Top ten software for estimating and bidding

Sage Estimating

Sage Estimating can significantly accelerate the estimating process for several construction firms. Sage facilitates you to produce bids rapidly, precisely and positively with takeoff and cost databases. As soon as the project is procured, estimate details flow automatically into Sage business management software, removing unnecessary tasks and data entry errors. Sage Estimating also facilitates forecasting the labor, raw material and other overhead costs so that the contractors can arrange & deliver correct bids.

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Candy

It is a superb Construction Project Management Software to manage projects efficiently in the construction & engineering industry. It focuses on the need of the contractor ranging from quantity take-off, pricing and planning a project, controlling at the site level, analytical calculations, critical path planning, dynamic forecasting, Project cash flow through to the final certificate. Candy maintains an interactive link among the Bill of Quantity (BOQ) and the construction program or schedule of work under one construction project management solution.

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B2W Estimate

B2W Estimate is useful for heavy civil construction estimating and bidding. The software can generate and pre-populate comprehensive databases with costs along with default templates of crews and pay items. Estimators will be able to perform by accessing the resources and items even when the server is offline. Just reconnect, and the new estimates or alterations are included on the server. So, it becomes possible for the companies to work from any remote location or download a bid locally for closing throughout bid day.

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HCSS Heavy bid

This software facilitates the users to create estimates and control regular bids. The software can computerize repetitious tasks on the basis of tracking data from various sources like past estimates, standardized libraries, historical costs, performance data, and integrated RSMeans. Users will be able to form, review and edit estimates instantly as well as make automatically run price calculations to recognize errors. HeavyBid empowers the users to decompose complicated work into more controllable pieces, and arrange estimates to meet the requirements of the organization. Users can also evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotes.

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CostX

CostX can instantly capture exact measurements from scanned, PDF and CAD drawings together with formation of automatic BIM quantities from 3D/BIM models. The live-linked hierarchical workbooks can be applied to make an estimating build up with links to user-defined rate libraries. Besides, customized reports can also be generated.

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Stack

Stack can generate bids with user-defined pricing so that it becomes easier to work out the costs more precisely. The users can perform their own takeoffs within the program, or send request to the STACK team to accomplish the work for them with a single click through the STACK To-Go tool. STACK Estimating also offers pre-built catalogs for some trades with comprehensive lists of equipment, labor, and materials which are necessary for the users depending on adjustable historical experience.

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ProEst Estimating software

It is a cloud-based construction estimating software with automated features for different types of construction companies. It allows the construction teams to check and control centralized estimates, takeoffs, reports and contracts, and all information can be obtained and distributed 24/7 from any mobile device with active internet connection. Users can compute, analyze and manage business performance during the project lifecycle, and construction databases offer current costing and productivity data. ProEst can also track pending projects, upgrade estimate pipelines and make perfect short- and long-term business forecasts.

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eSub

eSUB makes paperless projects providing one central storage for project information, photos, drawings, PDFs and any other documents that all team members can access practically. By logging in via a protected internet portal, eSUB’s project management module facilitates the subcontractors to produce, log, and track vital documents like requests for information (RFIs), change orders, and more. eSUB’s timecard module tracks subcontractors’ labor hours and costs, which can be delivered from the job site to accounting software. Get rid of tracking projects manually and automates labortracking and communication.

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Clear Estimates

It is a cloud-based construction estimating system useful for remodelers and contractors to make estimates, submit bid requests, draft proposals, manage customers and more. The system is adjusted to satisfy the requirements of most trades like homebuilders, design/build firms, finishing contractors, roofing and siding contractors and other speciality contractors. It is helpful for smaller companies that creates less than $5 million in revenue annually.

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On-Screen Takeoff

On-Screen Takeoff can produce and finish more bids correctly. There are various tools for estimating, managing bids and maintaining project visibility. A bid wizard assists the new users through all dialogues at the time of generating a new bid. The application supports digitizer integration, file integration (CAD, PDF, etc), and 2D takeoff. The estimating application comprises of electronic quote system, cost databases by trade, and accounting integration. The system is well matched with tablet technology that allows the users to access project data in the jobsite for cost and labor management.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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Bid City – A new construction app from Reed Construction Data useful for the general contractors & sub-contractors to avail commercial construction project in any area

Reed Construction Data introduces Bid City, the commercial construction project finder. This newest construction app will facilitate the construction professionals to form their construction business right from any phone or tablet.

The general contractors and sub-contractors will be able to avail commercial construction project in any area with the application of data from Reed Construction Data’s mostly recognized project database. Start bidding on various projects based on the size of project, location, or preferred project type. Just locate the project on the map, choose to gather more information, and go for bidding.

