Effective bidding lays the foundation of the construction business. And everyone connected to the construction sphere in any way is fully aware of its intricacies. The process as a whole consists of multifaceted operations, from simple to complex. Do you know what is vital for an effective bidding process? It’s none other than the cost estimation. Only the real contractor and project manager know the value of accurate cost estimation.
To satisfy the quest for accuracy in concrete cost estimation, IT plays a paramount role. Advanced IT solutions have revolutionized the manual material takeoff to digital takeoffs. Therefore, estimating companies now provide digital takeoffs using modern tools. All this eventually replaced the old paper blueprints.
Many cost-estimating companies in the USA have adopted new tools and integrated estimation software. Whereas, some are still in confusion about whether they should rely on digital systems or not. Well, for all those building contractors, this blog is going to be a blessing in disguise. We will be giving the three most compelling reasons for integrating modern tools.
Technology Tools: A Tough Sell for Some Contractors
Conventional estimating techniques are rooted deeply in construction. Even some estimating companies are still not willing to stop practicing them. In the past, concrete cost estimators made spreadsheets—not a single one but several. Making a spreadsheet isn’t the worst practice itself, though. However, the last-minute changes in the agenda now go in their favor. It takes a lot of time to manually rearrange and correct things at once. It takes considerable time to do so. Therefore, we say digital estimating software and tools are perfect for this purpose.
But the truth is, that contractors still hesitate to invest their time and money in modern tools. And even if they do so, the portion they invest in is very small. Moreover, they lack the training for using and integrating these digital tools for takeoff estimates. Instead, they find it easy to use blueprints and colored pencils to quantify and create takeoffs.
According to the 2021 ConTech Report, 60.9% of estimating companies still prefer spreadsheets. Likewise, 3% of all construction companies do not use any dedicated software. Don’t these analytics seem stressful to you? Why choose a tough and lengthy method when we have better and more effective technology available? It isn’t recommended at all to keep avoiding modern tools just because of their perplexities.
Integrated Tools: Your Time and Money Saver
Traditional mechanisms lack file management and sharing utilities. Therefore, the contractors face difficulty when collaborating with others on construction takeoff estimates. They add an extra effort when they print several sheets and send them to others. Likewise, struggling with email files is another daunting and time-wasting event here. Usual emailing systems have size and attachment limitations from their server side. So, whenever you exceed the limit in any way, the mail doesn’t send. Thus, it can cause a severe pre-construction speed bump.
However, advanced IT solutions bring ease to an estimator’s life and add accuracy to tasks delivered. They also make it convenient to work on, visually show, or explain their takeoff to other coworkers. Overall, integrated tools boost contractor efficiency. Discover why you should invest in them with these examples.
Beat the Competition
Contractors can work smartly with laptop-based project management. Integrated tools simplify changes, resulting in accurate pricing and efficient management. The cost estimation companies can track, assemble, and summarize things swiftly. Thus, they can confer a competitive advantage. Additionally, integrated tools make modifications easier throughout the design and preconstruction phases. Digital tools offer customizable libraries and ease last-minute adjustments.
Enhance Bid Accuracy
Initiating a new project bid or budget becomes more manageable when you establish databases. It helps you to consolidate material pricing, production rates, and other essential data. Thus, it eliminates the need to search through spreadsheets. Considering the repetitive nature of many contractor tasks, the ability to retrieve information with a simple click proves to be a good advantage.
Track Productivity for Profit Protection
Numerous change orders might result in additional effort and rework. It inevitably results in cost overruns, which can turn gains into losses. By enabling real-time monitoring of worker productivity, hours, and costs, integrated tools provide a solution. They make it possible to fix overages right away. Additionally, they make it simple to give alternative cost estimates for any goods the customer would choose to add or leave out.
Challenge Yourself: Venture Beyond Your Tech Comfort Zone!
Intriguingly, resistance to adopting technology often arises from construction professionals who have a deep affection for their mobile devices. They rely on them for constant connectivity while on the move. They couldn’t fathom a life without these gadgets. On the flip side, some contractors eagerly experiment with cutting-edge materials but stubbornly stick to traditional estimation methods when it comes to critical bidding scenarios.
No matter how you are connected to the vast construction estimating industry, the argument goes in favor of embracing digital technology. Digital techniques promote the integration of estimating software. Cost estimation for concrete projects becomes amazingly accurate by using advanced IT tools. Those who employ these tools often highlight the benefits of increased speed, accuracy, and a rapid return on investment. Even more compellingly, they’ll tell you that enhanced predictability in construction timelines can lead to significant cost savings.
Therefore, Constructem has integrated modern software for their cost estimation. Also, we encourage others to leave their comfort zone and try something new with modern IT solutions. Anyone who wants to do effective bidding can blindly trust our estimated quality. Our digital takeoff estimates are always authentic and accurate.
