5 Best Construction Estimating Tools

What are estimating tools?

Construction estimating tools generate accurate estimates for the cost of construction labor and materials while helping to manage the project’s finances. By predicting what you’ll need and when you’ll need it, you can use estimating tools to optimize an entire construction worksite. 

A construction estimator’s primary responsibility is to plan an entire construction project, including how long it will take and how much it will cost. Though there are several manual methods for construction estimation, they’re not foolproof. All construction projects have multiple variables that create unpredictability. 

However, with the right estimation tools to make accurate calculations for a construction project, you can streamline the operation and simplify common construction accounting problems.

5 best construction estimating tools

The best construction estimating software gives construction professionals more control over project data and workflow. Here are five tools worth considering.

ProContractor Estimating

ProContractor Estimating is a powerful tool with everything you need to estimate costs, create bids and track spending. The software lets you determine the costs of materials, equipment and labor from the ground up, including underground excavation, plumbing and electric, and aboveground construction. 

The ProContractor Estimating software supports CAD designs, so it’s easy to work with blueprints for faster and more efficient cost estimates. Additionally, ProContractor integrates with popular business solutions, such as the best accounting software and the top customer relationship management (CRM) software, to help you manage clients and sync accounts with projects.

These are some of ProContractor’s top features:

• Improved tracking to increase visibility and reduce risk
• Accurate reports and projections to help manage costs
• Enhanced communication options to streamline processes and improve quality
• Real-time cost tracking to control spending and schedules
• Easily accessible data to help you make informed decisions quickly

Custom pricing is available upon request.

PlanSwift

Looking for an easy way to generate estimates? PlanSwift takes the legwork out of estimating construction costs. Designed to save time, PlanSwift lets you create an estimate in three steps: 

1. Click parts of the floor plan to highlight what you want to measure, such as an area’s footage or wall angles. 
2. Drag and drop required materials and labor. 
3. Print your estimate or export it to an Excel spreadsheet. 

You can customize PlanSwift for specific trades, construction professionals and specialties, such as general contractors, flooring, electrical, drywall, HVAC, concrete, plumbing and landscaping.

PlanSwift includes these top features:

• Improved accuracy to help with project management and regulatory standards
• An intuitive user experience that provides the right processes and information to save time
• Accurate estimations and seamless operations to help lower costs and increase profits

PlanSwift’s pricing starts at $1,749 annually, with extra costs for add-on modules and plugins. 

Clear Estimates

Clear Estimates lets you quickly determine project costs and turn estimates into proposals. As a cloud-based solution with mobile capabilities, Clear Estimates lets you create estimates in the office, at job sites and anywhere with an internet connection. 

The Clear Estimates software also offers a parts library with up-to-date pricing, a customer database and the ability to create a wide range of reports. Clear Estimates integrates with business solutions that your construction firm already uses, such as CRM, CAD and accounting software. 

These are some top features of Clear Estimates:

• Quick, accurate estimates
• Coverage for more than 400 areas throughout the U.S.
• More than 160 templates for typical construction jobs

Prices range from $79 to $249 per month.

B2W

If you have a heavy construction business, B2W aims to make estimating and bidding more efficient and profitable so you can get big projects underway quickly. Other features include scheduling and dispatching, business intelligence, equipment maintenance, friend tracking and field data collection. 

B2W supports a wide range of industries, such as specialty civil contracting; land and site development; energy and resources; transportation; and utilities.

These are some of B2W’s top features:

• Centralized resource databases, templates and cost structures
• Enterprise-class performance with powerful review and analysis functionality
• Easy integration with accounting and operations systems
• Options for hosting both in the cloud and in on-premises servers

Custom pricing is available upon request. 

Sage Estimating

Sage Estimating offers one of the best pricing tools available to construction firms. The software has a database packed with thousands of materials, vendors, suppliers and subcontractors, allowing you to gather up-to-date pricing information quickly. This saves time and minimizes pricing errors to give you a better chance of winning bids. 

These are a few of Sage Estimating’s top features:

• Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
• Accurate data to save time
• Quick creation of presentation-quality reports

Custom pricing is available upon request.

Benefits of estimating tools

If you’re growing your construction firm, construction estimating tools streamline projects by ensuring and providing these benefits:

• Faster bids: In construction, timing is everything. When you have a potential client who needs work done immediately, providing a quick and accurate estimate can help you get the job.
• Equipment and material costs: To generate an estimate, you must determine the costs of equipment and materials, which can take considerable time and effort. If you use estimation software, you can calculate these costs without wasting time and energy.
• Quick, accurate calculations: In addition to offering fast calculations, construction estimation software ensures accurate estimates.
• Up-to-date data: Estimating tools allow you to remain up to date on all changes made to the project. This means you can easily keep track of the materials used, person-hours and other variables for the duration of the project.

Cost of estimating tools

The cost of an estimating tool ranges from about $950 to $5,500 per year. The costs depend on several factors, such as the number of users. However, some systems offer unlimited access for unlimited employees for a single price. 

The way the software is hosted also affects pricing. Construction software is available as either a cloud-hosted or on-premises service. There is often a monthly or annual fee for cloud-hosted services, while on-premises software typically has a set cost.

Kimberlee Leonard and Sara Angeles contributed to this article.