Tired of playing the guessing game when it comes to estimating construction projects? You’re not alone.
With the construction industry evolving rapidly, staying ahead is crucial. Whether you’re a small contractor or a builder, precision and efficiency are non-negotiable.
That’s where estimator software steps in, revolutionizing the way projects are estimated and managed.
Take a look at the industry’s growth. Every month, there are 1.7 million searches for independent contractors online!
If you’re looking for a way to streamline your construction estimates, you’re in good company.
Data reveals that about 80.8% of construction firms have integrated estimating software into their operational workflows.
This points to a significant uptake of technology within the construction sector, specifically for enhancing precision in cost estimation and budget management.
Amidst this whirlwind of change, PandaDoc is here to help both small and large construction companies.
If you’ve been asking questions like, what is the best construction estimating software?
Is there a free estimating app? What companies offer quoting software for construction businesses?
What’s the difference between web based construction estimating software and paper and pen alternatives? Then this blog is for you!
Let’s dive into the world of construction estimating software, and see how using quoting software for construction like PandaDoc can revolutionize the way you bid, plan, and conquer your projects.
Key takeaways
- What is a construction proposal? A contract or document that details the services, materials, and timelines for a project, showcasing how your company can fulfill a client’s requirements. It can be created, sent, and signed electronically with a legally binding signature using software like PandaDoc.
- What is the best construction estimating software? Platforms like PandaDoc offer collaborative tools for negotiation, feedback, and electronic signatures to help you win your construction bids.
- Why should general contractors use construction estimating software? PandaDoc statistics show that 65% of construction proposals with signature blocks are accepted within 24 hours.
The best web based construction estimating software
- Best overall: PandaDoc
- Best for commercial projects: Sage
- Best for estimation: STACK
- Best for large companies: AdobeSign
- Best for customer service: DocuSign
- Best for large line items: Clear Estimates
- Best for safety documentation: Procore
- Best financial analysis: Expert Estimation
- Best for civil engineering jobs: HeavyBid
1. PandaDoc
Overall rating: 4.9/5
Pricing: Free eSign ($0); Essentials ($19 user/month); Business ($49 user/month); Enterprise pricing available.
Who is this tool for? Construction entrepreneurs, businesses and teams looking to automate their construction estimates.
Best automation feature: Payment integrations
The beauty of PandaDoc’s construction proposal software is that it offers you a complete suite of tools that goes beyond simply estimating your costs.
Not only can you look at – and estimate – all the potential costs involved in a project, but you can also create proposals using PandaDoc’s range of templates.
One of the standout features that PandaDoc offers you is the ability to e-sign documents and proposals, meaning that you further streamline workflows and cut down on time that would be wasted on either snail mail or in-person meetings.
You can also easily add images or videos to your proposals, allowing potential clients to see your previous projects.
PandaDoc’s construction proposal software means that every quote you supply will be accurate and sent promptly.
You can also ensure that every quote meets state or federal regulations and include things like a service level agreement (SLA) or relevant terms and conditions (T&Cs) so potential clients can make a fully-informed decision.
2. Buildertrend
Overall rating: 4.4/5
Pricing: Essential ($499/month), Advanced ($799/month), Complete ($1099/month)
Who is this tool for? Remodelers and builders.
Best automation feature: Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero
Buildertrend is a construction software built for remodelers and builders.
The desktop and app vary slightly in the features, but you can access a built-in scheduler that helps team members maintain visibility and up to date on tasks.
One of their best features is their customer service and client portal – where clients can receive progress photos or submit payment.
Instead of emails, phone calls, or texts back and forth, this is an efficient way to communicate about a project.
However, new users may not appreciate the lengthy setup, the expensive price tag, and no free trial.
3. HeavyBid
Overall rating: 4.4 / 5
Pricing: Basic ($170 per user per month), Advanced ($250 per user per month), Comprehensive ($295 per user per month billed annually).
Best automation feature: Exporting reports
Who is this for? Heavy civil infrastructure contractors in transportation, utility, oil and gas, power, industrial, and commercial construction.
HeavyBid is an excellent choice for companies who have employees out in the field because crews can easily enter time spent in the field, equipment used, and other specifics used on the job and send the information directly to the office.
