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Houzz Pro

Houzz Pro is a lead and project management solution that streamlines processes for businesses of all sizes by centralizing all needs into one place. Key features include project management, lead management with client dashboards, ...Read more about Houzz Pro

4.4 (718 reviews)

349 recommendations

Buildxact

Is estimating taking weeks when it should only take hours? Optimize your residential construction estimating, quoting and project management with Buildxact. Buildxact is a Software Advice Front Runner, noted by users for its eas...Read more about Buildxact

4.6 (155 reviews)

41 recommendations

PropertyIntel

PropertyIntel, an Aspire solution, is a cloud-based takeoff and enhancement design software explicitly crafted for landscape and irrigation contractors to bid, win, and service more jobs in less time. Upload your landscape plan ...Read more about PropertyIntel

4.5 (61 reviews)

20 recommendations

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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InSite Elevation Pro

Introducing InSite Elevation Pro, the ultimate solution for lightning-fast earthwork takeoffs and GPS machine control modeling. The software is incredibly user-friendly and quick to grasp, reducing the learning curve, and increasi...Read more about InSite Elevation Pro

4.7 (171 reviews)

12 recommendations

Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate

Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate, formerly Sage Timberline Office, provides contractors, developers, and property managers with the most complete solution for managing the entire project or property lifecycle with confidence,...Read more about Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate

4.0 (550 reviews)

3 recommendations

ConDoc

ConDoc is a construction management solution that helps businesses organize and share construction documentation and bid sets with internal teams. It allows general contractors, subcontractors and building owners to manage operati...Read more about ConDoc

4.4 (24 reviews)

2 recommendations

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

plexxis

Plexxis offers comprehensive solutions created specifically for the most demanding specialty sub-contractors. With on premise, subscription, cloud-based and mobile options, Plexxis delivers office and field efficiencies for accoun...Read more about plexxis

4.4 (79 reviews)

1 recommendations

SureCount

Conest Software Systems' SureCount is an on-premise construction takeoff system designed for commercial, industrial and residential electrical contractors of all sizes. The system can also be used for other construction and specia...Read more about SureCount

4.5 (2 reviews)

1 recommendations

Stratosphere

Stratosphere by Tally Systems is a cloud-based construction takeoff software that helps construction estimators and contractors measure and markup digital blueprints. Key features include: cloud technology that enables estimators ...Read more about Stratosphere

No reviews yet

1 recommendations

Procore

Procore manages your projects, resources, and financials from project planning to closeout. The platform connects every project contributor with the owner and general or specialty contractor. The centralized dashboard allows manag...Read more about Procore

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Autodesk Construction Cloud combines advanced technology, the industry’s largest builders network and predictive insights to connect people and data across the building lifecycle, from design through operations. Autodesk Construct...Read more about Autodesk Construction Cloud

STACK

STACK Estimating is a cloud-based on-screen takeoff and estimating tool for professional contractors of all business sizes and all trades. STACK users can quickly and easily upload digital plans and complete takeoffs using the sof...Read more about STACK

Bluebeam Revu

As an award winning leader in innovative, collaborative, Cloud-based software technologies that streamline construction planning and building projects, Bluebeam's set of solutions have set the standard for excellence since 2002. A...Read more about Bluebeam Revu

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

The EDGE

The EDGE® is a professional-grade all-in-one solution designed for commercial subcontractors who specialize in roofing, interior walls and ceilings, exterior finishes, and fireproofing. With two options for sharing data, jobs and ...Read more about The EDGE

PlanHub

PlanHub is a cloud-based construction management solution for general contractors and subcontractors. The solution allows contractors to post projects, send bid invites, share information with subcontractors and manage multiple te...Read more about PlanHub

Countfire

Countfire is electrical estimating software that uses automation to help estimators work faster, cut busy work and increase accuracy. Some of our key features and benefits include: Auto-count symbols across multiple PDF drawings...Read more about Countfire

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

Buyers Guide

Last Updated: March 16, 2023

When evaluating your options for using software to improve and simplify the takeoff process, it’s important to understand how this technology works in order to choose one that fits your needs. To help, we've created this comprehensive guide that breaks down everything you need to know about construction software, the most common reasons buyers seek a new solution, the benefits it can offer your organization and key considerations to keep in mind. Here’s what we’ll cover:

What Is Construction Takeoff Software?

Common Features of Construction Takeoff Software

Common Reasons for Buying Takeoff Software

Top Benefits of Takeoff Software

How Do I Choose the Best Takeoff Software?

Key Considerations

What Is Construction Takeoff Software?

Takeoff software allows contractors to measure construction plans (i.e., blueprints and drawings) electronically instead of the conventional method using pencils and rulers. Most systems will support the on-screen takeoff method, or the use of a digitizer pen.

Performing-a-digital-takeoff

Performing a digital takeoff using OnCenter Software

Buyers often confuse estimating software with takeoff software. The systems are deployed as one but perform two very different functions. Contractors use takeoff software to determine the scope of a project from quantity of materials to labor needed. They would then use an estimating system to determine how much those materials and labor will cost, and produce a bid.

