Accurate estimates win more jobs and protect your margin
Most contractors underestimate jobs because they estimate from memory rather than measured data captured on site. Overestimates lose jobs to competitors who bid lower. The right estimating software solves both problems by capturing scope on site and applying accurate calculations automatically.
The problem with estimating from memory
When a contractor drives home from a site visit and builds an estimate from memory, they miss things. A room measurement is off. A material quantity is estimated too low. A labor type is forgotten. These errors compound across dozens of jobs and result in either losing bids or losing money on the jobs that are won. Estimating software that is used on site — where you can see the job — eliminates these errors.
What trade-specific estimating software does differently
Generic estimating software gives you a blank spreadsheet with a few default categories. Trade-specific software knows what questions to ask for each job type. A roofing estimate needs pitch factor and layer count. A cabinet estimate needs linear feet by cabinet type. A landscaping estimate needs zone-by-zone square footage. Software built for your trade captures the right data automatically.
How AI estimating works
AI estimating software takes the measurements and scope you capture during a site walkthrough and generates accurate quantity takeoffs automatically. Waste factors are applied based on the work type. Material quantities are calculated from your measurements. Labor hours are estimated from your configured rates. The estimate is generated in seconds rather than hours.
Protecting your margin with accurate estimates
The most important function of estimating software is protecting your margin. An estimate that is 10 percent low on a $50,000 job costs you $5,000. Across 20 jobs a year, that is $100,000 in lost margin from estimating errors. Software that calculates quantities accurately from measured data eliminates this systematic error.
From estimate to proposal without rekeying data
The best estimating software connects directly to your proposal tool. The quantities and line items from your estimate flow directly into the proposal without manually copying numbers from one system to another. This eliminates transcription errors and saves significant time on every job.
Accurate estimates from on-site measurements
BidForeman calculates quantities automatically from your walkthrough data. Starting at $249/mo.
Get Started — $249/mo