Bids and successful projects hinge on accurate estimations, and in today’s market, effective budgets are more important than ever. Getting material, equipment and labour costs right is a large factor in mitigating risks of delays or budget blowouts, and every project requires many calculations and details.
Before, this meant many hours and keeping track of dozens of separate calculations, design documents and material lists. Now, construction estimating software in Australia means your trade business can streamline, save and share the estimating process. So, here are our picks for the best construction estimating software in Australia.
Overview of the Best Construction Estimating Software in Australia
Aroflo
Founded in Australia for Australian and New Zealand trade businesses, AroFlo is the all-in-one solution for quoting, estimating, customer management and more.
AroFlo is the best construction estimating software for every step in your business’s journey, from very small teams to large operations. Our features scale with your needs, and they’re all accessible from one AroFlo Premium subscription, with no ascending tiers or ‘premium plus’: all businesses receive the same great features.
Offering integrations from suppliers, accounting, payments and safety/compliance partners, AroFlo’s construction estimating software covers all your bases. Our help guides cover everything you need to get started and explain each feature step-by-step. Need more support or have an issue? Our Australian-based support team is here to help with phone support, email and chat.
Even better, AroFlo offers free integration with estimation powerhouse GroundPlan, so all the vital information, calculations and details you’ve collected can be shared seamlessly. Connect all the best features of AroFlo with the capabilities of GroundPlan to effortlessly organise and collaborate, from the planning stage to supplier connections and producing project invoices.
Cost
Starter, 3+ Users: $70 per user/month
Medium, 10+ Users: $65 per user/month
Large, 30+ Users: $60 per user/month
Enterprise, 50+ Users: Contact for custom pricing
AroFlo offers a 14-day trial for AroFlo Premium, with no hidden costs and a 30-day cancellation policy.
Integrations
- GroundPlan
- MYOB
- Xero
- QuickBooks
- Stripe
- eWay
- Square
- Braintree
- Master Electricians Australia
- NECA
- Zapier
- Asana
- Slack
- And many more!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great support team
- Cloud-based
- Australian-based
- Streamlined estimating
- Highly customisable
- Easy-to-Use
- Send and accept quotes digitally
- Many integrations
- Straightforward pricing
Cons:
- Some user-suggested features are still in development
Buildxact
Founded in Australia, Buildxact is one of our picks for the best construction estimating software for its integrated tools and options to streamline your takeoffs.
Buildxact’s pricing plans and bundled features offer a great starting point for small teams or solo contractors who want to streamline their construction estimating in Australia. Their features also scale as your business grows, offering higher-tier plans and job management software for larger teams.
Buildxact offers a help centre, webinars, chat, email, and phone support for businesses to get the most out of their construction estimating software.
Cost
Entry, 1-User: $179 a month, plus $62 per additional user/month
Discount of $338 on annual cost when paid upfront.
Pro, 2-Users: $309 a month, plus $74 per additional user/month
Discount of $613 on annual cost when paid upfront.
Teams, 4-Users: $479 a month, plus $84 per additional user/month
Discount of $939 on annual cost when paid upfront.
All plans require an annual commitment.
Demos and a 14-day trial are available.
Integrations
- Xero
- MYOB
- QuickBooks
- Deputy
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Order Lists
- Streamlined Estimating
- Easy-to-Use
- Australian Team
- Great Support
Cons:
- No purchase orders
- Locked into an annual plan
RIB CostX
Once known as CostX, RIB CostX combines a wide variety of robust features into one package. It’s an all-in-one platform for estimating, takeoffs and reports. It specialises in takeoffs from 2D and 3D design models and can integrate both. It mostly benefits large businesses, especially those dealing in highly complex construction projects.
RIB CostX does offer a cloud-based option as an upgrade to its base plans and part of its Complete plan.
Cost
Contact for pricing, free trial available.
Integrations
- Excel
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Streamlined Takeoffs
- Digital Estimating
- Carbon Offset
- Auto-revisions
- Cloud-based
Cons:
- Cloud is extra for base plans
- PC Only
- Limited Integrations
Cordell Estimator
Part of the CoreLogic umbrella, Cordell Estimator is some of the best construction estimating software in Australia, thanks to CoreLogic’s history in the construction and survey sector. Cordell Estimator combines industry expertise with a friendly user experience, designed for contractors, surveyors and designers in Australia.
With complimentary ongoing support and training from the CoreLogic team, Cordell Estimator is a great pick for businesses that need extra help onboarding new construction estimation software.
This access has a high price premium, so it’s not the most budget-friendly software for construction estimators.
Cost
Platinum Lite: $209 per month, plus $28.60 per additional user/month
Additional $38.50 per month fee for commercial features.
Platinum Premium: $286 per month, plus $28.60 per additional user/month
Additional $44 per month fee for commercial features.
No trial or demo is offered.
Integrations
- PlanSwift
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- History of Industry Experience
- Current Pricing
- Complimentary Support included
- Easy-to-use software
- Cloud-based
Cons:
- High Cost
- Base Plan is only 1 User
- Limited Integrations
Cubit Estimating
Part of the BuildSoft software umbrella, Cubit Estimating is one of our picks for the best construction estimating software in Australia for accurate and detailed estimating and takeoffs. It offers many integration options for data and files and even keeps track of revisions, meaning valuable information isn’t lost in during the estimating and takeoff process.
Cubit offers an installation guide upon starting your trial or subscription and access to their implementation team.
