Cost databases
Pulls information from online databases and aggregates it to allow contractors to compare prices of materials from different suppliers.
Cat avg: 7.6
Top Performing Features
Cost calculator
Application that calculates cost of estimated quantities and materials, typically within spreadsheets.
Cat avg: 7.6
Bid creation
Allows users to use bid packages or templates to quickly and efficiently create bids based off of cost estimates.
Cat avg: 7.8
Job costing
Tracking and monitoring of the costs of all materials, labor, subcontractors, & equipment required for a given construction project. Allows users to compare actual costs to estimated costs, see how the job is progressing, identify which parts of the job are using the largest parts of the budget.
Cat avg: 7.5
Worst Performing Features
Mobile app
Users can easily access the system from the field on mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
Cat avg: 7.6
Takeoff tools
Allow users to list the materials and quantities they will need for the project either manually from hardcopy blueprints or electronically from digital blueprints.
Cat avg: 7.7
Benchmark Estimating Software Features from Reviews
Construction Project & Field Management
Features related to collaboration between construction management and project execution (e.g. the office and the job site, general contractors and subcontractors)
6.5-19%
Mobile app
Users can easily access the system from the field on mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
Category average: 7.6
Estimating
A set of tools and applications that allow contractors to forecast, track, monitor, and adjust the cost of building a structure. Cost estimates are used by project owners to determine the scope and feasibility of a project, and also for budget allocation. Contractors also use cost estimates when deciding whether or not to bid on a project and for bid creation.
8.6+9%
Takeoff tools
Allow users to list the materials and quantities they will need for the project either manually from hardcopy blueprints or electronically from digital blueprints.
Category average: 7.7
Job costing
Tracking and monitoring of the costs of all materials, labor, subcontractors, & equipment required for a given construction project. Allows users to compare actual costs to estimated costs, see how the job is progressing, identify which parts of the job are using the largest parts of the budget.
Category average: 7.5
Cost databases
Pulls information from online databases and aggregates it to allow contractors to compare prices of materials from different suppliers.
Category average: 7.6
Cost calculator
Application that calculates cost of estimated quantities and materials, typically within spreadsheets.
Category average: 7.6
Bid creation
Allows users to use bid packages or templates to quickly and efficiently create bids based off of cost estimates.
Category average: 7.8
Benchmark Estimating Software Features from the Vendor
Construction Project & Field Management
Vendor-reviewedPlan distribution & viewing
Users can compare different versions of plans, and view live updates/revisions to plans (usually from a mobile device in the field).
Plan markups & sharing
Users can annotate plans from the field and easily share plans/markups with other project stakeholders.
Document sharing
Users can share/attach other documents related to construction projects, such as specifications, contracts, drawings, etc.
Issue tracking & punchlists
Users can track issues from the field, and create punchlists upon substantial completion.
Photo documentation
Users can document construction progress and/or issues by uploading photos from the field.
Jobsite reports
Users can create and share reports on jobsite safety, daily progress, etc.
Collaboration & approvals
Users can comment, send messages, and/or approve documents.
As-built drawings
Users can generate as-built drawings upon project completion, to reflect the exact dimensions and materials of the final work, including any changes made to the initial plans during the construction process.
Submittal design and management
Tools that allow users to draft and build submittals, track their status, submit them online, annotate submittal PDFs, and send submittal approval online.
Checklists
Construction checklists allow you to link important elements in your construction project. Construction checklists detail specific information of activities and phases in your project.
Specifications
Construction specifications, also called specs, are the details for the work that needs to be completed in a construction project.
Estimating
Vendor-reviewedTakeoff tools
Allow users to list the materials and quantities they will need for the project either manually from hardcopy blueprints or electronically from digital blueprints.
Job costing
Tracking and monitoring of the costs of all materials, labor, subcontractors, & equipment required for a given construction project. Allows users to compare actual costs to estimated costs, see how the job is progressing, identify which parts of the job are using the largest parts of the budget.
Cost databases
Pulls information from online databases and aggregates it to allow contractors to compare prices of materials from different suppliers.
Cost calculator
Application that calculates cost of estimated quantities and materials, typically within spreadsheets.
Bid creation
Allows users to use bid packages or templates to quickly and efficiently create bids based off of cost estimates.
Reporting & Analytics
Vendor-reviewedDashboards
Users can create, customize and share dashboards, which provide an overview of the most important metrics.
Standard reports
The software offers pre-built reports with metrics standard to the category.
Custom reports
Users can create custom reports.
Data exportability
Data can be exported via a CSV or Excel file for further reporting and analysis outside of the tool.
Additional Features
Vendor-contributedMulti-Currency Project Cost Estimating with Three-Point Estimating
Add Overheads and Contingencies (Risks) on your Project by entering % or lump sum amounts.
Customisable Resources Margin feature help users analyse summary margin data for particular Resources.
Marketing Reports and Graphs, use Revenue Driver to analyse performance by a specific parameter.