business.com receives compensation from some of the companies listed on this page. Advertising Disclosure

Home

The Best Construction Estimating Software of 2020

By
Joshua Stowers
,
business.com Staff
| Updated
Jul 27, 2020

Looking for the best construction software? We have easy-to-read, expert unbiased reviews, and feature comparisons of the best and cheapest programs.
Best Overall
Free demo
Unlimited users
Accounting integrations
Best for Cloud
MeasureSquare
14-day free trial
Platform-based pricing
No contract or setup fee
Best Inexpensive
STACK
Free plan
Student discount
Unlimited training and support
Looking for the best construction software? We have easy-to-read, expert unbiased reviews, and feature comparisons of the best and cheapest programs.
Updated 07/27/20

This page has been updated with pros and cons for our best picks, as well as a chart to provide an even more comprehensive comparison.

If you're still using manual transcripts or spreadsheets for your construction business, construction estimation software is a good way to rebuild and start fresh. Construction estimation software is designed for contractors who estimate construction costs for work projects. This software can estimate bidding prices, along with other features, for projects that will result in a construction contract. 

The signup process is quick, there are plenty of options tailored to your specific trade, and, in most cases, you can pay on a monthly basis and receive a free trial or demo. Construction estimation is ideal for small, midsize and large businesses in contracting, residential or commercial lines of work. With dozens of options available, choosing one that's perfect for your needs can be a difficult process. To help you, we conducted our own research to determine the best construction estimation software.

Estimation software gives construction professionals more control over their data and project workflow. Overall, project management is about making your projects efficient and accountable by compiling documentation in one centralized location. This reduces the risk of delays and errors, likely increasing sales. 

The first step in choosing the right estimation software is to identify your project management strengths and weaknesses to pinpoint the necessary solutions. Understanding the basics of estimate software can help you narrow it down by key factors such as logistics, usability, cost, stability, cloud construction and customer support.

How We Decided
Our team spends weeks evaluating dozens of business solutions to identify the best options. To stay current, our research is regularly updated.
28
Considered
11
Researched
3
Selected

Compare Our Best Picks

  CoConstruct Measure Square STACK
Free trial

No; demo only

14 days

No; demo and free version
Free
version
No No Yes
Pricing $49 for first two months, then starts at $299 per month

Varies by platform and plan

Paid plans start at $1,999 per year
Unlimited
users
Yes No No
Deployment

Cloud, SaaS, web

Cloud

Cloud, SaaS, web

Integrations QuickBooks, Xero Export data to PDF, CAD, and accounting programs RollMaster, QFloors and Comp-U-Floor Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, OneDrive, project management software

Our Reviews

CoConstruct: Best Overall

Pricing is greatly reduced for the first two months, giving you time to learn the software before paying the full rate.
Your dedicated implementation coach schedules coaching calls with you to help you get the most value from the software.
Though the company offers a demo and a reduced rate for two months, there is no free trial.

CoConstruct is one of the top names in construction estimation, providing some of the highest-rated custom building and remodeling software across the country. We chose it as the best overall construction estimation software because it offers the most features and benefits of all the estimation software we researched, at an affordable price point. There is no additional monthly charge per user once exceeding three added users in your service plan. All you pay is the base monthly rate, and all plans allow unlimited users. 

The software also includes unlimited prospect and estimate projects, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not happy with your service or experience within that time, you will receive a full refund. This web-based software supports both iOS and Android mobile devices. 

Pricing

CoConstruct charges a monthly fee based on how many projects you are working on and the included features. The software is available in three service plans. Here is a breakdown of each plan: 

Core

  • Monthly cost: Ranges from $199 for 3-5 projects to $349 for 16-20 projects
  • Features: This plan includes unlimited users, project scheduling, warranty tracking, to-dos and jobsite logging, QuickBooks Desktop integration, and financial control with estimates, bids, budgets, purchase orders and invoices. This plan is available via web and mobile. 

Standard

  • Monthly cost: Ranges from $249 for 3-5 projects to $449 for 16-20 projects
  • Features: This plan features all the benefits of the Core plan, plus CRM tracking, GPS tagging, license tracking, and advanced photo features like annotation and 360-degree images. 

