Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMduct vs. GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Autodesk Fabrication
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Autodesk Fabrication, based on the ESTmep+ construction and estimation software developed by Applied Software and acquired by Autodesk in 2018, allows users to Create MEP models, generate estimates, and drive fabrication. The Autodesk Fabrication line includes Fabrication ESTmep, as well as Fabrication CADmep, and Fabrication CAMduct.
$1,140
per year
GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
Score 5.4 out of 10
N/A
GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is a construction and estimation software offering from CPR, Inc.N/A
Pricing
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMductGeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Autodesk FabricationGeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details——
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMductGeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
Top Cons

No answers on this topic

Features
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMductGeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMduct
10.0
1 Ratings
22% above category average
GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
-
Ratings
Standard reports10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Custom reports10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Data exportability10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Construction Project & Field Management
Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of Product A and Product B
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMduct
8.8
1 Ratings
17% above category average
GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
5.0
1 Ratings
39% below category average
Plan distribution & viewing8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Plan markups & sharing9.01 Ratings5.01 Ratings
Issue tracking & punchlists8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Photo documentation9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Jobsite reports10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Document sharing7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Collaboration & approvals8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
As-built drawings10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Submittal design and management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Checklists9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Specifications10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Change orders9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
RFI tools00 Ratings5.01 Ratings
Estimating
Comparison of Estimating features of Product A and Product B
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMduct
10.0
1 Ratings
20% above category average
GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
-
Ratings
Takeoff tools10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Job costing10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost databases10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost calculator10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMductGeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
Small Businesses
FollowUp CRM
FollowUp CRM
Score 9.5 out of 10
FollowUp CRM
FollowUp CRM
Score 9.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro
Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro
Score 8.7 out of 10
Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro
Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro
Score 8.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro
Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro
Score 8.7 out of 10
Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro
Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro
Score 8.7 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMductGeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMductGeneralCOST Estimator for Excel
Likelihood to Recommend
Autodesk
1. This software best suits in the fabrication projects, because it generates the most accurate data for the fabrication of the model as compared to other softwares. 2. Due to its high end output the working on this software is a bit hard then other softwares because there is manual command for every step. 3. This softwares suits best when we need to do the routing adjustments completely manual because it does not show any errors just like other softwares.
Read full review
CPR, Inc.
Specific scenarios where GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is well suited include:
  • Small to medium sized contractor who typically works on small to medium sized projects with limited complexity
  • Contractors who value low prices over full functionality (this software application is very affordably priced)
  • A new contractor or new contracting accounting / finance professional who would appreciate the specific limitations imposed by the software
Specific scenarios where GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is not well suited include:
  • Larger contractors who think about and price projects in line with typical commercial design and construction
  • Residential projects (the software is much better suited for commercial lease buildouts, for instance)
  • A contractor whose finance department already uses full-suite accounting software
Read full review
Pros
Autodesk
  • It uses the database for the modelling of HVAC, Plumbing and electrical services. Using the database makes the model most accurate to the real time implementation as compared to other contemporary softwares.
  • It treats every fabrication element separate. Hence modifying or updating the element does not hamper the other model elements.
  • AutoDesk fabrication is much more flexible to implement different manual routings which is not that much flexible in other softwares.
  • Maintaining the whole number lengths of ducts is very easy in this software. Where others struggle to do this easily.
Read full review
CPR, Inc.
  • Convenient estimating
  • Streamlines the price quotation process
  • Standard cost application
  • Overhead calculation and pplication
Read full review
Cons
Autodesk
  • This software needs the central file system so that multiple people can work on a single file at the same time.
  • This software needs high end graphics which make it tuff to work in 3D space. If this problem can be solved then the efficiency of completing the job will improve drastically.
  • In this softwares we have to prepare separate sheet on every file because we have to use separate file for separate work. This hampers in maintaining the same standards of the submission interface of the sheets.
Read full review
CPR, Inc.
  • Only CSI construction cost database data
  • Only works with Microsoft Office (Excel)
  • The online help system has limited functionality
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
CPR, Inc.
GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is cheaper, easier to use, more streamlined and is easily installed and up and running. The flip side to the ease of use is the limited functionality, somewhat outdated cost bucketing profile and general lack of sophistication. The add-in also does not talk with full suite accounting software which requires additional reconciliations if used within a large organization.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Autodesk
  • We become able to provide more accurate data to our clients.
  • Working with this software has arouse the interest of the clients towards the fabrication through this platform
  • We have got more spool jobs since we have started doing the fabrication by this software
Read full review
CPR, Inc.
  • Allows us to quickly bid on small projects
  • Allows us to pay less for accounting / finance professionals
  • Allows us to standardize our cost structure
Read full review
ScreenShots