Construction take-offs are vital to a company’s ability to make accurate bids, develop cost analysis, plan for projects and highlight spending and purchasing needs.
Traditional pen and paper take-offs require a significant amount of time. The handling and processing of large amounts of data from numerous sources, organising this data and then undertaking takeoffs can take many hours.
Though many professionals continue to use methods it is easy to see how human error can occur.
Shortfalls in estimating and being unable to appropriately account for spending can hamper projects and cause delays.
Whether you are a subcontractor or a large building company, delays and overruns will only hurt your bottom line and your company’s reputation.
It is for this reason many companies have adopted cost estimating software such as Cubit pro and MudShark for earthworks.
The most powerful of this software will use on-screen takeoffs as it is faster and quicker to estimate within the systems.
BIM and 3D modelling allow for a more vivid and clear picture of all the components of a building project. Estimators and other stakeholders can easily see and navigate through bills of quantities and other cost factors in a project.
Let’s look a little further into how onscreen take-offs can help you optimise your business process.
Speed and efficiency:
As already mentioned, on-screen takeoff software will speed up and improve estimates. This allows construction companies the ability to bid on more jobs with more accurate estimates.
You can highlight to decision-makers cost breakdowns, labour and material needs and do this all on an advanced system.
Time and resources saved on estimating and bidding can be used elsewhere in your company. This allows you more time to focus on the hands-on aspects of your business, improving both areas.
Better organisation:
If you are a commercial builder or vying for a new project, chances are you will be dealing with multiple contractors, suppliers and other decision-makers who will have their plans and pathways.
Take-off software such as Cubit Pro can import numerous file types, from images to blueprints, CAD and image files.
Having all your information stored in one location including contact details and price lists will ensure better organisation within your company.
Use previous plans and ideas to quickly measure the scope of work of projects and provide accurate details to your clients.
Take-off software eliminates the need for offices full of folders, paperwork and missed communications.
Cost reduction:
Hiring professional help or using outside resources to develop your bill of quantities and take-offs costs your business money.
Although with trust in your building estimators, mistakes can be made, and inaccurate bids produced.
If this occurs, then you will not only lose the bid but also the money you have spent generating the bid.
Accurate and faster bidding will ensure that you improve your chances of winning bids. Cubit Pro and other takeoff software allows you to do this.
You have numerous options:
A one size fits all approach does not work on construction projects and the same is true for take-off software.
There are multiple choices, giving you the freedom to pay for what will work best for your company.
MudShark for example is designed for earthworks while the Cubit range has various access and price packages for different building company sizes and needs.
You need powerful fully functioning software that works for your business.
Check out the range from Buildsoft and see which take-off software is right for you.
Building take-off software when used correctly can only optimise your business for success, but what should your take-off software have for the right optimisation?
What your take-off software needs:
Automation:
Using digital tools that lack automation is pointless. In this way, you are only receiving half the benefit. Automation increases accuracy and speed.
The smart take-off software lets you visually see where each piece is located, the quantities required and adjustments that can be made.
Ensure your take-off software has automation capabilities.
Support:
What kind of support is offered by your onscreen take-off software choice?
To fully optimise your business, it’s important to understand the tools that you are using to do this.
Will there be training and after purchase support?
Can you ask questions about the product?
Is the software continually updated and changed as needed?
These are all important factors to consider when choosing on-screen take-off software.
Choose a company which believes in their software and what they are offering you.
Continued support allows you to learn all about the functions of the take-off software and how best to use it for your business’s future.
Making the right choice:
If you have decided to go with takeoff software from Buildsoft, contact the team today.
We can provide a trial period in which you can use the software without any risks, and we can detail and explain its powerful capabilities and what it can do for your business.
