5 Best Construction Estimating Tools

What are estimating tools?

Construction estimating tools are software programs that help contractors calculate the projected cost of a construction project, including labor, materials, equipment and other job-related expenses. They automate the estimating process to improve accuracy, speed and consistency, allowing builders to create reliable bids and budget plans.

A construction estimator’s primary responsibility is to plan an entire construction project, including how long it will take and how much it will cost. While some professionals still rely on manual estimating methods, they leave too much room for error. Construction projects involve multiple variables that create unpredictability, making accuracy essential.

Modern construction estimating software leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve precision and streamline planning. As a result, more firms are turning to digital tools. In fact, according to Autodesk and Deloitte’s 2025 State of Digital Adoption in the Construction Industry, construction companies now use an average of 6.2 digital technologies, up 20 percent from the previous year.

With the right estimating tools in place, you can reduce guesswork, simplify budgeting and set your projects up for success from the start.

5 best construction estimating tools

The best construction estimating software gives construction professionals more control over project data and workflow. Here are five tools worth considering.

ProContractor by Trimble

ProContractor by Trimble (formerly Viewpoint) gives construction teams the tools to estimate costs, create bids and track spending all in one place. The software helps you break down the costs of materials, equipment and labor from the ground up, whether you’re working on underground excavation, plumbing and electric, or above-ground construction.

The platform supports CAD designs, making it easy to work directly with blueprints for faster, more accurate estimates. It also integrates with popular business tools, including the best accounting software and many of the best CRM software tools, so you can manage clients and keep your financials and project data in sync.

Here are some of ProContractor’s top features:

• Improved tracking to increase visibility and reduce risk
• Accurate reports and projections to help manage costs
• Communication tools that streamline processes and support team collaboration
• Real-time cost tracking to stay on top of spending and schedules
• Easy access to project data so you can make informed decisions quickly
• Mobile app that lets field teams view and update estimates on-site
• Digital blueprint integration for faster, more accurate takeoffs

You’ll need to contact the company for pricing, as it depends on team size and the features you need. As a general guide, many businesses spend between $5,000 and $15,000 per year.

PlanSwift

Looking for an easier way to generate estimates? PlanSwift takes much of the legwork out of construction estimating. Designed to save time, the software lets you build an estimate in just three steps:

1. Click areas of the floor plan to measure what you need, such as square footage or wall angles.
2. Drag and drop the required materials and labor.
3. Print your estimate or export it to Excel.

You can also customize PlanSwift for your specific trade or specialty, whether you’re a general contractor or you focus on flooring, electrical, drywall, HVAC, concrete, plumbing or landscaping.

Here are some of PlanSwift’s top features:

• Improved accuracy to support better project planning and reduce costly mistakes
• A user-friendly interface that helps you work faster with less manual input
• More precise estimates that support smoother operations and stronger profitability
• PDF and CAD file compatibility for quick and easy project imports
• Automatic calculations of areas, linear lengths and item counts

PlanSwift charges $2,000 for an annual subscription that includes training, updates and software. There’s also a free trial available. 

Clear Estimates

Clear Estimates helps you quickly determine project costs and turn estimates into proposals. As a cloud-based solution with mobile capabilities, you can build estimates in the office, on job sites or anywhere with an internet connection.

Clear Estimates is especially popular among residential contractors and remodelers because it includes built-in templates tailored for common home improvement projects. The software also provides a parts library with up-to-date pricing, a customer database and tools to create a wide range of reports. Clear Estimates integrates with business software you may already use, including CRM, CAD and accounting platforms.

Here are a few of Clear Estimates’ top features:

• Quick, accurate estimates
• Coverage for more than 400 areas throughout the U.S.
• More than 160 templates for typical construction jobs
• Real-time material pricing updates from major suppliers
• Customizable, professional proposal generation

Pricing ranges from $79 to $249 per month, with a 30-day free trial available and discounts for paying annually. The Pro plan at $119 per month is the most popular option for small to midsize contractors.

B2W

If you have a heavy construction business, B2W helps make estimating and bidding more efficient and profitable so you can get large projects moving quickly. The platform is built for civil construction and infrastructure work, making it a strong fit for companies involved in highways, bridges and large earthmoving projects. B2W also includes tools for scheduling and dispatching, business intelligence, equipment maintenance, fleet tracking and field data collection.

B2W supports a wide range of sectors, including specialty civil contracting, land and site development, energy and resources, transportation and utilities.

