Estimation software applications

Different software companies will package and design these features differently, so buyers should ask company representatives about the details when certain features are critical. Above, we detailed the different steps of the bidding process: takeoff, estimating, and bidding. Here, we cover some of the features that software can offer to improve the takeoff process for contractors and subcontractors. Often, digital takeoff capabilities are sold in separate software packages from the estimating tools because they are advanced capabilities that not everybody needs.

As such, these features can also add a significant amount of cost to the software. These features all focus on improving the efficiency involved with digital takeoff:. Once takeoff has been performed, the next step is to use that data to create cost estimates for materials, supplies, and labor for the project. The following list briefly covers the features that help contractors and subcontractors more efficiently create project estimates:. Putting together and submitting a bid is a different process from estimating, and thus, software companies have added features to help manage the intricacies of construction bidding.

Here is a list of some of the most common features software makers provide to optimize the bid management process. Aside from specific takeoff, estimating, bidding, and unique trade-specific features, wise buyers should search for tools that play nicely with their existing technologies.

Many companies integrate nicely with Microsoft Excel. Some tools will also go above-and-beyond in their reporting and analysis tools. Companies who provide this type of analytic review of your estimating and bid data can add a tremendous amount of insight and help to create meaningful changes in the way you manage your business. So the reporting and analysis features of your top estimating and bidding options are worth a careful review. Cost estimating, takeoff, and bidding are necessary in most of the specialty trades of subcontractors, such as electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC.

Many software providers make solutions that are specific to the different specialties of subcontractors. These software solutions may include trade-specific cost databases and other useful features unique to each area. The following list shows what to look for in specialized estimating, takeoff, and bidding solutions if you are a contractor in one of the these areas:. Electricians must use estimating tools to gather lengths for conduits, wiring, and cables, as well as the number of switches and receptacles in order to determine the costs and to estimate labor.

But electricians should also look for tools that include formulas for electricians, which calculate voltage drops, electrical loads, fault currents, and counts for conduit, boxes, and wiring. HVAC contractors should seek products that provide formulas that assist in calculating the heating and cooling needs of each room in the project plans.

Estimating for plumbing installation, requires contractors to know takeoff counts for fixtures and fittings, as well as the linear measurements of CPVC, drainage, and supply piping. Estimating software for plumbers should include pricing databases for plumbing parts and predefined plumbing assemblies.

Three-dimension takeoff formulas or features should help contractors who frequently work on landscaping projects. Construction estimating software is typically a very affordable piece of technology, especially compared to enterprise software solutions. These tools save significant time compared to manual methods of calculating and totalling costs of construction. Often, the pricing model will vary between software providers, but the cost is usually dependent on three key things:. Not all software companies price their products the same, so ask before diving into a contract how the software is priced.

However, these factors will usually provide a good proxy for the costs associated with using the tool. Some free tools and templates do exist, but the majority of tools that provide major value come at a cost. While the monthly cost can be a few hundred dollars or less for online tools, desktop tools that require a one-time installation are much more expensive up front. This is because after installation, you own the product for life. However, if you would like to receive software updates from the developer, it will require additional fees.

When it comes to finding free construction estimating software, there are two options to consider: 1 using open-source software, or 2 using the free version of a paid option. Open-source software is a type of software in which the original developer makes the source code available for anyone to use and adapt to fit their needs. The big downside to open-source software is that you will need to hire a software developer to help you implement it and provide ongoing support. For large organizations that need a highly customizable solution, this could be a good option, but most construction firms will be better off working with a vendor that provides a full-service estimating software solution.

Two open-source options to consider are 2-plan Team and Wanhive. Outside of open-source solutions, there are other free estimating options on the market in the form of free trials or free versions of otherwise paid solutions.

Sometimes, even with the best companies, things require users to interact with the company many times, maybe for extensive product training or difficult product issues. Some products require an onsite installation with a company rep, while others require nothing more than a simple online sign up. Ongoing product accessibility, on the other hand, is something that users should weight very heavily.