HeavyBid’s software can help you automate repetitive tasks, and you can build a library based on historical quotes and other resources.
It allows you to break down more complex projects into easily manageable and trackable tasks.
Training and support are very good, and HeavyBid offers advanced calculations and checks so that you know your final quote is as accurate as possible.
However, this solution has a steep learning curve, and new users may not find it as intuitive as they would like.
The software allows a limited number of users or “seats” so if you need something changed it’s not convenient.
People also report that the system is difficult to learn, there are parent-child reporting items and fields that need to be filled in to move to the next task, and errors commonly occur.
However, customer support seems to be a highlighted feature.
It may take new users 6 months or more to adjust to the steep learning curve.
4. Expert Estimation
Overall rating: 4.0/5
Pricing: Excelerate (A$120 per month per user), Express (A$310 per month per user), Genesis (A$440 per month per user)
Who is this for? Contract estimators, project managers, contractors, site engineers and civil engineers, operations managers, multinational corporations
Best automation feature: Built-in estimator
Although not primarily aimed at the construction industry, Expert Estimation does offer an accurate estimating solution for a wide range of projects.
It offers flexibility and customization across three license levels and also offers exceptional customer support via phone, email, or chat.
The software allows you to duplicate and incorporate previous projects, saving a lot of time.
However, Expert Estimation software presents several drawbacks, including non-intuitive keyboard shortcuts and cumbersome formulas, which hinder user productivity and necessitate relearning.
Additionally, limitations in direct cost schedule formula cells and performance issues over networks, especially with large estimates, detract from its overall usability and efficiency.
5. Procore
Overall rating: 4.6/5
Pricing: Project management ($375/month), Project management + financial management: ($549/month)
Who is this for? Project managers with big teams
Best automation feature: Custom reports
If you’re already using Procore’s project management software, then their recently released (or acquired) construction estimating solutions may be an ideal choice.
One of the bonuses of choosing Procore is that their customer support and training provision is excellent.
By integrating with your existing Procore solutions, you have access to a great cloud-based solution that can cover every aspect of your construction project.
The substantial price tag reflects the software’s comprehensive offerings, making it a worthwhile investment for those who can leverage its full potential.
6. Sage
Overall rating: 4.6/5
Best automation feature: Job overview
Sage 300 Construction software packs a punch, but it might give smaller companies sticker shock since it’s Windows-based.
If you’ve got the budget and aren’t hung up on needing everything in the cloud, Sage 300 Construction has your back.
It handles everything from bidding to HR to keeping the project on track, so it’s a solid option if you can swing it.
Due to its extensive set of features, Sage can be especially useful when estimating costs on commercial projects.
However, a major drawback of Sage is that it is not cloud-based, meaning you need to have it installed on Windows and not available on macs.
Another factor that may put potential users off is its modular pricing model, so you could find that any final software solution is prohibitively expensive.
7. Clear Estimates
Overall rating: 4.0/5
Pricing: Standard ($79/month), Pro ($119/month), Franchise ($249/month)
Best feature: 15,000+ line items
Best for: Smaller companies with a large number of line items.
Where Sage is better suited to larger contractors, Clear Estimates may be a more appropriate construction estimation software choice for smaller companies.
As it was designed by people who work in the industry, it has a good user interface (UI) that helps provide a smooth experience.
It is also accessible from any device that connects to the internet, making it a great onsite tool.
Clear Estimates perhaps falls short with its lack of third-party integrations compared to other solutions. It could also use some improvements to areas of its functionality.
However, its affordable pricing structure makes it attractive to smaller businesses.
8. STACK
Overall rating: 4.6/5
Pricing: Takeoff & Estimating ($1,899 /per year/per user), Field & Project Management ($599/per year/per user), Property & Facility Operations ($599/per year/per user)
Best for: Suppliers, distributors, subcontractors, general contractors
Best automation feature: Takeoff and estimating
STACK is an efficient solution for estimating costs, particularly the takeoff stage.
It offers users both flexibility and customization options as well as a high degree of automation that lets you turn your original estimate into a polished-looking quote.
