What are the top-rated construction estimating software applications for small contractors or large builders in 2011? Which building cost software tools are most cost-effective? This article will try to give our readers simple answers and provide an easy to use guide for choosing a good construction cost estimating solution.
A construction estimate software program could integrate the functional modules of building costing, construction payroll, job costing, construction bidding, construction scheduling, subcontractor management, and project management. It can help a contractor or a builder easily estimate and schedule residential, commercial, heavy and road construction projects.
Top Construction Building Estimate Software Systems Download Lists
In 2011, the best construction estimating software programs include Clear Estimates, Bid4Build, Sage Timberline Office Construction Software, Viewpoint Construction Software, Quick Estimator, EasyEst Estimating, Planswift, and Goldenseal Construction Software.
Bid4Build may be the most fully-featured solution for construction estimating; EasyEst Estimating provides precise costing based on its clear construction scheduling module; Planswift is construction takeoff and estimating software that allows contractors to do calculations from house building plans; Clear Estimates is a SaaS construction cost estimating system that allows users to pay monthly with low initial costs; Sage Timberline Office construction software and Viewpoint Construction Software are heavy weights in the industry – they provides functions of accounting, project life cycle, estimating, and human resources for construction management.
How to Get a Best Cost-effective Construction Estimating Software Program? Comparison and Reviews
A commercial construction software program could cost thousands of US dollars. Sometimes a small contractor or a home builder may hesitate to buy it. On the other hand, the software industry has developed software as a service (SaaS) as a delivery model that allows builders to pay monthly without a high initial investment. For example, Clear Estimates provides a subscription model that allows a contractor to use it at a price of $59 per month (and $5 for the first month).
Is a SaaS construction estimate system cheaper than a traditional estimating software application? No. In a long-term view, a SaaS solution could be more expensive than an estimating program. For example, a user should pay a total of $1,421 after two-year subscriptions for Clear Estimates, while he can pay $1,311 for buying a discount Bid4Build Complete Edition. But SaaS could provide other benefits, which should be considered before choosing a right construction estimate software program. These benefits include:
- The monthly price of a SaaS construction system covers free customer supports, which will have to remain at high standards for keeping users.
- A user will not have to pay a high initial price for using the software; and he can terminate the service any time he or she wants.
Sometimes a contractor may be looking for a cheaper or free solution. In this circumstance, he or she can choose a free or open source construction software package that includes the functional module of cost estimating. Please see the article Best Free Construction Business Software Review: Top Building Scheduling Estimating Accounting Programs Comparison for details.
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Chen Nanyang - Chen Nanyang's journalist career began in 2002 when he started writing for China's Nanfang City News, Singapore's United Morning Post and ...
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