Estimating Software: Worth the Cost?

Construction estimating software will improve your accuracy, consistency, project management and efficiency on-site. But is it worth the cost?

Below we guide you through a cost/benefit analysis of construction software and help you decide whether it’s right for you.

What it Does and How Much It’ll Set You Back

Construction estimating software is a tool which helps you better calculate the total cost of a construction project. Instead of spending time fluffing about with manual spreadsheets, tape measures, scale rulers and calculators, the program uses data from your computer and digital files to create an accurate picture of the build. It allows you to work faster and better represent the true cost of a build to potential clients, dramatically increasing your productivity and the likelihood of winning project tenders and work.

The price of software packages varies depending on the provider, costing anywhere from $2k to $10k. And while this may seem like a big outlay now, your mind should change when you see the benefits. Talk to an expert if you’d like more clarification.

Now let’s look at whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

What are the Benefits of Construction Estimating Software?

There are seven main benefits of estimating software:

Saves you time – Estimators can spend up to 75% of their time on-site measuring and calculating plans in order to give an accurate cost estimation. With the right software, that percentage can be dropped down to 10%. There are plenty of other important jobs that need doing, and now they can be attended to.

Boosts efficiency – Too much time is spent using multiple methods and then trying to integrate them together at the end. Estimating software streamlines your processes to make the job easier and faster. It also dramatically reduces the chance of manual human error.

Improves accuracy – The construction industry is a competitive game. To succeed, firms have to be able to quote and estimate more accurately than the competition. Estimating software will help you pinpoint labour costs, volume of materials needed and overall prices.

Consistency – You need to be accurate in your estimates and you need to be accurate every time. Estimating software will make this easy. Comparing similar products, drawing up timeframes and cost-cutting measures are all in-built features of the best programs. It’ll help give your firm the reputation of being consistently the best.

Better procurement – Getting your materials delivered on time is vital for productive work. And when it doesn’t happen, your team is bogged down by unnecessary delays. Estimating software can help with this by giving you the information you need about the materials, equipment and labour resources needed for each job, ensuring you don’t waste your time and energy. And this will translate directly to savings for the client.

Professionalism – This is what you want your client to say about your firm. By staying abreast of all your projects, workers and materials, you can maximise efficiency and your profits. It’ll please your client and increase the likelihood that they recommend your business to their networks.

Estimating software is now a necessity for all good construction businesses. Research what’s best for you and stay ahead of the competition.

If you’d like to see how Cubit can transform the way you do estimating and takeoff, access a 14-day product trial by clicking below:

Cubit Estimating Cloud: Anywhere, Anytime Estimating

David Cartwright

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