What Is the Best Construction Estimating Software for You?

Are you on the hunt for construction estimating software?Implementing construction estimating software is a smart move. According to reports, the construction industry is slow to adopt new technologies. If you choose the right construction cost estimating software, this can help you forge ahead of your competitors. However, it's essential that you choose the best construction estimating software. Otherwise, you might end up throwing money at a tool that doesn't bring value to your business and which your staff doesn't want to adopt. You could also waste valuable time setting it up and customizing it, only to find that it doesn't serve your needs. Instead, keep reading to find out what features to look for when hunting for the best construction estimating software for your business. 

CRM Features

One of the important things to look for in construction cost estimating software is CRM features. Stand-alone construction estimation software that doesn't have built-in CRM features might create more work for you and allow customers to slip through the gaps. Ultimately, you want to be able to manage customer relationships right alongside their estimates. Siloing these two functions makes no sense. Failing full CRM features, you can also opt for residential construction estimating software that also allows for integrations with CRM software.

Interactive Estimates

One of the most important things we think you should have in your residential or heavy construction estimating software is interactive estimates. Currently, Bolster is the only tool that has this. In our opinion, this makes it the best construction estimating software on the market. Our interactive estimates allow you to give your clients different finish options to choose from. They can swap finish choices in and out, and see the estimate totals change in real time. There are a few advantages to this. For one, it encourages clients to engage with their quote actively and puts them in the driver's seat.Having your clients able to make changes to their estimates also saves you time. With regular estimates, you can easily waste hours updating and modifying estimates as your client refines their decisions. With interactive estimates, clients can do this in their own time, right within their estimate. This means less back and forth, more control for the client, and less wasted time for the contractor.

Visual Estimates

Another vital thing to vet for is visual estimates. Most traditional estimates consist of a bunch of line items with a total at the end. This doesn't give the client any kind of visual on their finished product. It also doesn't get them excited about what their new bathroom, kitchen, or patio is going to look like. Who wants to drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on a project, without really knowing what it's going to look like?With Bolster, you can add images to your line items. These will automatically populate in your estimates, giving your clients an instant visual of their project. Not only does this get clients excited about the end result, but it also sets you apart from the competition. Imagine you want to renovate your kitchen, and you get three estimates. Two are just long lists of line items, and one is interactive and populated with product images. Which one is going to stand out to you?

Intuitive Use

Did you know that 35.9% of construction employees are hesitant to try new technology? It doesn't matter if you've got the best construction estimating software ever invented—if it's hard to use, it's probably a waste of money. If you can't get your staff to buy in and start using an application, it doesn't matter how good it is. Therefore, make sure you choose construction estimating software that's intuitive and simple to use. Here at Bolster, we know how important intuitive use is. We come from a construction background and we know the struggles. That's why we designed CostCertified to be something anybody can set up.Once setup is complete, CostCertified is as easy to use as an Ipad.

Time-Saving

Besides being easy to use, cost estimating software should also save time. If a tool is eating up extra hours of your day, it's not doing its job. Cost estimating software should streamline your estimating and sales process. This is why we have done everything we can to make sure that Bolstersaves time at every corner during and after estimate creation. Because of this, users generally find that they can create estimates in a quarter of the time (or less) with Bolster. Some of our features that help save you time are easy markups and area assemblies. Area assemblies allow you to group items commonly used together for certain projects. These saved groupings can be used again and again in different estimates. Besides this, we also save you time after you send off the invoice. With one-click online estimate approval, clients can virtually sign and approve your estimates from anywhere. Instead of having to arrange in-person meetings to sign PDFs, you can simply check your Bolster dashboard to see which clients have approved their estimates. 

Features That Make You Stand Out From the Competition

When looking for the best construction estimating software, one of the most important things to consider is whether a tool will make you stand out from the competition. For instance, how will your estimates look next to competitors'? Will the tool allow you to get estimates to clients quicker? 

Are You Looking for the Best Construction Estimating Software?

Deciding which construction estimating software to use for your business is an important decision. If you pick the wrong tool, you will waste money and precious time setting it up. What's more, if it's producing antiquated, static estimates, this could be costing you clients and projects. Bolster is intuitive to use. It's also incredibly time-saving and transforms the estimate experience for clients. It will make you stand out from the crowd like no other construction estimating software. Do you want to test out Bolster? Contact us for a free trial to witness America's best construction estimating software in action.