What’s the best tool for estimating construction work?

Key to a successful building project is the estimation of the building costs which takes place before the commencement of any work. As you’re no doubt aware, estimating is simply the process of calculating the costs of the project, including material purchases, plant hire and labour requirements. An accurate estimate can be the difference between making a profit and making a loss. Miscalculated material quantities, forgotten plant and under-estimated labour times can erode profits – which for some building firms are already slim.

Out with the spreadsheets…

These days, very few estimators use spreadsheets, scale rules and calculators to carry out their work. Estimating line-by line, taking-off and calculating each quantity and checking material costs is a laborious and drawn-out process.

And in with the estimating software

For this reason, many small to medium-sized building firms have turned to a specialist software solution. Most estimators now rely on estimating software to speed up their estimating - with the added benefit of an automatically-written, professional quotation to help win the work. Large construction firms, house builders and developers tend to use an integrated software solution which includes practical BIM, Bills of Quantities and a wide range of reporting tools.

Whether you’re a building firm owner who estimates in-house, a quantity surveyor or an independent estimator, estimating software is the way forward. When considering the best estimating software product for you, first consider, is the software developed for use in the UK? Can it do the types of work you need it to do? Are the material prices updated regularly? Does it have the project management features you need?

To turn out estimates and project-winning quotations quickly – whilst also protecting your precious profits – make sure you’ve got the best estimating software tool in your kit. It’s probably the most important bit of kit you’ll ever choose.