What Is Construction Estimating Software?Ĭonstruction estimating software is cloud or desktop technology designed to streamline and improve the process of creating cost, material, and labor estimates for construction projects. This portion of the guide will provide an overview of this software and how it can be used in the bidding, estimating, and takeoff processes. To save time and money, contractors, builders, and anyone who frequently makes cost estimates for projects or bids on construction contracts can use technology to manage the estimating and bidding process. Understanding Construction Estimating Software The takeoff list is then used to create the cost estimate and the project bid. (Quantities of each material are “taken off” of the blueprints). Gathering this information uses a process in which estimators use project blueprints to determine the amounts and types of each material and the labor necessary for each section of the project they are responsible for. Takeoff (also construction take off or take-off) refers to the quantities and amount of labor required to complete a construction project. To create these estimates, the contractors and their subcontractors must determine the quantities and cost of all of the materials, equipment, and labor, for their work, which usually begins with generating a takeoff list using information found in the bid package. For large projects that require detailed bids, the process requires much more due diligence to achieve an accurate cost estimate. For small projects, an experienced contractor can come up with a quick estimate in his or her head. What Is Construction Estimating?Ĭonstruction estimating, also called construction cost estimating or simply estimating, is the process of identifying the approximate, yet detailed, costs associated with a construction project. Once a contractor or supplier downloads the bid documents, they can begin the takeoff and estimating process and begin creating their bid. Public projects must be publicly advertised in advance and bid documents must be made available so that any qualified contractor may submit a bid before the bid date. For public projects, which are sponsored by local or federal government agencies, the bidding process has specific requirements.

The documents generally include project blueprints, location / schedule constraints, insurance requirements, and other information.įor privately owned projects, this bid package may be shared with any number of contractors, few or many, depending on the owner and his or her prior relationships with contractors / builders. This bid package summarizes key details about the project in order to give contractors all of the information they need to make accurate estimates and produce a proposed schedule and budget for the project. The process begins with the owner, or project sponsor, creating bid documents, which are collectively referred to as a bid package. Typically, for large construction projects, companies and governments accept bids from many different contractors and then decide which contractor will perform the project.

These bids summarize the costs that the contractor expects to pay for the development of the structure or infrastructure.

Understanding Construction Estimating for GC’s & BuildersĬonstruction estimating is part of the bid process, during which contractors and builders submit proposals, or bids, to project owners, offering to provide services or supplies for a construction project. States Investing the Most in New Housing.Cities Investing the Most in New Housing.Construction Project Management Software.Owner Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIP).

Home builder software for mac