Here are some of B2W’s top features:

• Centralized resource databases, templates and cost structures
• Enterprise-grade performance with powerful review and analysis tools
• Easy integration with accounting and operations systems
• Options for hosting both in the cloud and on-premises servers
• Analyzes past project data to help improve the accuracy of future bids
• Collaboration features that make it easy for multiple team members to build estimates together

Custom pricing is available upon request. Enterprise implementations typically range from $25,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on company size and selected modules.

Sage Estimating

Sage Estimating offers one of the best pricing tools available to construction firms. The software has a database packed with thousands of materials, vendors, suppliers and subcontractors, allowing you to gather up-to-date pricing information quickly. This saves time and minimizes pricing errors to give you a better chance of winning bids.

As part of the Sage Construction Management suite, Sage Estimating works seamlessly with Sage 100 Contractor and Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate, so you can manage estimating, job costing and project workflows all in one place.

These are a few of Sage Estimating’s top features:

• Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
• Accurate data to save time
• Quick creation of presentation-quality reports
• RSMeans cost database integration for reliable material pricing
• 2D and 3D takeoff capabilities with BIM model support
• Automated assembly and formula calculations

You can request a custom quote from the vendor. Most companies spend between $7,500 and $20,000 for initial setup, with annual maintenance fees that typically run about 20 percent of the license cost.

Benefits of estimating tools

Construction estimating tools can play a significant role in growing your construction firm by improving accuracy, streamlining bids and supporting stronger project outcomes. Consider the following key benefits.

• Faster estimating and bidding: Digital estimating tools streamline the entire bidding process, helping you produce professional, consistent estimates faster and submit more bids with confidence. This can make a measurable difference in win rates. In fact, according to Autodesk’s State of Design & Make: Spotlight on Construction report, contractors with more advanced digital tools in place are 19 percent more likely than emerging firms and 37 percent more likely than beginners to achieve a bid win rate above 60 percent.
• Improves cost accuracy and reduces costly rework: Estimating tools help teams build clearer, more accurate estimates by pulling in real-time cost data and using consistent formulas. That means fewer surprises once work begins. It also helps prevent one of the industry’s biggest hidden costs — rework. For example, one study found that U.S. construction workers spend over 14 hours each week just dealing with avoidable issues like miscommunication, poor data and mistakes that lead to rework. When estimates are on point from the start, teams protect margins, avoid backtracking and keep projects moving forward as planned.
• Boosts visibility and control of project data: With so many stakeholders involved in a project, teams need a single source of truth for numbers, documents and cost assumptions. Estimating tools centralize this data so everyone works from the same, most up-to-date information. This matters because construction professionals typically spend an average of 13 hours per week searching for project data, while companies that embrace tech tools like estimating software spend two hours less, according to the Spotlight on Construction report cited above. A shared system eliminates version confusion and helps teams stay aligned from the first bid through closeout.
• Helps teams allocate resources more effectively: Better estimating improves how contractors plan labor, materials and equipment needs, which reduces waste, avoids over- or under-staffing and supports more profitable scheduling. With clearer visibility into project requirements before work begins, companies can sequence tasks more efficiently and keep jobs running smoothly rather than reacting to last-minute shortages or unexpected changes.
• Strengthens client confidence and profitability: Well-built estimates don’t just help internal operations — they also demonstrate credibility to clients. When clients see clear, detailed and transparent cost estimates, it builds trust, supports decision-making and reduces pricing disputes later. It also contributes to improved business performance. In fact, according to the Spotlight on Construction report, 82 percent of construction companies that use digital tools feel confident about their financial performance, compared to only 52 percent of organizations just getting started with tech options.

Cost of estimating tools

The cost of construction estimating tools varies widely based on your business size, feature needs and deployment method. Prices generally range from about $1,000 to $20,000 per year for small to midsize businesses, while enterprise-level solutions with advanced features and custom integrations can exceed $100,000 annually. Some providers charge per user, while others offer unlimited seats for a flat rate.

How the software is hosted also affects pricing. Estimating tools are available as either cloud-based or on-premises solutions. 

Cloud-based options have become increasingly popular because they’re easier to update, maintain and access from anywhere. In fact, according to Grand View Research, cloud deployments now make up more than half of the estimating software market, with the broader construction software industry projected to reach $23.9 billion by 2030 as cloud adoption continues to accelerate. 

On-premises software typically involves a larger upfront cost, while cloud tools are more likely to charge a monthly or annual subscription.

When evaluating costs, consider these additional factors:

• Training and onboarding expenses, which typically range from $500 to $5,000 depending on team size and customization needs
• Integration costs to connect the tool with your existing systems, such as project management or accounting software
• Ongoing support and maintenance fees, especially for providers that charge for premium or live support
• Potential hardware upgrades if you choose on-premises software or have older equipment that may not support newer systems