Accurate estimates win jobs. These are the tools contractors use to build them faster.
Estimating is where construction projects are won or lost. Bid too high and you lose the job. Bid too low and you lose money. The right estimating software helps you price accurately, present professionally, and win more of the jobs you actually want.
The challenge: "estimating software" means different things depending on your trade and project type. A custom homebuilder estimating a $800K renovation has completely different needs than a commercial GC bidding a $10M office tenant improvement.
| Software | Price | Best For | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buildertrend | $499–$1,099/mo | Residential builders & remodelers | All-in-one PM + estimating |
| JobTread | $99–$499/mo | Small GCs and remodelers | All-in-one PM + estimating |
| Procore Estimating | Custom pricing | Commercial GCs | Add-on module |
| PlanSwift | ~$1,595/yr per seat | GCs needing dedicated takeoff | Standalone takeoff & estimating |
| Bluebeam Revu | ~$440/yr per seat | Takeoff & document markup | Standalone (PDF-based) |
Pricing: Included in all plans ($499–$1,099/mo)
Buildertrend's estimating module is purpose-built for residential construction. You can build cost templates, apply markup at the category or line-item level, and convert approved estimates directly into project budgets — no re-entering data.
The integration between estimate and project is where Buildertrend shines. Change an estimate line? It flows through to the budget. Get a change order? Same workflow. For residential builders, this end-to-end integration is more valuable than a standalone estimating tool.
Buildertrend — Integrated estimating built specifically for residential construction.
Visit Buildertrend →Pricing: $99–$499/mo (included)
JobTread's estimating covers the essentials: line-item costs, markup, proposal generation, and client approval. It's not as feature-rich as Buildertrend's module, but the UI is cleaner and easier for new users to learn. For a small remodeling company or GC, it's often all you need.
Pricing: ~$1,595/year per seat (Trimble subscription)
PlanSwift is a dedicated digital takeoff tool used by estimators to measure quantities directly from PDF plans. You import the drawings, use measurement tools (linear, area, count), and the quantities flow into a cost spreadsheet. It integrates with Excel and several estimating databases.
Best for: Commercial estimators doing plan-based takeoff who need dedicated measurement tools beyond what all-in-one platforms offer.
Pricing: Core ~$260/yr · Complete ~$350/yr · eXtreme ~$440/yr per seat
Bluebeam is primarily a PDF markup and collaboration tool, but its quantity takeoff capabilities make it useful for estimators as well. Many commercial GCs use Bluebeam for plan review and markup, then do cost assembly in a separate tool. It's especially useful when multiple people need to mark up and comment on the same drawings.
If you're a residential builder or remodeler, an all-in-one platform like Buildertrend or JobTread is usually better — the integration between estimate and project saves significant time. If you're a commercial GC doing complex plan-based takeoff, a dedicated tool like PlanSwift combined with your PM platform gives you more precision.
Takeoff is the process of measuring quantities from drawings (linear feet of framing, square feet of drywall, number of fixtures). Estimating applies unit costs to those quantities to build a total cost. Some tools only do takeoff; others do both.
Yes — Procore has an estimating module, but it's available as a separate add-on module and carries additional cost on top of your base subscription. Many Procore customers use it alongside dedicated estimating tools for complex bids.