution developed to meet the unique needs of piping, plumbing and ductwork contractors. QuoteSoft is an industry-specific solution that is used by more than 3,000 contra...Read more about QuoteSoft

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InEight

InEight provides field-tested project management software for the owners, contractors, engineers and architects who are building the world around us. Over 400,000 users and more than 850 customers worldwide rely on InEight for rea...Read more about InEight

4.4 (14 reviews)

2 recommendations

Maestro

For over three decades, Maestro Technologies has empowered the Canadian construction industry with innovative information management solutions. Born and bred in Canada and serving over 10,000 users nationwide, maestro ERP stands ...Read more about Maestro

3.3 (7 reviews)

3 recommendations

Buyers Guide

Last Updated: May 25, 2023

Construction management and estimating involve a lot of complex tasks. When it comes to construction management, contractors do everything they can to ensure fast and accurate delivery of results and data to their clients.

Thanks to construction estimating solutions, construction professionals can create accurate construction estimates that will allow companies to see the overall picture more clearly. However, construction estimating software also allows you to have a better view of future spending, including how to avoid costly mistakes, and can save you a notable amount of time and money on construction projects.

If you haven't been in the market for a while, there are a lot of estimating options to explore. We've written this guide to help you make sense of the market so you can choose the best construction estimating software for your business.

Here's what we'll cover:

What is construction estimating software?

Construction estimating software is a software solution that helps estimators, contractors, and other construction professionals calculate total material, labor, subcontractor, and equipment cost estimates as well as produce professional proposals for clients from these estimates. Construction estimating software tools assist users in automating data entry, pulling updated prices of materials and equipment, and identifying labor and overhead costs.

On top of that, beyond job cost estimation, construction estimating software can also provide features such as payment tracking, reporting, and schedule building.

Construction estimating software are available as a standalone product or may come as a bundled software within an overall construction management software suite.

A-view-of-reports-in-STACK-Software

A view of reports in STACK Software (Source)

Common features of construction estimating software

Shortlisting construction estimating tools is easier when you know what the most common features are and what they do for your business.

Let’s look at some of the common features of construction estimating systems:

Proposal generation

Create an accurate and professional bid proposal based on costs of labor and materials.

Cost database

Store and access trade specific databases of materials and labor costs for pricing details and estimating.

Job costing

Calculate total itemized costs, including initial costs and any changes.

Visual assemblies

Display a graphical view of a build assembly to visualize which portion of the project you're estimating.

Historical database

Store all of your past projects with related materials and labor cost estimates in a database.

What-if analysis

Model how your bid will change if assumptions (e.g., project completion date) change.

Pre-built templates

Accelerate the estimating process by providing a set of commonly required parts and labor for standard jobs, such as a bathroom remodel.

Reporting/analytics

Create cost breakdown reports using charts and graphs to improve the analysis of project costs.

What type of buyer are you?

Before you start evaluating construction estimating software options, you'll want to know which buyer category you belong to.

  • Project managers: A construction project manager is the type of a buyer who is concerned with project management functions such as job cost estimation, construction project scheduling, cost control, and document management. Consequently, they prefer to use the construction estimating software program offered as a part of their construction project management software.

  • General contractor: General contractor is the type of the buyer who is concerned with management of every detail of project estimation and the preconstruction process. These buyers prefer to use construction estimation software that is integrated with capabilities such as cost estimating, bid day analysis, digital takeoffs, bid management, reporting, and more.

Benefits of construction estimating software

Let’s look into some benefits of construction estimating software:

  • Improved job cost estimation: By using construction estimating software, construction project managers can estimate the money, labor, and time required to complete the job. It will save time that would otherwise have been spent on preparing job estimates manually, thereby reducing labor costs.

  • Better accuracy: Construction estimating software can help you accurately keep track of your labor costs, subcontractor expenses, equipment costs, and material costs. It also helps in tracking all your back orders and stored materials which leads to a higher rate of accuracy, allowing you to define your builds’ closest true cost.

  • Consistent estimates: Construction estimating software helps you to create project estimates with similar procedures every time you start a new job. By using similar procedures and estimation tools, you can trust the data which will provide consistency across all project scopes.

  • Better project management: The construction estimating software helps construction firms to manage their project better by aligning the duties and operations of the entire team. In addition, the solution also helps construction professionals to optimize their time management and workflow.

  • Improved efficiency: Deploying construction estimating software can save you time and money by performing tasks such as tracking your company’s projects, processing your estimates more efficiently, and putting more quotes into the market.

Considerations while purchasing construction estimating software:

  • Check training options: When investing in a construction estimating software, training employees to help them understand the system is vital. While some construction estimating software vendors offer pre-packaged training options, such as videos and manuals, others provide training for a limited time, resulting in more expenditure. Look for a vendor who helps you master the software you’re considering by offering options such as training sessions, live Q&As, videos, feature-specific walkthroughs, all coupled with check-ins at regular intervals to confirm your progress in the learning process.

  • Integration requirements: Look for the construction estimating software that is capable of playing well with other tools that you are already using, such as accounting, project management, and inventory management. It will not only save you time by preventing you from having to re-enter the same data into different systems but also ensures data consistency throughout the project lifecycle.

Market trend to understand

Below is a market trend that is playing out in the construction estimating application market:

  • Consolidation and integration of construction solutions: There are a lot of solutions that are used in a construction process and users of construction estimating solutions, such as project managers, general contractors, or any other construction professionals, are turning away from a technology stack made up of stand-alone products toward a comprehensive ecosystem of construction solutions. Whether such an ecosystem is an end-to-end platform or connected through a series of seamless integrations and APIs, users want effective tools that make it easy to store, analyze, and share project information and data between various apps.

Note: The application mentioned in this article is an example to show a feature in context and is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation. It has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the time of publication.