Construction Estimating Software Review

Creating a construction bid, whether it's for a small residential project or a big civil project, can be a tedious and time-consuming experience. Construction estimating software such as Bid4Build, Hard Dollar and ProContractor MX will not only simplify the process, but it can also help increase your bottom line. High-quality construction software limits the number of errors in your bid and will track and compare the estimated cost with the actual cost.

Using construction bidding software can give you a competitive advantage over other bidders. You'll be able to manage job costs as well as subcontractor bids, all while generating detailed and profitable bids. Every aspect of construction, including equipment, labor and materials, will be accounted for and included in the bid, so you won't find yourself blindsided by unforeseen costs.

In this review, you'll find side-by-side comparisons of the ten best construction estimating software applications. You'll also be able to read detailed reviews of each product and articles relating to construction software, allowing you to make an educated estimating software purchasing decision.

Construction Estimating Software: What to Look For

Construction estimating software must be able to prepare and monitor outgoing bids efficiently and accurately. The best construction estimating software will also give you the ability to complete a number of other tasks that constitute the daily business functions of a busy contractor. Here are a few of the criteria we used to evaluate each one of these estimating applications:

Features
Construction estimating software should feature tools that will make your job easier. This includes the ability to track job costs and bids, as well as to perform general office-management functions such as document preparation, purchase-order processing and archiving previous projects. It should also perform some accounting tasks and create invoices.

Good construction software will give you the flexibility you need to create bids for a variety of different projects. It should also accept customized formulas and calculations, provide reports, import national cost indexes, compare subcontractor and vendor quotes, and track jobs by divisions and sub-divisions.

Ease of Use
Construction estimating software manages many variables and, therefore, can be quite complex, but using the software should be as easy as possible. The estimating application should be well organized and presented in a logical manner so that you can get the most out of this software in a short amount of time.

Integration
High quality construction estimating software can seamlessly integrate with other third-party applications you may already be using. Integration with accounting software such as QuickBooks, CAD software, Microsoft Project and more will enable you to save time and money by consolidating your resources. Additionally, compatibility with mobile devices such as iPads and smartphones will allow you to update project information on the go.

Help & Support
Since this type of software involves many aspects, the manufacturer should provide tutorials, training classes or online demonstrations to help you learn how to utilize all of the features in a productive manner. Customer support should be readily available in a variety of means, and the support team should respond to your inquiries quickly and thoroughly.

Investing in construction management software will help increase your speed and accuracy in creating and presenting bids, and will ultimately add to your bottom line. While no estimating software application can guarantee that you'll win every bid, using estimating software can help you create the best bid possible.

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