Best Software for Commercial Estimation

Accuracy in commercial estimating software is essential.  The importance of these types of software lies on their ability to enable people to save time, prevent the onset of possible risks, and can even allow one to maximize their profits by providing an automated process for estimation of construction.

Databases of commercial estimating software should be filled with a lot of standard items often used in the industry that would allow you to make use of them right away by adding them to your own choice of assemblies, formulas, and items. Good estimating software should also be up to date especially on the new types of materials released together with the corresponding prices, and these features and information should be as accurate as possible.

The following are the best estimating software which entrepreneurs and CEOs can make use of.

(1)   The Contractor’s Profit System™ with LiteningFast Estimating™

This is considered the most complete package of solutions for anyone’s estimating needs.  It is known as an excellent choice for contractors of different specializations.  Its SQL database structure enables a person to receive industry-accurate and top-notch solutions for various trades of construction.  Its databases also come with complete city indices, which are essential in accurately calculating expenses available in particular regions or cities.  The databases of this estimating software include labor, material, and equipment costs.  It also includes units in labor productivity.

(2)   The Sage Timberline Office

The Sage Timberline Office commercial estimating software presents multiple options, which are industry-specific and contain accurate pricing details and is integrated with modules on accounting.  Accuracy in estimates and profitability are just two of the great elements included in the Sage Timberline Office package.

(3)   The Corecon

Considered an award-winning estimating software, the Corecon has Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms, which are essential in making estimates, following leads, pooling documents, managing the bids of suppliers or subcontractors, and in managing budgets and changes in projects.  Its all-inclusive dashboard feature is a key in providing the AEC firms with clear and accurate visibility on products.

(4)   The WinEst PlanX Pro

This software is a downloadable commercial estimating software and is a pay-as-you-use estimating tool.  The WinEst PlanX Pro enables users to do full estimates using various database options and a powerful expense-estimating tool.  It has the feature WinEst Virtual Takeoff that enables a contractor or estimator to create takeoffs dedicated to quantity instantly on their monitors using digital photos of blueprints.

(5)   The EasyEst Estimating

The basic version of this software also has the features found in the Plus version.  It includes quantities of material orders, assemblies of equipment, a room-grouping feature using the miscellaneous field, factors on material wastes, and also the standard formulas and questions.

All software used for commercial estimating on different specializations within the industry should contain the following criteria:

(1)   Estimating software should have all the features a contractor or estimator is looking for to make their job more efficient and easier to do.  Estimating software should also have the capability of tracking costs and bids relating to their jobs as well as the ability to do standard functions on office management.  Other than that, estimating software should be able to accept customized formulas and other functions, which would allow it to become versatile and would suit different estimating needs of different contractors or estimators.

(2)   Estimating software should be easy to use.  Though they are by nature complex because of the numerous variables they use, their features and interface should still be organized and easy to understand and should be presented in a logical way.

(3)   Estimating software should be easy to install and easy to set up.

There should be tutorials or classes dedicated to making an estimator learn everything he can about particular commercial estimating software to make the use of the product as productive and efficient as possible.