Questions? Give Us a Call
(678) 940-6433

Top 3 Ways to Make Project Estimations Faster

Top 3 Ways to Make Project Estimations Faster

Keep up with the latest from CCR-Mag.com

Fill out the form Below

Home › Vendor News › Top 3 Ways to Make Project Estimations Faster

For most builders, time is of the essence. With multiple projects on the go, each with their own moving parts, finding ways to speed up processes can have a big impact on efficiency and overall profitability.  
Previously, one of the most time-consuming tasks has been estimating the cost of building projects. However, with the increasing availability of digital tools, it no longer needs to be the laborious task it once was. With the right building estimating software in place, you can produce estimates up to five times faster than doing it manually, freeing up time for other high-value tasks.   
Here we look at the top three ways that building estimating software can help you estimate faster and more accurately.  

  1. Taking time off takeoffs

To estimate a project accurately, you’ll need to develop a comprehensive list of all the materials you’re going to use and the associated costs. Also known as a ‘takeoff’, this process is vital, and if you get it wrong, you could run the risk of either underquoting and losing money or quoting too high and pricing yourself out.   
Before estimation software, takeoffs were produced manually, requiring significant time, skill and experience to quote accurately. Material lists and quantities were worked out from paper plans, with measurements taken with a scale ruler. You’d then need to speak to various suppliers to work out the material costs for each item.  This all made the process painfully slow, and potentially inaccurate, but the introduction of software has changed the game forever. 
Now, it’s possible to upload your plans to software and easily take measurements using digital tools. It then uses this information to automatically create a list of the exact materials required. Once you’re happy, the software then assigns costs to each item from its cost database, or it can connect directly with your preferred supplier for a live price list.  

  1. Streamline repeatable jobs

One of the best ways to save time on cost estimations is to use templates from previous jobs. If you’re working digitally, you can access an entire back catalogue of job history. It means that when it comes to repeat business or a job that’s similar in size or scale, reusable templates save you the trouble of creating a new one each time.  
Information can still be easily changed or tailored to your particular project, but it means there’s no need to repeat all the work. A checklist-style approach also ensures that no item gets missed, making your estimates as accurate as possible.  

  1. Collaborating with suppliers

One of the most time-consuming tasks for a builder is the back and forth with suppliers when pricing up a job, especially if plans are amended, items are missed, or prices change. 
However, when you have up-to-date supplier price catalogues automatically integrated into your building estimating software, you can drastically cut the time needed, and send a quote to your customer within hours, rather days or weeks. Those days of multiple phone calls, internet searches and waiting for prices and quotes are long gone! 
It’s even possible to use ‘supplier recipes’, where SKUs (or items) are grouped together to create a packaged component, making ordering faster, and reducing the chances of you forgetting something. For example, a door recipe could include door jambs, hinges and lockset, all available in one click. 
These automated functions are a lifesaver for builders on the go. Using estimating software like Buildxact can help you streamline your entire estimating process, from doing takeoffs to creating estimates and sending out professional quotes. Not only will tools like Buildxact increase accuracy, but they’ll also save you time. Time that you can either spend on other jobs or with the family. 
 

Events

Read more BELOW

 

The 2024 virtual Men’s Round Table will be held Q4, 2024, date TBD.

2024 Virtual Men’s Round Tables

2023 Virtual Men’s Round Table was held on November 7th, 2023 via Zoom.


 

2024 Virtual Women’s Round Table

2023 Women’s Round Table #1 was held on October 20th, 2023 via Zoom

News

Meijer brings its neighborhood store concept to Ohio

Meijer is expanding its smaller-format Fairfax Market banner beyond its home state of Michigan with the opening of a 40,000-square-foot store in Cleveland that offers more than 2,000 products from local vendors. Progressive Grocer

Supplements/Podcast
See Website for Details

This content (including text, artwork, graphics, photography, and video) was provided by the third party(ies) as referenced above. Any rights or other content questions or inquiries should be directed such third-party provider(s).

Receive the CCR 2024 Idustry Report

Get ahead of your Competitors with CCR's FREE Industry Insider's Report 2024!

Always stay two steps ahead of your Competitors. Stay informed with the latest in the Industry. 

This site uses cookies to ensure that you get the best user experience. By choosing “Accept” you acknowledge this and that ccr-mag.com operates under the Fair Use Act. Find out more on the Privacy Policy & Terms of Use Page