Best commercial estimating software

You can either use one of the pre-populated…. 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.

This software not only works on a Windows device but also performs well on Mac. You can manage your bids on any device and share them whenever and wherever you want. Save your time and money by doing quantity takeoffs for construction projects using square takeoff services.

You can get a free 14 days trial by registering at their official website. It is a user-friendly software and offers features like a custom take-off tool, roof area tool, and free product updates.

So which construction estimating software is the best in your opinion? Fill out the below form before uploading drawings to our dropbox folder so that we can send you a quote. Your Name. Your Email. Your Phone. Your Name:. Your Email:. Your Phone :. Your Requirements:. PlanSwift 1. Bluebeam 1. Esticom 1. ProEst 1. Square Takeoff.

Get a Quote. Related Posts. Most often, however, these products are separate tools, offered by different companies. Typically, software providers will brand themselves in the following terms:. Which type of tool fits your business needs depends on how you manage the bid process and whether certain elements of the process need specific improvement. Estimating software companies can give customers access to their technology in one of two ways—either by 1 installing the software on computers or servers that the buyer owns, or 2 providing access to the tool online, via web browsers and mobile devices.

The installed products are often referred to as on-premise. These tools are either downloaded on each computer that will use the product or installed on company servers that distribute the program to employees. Many companies these days, however, are starting to offer software that is accessible online with web browsers. These products may sometimes be called cloud or web-based. There are many benefits to choosing an online estimating software, particularly for convenience of access.

Software that is served to users online can be accessed on any device with an internet connection. Some advanced products will even allow offline access via local applications, which sync data when an internet connection is available. Unless your business has a reason to choose an on-premise estimating solution, we prefer tools that are accessible online because of the convenience they provide. Rather than needing to be at your office or on a device with a connection to your company servers, you can connect via any device with a web connection.

Online products are also more easily updated than on-premise products. In fact, online products are automatically updated for every user whenever the estimating software developer updates their product. One inconvenience of using an on-premise estimating tool is that it will usually have to be manually updated either by re-downloading or by a technical representative of the company who produced it. In most cases, it also means an additional annual fee to continue receiving updates from the provider.

Even though online estimating software provides many conveniences, users should consider both and pay more attention to the specific features that the products provide than the way they are deployed. If your business has specific security needs, an on-premise product could be right for you.

The power of an estimating software lies in the features that improve the estimating, takeoff, and bidding processes for users. Not all users need a software loaded with features, but rather just want a product that helps tackle a few specific challenges. This section reviews the most important features that contractors should consider when choosing between estimating software companies. 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. Project management tools include scheduling, budgeting, timesheets, and more.

ClockShark is a cloud-based time tracking system that helps businesses in the construction and field service industries to manage their mobile workforces. Features include time and attendance tracking, employee scheduling, emailed 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 CoConstruct is a construction project management software that provides custom home builders and remodelers with tools for managing projects, financials and clients.

It allows users to sync data from estimates, specifications, sel QuickBooks Online Advanced is a cloud-based accounting solution that helps small to large enterprises manage expenses, projects, invoices and more.

It comes with a centralized dashboard, which enables users to gain insights into b AccuLynx is a powerful and easy to use roofing contractor software designed to help you manage and grow your business. Download the roofing field app to take AccuLynx with you wherever you go.

With AccuLynx, you can manage every UDA ConstructionSuite combines construction Used by more than 50, estimators, HeavyBid helps users build estimates and manage daily bids. The software helps automate Ready to level up your business? Manage your contacts, tasks, and projects from start to finish along with detailed reporting capabiliti With PlanSwifts Designed for emerging construction businesses in the homebuilding and remodeling indu The solution works with small businesses and can be customized as per the needs of an organization.

It offers estimating, projec 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, Explore Construction Estimating Software Category overview. Construction Software. Construction Estimating Software.

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