Best Construction Estimating Software in 2024

Summary: Manual cost estimations for calculating construction budgets can be complex and tedious. Construction estimating software is a specialised tool designed to solve this problem by estimating construction project bid prices accurately and efficiently.  

What is Construction Estimating Software? 

Construction estimating software is a game-changer program for contractors to calculate construction costs for a particular project. No more unrealistic estimations, incorrect calculations, or juggling between Excels to determine project bid prices.  

Construction calculation software determines the bid price for a project accurately to create a realistic construction contract. Architects, construction managers, engineers, and professionals alike may use the software to prepare cost estimates for purposes other than bidding, including expense tracking, calculation automation, and data management. 

Things you can Consider when choosing Construction Estimating Software 

Seeking a construction estimating software to fit the specific needs of your projects? Consider whether your software of choice offers functionalities that align with your requirements. Compare different tools in terms of user-friendliness, price, integration support, scalability, and deployment model: 

1. Features and Functionalities: Rather than limiting the scope of your projects with a basic estimation tool, seek construction calculation software that is tailored to your business requirements. Features like quantity take-offs, cost databases, forecasting capabilities, and report generation can be a great add-on for centralizing your construction operations.  
2. User-Friendliness: The core function of construction estimating software is to simplify the complexities of construction cost estimation. Navigate the demo versions of different tools and evaluate the software in terms of user-friendliness. The best software for estimating and costing must have an intuitive interface, online training material, and technical support to back a seamless workflow.
3. Price: Cost is the driving factor for choosing the right building estimating software. Make sure that the pricing plan for the construction estimating software fits your business requirements and supports future expansions. Moreover, it is crucial to ensure that for a given pricing plan, you can access all the features without any hidden costs.  
4. Integration: A seamless dataflow paves the route to efficient project management. Compare different construction estimating programs based on the integration support they provide with your existing system, including project management system, accounting tools, etc. This not only streamlines the flow of data and information across different software but also minimizes data entry errors, enabling work automation.  
5. Scalability: When looking for construction estimating software, search beyond your immediate needs and seek an application that supports your future expansions. Make sure that your construction project estimating software offers flexible pricing and advanced features that allow you to scale up without interrupting your business continuity.   
6. Deployment Model: While most users prefer the mobility and flexibility offered by cloud-based construction estimating software, a fraction of users prioritise on-premises deployment to cut down subscription fees and leverage offline operations lacking in some cloud-based construction estimation tools. Understand your business needs and choose software for estimating and costing that supports your preferred deployment model.  
7. Support: Lastly, compare construction calculation software based on the technical support extended by the service provider. Read customer reviews to ensure that you get dedicated technical support and prompt resolution of problems.

Must-Have Features of Construction Estimating Software 

Besides accurate estimation of construction costs, a construction estimating tool must offer features like communication tools, job costing, bid management, customer management, project management, etc. Let’s explore these features in detail: 

1. Communication Tools: The construction project estimating software must have efficient communication tools like virtual chat, project sharing, live document editing, and so on to boost collaboration. Moreover, tools like proposal sharing directly from the software streamline external communication.  
2. Job Costing: In addition to cost estimates for construction materials, the contractor software for estimating must also provide job costing estimates based on standard employee work costs. This helps the organization in better-allocating resources when working on larger projects.  
3. Bid Management: Another important feature to look for in construction project estimating software is bid management. Ensure that the software enables you to generate bids and keep track of projects you have bid on.  
4. Client Management: Managing customer information is imperative to track project success. The building contractor estimating software should offer specific features like client data management, notes and feedback, preferences, and communication logs to ensure that your project is on the right track.  
5. Project Management: In-built project management features or direct integration with project management tools enable progress tracking, milestone estimations, and subcontractor scheduling. Search for construction estimating software with project management tools for effective task allocation.  
6. Job Scheduling: For managing multiple projects effortlessly, optimal employment of subcontractors is important. Job scheduling feature in software for estimating and costing helps in assigning tasks easily and creating project timelines accordingly. 
7. Reporting and Analytics: Civil engineering estimating software must be equipped with advanced analytical capabilities. This helps you gain a comprehensive overview of material estimates and time utilized for completing different milestones.  
8. Document Management: Estimating programs for builders should also provide a central hub to store and manage all the documents, including RFPs, financial statements, contracts, agreements, and so on. The platform should offer quick access to these documents and direct sharing with customers to automate workflow.  
9. Inventory Management: Optimal inventory management is the first step to budgeting in cost estimation. The software for estimating and costing should have inventory management features to check supplies, manage custom orders, and keep records of finished materials.  
10. Equipment Management: Similar to inventory, equipment maintenance costs can skyrocket the entire construction estimate cost. Invest in construction contractor estimating software with an inventory management module for keeping track of available inventory, repair schedule reminders, and routine maintenance needs.