Plus

  • Monthly cost: Ranges from $299 for one or two projects to $599 for 16-20 projects
  • Features: In addition to all the features of the Core and Standard plans, the Plus plan offers a more in-depth building experience with client selection management, access to project prices such as overages and change orders, and the option of a custom-branded web and mobile app. The Plus plan also features optional client visibility and full collaboration via messages, files, and photos; you can grant your trade partners mobile access to assignments and files. 

The software provides a free demo to display its features and benefits, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. All CoConstruct asks is that you complete three scheduled coaching calls with its dedicated implementation coach. Afterward, if you don't see a fit for your construction business within the first 30 days, it will refund your subscription payments. The software requires no contract for cloud-based deployment, and it charges no upfront fees or recurring costs beyond your subscription payments. 

CoConstruct believes in tying costs to the things that make you money, which is why its pricing is based on the number of projects you have under construction. Your number of ongoing active jobsites is all you pay for. You can adjust your number of projects under construction at any time with no change fees. 

CoConstruct Pros

CoConstruct provides numerous features that benefit your clients and team members. With its single-entry estimation, you can simply enter the data once and not worry about double entries causing estimation errors. Its project flexibility can provide structure to your workflow, making price and estimate data easier for your employees and clients to access and understand. The cross-feature integration can help your business not only set a budget and estimate the cost of projects, but also maintain client schedules in real time. 

Streamlined Bidding

The software has end-to-end integration to make detailed bid requests, trade communication, and estimate updates faster and more accurately. CoConstruct's streamlined bidding process allows you to create bids in minutes without worrying about double entry, waiting on trades or wasting time. 

Unlike with other estimate software, the trade workers can tell you if they plan to bid with a single click. They'll also receive automatic reminders as the due date approaches. 

Mobility

With its mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, CoConstruct provides access to your team, clients and trades from anywhere. It offers in-app clock-ins, shift scheduling, selection checking, to-do lists, and push notifications to provide real-time updates. 

360-Degree View

Uploading and viewing 360-degree photos allows for faster communication. With a single tap, you can document an entire room in one photo and share the interactive photos with remote clients and team members. 

CoConstruct Cons

While CoConstruct has nearly everything we looked for in construction estimation software, it lacks some of the integrations we looked for. It does integrate with QuickBooks and Xero, but some of its competitors offer additional accounting and CRM integration options. Another useful integration it's missing is the ability to import AutoCAD for design and flooring plan data. 

CoConstruct doesn't provide a free trial either – you'll have to pay for the first month, fully use the service and then request your money back within 30 days if you end up not liking how the software works. 

Customer Support

To test the level of service CoConstruct offers, we contacted the company by phone, posing as a small business owner interested in its software. The representative we spoke to was helpful and answered all of our questions thoroughly. We discussed a variety of topics, including the support options and 30-day money-back guarantee. Overall, we were very impressed with the customer service. 

CoConstruct users have abundant training and support options. You can call to speak with a support representative or send an email to an expert if you have any concerns. Live chat support is available 24/7. 

The company also offers hands-on training, including proactive check-ins, and helpful videos and webinars. These options are all free of charge and available on all service plans. 

CoConstruct is not an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, but it does have an A rating on the site. As of November 2019, only been two complaints had been closed against the company in the past three years.

More

MeasureSquare: Best for Cloud

Plans are platform-based, which may save you money if you work exclusively on an iPad or Android tablet.
You can import and export CAD and Revit/BIM design software, allowing you to measure with laser meters and generate shareable 3D presentations.
The software focuses on floor planning and design only; if your business specializes in other areas, you should consider other software.

MeasureSquare is our choice as the best cloud construction estimation software because it hosts the most well-connected product and estimate database of all the estimation software we researched at a reasonable price. You can manage subscription licenses and share projects with team members from anywhere via iPad, iPhone or PC. The software includes a 14-day trial and a free demo. With MeasureSquare's Learning Center, you'll receive free web courses; there is also the option to receive onsite onboarding. 

Pricing

MeasureSquare is an estimation software app focused on flooring. It charges a monthly fee based on the number of users necessary for your construction business. There is no contract or setup fee, and software updates are included in each plan. 