There are several different components of takeoff software. They are defined as follows:

Tool

Definition

Quantity takeoff software

This tool leverages multi-dimensional drawings and models to help estimators determine the amount of materials and labor required to complete a project.

Blueprint takeoff software

Forgo flipping through pages of plans, this tool (sometimes referred to as plan takeoff) allows you to view and manipulate detailed plans digitally as well as better collaborate with the architect or planroom.

On-screen takeoff

Usually integrates with other solutions, including quantity and plan takeoff, to help contractors determine the scope of a project.

The software can be purchased by itself, or as a stand-alone system. However, it’s often purchased together with cost estimating software. There are also cases when an organization will purchase a complete construction software suite to perform all needed functions including estimating, accounting and job costing and project scheduling and project management.

Common Features of Construction Takeoff Software

Here are some common features of construction takeoff software:

Document control and collaboration

Puts plans in one place so they can be shared and edited by an individual project manager or a large team. Edits to the plans are typically done in real-time and will sync automatically so everyone on the project is up-to-date.

Estimating

Some takeoff software applications will include estimating tools to provide costs of materials and labor, or will otherwise integrate with other estimating applications.

File export

Exports plans and material lists to various file formats such as .PDF or .XLS.

BIM integration

Allows users to integrate with building information modeling (BIM) platforms so they can visualize project plans in 3D.

Trade specialization

Many takeoff platforms will have unique features for specific trades or aspects of the project, such as painting, drywall, concrete or HVAC. These unique features assist with estimating and takeoff for those materials.

Common Reasons for Buying Takeoff Software

There are two common scenarios we hear from contractors researching construction take off software. First, the majority use manual methods and want a faster, more accurate way to produce estimates. Second, they need to replace an existing system because the technology is out of date or it’s too expensive to maintain.

Regardless of their current situation, most companies implement these systems for the following reasons:

  • Speed up and simplify the takeoff process

  • Produce more accurate bids and estimates

  • Reduce resources (e.g., avoid printing plans)

  • Create more professional proposals

Below is a full list of buyer's reasons to switch to takeoff software from our 2014 Buyer's Report.

Top Benefits of Takeoff Software

Our Small Business Buyer Report offers insight in to the pain points and trends for companies with annual revenues of $100 million or less considering construction takeoff software.

It's no surprise that our findings show that the majority of buyers from small businesses are using manual methods, like Excel and scales and rulers, or software that doesn't currently meet their needs. As they start to scale, they recognize that software can help increase their capacity for writing accurate bids.

While the benefits are clear, the type of software they need may not be. That's why it's important to carefully consider all your current and possible future requirements before beginning the search.

How Do I Choose the Best Takeoff Software?

Choosing the best construction takeoff software will depend on the specific needs of your organization. Small to midsize contractors, for example, may require a solution with fewer and less robust features, while large contractors may require a comprehensive solution that offers features such as cost databases by trade and mobile compatibility for field access to project data. Firms must also decide if they only need a standalone takeoff solution or if they need takeoff functionality as part of a larger, integrated construction software system.

Key Considerations

During your research you should consider the following:

  • Does the system meet your feature and functional requirements? For example, does it support onscreen takeoff for measuring PDFs digitally? Does it provide digitizer integration?

  • Does it have capabilities to support your trade? For example, earthwork, sitework and excavation contractors should identify systems that: measure cuts, fills and volumes; measure square footage and lineal feet and support 3D takeoff.

  • Can it integrate with your other construction applications, such as estimating, job costing or project management?

For construction contractors using software for the first time, consider using one of the many free tools on the market. However, once your company and job volume grows, paid software is necessary to complete large-scale projects. It offers more "out-of-the-box" functionality as well as integrations with your other construction tools, training and professional support.

Once you do decide to make the switch, many large vendors (including PlanSwift, STACK and Best Bid) offer free trials so you can try before you buy.

Another key consideration is whether you should opt for a cloud-based solution or one that is hosted on-premise. With systems using a cloud-based deployment model, the software is hosted (i.e., housed, served, maintained and delivered) remotely, on the vendor’s or service provider’s own servers. Users can then access it through any device that is both compatible with the system and has an internet connection. This gives users the flexibility to access the system anywhere, anytime.

With on-premise deployment, on the other hand, the software system is hosted in-house, on the user’s own servers. Data in the database and all associated applications are housed and run locally, and users may or may not be able to access the system remotely (it depends whether or not the system is compatible with mobile devices and remote computers).

While larger companies may possess the IT resources to host a solution in-house, this can be a very expensive option for smaller companies. As such, smaller organizations may want to consider cloud-based solutions, which can be quicker to implement and start using and are often less costly to manage and update. However, cloud-based solutions may not include the type of robust functionality that a more comprehensive, on-premise construction takeoff solution might.

When you're ready, head over to our list of top takeoff software to compare products and watch demos.