The seamless integration between estimating and takeoff processes will appeal to many organizations, and the cloud-based nature of the software means you can access it from anywhere.
However, STACK can be more expensive than other solutions, and customer support can be poorer than its competitors.
How we assessed the construction estimation tools
Of course, different businesses working in the construction sector will have different needs.
A company operating in commercial construction will see things slightly differently from a remodeling company.
When looking at the various solutions listed above, we took those factors into account to give a broader view.
We also considered significant aspects such as cost. Small businesses will have a more restrictive budget than large construction companies.
You also need to think about features such as integration with third-party solutions so you have the best estimating software that meets all your needs.
What is construction estimating software?
Construction estimating software is a powerful tool designed to streamline the estimation process within the construction industry.
It serves as a comprehensive solution for contractors, builders, and project managers by automating calculations, organizing data, and providing detailed insights into project costs.
This modern approach to projecting costs from initial concept to the final bid is being adopted across the world and online construction estimating software, construction estimating software enables professionals to generate accurate estimates with ease.
Pro Tip: Explore PandaDoc’s virtual data rooms bring all relevant stakeholders seamlessly into the fold. Whether it’s subcontractors, suppliers, or clients, everyone receives a tailored invitation to join the VDR, ensuring clear communication from the get-go.
Once inside the VDR, you’ll find a guided signing experience that streamlines the document signing process.
What is the purpose of web-based construction estimating software?
By centralizing project information and facilitating collaboration, work estimating software empowers you and your team to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and optimize project outcomes.
In essence, construction estimating software revolutionizes the way construction professionals approach their projects, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and ultimately, profitability.
5 benefits of software for construction estimates
- Enhanced Decision-Making: Centralizing project information enables better-informed decisions by providing easy access to relevant data.
- Risk Mitigation: Proactively identifying and addressing potential risks minimizes their impact on project timelines and budgets.
- Improved Collaboration: Facilitating seamless collaboration among team members enhances productivity and promotes synergy in project execution.
- Optimized Project Outcomes: Accurate cost estimation and budget management contribute to maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste, resulting in successful project delivery.
- Increased Profitability: Streamlined processes and enhanced resource utilization drive profitability through improved project performance.
“I love the templates. It helps our sales team to create standardized proposal forms that are consistent across the different types of proposals we send out. Our customers consistently say, ‘This is one of the nicest construction proposals I’ve ever seen!’” Thomas Burket, 4th generation President” – PJ Callaghan Construction
How to choose the best construction estimating software for your business
Now that you understand the advantages of incorporating estimate management software into your construction business, it’s essential to evaluate the available solutions to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Depending on the size and complexity of your proposals, you have several options to consider.
- How easy is the software to use?
- How long will it take to onboard my team?
- Does the contract software allow for easy customization?
- Can I assign workflows?
- Can I send my contracts out for e-signatures?
- How safe and secure are my documents?
- Once my documents are signed, can I store them in a secure location for future reference?
Now, let’s circle back to PandaDoc’s top construction estimating software.
PandaDoc stands out as a versatile solution for construction estimating, offering a user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and seamless integration with existing workflows. Its pricing model is flexible, with options suitable for both small contractors and large construction firms.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Customizable templates
- Seamless integration with existing workflows
- Flexible pricing options
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- Initial setup process may be time-consuming
- Some advanced features require additional training
There are multiple layers to costing a construction project.
From materials such as bricks, concrete, and tiles to workforce and subcontractors to fixtures and fittings (if relevant).
If you have worked in the construction industry, you know that manually costing and estimating a project can be time-consuming and inefficient.
By switching to construction estimating software, you initiate a snowball effect that will improve efficiency and productivity and increase your ability to provide professional level quotes.
You can deal with inquiries more quickly, which can help increase your business and possibly lead to future expansion.
Start exploring how PandaDoc works today in a free demo.
Disclaimer
PandaDoc is not a law firm, or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. This page is not intended to and does not provide legal advice. Should you have legal questions on the validity of e-signatures or digital signatures and the enforceability thereof, please consult with an attorney or law firm. Use of PandaDoc services are governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Originally published May 21, 2023, updated August 20, 2024