The software is available in three plans: desktop, iOS and Android. For desktop software, you have two editions: multifamily or commercial. The iOS and Android apps both offer mobile retail and mobile multifamily editions. MeasureSquare also offers two bundle solutions: iOS + Windows or Android + Windows, each offering mobile retail and desktop commercial or multifamily editions. 

Desktop

  • Monthly cost: The cost for the multifamily edition is $149 per user, per month (or $1,490 annually), while the monthly cost for the commercial edition is $179 per user, per month (or $1,790 if you purchase a 12-month subscription).

  • Features: The features offered in the multifamily edition include importing PDF floor plans, setting duplicated units, organizing product options by tabs, estimating by the unit or project, auto optimizing waste and seam layouts, and quoting with unit pricing options. This edition also allows you to create tile patterns with any shape of tile. In the commercial edition, you get all of the multifamily edition features plus batch importing, stagger cuts to manage installation, randomizing tile layouts by percentages, exporting commercial bidding templates to Excel and estimating product usage via installation phases. If you buy the annual billing option, you get two months free annual billing. 
  • System requirements: The software operates on Microsoft Windows (Versions 7/8/10) and 8GB DRAM. A 24-inch screen is recommended.

iOS

  • Monthly cost: The cost for the retail version on iPad is $49 per user, per month ($490 for the annual plan), while the cost for the multifamily version is $79 per user, per month (or $790 annually).

  • Features: The features offered in Retail on iPad include floor type, add-ons, and labor estimation, phone and web support, and onsite support. This edition also allows you to measure with Disto and Bosch lasers, assign products in real time, generate seam diagrams and cut sheet instantly. You can send professional quotes. With the multifamily edition, you receive all the features in the retail edition plus single-page PDF imports and takeoffs. This edition also allows you to set duplicated units. Both editions provide two months free if you purchase the annual plan. 
  • System requirements: The system requirements for this plan are iPad 4 and above, and iOS 10 and above. With laser compatibility, some measuring tool brands, such as Leica, Bosch, and GLM, are also supported. 

Android

  • Monthly cost: The cost for the Retail on Tablet plan is $49 per user, per month (or $490 if purchased annually), while the cost for the multifamily option is $79 per user, per month (or $790 for the annual plan).

  • Features: The features offered for Retail on Tablet include the same features offered for Retail on iPad. With the multifamily tablet edition, you receive all of the retail edition features, plus single-page PDF imports and takeoffs. Both editions provide two months free with annual billing.

  • System requirements: The software works best on Galaxy Tab S3 tablets or newer tablets. Laser compatibility is supported, but only for Leica models. 

The iOS + Windows and Android + Windows bundle solutions come with the desktop software features and the features of their native OS listed above. The mobile retail and desktop multifamily edition cost $179 per user, per month for both the iOS and Android bundles. The mobile retail and desktop commercial edition costs $199 per user, per month for both iOS and Android bundles. Their respective system requirements remain the same, and two free months are offered with annual billing. 

MeasureSquare Pros

MeasureSquare Cloud provides a number of beneficial features. Here are the features we were especially impressed with. 

Flooring Management Software 

MeasureSquare is equipped with an API that shares information with third-party software systems. With its flooring management software, you're able to manage C/F data systems, Comp-U-Floors, Qfloors and Roll Master. 

C/F data systems allow you to import estimate spreadsheets; Comp-U-Floors integrates with sales, estimates, orders, and inventory; and Qfloors allows you to store diagrams and cut sheets through its Cloud API. Roll Master is capable of order and inventory integration, and it offers storage for diagrams and other sheet documents. 

Interior Floor Design 

MeasureSquare makes interior floor planning a simple task. With the option of importing and exporting CAD and Revit/BIM design software, not only can you create and measure floor plans, but you can estimate projects thoroughly and accurately. This feature allows you to measure onsite with laser meters and generate 3D presentations that you can share. 

Synchronization 

If you're looking to back up, synchronize and archive projects, MeasureSquare offers secure loss prevention. You can sync your project with any device, protecting your construction business's data. This feature also allows you to measure in the field, on the go, or on a desktop at the office. 

Subscription Licenses 

MeasureSquare provides complete control over user subscription licenses as your construction business grows. You can add or remove licenses and view any license information, such as a name, expiration date or status. This feature logs you out of your current device when you're finished so you can use the license on another device, if needed. 