Bid City contains the following exclusive features:-

• Identify projects without difficulty through map-based layout.
• Also filter the results with category, stage, and more.
• Save searches to get them easily in future as well as to track project.
• Track project lists easily and maintain your favorite projects under one place.

One can access Bid City at free of cost and obtain crucial information on projects together with project Category, Value, Phase ofconstruction, and Bid Date (if applicable).

Subscribe to Bid City for getting executable, full project and company details involving scope, bidder contact information, participant contact information, address, details, project name, and more!

Subscribe with a special promotional rate of $9.99 /month for getting complete access to the read construction’s nationwide US Database, updated daily.

For getting more updates click here

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Some useful methods for construction cost estimation

Cost estimation can be termed as a well-devised forecast of the possible construction cost of a specific building project. A detailed cost estimate presents information to owners, architects, and builders about the facility and the project budget throughout the design phase.

A cost estimate should incorporate all the items to be included in the general contractor’s
bid. A standard format is applied to break down the items for preparing the cost estimate. The cost of each item is established from a database of up to date construction cost information.

Accurate cost estimation plays a key role in construction projects that leads to better decision making. There are several methods available to prepare the estimate of a project. These methods are based on the project’s scope, estimating purpose and estimating resources.

Parametric cost models
Under this method a parametric model is applied in which costs are forecasted based on project characteristics (parameters) in a mathematical model. Here models are developed from historical cost data based or from building a model scenario on similar systems or subsystems. Models can be simple (for instance, with the cost per square foot to estimate the total cost of building a home) or they can be complex (for instance, applying several factors to estimate the total cost of home construction, for example the number of floors, windows, and doors).

Statistical analysis is performed on the data to discover connections between cost drivers and other system parameters, for example design or performance parameters. The analysis creates cost equations or cost estimating relationships to be utilized independently or grouped into more complex models.

Bottoms-Up method
This method is applied at the time of progression of level of detail with the advancement of project. Under this method a work statement and set of drawings or specifications are utilized to “takeoff” material quantities necessary for executing each separate task achieved in completing a prearranged operation or generating an equipment component. From these quantities, direct labor, equipment, and overhead costs are derived and added. The contractors always organize this type of estimate to support their proposal bid process. This entails with a detailed WBS and pricing out each work package making up the project.

Top-down estimate
It is subsidiary technique that starts with work breakdown structure (WBS). To get a top down estimated schedule the estimator has to break down the activity and set up linkage between activities. It is applied once a good overall estimate is ascertained for the project and the method is sub-divided down through the layers of the work breakdown structure.

A top-down estimate facilitates a project manager to obtain a very similar project’s budget, work some financial math magic and get a rational budget for the current project.

Top down estimating is primarily applied in construction projects to provide a quick estimate where the prerequisites are more or less static, and there aren't too much unknowns. This method can also be applied for small software projects.

Top-down estimates employ rules of thumb, parametric models, analogies, or cost estimating relationships (CERs). CERs based on historical experience that can present data involving the cost to build up a source line of software or the cost per square foot for a building construction project.

This method estimate the size (duration and cost) and risk of a project (or phase) by looking at the project as a whole and matching it with the similar projects executed in the past.

Specific Analogy Technique
This method is useful for early life cycle macro-estimation. Analogous estimating relies on historical information to forecast the cost of the current project. Under this method one has to select one or two completed projects that most intimately match the characteristics of your launching project concerning the scope of the current project, its size, and other known variables.

The process of analogous estimating considers the known cost of an item used in previous estimating systems as the basis for the cost of a similar item in a new estimating system. If any similarity is found, observe how many effort hours that project took, and utilize the information for your estimate. (If the organization don’t have any tracking for actual effort hours, detect how many people worked on the project for how long, and then regulate the hours as required.) Adjustments are made to known costs to make up differences in relative complexities of performance, design, and operational characteristics.

Watch the following power point presentation for demo.
http://www.nps.navy.mil/orfacpag/resumePages/OA4702/Chapter%2011%20Analogy.ppt

Cost Review and Update Technique
Under this method an estimate is created by investigating previous estimates of the same project for internal logic, completeness of scope, assumptions, and estimating methodology and bring up to date with any alterations.

Trend Analysis Technique
This method compares originally estimated contract costs against actual costs on work performed up till now to obtain a contractor efficiency index. The index is very useful for regulating the cost estimate of work not completed so far.

