Nearly 40 years ago, Microsoft created the first version of excel. This was a landmark moment for construction estimation practices. Instead of drafting estimates on paper, calculating costs manually, and keeping track of those sheets of paper, construction estimators could now house data in one spot, and calculate costs at a rapid pace.
If you didn’t adopt excel estimating software during this time, your competition would have taken your piece of the proverbial pie (market share) fast, so it was quickly adopted as the industry standard. However, we are now 40 years past this point, and many contractors are still utilizing excel to bid on projects.
So, should Excel still be the go-to for estimating, or has it reached its limits in 2024? Let’s dive in and explore whether it's still the best option for construction professionals.
Is Excel Still Relevant?
The quick answer is yes. Excel can still be used to complete construction estimates on small, and large construction projects. In fact, many construction companies still utilize excel estimating software. However, being relevant doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best.
The transition from paper to Excel was a game-changer, but the landscape has evolved again. The demands of modern construction projects—requiring increased accuracy, speed of quote production, and software integrations—are pushing many to reconsider if Excel is still the optimal choice, and for good reason.
Problems With Excel Estimating Software
There are many problems that can come from using excel as your primary construction estimation software. Here are just a few.
Data Entry Errors - One Extra Decimal Can...
One of the largest pitfalls of using excel estimation software is the potential for human error. A single misplaced decimal, incorrect formula, or extra zero can drastically alter an estimate. Unlike specialized construction estimation software, Excel won’t automatically flag these discrepancies or missing data, leaving it up to you, the user, to catch mistakes.
It’s Time Consuming.
Setting up all your templates and formulas, manually entering data, and cross-referencing material and labor costs from other sources can be very tedious and time-consuming. When every project requires it’s unique estimate, the repetitive nature of these tasks in Excel will slow you down, and make it difficult to respond quickly to client inquiries and changes in project scope.
It’s Not Specific to Construction
Excel is not designed, or optimized for construction-specific tasks. In fact, it’s not technically designed for any specific industry. It is a blank canvas that you have to create and shape to your needs. While you can create your complex spreadsheets and formulas to handle construction estimates, they will lack the intuitive interfaces, real-time updates, and industry-specific features that dedicated construction estimating software offers.
What is Construction Estimation Software?
Excel estimating software wasn’t designed with the specific needs of construction estimation in mind. Construction estimating software, on the other hand, is purpose-built to handle the unique challenges and needs of the construction industry.
It’s important to note that the majority of construction estimation software's on the market are actually just Excel-based software's with a nice glossy coat of UI slapped on. These are not the programs we are talking about.
True construction estimating software is built from the ground up to support the workflows, accuracy, and scale that the construction estimators need. This fundamental difference between the two software types makes a massive impact on efficiency, accuracy, and overall project management.
Bolster: The Next Generation of Construction Estimation
While Excel has been the go-to estimation tool for decades, the construction industry has evolved, and so have its needs and best practices. This is where Bolster, your new favorite tool, comes in.
Bolster is not just another excel styled estimating software coated in a nice paint; it’s an end-to-end solution designed by contractors, for contractors. Bolster was built from the ground up, with the specific needs of construction professionals in mind. Each tool and feature is designed to make estimating and project management faster, more accurate, and easier to manage.
Whether you’re working on small residential projects or large-scale commercial developments, Bolster is designed to scale with you, and ensure you always have the tools you need to stay ahead of the competition.
Built With Speed and Simplicity at Its Core
Bolster turns your estimation process into a seamless, stress-free experience, ensuring that you can nail every estimate, every time. Our patented software streamlines your entire estimation process from start to finish.
Our customer success team helps develop customized estimate templates for your most common jobs. You’ll just need to input the project dimensions, and Bolster will draw on a spider web of all of your material, labor, subcontractor pricing to instantly generate accurate, beautiful quotes that are ready to present to your clients in minutes. Check out how the finalized proposals can look below.
With Bolster, there's no need to spend hours on spreadsheets or back-and-forth trips to the office touching up, or recalculating quotes. Whether you're creating the estimate yourself or passing it to a team member, Bolster is so intuitive that anyone on your team could produce a detailed, accurate quote specific to your business easily.
Accuracy You Can Count On
One of Bolster's newest, and most powerful features is the AutoCost system. With AutoCost, you get access to live market pricing for over 25,000 construction items, specific to your zip code and vendors. This feature, combined with your own pricing data, ensures that your estimates are always spot-on, and you don’t have to constantly check vendor pricing sheets.
Beyond material costs, Bolster has lot’s of built-in safeguards. If something seems off—like those extra zero’s or a misplaced decimals, it will be automatically flagged for review before you finalize the quote.
Bolster Goes Far Beyond Estimation
At its core, Bolster’s easy to use interface, and estimation capabilities make it stand out, but it doesn't stop there. It is loaded with other features and tools that extend beyond just estimating, and make it the true, all-in-one solution that construction pros need.
Integrated CRM System
Bolster has a built-in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) pipeline to ensure that all client interactions are housed in one spot, and organized. With a simple and intuitive interface, you get a comprehensive view of your entire project pipeline, and all client communications throughout the projects.
Seamless Payment and Financing Solutions
With Bolster, you can also simplify your payment collections process. The platform includes integrated payment and financing options that allow clients to pay you directly through the estimate itself. You get faster payments, and your clients get convenience.
Accounting Software Integrations
Bolster seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks - a simple but powerful solution if you’re already using the platform. This means no more double data entry and a reduction of errors in financial reporting.
Step Into The Future With Bolster
The needs of the construction industry will always evolve, and you need to have the right tools to move with it. Excel estimating software's served their purpose well for decades, but today's fast-paced, accuracy-driven market demands a tool that meets the needs of modern construction estimating.
With its speed, precision, and industry-specific features, Bolster not only streamlines the estimation process but also enhances every aspect of your project management. So why stick to the outdated methods just because they were the norm 40 years ago, when you can turbocharge your operations with Bolster?
Book a demo with our team today to learn more and see firsthand how Bolster can launch your construction business into the future.