In-House Sharing 

With in-house sharing, you're able to sync projects with any team member or contractor. Every user can follow the same price catalog and estimate data, and every project can be viewed or edited by another user. 

MeasureSquare Cons

While MeasureSquare has much of what we looked for in cloud-computing estimation software, there were a few drawbacks. 

MeasureSquare is focused on flooring. If your construction business specializes in something other than floor planning and design, you'll want to consider other alternatives. 

Despite its great interface, MeasureSquare may be complex for first-time users. If you completely know what you're doing, though, this software can work wonders for you. 

Customer Support

To test MeasureSquare's customer service, we contacted the company by live chat posing as a small business owner interested in their software. The representative we spoke to was informative and answered our questions in detail. 

During our chat, we discussed several topics, including the features of their software. The representative told us that while MeasureSquare does not offer Microsoft Excel integration, you can export your worksheets to XML format. Overall, we were very satisfied with the amount of support offered. 

You can a representative by phone or send a message via email or live chat. Also, 24/7 live support is offered. 

Additionally, MeasureSquare offers multiple onboarding training options, including the Onboarding Starter option priced at $400, onsite training priced at $3,000, and their class, which takes place at a few locations in Pasadena, California, that is priced at $199 per person, per day.

More

STACK: Best Inexpensive

New and very small businesses can take advantage of the free plan, which supports two concurrent projects for seven days.
It integrates with multiple online storage solutions, making it easy to share plans and estimates with team members and clients.
Pricewise, it's a big jump from the free plan to paid plans, which start at $1,999 per year for one full-access user.

STACK is our choice as the best inexpensive construction estimation software. Their free service plan is perfect for very small businesses, offering enough features to get your construction company off the ground. STACK provides unlimited training and support, no matter the service plan. In addition to its free plan, there are paid plans, for which you can use a major credit card to pay for your subscription. Additionally, student discounts are offered for some construction schools across the country. 

Pricing

STACK is available in four service plans ‒ the free plan and three paid plans. For the paid plans, STACK charges an annual fee based on the number of users. Here is a breakdown of the price of each plan and the features the subscription comes with. 

Free

Cost: $0 per user, per year

Features included: This service plan allows two concurrent projects, seven-day project access, 10 measurements per project and multiuser, real-time collaboration. 

Plus

Cost: $999 per user, per year

Features included: The plus service plan includes all the features of the free plan and in-app support, takeoff assistance, takeoff auto counting, unlimited project access and measurements per project, and custom database importing and exporting options. 

Pro

Cost: $1,799 per user, per year

Features included: With the Pro service plan, you get all the features of the Plus plan, formula and assembly review, cost code management, labor and material expense reports, and a project cost calculator. 

STACKT for Teams

Cost: $5,999 per user, per year

Features included: The STACKT for Teams includes all the features of the Pro plan plus a single sign-on feature, open API access, custom item and assembly build services, and onsite training. 

A free demo is available. Student discounts are also offered. Many colleges and construction-focused schools across the U.S use STACK, and the company offers low and no-cost options. 

STACK Pros

STACK provides several features that will immediately benefit your clients and team members, including adding and storing plans from any source, organizing pages quickly, and looking up content and plan titles in STACK's database. 

STACK allows your construction business to upload plans and estimate data from anywhere with mobile device compatibility. There are integrations with DropBox, Evernote, Google Drive and OneDrive. BuilderTrend, eSUB and RedTeam are among the project management integrations available. Here's more about STACK's other features. 

Unlimited Training and Support

STACK's comprehensive help center offers unlimited access to their trainers for trade or project-specific assistance throughout the entire term of your subscription. 

Cloud Project Storage and Takeoff

Premium subscriptions give you greater flexibility to do more in STACK. Your data is stored on STACK's servers so you never run out of space. Additionally, because you can access STACK from any computer, tablet, or mobile device connected to the internet, collaboration is easy. All users have access to the same information, and any updates or work performed will sync in real time. 

Regular Maintenance and Software Updates

Improving its platform is a huge priority at STACK and is heavily driven by feedback from customers. Since STACK is a cloud-based application, you receive these updates and improvements automatically, with no action required on your end.

