Construction estimating software is computer software designed for contractors to estimate construction costs for a specific project. A contractor will typically use estimating software to estimate his bid price for a project owner, which will ultimately become part of a resulting construction contract. Some architects and engineers may also use estimating softare, but usually only to provide a budgetary cost estimate to an owner prior to construction.

Typical Software Features

* Item or Activity List: All estimating software applications will include a main project window that outlines the various items or activities that will be required to complete the specified project. More advanced programs are capable of breaking an item up into subtasks, or sublevels. An outline view of all of the top-level and sub-level items provides a quick and easy way to view and navigate through the project.

* Resource Costs: Resources consist of labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, trucking, and any other cost detail items. Labor and equipment costs are internal crew costs, whereas all other resource costs are received from vendors, such as material suppliers, subcontractors, and trucking companies. Labor costs are usually calculated from wages, benefits, burden, and workers compensation. Equipment costs are calculated from purchase price, taxes, fuel consumption, and other operating expenses.

* Item or Activity Detail: The detail to each item includes all of the resources required to complete each activity, as well as their associated costs. Production rates will automatically determine required crew costs.

* Calculations: Most estimating programs have built-in calculations ranging from simple length, area, and volume calculations to complex industry-specific calculations, such as electrical calculations, utility trench calculations, and earthwork cut and fill calculations.

* Markups: Every program will allow for cost mark-ups ranging from flat overall mark-ups to resource-specific mark-ups, mark-ups for general administrative costs, and bonding costs.

* Detailed Overhead: Indirect costs, such as permits, fees, and any other overall project costs can be spread to project items.

* Closeout Window: Many estimating programs include a screen for manually adjusting bid prices from their calculated values.

* Reporting: Project reports typically include proposals, detail reports, cost breakdown reports, and various charts and graphs.

* Exporting: Most software programs can export project data to other applications, such as spreadsheets, accounting software, and project management software.

* Job History: Storing past projects is a standard feature in most estimating programs.

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