By
Jyoti Tejpal
Helps in estimating quickly accurately Prepares detailed cost estimate based on previous work Convert into bid Compare subcontractor & supplier quotes & analysis
Best For Contractors Builders Engineers Architects Cloud-based project management for the Construction firms Cost tracking Contract management Order management
Estimating Planning & Project Management Integrated & highly scalable modules for QTO, Subcontract Management, Forecasting, Cash flow, On-site Earned Valuations
Construction estimating software, construction bidding software or cost estimation software, provide help contractors, subcontractors, and builders generate labor, material, and equipment estimates for building projects. The software has an exhaustive pool of database of electrical, mechanical, and other building-related materials that contractors can be used as reference while estimating budgets for the projects. It also offers a place to contractors for competitive bids.
In a competitive market, it’s important for contractors to analyze the client’s needs and easily develop estimates for labor, equipment, and material costs. While an overestimated quote may lead to loss of a potential future client, underestimates can result in committing to a high-value project and finalizing it with a compromised construction quality or with noted delays. In either of these case, a company can lose its market trust.
Reliable construction estimating software can save contractors from such crucial situations. It works for contractors:
Increases efficiency: Construction estimating software collects data and processes its details from varied cost databases and past projects to create estimates and easily turn them into proposals. This helps contractors submit quotes for varied projects and win extra bids.
Improves accuracy: Construction estimating software gives track of all essential data like labor and material cost, subcontractor expenses, equipment charges, inventories, transportation costs, etc. This offers users remove any guesswork from their calculations and create estimates that closely match the true cost of the project.
Stay consistent with outputs: With the software, company can generate estimates based on tested and approved procedures, formulas, and job flows that enable them to deliver similar proposals every time they begin a new project. This creates consistency to their operation and helps streamline their estimation workflow.
Cost database: Building and maintaining individual data sets for labor, equipment, and material costs and using them as a reference when creating project estimates.
Job costing: Calculating the approximate cost involved in completing a job by using past references and estimating the labor, material, and equipment costs.
Proposal generator: Use cost estimates to generate professional-looking bid proposals.
Audit trail: Tracking and logging details of every change made in the database.
Historical database: Storing complete details of past projects.
Analysis: Assigning “what-if” conditions for budgets and planning to create multiple sets of estimates under VARIOUS scenarios.
Most products available in the market are priced on a yearly license basis, and can be divided into three pricing tiers based on their starting price. A premium product is priced higher have special features like a life cycle costing estimator, labor costing, and profit reporting.
Coordinating with other construction software: Contractors require software that seamlessly transfers data across applications. Work force and Job work scheduling software can share details about resource availability with construction estimating software to set up schedules. If you’re using multiple applications to manage your construction workflow, make sure that user construction estimating software supports integration with user existing applications to help client avoid repetitive data entry.
Ease of use: Since construction estimating software will be used by contractors, estimators, designers, clients, and other stakeholders with a varying range of tech savviness, choose one that is logical, simple to use, and easy to understand. Businesses should also look for products that offer proper training programs for users to help them learn commands, interpret drawings, and create estimates and take-off.
3D printing will revolutionize the construction company: Though adoption has been slow, the construction industry has now started using 3D printing in multiple operations. From building a complete house using giant 3D printing machines to printing small dummy models for architects and designers, 3D printing is now oofered at varied scales in the construction industry. These building mockups offer construction companies to identify flaws in the project before construction even begins.
Mobile devices are the new hammer in the construction industry: Just like any field business, the construction industry has acknowledged the importance of smartphones and tablets. In fact, according to independent research by JB Knowledge, around 83% of respondents in the construction industry report mobile capabilities as important or very important in their business. Mobile devices not only connect back-office and field staff but also help to collect, manage, and report field data in real-time.