Export to Excel

Quickly and accurately finish your project by exporting to Excel with STACK's Microsoft Excel integration. Their report sync add-in and project cost calculator can help with adding markup, overhead, and profit to finalize your quote. 

STACK Cons

While STACK has a lot of the features we looked for in an inexpensive estimation software, there were a few drawbacks. The free service plan comes with a lot of limitations. For instance, you can manage only two concurrent projects, and you're allowed 10 measurements per project. You can create a free account to leverage Pro-level features on any project for seven days. Additionally, you can add as many users as you'd like and only upgrade if you need to. 

While the free plan is great for new construction businesses, as your business grows, the annual prices increase to nearly $1,000 per user, per year, or $83 per user, per month. If you purchase a STACK subscription, be prepared to encounter higher fees further down the line. 

Customer Support

STACK users receive unlimited training and support, including phone, email and web support. Each service plan includes live and on-demand training. STACK's 24/7 support offers how-to's, tips, tutorials, plus articles, webinars, events, news and software updates. 

We called STACK posing as a prospective small business owner who was interested in the software. During the call, we discussed a range of topics, including cloud project storage and the specifics of each of their subscription service plans. Overall, we were pleased with the level of service and the answers we received to our questions. 

While STACK is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, it has an A+ rating. As of November 2019, there had only been one complaint closed against the company in the past three years.

More

Pricing

The cost of construction estimation software varies by the type of service plan or licensing model. Depending on how your software is deployed, there can also be fluctuations in the costs of additional features and benefits. 

The number of employees who need access to the software is one big variable in the price. Some construction estimation software vendors price their plans based on the number of individual users who have access to the software. It's important to determine how many employees will need access to your estimation data before you choose a plan. Prices generally increase as the number of users increases. 

Some estimation software offers unlimited access for unlimited users for a fixed monthly or annual cost. Providing all company members access to your estimation data tends to result in better communication and cohesion. 

Pricing also depends on the way the software is hosted. Construction estimation software is available as a cloud-hosted or on-premises service. For the cloud-hosted software, you can expect to pay a monthly fee. Some providers may offer this as a month-to-month option, while others may require annual subscriptions. Many providers offer multiple service plans based on how many projects you are using the software for and the features you want. Costs for cloud-hosted software range from free to $500 per month, with extra fees for additional users. 

The other option some providers offer is on-premises software. With this model, you pay a one-time licensing fee for the construction estimation software to be stored on your company's computers. Instead of the monthly fees, you make a large one-time payment of up to $6,000, depending on the size of your construction business. 

Many vendors offer free trials and money-back guarantees. You should take advantage of free trials where available to understand how the software helps your business before paying for it.

Buying Guide

Features

The best construction estimation software offers numerous features for project management, project schedules, instant takeoffs and easy bidding. You should expect the service to include the following standard features. 

Cost Comparisons

To make a fair and accurate bid to a client, you'll need software that can pull the latest prices of materials and equipment from the internet. Many construction estimating software companies have access to wholesale databases for checking the ever-changing costs of building materials. 

In addition to pulling data from online databases, the better programs allow you to add items and prices from your own suppliers to compare prices. You can make a similar database for subcontractors to compare labor costs. 

Instant Takeoffs for Adjusting Estimates

Takeoffs are an important aspect of construction estimating, because they allow you to determine the exact amount of materials you need, estimate a cost for those materials, and adjust those factors alongside design plans to offer a better bid to the client.

Blueprint Viewing and Editing

Amongst its digital takeoff features, it's common for construction estimating software to allow you to upload a blueprint of the proposed project, usually as a CAD or BIM file, that you can edit within the software. 

Mobile Access

A mobile version of the estimating program is especially helpful during the construction phase, particularly if you're onsite often. You'll be able to quickly access estimate information directly from your phone or tablet to make quick decisions during building. Software that is compatible with both iOS and Android can increase connectivity and communication throughout your team and improve your overall workflow. 

All-in-One Platforms

A few of the programs we reviewed are part of larger suites of construction software that integrate with each other. Other programs in these suites include construction management, accounting and scheduling software. 

We looked at each product's compatibility with programs construction companies commonly use, such as Intuit QuickBooks for accounting and Microsoft Excel for various spreadsheets. These bundles undoubtedly come at a higher price, but depending on your needs, it could be worth it to purchase a complete suite of tools. 

