Five Things Contractors Should Look for When Buying Construction Estimating Software

When you hear the word “tools,” certain images probably come to mind: a hammer, a drill – maybe even a box of screws. But do you also think of your software?

As all contractors know, construction is a fast-paced industry where having the right tools can spell the difference between success and failure. You can’t wire a building without wire strippers, and a tape measure cannot be easily replaced by a ruler. Your construction estimating software is no different. You can’t expect to estimate efficiently if you’re using estimating software that hasn’t been optimized for contractors.

With such a myriad of estimating and takeoff software options available, the pressure to choose the best solution can be overwhelming. To help you navigate through the landscape of options, we’ve compiled five key factors to consider when buying estimating software.

One: Reliable Tech Support

Between troubleshooting issues, resolving bugs and providing guidance on software functionalities, responsive and knowledgeable technical support is truly an irreplaceable element when selecting software. Contractors should look for solutions that offer a number of different and responsive support channels, including:

• Phone support
• Live chat
• Email
• Online resources

These support channels should have quick response times, experience troubleshooting construction-specific challenges and be available during working hours.

Two: Training and Educational Sessions

To use software to its full capability, a contractor must have a comprehensive understanding of the system. To ensure this, contractors should look for software providers that offer ongoing training and education sessions. These educational opportunities will help users maximize the software’s potential.

From basic tutorials to advanced training modules, educational resources can empower a crew to use the software with confidence, leading to improved productivity and accuracy when completing an estimate and takeoff.

You might look for a company that provides on-site and remote training, with options for beginners, as well as deep dives for more seasoned estimating professionals.

Training courses should be taught by well-established members of the software company’s staff, and attendees should be offered educational materials they can keep, like workbooks, for additional practice.

Contractors should also consider whether the software provider offers ongoing training opportunities to keep users updated when new features are released. After all, what good is a new feature if you don’t know how to use it?

Three: All-In-One Takeoff and Estimating

Instead of using separate software for takeoff and estimating, contractors should seek out and invest in a comprehensive solution that consolidates all aspects of the bidding process. This can enable seamless data transfers between takeoff and estimating modules, eliminating double entry, minimizing errors and saving time.

Well-executed integrations also keep contractors from needing to purchase additional software, and often allow them to design-build in the same drawing.

Contractors should also look for features like:

• Trade-specific databases
• Built-in change order tracking
• Unlimited supplier price reports.

These elements will help to further ensure accuracy by tailoring the software to your specific project requirements.

Four: Frequently Updated

When a company is committed to software enhancement it will consistently update its product to meet ever-evolving industry standards. These upgrades help contractors remain competitive within their trades, without any additional work being added to the estimating process.

But regular updates do more than keep you on the technological forefront: they also address any software bugs or performance issues that may arise during the software’s use. Some common updates could include new features, expanded databases, integrated toggles to calculate using new or existing industry standards, integrations and additional options for items and assemblies.

Be sure to select software made by a company that actively seeks out and considers user feedback. When a company acts upon consumer feedback, the overall user experience is typically more enjoyable, sustainable, and efficient. It can also help ensure that the software remains relevant and competitive in the marketplace.

Five: Easy to Use

Contractors should look to invest in takeoff and estimating software that prioritizes and maintains an intuitive design. This makes it easier for a team to implement the software and learn the layout quickly.

Contractors might prioritize a system with simplified calculations and the ability to effortlessly add, save and store new items and assemblies. All-in-one software that makes it possible to translate the estimate into the bid and integrate the takeoff into the estimate can save time and eliminate time-consuming steps in the estimating process.

These elements will help to minimize the learning process for any new estimators.

Consider McCormick for Your Estimating Software Solution

With so many options available, choosing the right construction estimating software can be difficult. The solution you ultimately chose can have an impact on not only your project outcomes but also on your bottom line.

By prioritizing elements like reliable tech support, comprehensive training, integration capabilities, regular updates, and ease of use, you can give yourself the best shot of success with your new system.

Remember to thoroughly evaluate your options, seek out product demos and solicit feedback or case studies on current users before making a final decision. With the right estimating software in place, you can optimize efficiency, accuracy, and profitability across your projects.

McCormick is a single platform estimating and digital takeoff solution with all of these features and more. In addition to being an all-in-one solution, McCormick prides itself on offering industry-leading customer service and unlimited tech support, so users can optimize their system and win more profitable jobs.

Want to learn if McCormick is a good fit for your business? Check us out online and schedule a demo today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Construction Estimating Software

Is Construction Estimating Software Worth it for Smaller Contracting Businesses?

Yes — construction estimating software is worth it for smaller contracting businesses, and the return depends more on volume than revenue.

Even if you’re only estimating a handful of jobs, the time savings from automated takeoffs, pre-built assemblies and built-in cost databases can add up quickly. The more repetitive your bid types are — similar job sizes, consistent materials, recurring project structures — the faster the ROI.

That said, some platforms are built for only the largest operations and may not be the right fit for a smaller team. Look for software that offers pricing tiers scaled to smaller crews, a reasonable onboarding timeline and the ability to handle your current volume without locking you into features you don’t need yet.

Do I Need Trade-Specific Estimating Software, or Will a General Construction Platform Work?

For electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors, trade-specific software is the right choice — it almost always outperforms a general platform, and the difference comes down to the built-in database.

Trade-specific software comes pre-loaded with the labor units, materials and assemblies that match how your trade actually works — so instead of spending weeks building your own pricing structure from scratch, you’re estimating real jobs from day one.

McCormick is a strong example of what trade-specific looks like in practice. Built exclusively for electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors, it comes with a comprehensive database of thousands of items and assemblies, pre-populated labor units and pricing service compatibility.

What Should I Look for in Scalable Construction Estimating Software?

Scalable construction estimating software supports multi-user collaboration and maintains performance as project database size increases.

Scalability is key — the software that fits your business today should still serve it three to five years from now.

When evaluating platforms, look for whether it supports multiple users estimating simultaneously, whether the database can grow to handle larger and more complex trade projects, and whether there are hard limits on active jobs, assemblies or stored records.

Before committing, ask whether multiple estimators can work on different bids at the same time, and whether the database is large enough to support the more complex trade projects you want to pursue as you grow.

How Long Does it Take to Get Up and Running With New Estimating Software?

With the right software and structured onboarding, most contractors can run their first real estimate within a few weeks — though the exact timeline depends on two things:

1. How much training is built into the onboarding process
2. How trade-specific the software is out of the box

Software with structured onboarding — guided setup sessions, beginner tutorials and a pre-built cost database for your trade — gets you estimating real jobs quickly. Without those resources, the same software can take months before it replaces your existing process.

McCormick is built with onboarding speed in mind. Every new customer receives one-on-one training to learn the program and get the most out of it from the start. Once you’re up and running, unlimited tech support is available with average response times under 10 minutes — so you’re never waiting on hold mid-estimate.

Before you buy, ask whether the vendor offers live onboarding, reference materials you can use after training and ongoing sessions when new features are released.