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The humble and lowly estimate, the quiet and critical piece of a complex puzzle that changes landscapes and skylines simply based on an intricate assembly of measurements and calculations. Before feet can hit the ground and changes commence, it is the estimate that pioneers every project. The estimate impacts the entire team, the total project and the experience as a whole. Estimators deserve methods and technology that allow them to operate efficiently while effectively delivering benefits to the whole business.

Slow and cumbersome takeoff and estimating processes — whether manual or disparate tools hitched together — can significantly hinder contractors’ bidding success. Such methods typically require redundancy of data entry and that can produce inaccuracies, miscommunication and wasted time, which is a set up for a losing bid and/or lost profit on a job that’s been won.

How can the upfront powerhouse of estimators be armored to win the battle of the bid? By streamlining processes and automating tasks with seamless construction software for takeoff and estimating. Contemporary software for construction estimating helps contractors be more efficient, increase accuracy, reduce costs and ultimately improve profitability.

Digital takeoff software allows estimators to simply import electronic plan files and thenperform point-and-click takeoffs on their computer screen quickly and accurately. This not only speeds up the process, but also eliminates the cost and hassle of working with bulky, expensive paper blueprints.

Mann’s Construction is using software to perform digital takeoff of electronic plans. Katrina Owens handles estimating and project management for the general construction firm based in Louisiana, and explains the company’s savings with software: We have reduced our takeoff time from two weeks to just four or five days now depending on the size of the job. And, the takeoffs are much more accurate. The software gives me a way to track every item that I takeoff, so, if I’m taking off concrete, I know every square inch of concrete I took off. There is no question of whether I picked it up in the estimate.

Contractors using digital takeoff software can typically complete bids up to 10 times fasterthan when using manual methods, while also ensuring precision, as well as equippingestimators to quickly measure the scope of work and changes to react on bid day withconfidence. The result is more bids in less time with greater accuracy and insight into how to negotiate to win work with profit margin.

See how the business reaps the ultimate benefit? Digital takeoff’s speed and accuracy are critical to bidding and executing jobs, as well as preventing cost overruns and increasing profitability.

Download eBook, “A Testament to the Estimate,” to learn more.