Cloud Construction

The cloud is the most practical and secure way to process and store your estimate data. There are three main categories of cloud construction: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS). 

IaaS and PaaS are larger solutions for IT operations, while SaaS is the easiest way to get the most out of cloud computing with little investment. Most SaaS solutions focus on the construction industry and are prevalent in estimation programs that offer solid cloud construction. 

According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the construction industry is among the least digitized, next to the agriculture and hunting industry. Your construction business can't afford to turn a blind eye to digital trends like cloud hosting. 

Training and Support

While some programs are easier to learn than others, construction estimating software can still be complicated to properly operate, so tutorial material should be readily available. Companies that offer 24/7 phone or live chat support, free trials or demos, and great customer service ranked higher in our evaluations. Many of the companies have extensive training materials on their websites and even host remote seminars or in-person training classes, sometimes at an extra cost.

Types of Software

With numerous estimation software programs on the market, choosing the right one may be difficult. Various programs may offer similar features but different solutions, and the reputation and growth of a particular estimation software company could also impact your choice. 

Three common types of construction estimators are electrical, HVAC and plumbing. As the names suggest, electrical estimators calculate the projected costs in electrical projects; an HVAC estimator considers the cost of heating, ventilation and air conditioning in a proposed project; and plumbing estimators calculate the costs of materials and labor for plumbing projects. Some estimators offer better support for these industries, while some offer better support in fields like design or floor planning.

Methodology

Our search for the best construction estimation software began with searching business and review websites, and then we explored the entire industry for a fuller view. We compiled this information into a list of more than 30 companies, adding estimation software we've previously reviewed as well as new software we hadn't yet researched. 

We then visited each company's website, studying support resources such as knowledgebases, how-to guides, articles and blogs, and video tutorials when available. 

Eventually, we narrowed our list down to 11 finalists. To determine our best picks, we looked for companies that provide the best features and offer competitive pricing. We realize that affordability is a top priority, especially if you're a startup or small business. We wanted to find companies with low monthly fees, superb cloud construction, and great training and support. 

We also considered how long it takes to request a quote and set up an account, and whether a contract is necessary. Although most construction estimation software offers more than one way of connecting to your estimate data, for this review we focused on mobile access and companies that support both iOS and Android.

Construction Estimation Software FAQs

Q: How does construction estimating software work? 

A: Construction estimating software estimates the cost of your business's projects. With features like easy payment tracking and scheduling, estimation software can increase workflow fluidity and allow you to throw away your old spreadsheets. 

Estimation software saves you time by connecting your team and centralizing all tasks and projects in one location. This increases ease of use and allows real-time access to your online database. 

Q: Who needs construction estimating software? 

A: Estimation software can help contractors, architects, engineers, and even designers in some fields, such as landscape, interior design, and service. Most estimation software is marketed to contractors, but depending on the features of the software and the type of construction work you do, it could be of great use for you and your team. 

If your business tends to make frequent cost-based adjustments and estimates, then estimation software can improve and simplify your workspace. 

Q: What are the most important elements of construction estimating software? 

A: Make sure the software integrates with the important programs you already use. For example, software that allows you to import and export data to and from Microsoft Excel can make sharing information simpler. 

A cost database is another important element of construction estimating software. These databases help you estimate the cost of items once you import takeoff information. 

Takeoff software allows contractors and project managers to create a material takeoff and estimate the total costs of a project. Cost projections and project procedures are more accurate as a result. 

Q: Why is construction estimating software an improvement over manual estimating? 

A: Construction is one of the least digitized industries on the planet. With construction estimating software, your business can ditch manual ways of tracking estimates and store the data in the cloud. This can increase productivity and improve communication between contractors and buyers.

Joshua Stowers
business.com Staff
Joshua Stowers is a business.com and Business News Daily writer who knows firsthand the ups and downs of running a small business. An entrepreneur himself, Joshua founded the fashion and art publication Elusive Magazine. He writes about the strategic operations entrepreneurs need to launch and grow their small businesses. Joshua writes about choosing the choosing and building business legal structures, implementing human-resources services, and recruiting and managing talent.
Image Credit: Bogdanhoda / Getty Images
Back to Top
Back to Top