Best builder estimating software with free trials
Professional builder estimating software companies should always offer free trials. It’s worth seeking them out to decide on the best estimating software for you. For example, both HBXL Building Software and BuildingWorks offer free trials.
HBXL offers a free 14-day trial for EstimatorXpress and Take-off & Estimate Kit. BuildingWorks offers both free 14- and 30-day trials. The 14-day version for BuildingWorks is a single user licence, with full access without printing or exporting. For the full works you can opt for the 30-days. This trial has no limitations and multi-user capability. You just need to input your payment details. Effectively it’s the start of your subscription - the first month is free - and can be cancelled without charge at any point in those 30 days.
A software demonstration comes first
Small to medium sized UK-based building firms working on residential projects such as extensions, loft conversions and new builds need to know a software’s capabilities. Even before your trial you can get a good grasp of what the estimating software tool can or cannot handle.
Developers for instance can’t be limited by a piece of software that’s unable to manage their new build requirements. Likewise tradespeople really don’t need a product that has calculators for everything from the foundations up to the roof. Those wanting practical BIM and a full Bill of Quantities need a different product again. All these features can be identified before you get to trial stage - either from a website, webinar, video or personal demonstration.
A free trial is a game changer when choosing the best estimating software
Once you’re at trial stage you’re ready to put the software through its paces. Of course a software trial is a big learning curve. Again professional software companies offer support over the phone, web chat, email, and are in certain situations can offer remote assistance. Even the most straightforward of software programmes need to be given time. It’s a matter of familiarising yourself with the functions and tool bar. But it shouldn’t take too long.
It’s best to start your trial using a simple project, such as a basic single storey extension. Both HBXL’s EstimatorXpress and the BuildingWorks Estimate Module give guidance along the way - with text boxes offering advice and tips. You’re taken through the project step-by-step, phase-by-phase. The software does as much of the work as possible for you - it’s really only dimensions and material preferences that you need to provide.
A few one-off tasks to complete
The first real job you undertake requires a few of ‘first-time one-time’ processes. For example, editing the labour rates, and the same for material prices, if you have a special price agreement with your merchant for instance. You also have the option to set your own inflation rates - a different percentage for materials and labour.
Again, with EstimatorXpress and BuildingWorks, you can tweak specifications and then fix them as default settings for all your jobs going forward. Of course, you can change them again at any other time. The quotation and cover letter can also be customised by font and you can add your company logo.
How much you tweak during your trial is up to you. Then main thing is to take it for a spin, and see whether it suits the kind of projects you undertake. Is it user-friendly? Is the price catalogue extensive? Is it up-to-date? Is the layout logical? Can you see the potential the programme offers you once you’ve become accustomed to it?
Give your trial time - it’s all a learning curve
The main thing is not to be put off by those inevitable teething troubles that every new user faces it. After a short few hours you’ll feel much more comfortable. Choosing estimating software that is specifically for builders is key - anything generic won’t go far enough and may require IT skills that certainly EstimatorXpress and BuildingWorks don’t demand.
EstimatorXpress, for instance, offers a large range of pre-loaded quote templates so estimating time is significantly reduced. Once you’re familiar with the software you can estimate a renovation in less than thirty minutes and a straightforward extension in under an hour. That’s a builder estimating software programme that you’ll want to trial free!