Choosing the best estimating software for your construction firm
Struggling to decide which is the right estimating software for your building firm? With a number of estimating software providers in the market, it can be difficult to choose the right option for your business.
We recognise that it’s not always obvious which estimating software solution to go for. Here are some important factors to consider:
Suitability
Is the software too basic, is it overkill or just right? Don’t just think about your needs today. Consider where you want your business to be in five years’ time and whether the software can grow with you.
Outputs
Do you just want a basic quotation from your estimating software? Or do you need SMM7/NRM outputs? What do you want in the way of Gantt charts, material schedules, profit reports and so on? Consider what you need from your software, aside from the estimate, and research which software provides all the documents you need.
UK Market
It’s important to check whether the software is aimed at the UK market. Is it designed for UK building regulations? Does the software use metric measurements and GBP currency? Does it use UK English spelling? Does it use familiar building terminology? If the answer to any of these questions is no, you’re going to have to work harder to make the software work for you.
Check where the material prices come from and how they’re updated
Materials
Does the software contain an extensive materials catalogue? How often are the prices updated? Can you easily edit the prices? Are you tied-in to using the prices of one particular merchant? The best software providers will provide a large materials catalogue which is regularly updated - plus the flexibility to edit the prices yourself.
User-friendliness
How much learning is involved and what level of expertise is required? There will be a learning curve with all software so also consider what support package you’ll get. Do you get unlimited telephone support, for instance? Are there videos and training? When does the support end?
Ensure the software features will give you significant time savings
Time-savings
Does the software automate large parts of the estimating process? Automation is crucial if you want to reduce the time you spend estimating. Does it synchronise with other programmes such as take-off software, health & safety or contracts software? An integrated approach, where project information is shared between software packages, will reduce the time you spend on admin overall.
Reputation
Have you read good things about the software package and the software provider? How long have they been in business? Check out Trustpilot reviews, accolades and their status within the industry to learn more about the status of the product.
Ongoing development
This might not be at the forefront of your mind when choosing estimating software but it’s important to find out whether the software provider has an ongoing development programme. Are they innovative? Do they release regular software updates? Are they responsive to changes in technology as well as the construction industry, in terms of new materials, construction methods and building regulations?
A high-quality, supported product may be better value than the cheap option
Cost
Does the software represent value for money? Note that this is a different question from whether it’s cheap. Consider what you actually get for your money. It’s worth paying more for a well-supported product than a cheap product with minimal support. Decide whether you’re looking for an annual subscription or a capital purchase. Are there any hidden extras you need to take into account?
Next steps
Take a look at our estimating software comparison table to see the features of the estimating solutions on the market.
Also check out these articles where we put various software products head-to-head to see how they compare >>