PlanSwift Construction Estimating & Takeoff Software

Pros

I like how easy it is to do a takeoff and its digital which makes it convent since its on your computer

Cons

This doesnt really apply to our trade and we can also do the same with Bluebeam for much less than this was.

Pros

This is a great tool for taking quick takeoffs. Allows you to upload whole plan sets or individual pages depending on need. The takeoff functions snap to lines seamlessly provide quick and accurate measurements.

Cons

Spending a little time on the front end can make estimating various construction trades easier, however this process is lengthy and will probably turn most casual users off.

It was very quick to set up a project import the plans and start your takeoff in a matter of minutes.

Pros

very intuitive and easy to navigate through the takeoff commands. I really like the option to be able to print out my takeoff right on the page it was taken off on.

Cons

The only con is that I wish it would be connected to my estimating software. I do not like to do double entries.

Pros

Reasonably priced, Basic features fairly easy to learn and use.

Cons

Multiple bugs persist through many versions of the software. Company add features to attract new users but does not address bugs in the application that have persisted for years.

Ability to navigate and help others increase profits by saving time with takeoffs and estimates.

Pros

Planswift is fast and easy where it helps you pinpoint what you need in a takeoff with accuracy. The ability to do single click takeoffs is amazing also.

Cons

The customer support, would like that someone will be able to help me with my problem instead of having a ticket number and wait for someone to reach out to me.

The ability to quickly and accurately provide the best pricing to our customers.

Pros

The speed at which we were able to get new people up on the software is a big bonus and really helps with the fast pace of business.

Cons

Exporting to excel can sometimes be touchy but that is rare. Otherwise this is definitely the way to go for getting quickly started in construction estimating.

Saves me a trip to the printing office to print off plans, i also like that i can use it offline.

Pros

I really like the functionality of the software when working on a takeoff. I also like how it ties in to Plasma and saves me many additional steps

Cons

No way to do a keyword search once specs are pulled in to planswift. Sifting through 900 pages of spec looking for important details is tedious and best done outside of planswift using a PDF program like Adobe

A more efficient and economical way to accomplish QTO

Pros

PLanSwift is a great alternative to other overly priced and complicated to use software. The technical support team is quick to help and knowledgable.

Cons

Some of the import features are difficult to maneuver and sometime the software crashes. That being said the software is continually saving so you don't lose work in progress.

Planswift is very intuitive to use. It's as easy as picking up the mouse and getting to work. Other takeoff softwares are no as easy to figure out or are slower. I like the earthwork pro feature for quick topographical takeoffs.

Pros

Ease of use, fast.

Cons

Can't get bridge to work between estimating software.

Crashes all the time. Have to change pdf plans to tiff format in low resolution. MEP trades have very little features. Cannot print out quantity list on a per plan page basis, only total count for all plan pages. Not user friendly program, unless you know how to write computer programs.

Pros

The ability to count item son the screen

Cons

Crashes all the time. Have to change pdf plans to tiff format in low resolution. Cannot print out quantity list on a per plan page basis, only total count for all plan pages.

Advice to Others

Not user friendly program, unless you know how to write computer programs. MEP trades have very little features.

I like to work on plan swift, but it still have problems,
When i have a problem, i can wait 6 hr for an assistant.

Pros

Dimension toll

Hope to use it more now that I am Director of Facilities.

I have been using plan swift now for about 5 or 6 years and find it to be the most versatile and user friendly estimating program I have ever used. I do cost, material and labor take offs for High rise buildings and infrastructure project from $5mil to $125mil.
It integrates seamlessly with Excel and MS Project, it makes my work very easy with out any problems.
I have trained 15 or 20 new employees on the system.

I love it.

PlanSwift is a lifesaver. The time I have saved using PlanSwift has increased my time in the field selling, and the time I get to spend with my family. I no longer sit at the dinning room table doing take off's by hand.

During the training, I was able to pick up things that I never considered before making my estimates more accurate. That turns into higher confidence from my clients which translates into higher sales.

There is no doubt that PlanSwift is is one of the most important tools in my aresnal.

Planswift has the tutorial page where you can get educated on all the tools and how to use them, if you need more help live help is also available. Thank you planswift for making my estimating so much quicker....

The program is very adaptable to my needs. I have been using it for the past three years. Before that it was pencil and excel. Now that I have applied Plan Swift to my take offs, my efficacy and productivity have increase over 35% year over year. Along with the 35% increase, my the accuracy of my take offs have increase as well. This has allowed my company to win more bids.

VERY USEFUL AND EASY TO USE!

We purchased Planswift last year and find it very helpful in completing accurate and timely estimates. We measured everything by hand utilizing a scale ruler which was not as accurate as Planswift. My favorite feature is being able to color code measurements and counts for ease of location during construction. I wish we would have bought this program sooner!

Hi
I am a civil estimator and prior to using "Planswift" used Excel.
This software is easy to use and understand. Best thing is that one can configure according to specific requirement.
Great job.
thanks

They were very responsive while purchasing their software but not so much after spending nearly $1500 for the program, upgrades, and training. I, like many purchasing this product, am a small business owner. I purchased during a slow time of the year (working 2-3 days a week). I was told to call ahead to schedule a slot of time where a planswift expert would help train me on how to use the software. This was an upgrade I paid around $300 for. "Call a day or two in advance", I was told to confirm a time that will work. After several attempts of being told that nothing is available for the whole week and sometimes the following week too, I've given up for now. Being that it was a slow time of the year, I was booking my weeks as work was available and didn't really know how my Wednesday two weeks out at 1pm was going to be. Hopefully, I'd have work rather than waiting to learn how to use a software program that I spent 3x as much as I paid for my computer.

The program seems like a helpful tool for a business owner if they a able to get the proper training. As of now, I am only using the very most basic functions of the software (Mostly learned on my own, some from the 15 minutes the salesman will spend on the phone teaching you before you buy). After you've paid it is difficult to the training you are entitled to.