"Design-to-Cost"
Under this method all cost goals for development, acquisition, or operations and maintenance are utilized like design parameters together with technical performance, in the systems design trade-off process. In some situation where the absolute value of a dollar threshold required to be enclosed, the project definition, conceptual design, and development can deal with performance trade-offs to arrange the project in a predetermined cost envelope.

"Cost as the Independent Variable"
This method is an affordability based method ideal for planning project scope. The method begins with a fixed budget and performs toward the back in the course of a repetitive procedure of prioritizing and choosing constraints to appear at a project scope attainable within budget constrictions.

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
Join our estimating forum 

Importance of Project Estimation

Though Project Estimation is now has become very important part for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction or AEC industry, many of us really don’t understand the importance of Project Estimation. Many think that project estimation is a waste of budget. But the fact is that it is a very important part of any construction project. If we view the project result, we find out that around 30% of projects are cancelled befire completion just because of it run out of money.

Effective project estimation is one of the most challenging and important activities in the AEC industry. Proper project planning and control is not possible without a sound and reliable estimate. The AEC industry suffers for the wrong estimation of any project badly. Under-estimating a project leads to under- staffing it, under scoping the quality assurance effort and setting too short schedule which resulting the loss of credibility as deadlines are missed. For those who figure on avoiding this situation by generously padding the estimate, over estimating a project can be just about as bad for the organization. If you give a project more resources than it really needs without sufficient scope controls it will use them. The project is then likely to cost more than it should, take longer to deliver than necessary and delay the use of your resources on the next project.

Project estimation is one of the aspects of business that requires some degree of consideration, because the succeeding phases of the project are dependent on the accuracy and the efficiency of this process. Project estimation provides details that would go beyond the capabilities of manual processing even with an army of accountants. Construction businesses require a specialized accounting software system with streamlined estimating facilities.

According to the statistic over 66% of projects are not delivered on time, on budget or to expected quality. This negatively impacts staff productivity, product quality, customer relationships and overall credibility. Good project estimation and planning goes beyond tools, techniques and processes. It’s also about the right attitude, understanding and mutual expectation – not just from the Architect, Engineers and Contractors but also from senior management. When we understand together what can be done, what has been done, and what is being put before us, we can successfully plan projects to make them more predictable.

In this way we find out that why project estimation is important for the AEC industry. Not only to win the bid, accurate project estimation is helpful to finish the project within budget and time frame that increase credibility as well as profit of them.

Maxwell Systems ProContractorMX Estimating Software

Maxwell Systems ProContractorMX is fast, accurate, and easy to use estimating software for improving your takeoff and estimating processes. Its robust and user-friendly features helps you to work with more efficiency, bid more jobs, win more work, and make more profit than you thought possible. This automated takeoff and estimating software can help you complete bids up to 10 times faster than manual methods and allows you to measure accurately to within 1/1000 of an inch.

With Digital Takeoff, you can easily perform a takeoff on your computer screen quickly and accurately without touching set of bulky, expensive blueprints. Using ProContractorMX for digital takeoff, contractors are able to increase accuracy, save valuable time, and minimize the possibility of costly mistakes.

ProContractorMX also provides features for Complete Estimating to automate your processes, improve productivity, and cut costs. You will be able to efficiently figure out what the materials, equipment, and labor will cost you and estimate with speed and accuracy.

Speed and accuracy is paramount when it comes to takeoff and estimating. That's why Maxwell Systems ProContractorMX provides impressive verification features that help you takeoff faster and with precision, and provides comprehensive data to see your job come together. The 3-D Visual Assemblies enable you to examine every element of a structure from every possible perspective using graphical virtual renderings, which helps you ensure everything that should be on the takeoff is actually there. Visual Assemblies are available to fit the unique needs of different types of construction, including VAs tailored to concrete, framing, masonry, sitework, and more.

Key Benefits:
Takeoff and estimating solution in a single convenient application
Complete more estimates and detailed bids in a fraction of the time it’s taking you now
Improve accuracy of estimates and avoid costly mistakes
Increase efficiency and speed across the entire estimating process
Beyond takeoff, estimating, and bid day, ProContractorMX continues to perform when you win the bid! The solution provides functionality for Buyout, Purchase Orders, Change Orders, and more, which can help you save time, simplify workflow, and improve communication between estimators, accounting, and project managers on active jobs.
Instantly find and automatically share the data you need, so the entire team can work with maximum efficiency and minimal data entry. Further, by eliminating costly errors and increasing accuracy and quality of data, your company can improve productivity and profit margins for all projects.

Posted By
Debarati Nath
for www.quantity-takeoff.com