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PlanSwift, by ConstructConnect vs. WinEst by Trimble

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnect

    Score3 out of 10
    N/APlanSwift is a quantity takeoff software for construction estimating. It features a drag-and-drop interface and automatically calculates material and labor estimations in exportable formats. PlanSwift was acquired by ConstructConnect in the middle of 2018.

    $1,595

    per installation

    WinEst

    Score5.7 out of 10
    N/AWith thousands of users world-wide, WinEst estimating from Trimble GC is a database-driven construction project management solutions on the market. It looks and feels just like Excel with familiar Windows navigation, including drop-down menus and ribbon bars. Behind the covers is a database with multiple work-breakdown structures (WBS) and filters that can be customized to the user's preferences so that estimating data can be sliced and diced and presented in different ways. WinEst…N/A
    Pricing
    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnectWinEst
    Editions & Modules
    Standard
    $1,595
    per installation
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnectWinEst
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Features
    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnectWinEst
    Estimating
    Comparison of Estimating features of PlanSwift, by ConstructConnect and WinEst by Trimble
    Feature
    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnect
    -
    Ratings
    WinEst by Trimble
    8.6
    1 Ratings
    13% above category average
    Takeoff tools00 Ratings3.01 Ratings
    Job costing00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Cost databases00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Cost calculator00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Bid creation00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnectWinEst
    Small Businesses
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    CMiC Construction Platform
    Score7.5 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Sage Estimating
    Score9.5 out of 10
    Autodesk Build
    Score8.6 out of 10
    Enterprises
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    Revit
    Score8.9 out of 10
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    User Ratings
    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnectWinEst
    Likelihood to Recommend
    1.0
    (10 ratings)
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Usability
    4.0
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Availability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Performance
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    9.0
    (2 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnectWinEst
    Likelihood to Recommend
    ConstructConnect
    I use PlanSwift for all my projects - it has just cut my time by a major percentage when it comes to quantifying a blueprint. At times there are funky areas, which are just hard to calculate on paper. It also has a great tool for scaling according to the dimensions, so if a drawing is missing a scale, you can always allot a scale by giving directions and then marking the points. I use this tool to check the scale as well - sometimes the drawings say something but the scale if off and you are left with an incorrect take-off. The dimension tool is a good way to check that. We don't use it much for pricing purposes though, we have found other software which are more robust when it comes to estimation, but we can see using PlanSwift for pricing sometime in the future.
    Incentivized
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    Trimble
    WinEst is truly built for everyone. Their assemblies/database linking is perfect for self perform and subcontractors while their database management and custom reporting is perfect for GCs. While Excel set the bar, WinEst is on another planet. With the immediacy required by today's markets, WinEst allows you to deliver a superior product while being more accurate.
    Incentivized
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    Pros
    ConstructConnect
    • Easy to use and intuitive.
    • Accurate data to use for projects, allowing for a central hub for all teams to work from.
    • It's a central stop from take off and plan review all the way to plugging numbers into our estimating.
    • The ability to link through SharePoint, which always access from any user and location.
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    Trimble
    • It's very flexible when building an estimate and selecting items to include. You can either click your way to the datebase or quickly copy and paste similar items.
    • The numerous ways to view and estimate whether it's by CSI, Uniformat, Master Format, or any view you'd like to see. One of ours is by program area, i.e. Sitework, Tower, Parking Deck, etc. After that, you can sort by Bid Package, CSI, etc. Quick buttons can be created far all the views you'd need which allows changing between views a breeze.
    • The visual interface is pleasing and easy to read.
    • It's easy to create your own database using Excel. Once you tag an item with unit costs, sort codes, etc., Winest will import it. You can also build it manually within the program but Excel was faster.
    Incentivized
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    Cons
    ConstructConnect
    • Submittals are not user friendly in PlanGrid. In fact, this is the one feature we would like to see improved.
    • Billing is based on how many users you have. It would be very nice if they would do it based on revenue or other factors such as other programs do.
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    Trimble
    • At times, WinEst controls feel counter intuitive. Also the tools available for actually developing the database can feel clunky. This means that if you do not take the time to create a robust import file, you will spend a serious amount of time fixing your errors.
    • WinEst is also an object based database which means that it is difficult to do mass dumps of information (mainly takeoff) into the program. While this is great for ensuring that everything is done purposefully, it does lead to extended hours of data entry
    • It takes hours upon hours of use before you begin to realize the true potential. The sheer number of tools is overwhelming and their help resources are very basic and only explain how to correctly enter the data but not the feature's best use cases.
    Incentivized
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    Likelihood to Renew
    ConstructConnect
    It's become the go to program for our takeoffs. We have tried others but this is the simplest.
    Incentivized
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    Trimble
    No answers on this topic
    Usability
    ConstructConnect
    Plan Swift is a user friendly program that makes takeoffs easy to perform. Not a whole lot of knowledge or skill is required.
    Incentivized
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    Trimble
    No answers on this topic
    Reliability and Availability
    ConstructConnect
    Never had an issue
    Incentivized
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    Trimble
    No answers on this topic
    Performance
    ConstructConnect
    Plan Swift is only as fast as your computer system and internet
    Incentivized
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    Trimble
    No answers on this topic
    Support Rating
    ConstructConnect
    I have called once needing support. I was asking about the "compare" tool to compare different versions. They told be about their desktop app and I downloaded. They answered quickly, you could understand them, and they took care of my question
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    Trimble
    Doug Quinn was our trainer and travels all over the country. Whenever I have an issue I shoot him an email and he quickly responds as soon as his training gets a break.
    Incentivized
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    Implementation Rating
    ConstructConnect
    just know what use you want to get out of it. In our case it was just to do area take offs.
    Incentivized
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    Trimble
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    ConstructConnect
    Bluebeam is amazing and can accomplish any take-off needs, but you will spend much more time creating your conditions and take off items. It is not as user-friendly as PlanSwift. OST (On screen takeoff). This product is by far better than PlanSwift, as it is amazingly easy to use. However, it is much more expensive. Cloud-based takeoff software -- this kind of software is difficult for me to use because of how slow the pages load and navigate. It's hard to beat that from PlanSwift or OST.
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    Trimble
    WinEst simply blows excel and Timberline out of the water. The shear depth of functionality is unparalleled. Not only does WinEst deliver a better product, it also shortens the amount of man hours required for each bid, alternate, pricing exercise, etc. On top of this, it has a number of redundant safeguards for catching errors that the others don't have.
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    Scalability
    ConstructConnect
    Several of our departments can use the take off feature to assist them in their job responsibilities.
    Incentivized
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    Trimble
    No answers on this topic
    Return on Investment
    ConstructConnect
    • The estimators' productivity is greatly increased, I do takeoffs in less than half the time with more accuracy and detail captured.
    • Easy sharing of what was taken off, I'm able to ensure everything is captured.
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    Trimble
    • We've not measured the rate of return but WinEst has made us much more efficient and organized.
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    ScreenShots