Benefits of Using Construction Estimating Software 

Construction estimating software is a necessity for contractors, civil engineers, builders, and other professionals working in the construction industry to increase the accuracy of estimates and bids, reduce overall estimated costs, elevate collaborations, strengthen customer relationships, and simplify project management: 

1. Increased Accuracy: Manually calculating accurate bid prices while bringing into consideration the ever-changing material costs and supply chain barriers is as dreadful as it sounds. Construction project estimating software assists users in accurate cost estimations without having to worry about varying labour costs, material prices, equipment hires, and other factors affecting the bid price. The software centralizes customer data and different costs involved in construction, eliminating human errors involved in manual calculations.  
2. Reduced Costs: By implementing robust construction estimating software, you can expect a drastic drop in the total project cost. The software saves time invested in comparing prices and manually calculating costs so that you can focus on optimizing resources and maximizing profit margins. Moreover, estimating programs for builders help in quick cost analysis for reduced-cost investments. 
3. Increased Collaboration: Civil engineering estimating software streamlines communications and elevates team collaborations by creating a structured pipeline for task allocation. Team members can track the live status of project progress and eliminate delays caused by miscommunication. With the help of pre-built proposal templates and customer management features, the software also enables external communication.  
4. Customer Relationship: A professional presentation of cost breakdowns is a sure-shot way of casting a strong first impression on your clients. Construction estimating software programs offer you the professional documentation formats you need, with features like quote management and quick cost adjustments to ensure customer satisfaction.  
5. Enhanced Project Planning: Long-term project planning requires a structured roadmap with clearly laid down milestones and respective cost estimates. Software for estimating and costing provides a platform for establishing project plans with granular control over material costs, labour, and equipment.

Types of Estimating Software and Tools  

Estimating software and tools for construction can be of different types, including spreadsheets, database-driven tools, parametric software, 3D/BIM estimating tools, and industry-specific software: 

1. Spreadsheet-Based Estimating Tools: The most commonly used software for construction cost estimating is Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. These tools enable flexible cost calculations with the freedom to decide the parameters you wish to add. However, spreadsheet-based estimating tools lack third-party integration support and industry-specific features.  
2. Database-Driven Estimating Software: A database-driven estimating software fetches project data from the database management system of the user. This enables automation in data flow, integration with existing systems, and advanced reporting capabilities based on historical data.  
3. Parametric Estimating Software: Parametric estimating software for construction employs mathematical logic and algorithms to measure project-specific parameters. Based on pre-defined metrics, the software assists in project planning for recurring project portfolios.  
4. 3D/BIM Estimating Software: A 3D/ Building Information Modelling tool allows users to visualize the project, identify potential roadblocks, and estimate project costs by creating 3D digital models of the construction projects.  
5. Cost Estimating Take-off Software: Take-offs refer to the measurement and calculation of resource quantities. A construction cost estimating tool with take-off capabilities provides accurate cost estimates with precise material costs.  
6. Industry-Specific Estimating Software: Different industries have different requirements and metrics to track. Industry-specific estimating software tailors the features and functionalities to fit the specific needs of different industries.  

Top 10 Construction Estimating Software Comparison 

Listed below is a comparison of the top 10 construction estimating software based on their key features and pricing: 

Best Construction Estimating Software
Softwares	Key Features	Pricing
Buildertrend	Accurate Job Costing, Easy-To-Use Take-off Solution, Automated Proposals, User-Friendly Estimating Templates, Stored Details in Cost Database, More Manageable Budgeting	Starting at $199/month
Stack	Fast, Accurate Measurements, Powerful Automation, Template Library, Grouping & Labels, Detailed Cost Estimating, Client Quote and Proposal	Starting at $1,899/year
PlanSwift	Point & Click, Takeoff and Estimate, Drag & Drop, Print or Export, Share Estimates, Excel Compatible	Starting at $1,749/year
Procore	Quantity Take-offs, Professional Proposals, Cost Estimates, Create Budgets or SOVs, Apply Historical Rate Tables	Price on Request
Buildxact	Job Management, GANTT Charts, Purchase Orders & Change Orders, Dealer Connection, Accounting & App Integrations, Flexible Invoicing	Starting at $133/month
Houzz	Approvals and Payments, Database of Material Costs, Take-offs Tool, Simplified Templates	Price on Request
ProEst	Construction Take-offs, Conceptual Estimating, Construction CRM, Cost Database, Construction Proposals	Price on Request
Autodesk	Cloud-Based Document Management, Simplified 2D Takeoff, Automated 3D Takeoff, Formula-Based Quantities, Connect to Estimating Solutions	Starting at ₹74,340/year
ConstructionOnline	Construction Estimating, Items Database, Proposals & Contracts, Client Selections, Estimate Reports, Estimate Templates	Starting at $390/month
RSMeans data	Accurate Estimates, Life Cycle Costing, Estimate Renovation Costs, Maintenance and Repair Schedules, Share Reports	Price on Request

Cost of Construction Estimating Software 

The average cost of construction estimating software starts from $150/month/user, variable in context to the number of users, features included, and deployment model. Most of the construction estimating programs follow standard pay-per-user monthly and annual subscription models. Some construction estimating software are also available at a one-time licensing cost.  

To tailor the product as per the specific needs of different users, some software providers also provide the option to build a customised bundle pricing plan with the unique features required by the user.