We prefer products that are accessible online, or at least available for any platform—Mac or Windows. Online estimating software products have the benefit of being accessible from any device, and they usually offer stronger collaboration capabilities as well.

Luckily, most companies offer free trials or, at least, product demos, to prospective users. First and foremost, make sure that these needs are met by the estimating software you choose. Confirm that the tool meets your estimating needs before you lock into a contract with a new software provider.

Pricing is a sticking point for many construction professionals when they compare software. Usually, if the software does as advertised, it will save the business money by making the estimating process more accurate and efficient, even if it seems expensive. Still, software should be priced right for the business, and part of making that a reality is choosing a product that fits.

Additional licenses can always be added later. Paying up for a full-featured product is worth it if the features fit your needs, but no one should overpay for a weak product. As discussed above, we prefer products that are cloud-based and accessible online via a web browser.

At a minimum, we prefer software companies that offer their products on any platform—Mac or Windows. Unfortunately, some of the popular estimating software companies only offer a Windows version.

That said, Mac and iPad users should look for software that is either cloud-based or offered in a Mac version. The following estimating products are available online or are Mac-compatible:.

In our research, we consider the above criteria and make sure to only recommend products that are top of their class in each of these categories. Read on to see how the best estimating, takeoff, and bidding software compare in terms of functionality, pricing, customer service, and more. STACK is a product that offers both estimating and takeoff capabilities, and it is among the most popular takeoff products on the market.

STACK offers a pre-built materials database, pre-built assembly libraries, cost codes, and other features to help estimators. Due to STACK offering advanced takeoff features in addition to complete estimating and bid proposal features, we rate STACK the best product for those who need both estimating and takeoff.

Founded in , ProEst is one of the longest-standing companies offering construction estimating software. Estimate Rocket provides features to take jobs from lead to paid. The all-in-one platform provides online estimating and invoicing tools needed to run your business and simplify your daily tasks. The software helps you create professional proposals and…. Procore is your complete online construction management software. Procore provides cloud-based project management applications to help construction professionals build quality projects on time and within budget.

Procore is designed to combine standard…. Client OS. Buildertrend is cutting-edge, cloud-based project management software. With more than 1 million users across the globe, they empower the construction industry with a better way to build.

The software helps construction professionals build more projects…. This complete estimating solution enables commercial subcontractors to prepare estimates with accuracy, efficiency…. The solution has been used for estimates in earthwork, underground, highway, pipeline, mining, plants, and other heavy construction. HeavyBid will rapidly…. ECI MarkSystems. As a cloud-based software, MarkSystems provides…. Projul is built on proven business fundamentals that provide the tools for small businesses to quickly and efficiently get work done.

Projul manages your leads, converting more opportunities to meetings and sales. Once those leads become customers, Projul…. Contractors Software Group CSG offers three series of integrated but modular CRM, estimating, scheduling and job cost accounting applications that can be installed on premise or be hosted in the cloud on a monthly basis. They include the: Simple Series…. PandaDoc is a digital document solution. Create, send, track, and eSign documents — all from one intuitive and easy-to-use platform.

PandaDoc is an ideal platform for managing organizational documents…. Sort by. Learn about sort options…. Learn about price ranges…. Cloud Hosted. Russ Davidson. Calculation of material costs based on defined material base rate costs and input of quantity requirements. Calculation of costs likely to be incurred for payment of subcontractors in the performance of job responsibilities. Cost calculation capabilities for the purchase or rental of equipment required to complete job work.

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Sporting Goods. The cost estimation is a tool to estimate the planning, budgeting and resource utilization for the software projects. These are the input to the cost estimation process. So, in general, the process provides three responses. Such as Effort, Development Duration, and Resources.

But in actually the SCE process follows on cost driver factors i. These factors are such as design methodology, memory management, experienced skills, hardware requirements, software tools, risk analysis, project complexity, project delay, size of project database, performance parameter, virtual memory environment, etc. Such as:. It is called the Constructive Cost Model, which is mainly used for software cost estimation i. This model depends on the number of lines of code for software product development.