Quick and accurate estimation is critical in helping you run a successful construction business.
Manually calculating the cost of materials, labor, equipment, etc., can be time-consuming and challenging. That’s why construction estimation software is so helpful.
Not sure which tool to use to provide estimates for your clients? This guide is here to help.
Below are six of the best construction estimating software options for you to consider.
1. Buildertrend
Buildertrend software provides contractors with useful pre-sale tools, including built-in customer relationship management (CRM) solutions and project management tools for better scheduling, budgeting, and timesheets.
The estimating features included in the Buildertrend software are particularly beneficial. The platform boasts efficient and error-free estimation with essential elements like job costing, estimating templates, proposal generation, cost databases, and takeoff solutions.
Pricing for Buildertrend starts at $99 per month for the Essential plan. Advanced and Complete plans cost $399 and $699 per month, respectively.
All plans allow unlimited users and projects. They also provide seamless integrations and access to the Buildertrend Learning Academy.
2. Houzz Pro
Houzz Pro is a lead and project management solution for contractors and other professionals in the building and design space.
Along with superior project management and lead generation tools, it also provides robust estimating software that makes it easier than ever to create accurate estimates in the office or the field.
Houzz Pro users say the software’s estimating tools are highly intuitive and easy to use. It even sources material and labor costs for you and is fully customizable, allowing you to create estimates that work for your business and your clients.
Pricing for Houzz Pro starts at $65 per month for the starter plan. Essential and Pro plans cost $99 and $149 per month, respectively. All plans come with a free 30-day trial.
3. Knowify
Knowify is a cloud-based construction management tool designed primarily for residential contractors and small-midsize commercial subcontractors. It works well for professionals in multiple trades, including landscaping, masonry, and roofing.
Knowify offers in-depth bidding tools to help you quote faster and more accurately, increasing your client win rate. It lets you create quotes in minutes by providing easy access to contact information and a detailed catalog system with prices and previous quotes.
Pricing for Knowify starts at $149 per month for the Essential plan, and the Advanced plan costs $249 per month. Both options come with a free 14-day trial.
4. B2W Estimate
B2W Estimate is a great estimating and bidding option for contractors in the heavy civil construction sector.
It allows users to pre-populate a centralized database with information related to labor, materials, and equipment costs. They can then use this data to complete bids quickly and accurately.
B2W Estimate also enables users to complete pay-item, work breakdown structures (WBS), and hybrid builds. Multiple estimators can also work on bids simultaneously in-office or on the go with the software’s mobile estimating features.
Users can choose from on-premise and cloud-based options. Pricing for B2W Estimate is available upon request.
5. STACK
STACK is a cloud-based pre-construction software. It’s a leading solution for project takeoff and estimating for construction professionals in various trades.
STACK is well known for its efficient, automated tools, including auto-counts, volume measurement, and area measurement. Users can rely on data collected from takeoffs to create detailed and accurate estimates for their clients.
With STACK, users can customize items, labor costs, markup, and other data points to generate estimates. It also lets them use multiple approaches for creating estimates, from working directly in the interface to exporting data and performing calculations in another platform like Excel.
Pricing for STACK’s takeoff and estimating software starts at $2,499 per user per year.
6. ProEst
ProEst is one of the world’s longest-standing construction estimating software tools (the company was founded in 1976). It offers an extensive built-in cost database and a high level of flexibility, allowing users to customize product sets.
ProEst works well for both contractors and subcontractors, and users of all kinds love its intuitive interface. It also features a variety of spreadsheet and table options and is entirely cloud-based, meaning you can access it anywhere and on any device, as long as you have an internet connection.
ProEst offers convenient annual pricing for easier budgeting. Specific details are available upon request.
Choose the Best Construction Bidding Software Today
Now that you know more about the top construction estimating software options, are you more confident in your ability to make the right choice?
Compare the solutions discussed above, and you’ll have no trouble finding an excellent solution for your business. Read our article on the best construction management software options.
