Construction Estimating Software - Typical Features

Typical Features

Three functions prove to be the most critical when buying cost estimating software:

• Takeoff software - this provides for measurement from paper or electronic plans
• Built-in cost databases - this provides reference cost data which may be your own or may come from a commercial source, such as RS Means
• Estimating worksheets - these are the spreadsheets where the real work takes place, supported by calculations and other features

Other typical features include:

• Item or Activity List: All estimating software applications will include a main project window that outlines the various items or activities that will be required to complete the specified project. More advanced programs are capable of breaking an item up into sub-tasks, or sub-levels. An outline view of all of the top-level and sub-level items provides a quick and easy way to view and navigate through the project.
• Resource Costs: Resources consist of labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, trucking, and any other cost detail items. Labor and equipment costs are internal crew costs, whereas all other resource costs are received from vendors, such as material suppliers, subcontractors, and trucking companies. Labor costs are usually calculated from wages, benefits, burden, and workers compensation. Equipment costs are calculated from purchase price, taxes, fuel consumption, and other operating expenses.
• Item or Activity Detail: The detail to each item includes all of the resources required to complete each activity, as well as their associated costs. Production rates will automatically determine required crew costs.
• Calculations: Most estimating programs have built-in calculations ranging from simple length, area, and volume calculations to complex industry-specific calculations, such as electrical calculations, utility trench calculations, and earthwork cut and fill calculations.
• Markups: Every program will allow for cost mark-ups ranging from flat overall mark-ups to resource-specific mark-ups, mark-ups for general administrative costs, and bonding costs.
• Detailed Overhead: Indirect costs, such as permits, fees, and any other overall project costs can be spread to billable project items.
• Closeout Window: Many estimating programs include a screen for manually adjusting bid prices from their calculated values.
• Reporting: Project reports typically include proposals, detail reports, cost breakdown reports, and various charts and graphs.
• Exporting: Most software programs can export project data to other applications, such as spreadsheets, accounting software, and project management software.
• Job History: Storing past projects is a standard feature in most estimating programs.