While Cubit offers excellent tools for contractors/tradies, it doesn’t integrate with any software outside of BuildSoft. This could make it difficult to utilise other useful tools your business uses.
Cost
Cubit Estimating: Starts at $180 per month
Cubit Estimating Professional: Starts at $240 per month
Cubit Estimating Enterprise: Starts at $270 per month
All plans require an annual commitment and Cubit Estimating offers a free trial and demo. Cloud-based data service is an add-on upgrade to the base software.
Integrations
- Cubit Select
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Design Document Integration
- Multiple Takeoffs/Trades
- Real-time Estimate Updates
- 3D Visualisation
- Price Lists
- Templates
Cons:
- No outside integrations
- PC-based
- Difficult to use on Mac systems (needs a Windows boot option)
- Unclear Additional Costs
- Locked into an annual plan
PlanSwift
One of the most popular construction estimating software options globally, PlanSwift focuses on estimating and takeoff to provide a detail-rich solution. It has a niche, so businesses looking for an all-in-one solution won’t find it here. PlanSwift offers unique point-and-click estimation: simply drag your mouse around a design drawing, and PlanSwift automatically calculates estimations for the selected areas.
PlanSwift could be one of the best construction estimating software options for budget-conscious businesses, as it provides a one-time fee option. Pay once and receive a lifetime license to use all PlanSwift features on offer. Support is included for one year on the lifetime subscription, so the only downside to the lifetime license is an additional cost for continued software support.
Cost
Lifetime License: $2990
Monthly License: $160
PlanSwift offers a free trial for its full-featured version.
Integrations
- Excel
- Simpro
- Google Maps
- Cordell Estimator Premium
- DataBuild
- BuilderTrend
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Customisable Platform
- Popular Integrations
- One-time fee option
- Simplified Point-and-click estimating
- Customised Assemblies
Cons:
- Long load times
- Reported program crashes/bugs
- Clunky user interface
- PC Only
Sage 300 CRE
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate combines features from its Intacct and X3 plans to offer a complete package of integrated features. Best known for accounting, Sage 300 CRE offers integrated financial features for us throughout a project lifecycle.
Sage has a large resource centre and benefits from a large online community, answering general questions and concerns, but lacks adequate training options for new businesses.
While Sage has robust features and excels in accounting, it’s restricted to medium-sized business solutions in Australia, affecting scalability. As a global business, it doesn’t have the same specialised knowledge as other options for construction estimating software.
Cost
Prices are on request, and other Sage apps require additional fees.
Integrations
- Realisable IMan
- Conligo Pay
- EFT Processing
- Sage Alerts and WorkFlow
- DocLink
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Many Integrations with Sage Apps
- Cloud-based option
- Highly Customisable
- Regulation Compliance
- Integrated Work Processes
- Mobile Accessibility
Cons:
- Mid-sized businesses only
- Clunky User Interface
- Few training resources
- Unclear Pricing
Categorization of Construction Estimating Software
Even the best construction estimating software in Australia has a specialisation, so we’ve sorted our picks to give you an idea of which could be the best fit for your trade business.
Best for estimating construction costs
- AroFlo
- PlanSwift
- Cordell Estimator
- Cubit
- Sage 300 CRE
Best for residential construction:
- AroFlo
- PlanSwift
- BuildXact
- Cordell Estimator
- Cubit
Best for commercial construction
- AroFlo
- RIB CostX
- Cordell Estimator
- Cubit
Best for industrial construction
- RIB CostX
Find the Best Estimating Software for Your Construction Business
Pricing is a pain, but it’s an essential part of bids and successfully landing jobs. As the market develops, new and better tools emerge to provide trade businesses with better services and that necessary competitive edge. Construction apps have become an essential part of businesses of every size, streamlining every facet of trade businesses. All those time savings add up, allowing your business to do more, faster.
With the right construction estimating software, get more jobs for less work! Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it’s here, and it’s real. AroFlo has all the features and integrations your trade business needs to get that edge and grow.
Frequently asked questions about construction estimating software
Which software is used to estimate a building's cost?
Construction estimating software is used to estimate a building’s cost, whether it’s residential, commercial or industrial. The best construction estimating software for Australian businesses is familiar with the Aussie industry and market, so you get all the features with local expertise.
What factors should I consider when choosing the best construction estimating software for my business?
The major factor that’s likely the first for any trade business is budget. Some construction estimating software is simply more cost-effective and flexible, especially for small teams. On the other hand, a hefty price tag
Of course, your specific industry speciality is a key factor. The best construction estimating software in Australia for residential projects won’t be a good fit for contractors specialising in commercial construction.
To make your choice easier, consider your team size, current needs, desired features, and industry specialisation. Remember, many offer free trials and demos!
What are the key differences between cloud-based and on-premise construction estimating software, and which is better for my business?
The major differences between cloud-based and on-premise software come down to accessibility, integration and collaboration. On-premise construction estimating software is useful for one location and can provide a centralised location for all data. Before fast and secure internet connections, this was the safest and best data protection and collaboration option.
Cloud-based software offers both centralisation of information and wider sharing and integration options, as cloud-based data can be accessed from any device with an online connection. This type of access for trade businesses and contractors means your business can utilise and share necessary information, on or off-premise.
Cloud-based does often come with a higher price tag, but many of the best construction estimating software options offer it as a base feature. It streamlines all aspects of trade business and allows access from anywhere.
Is it worth investing in specialised estimating software for residential construction projects?
We say yes! It’s all about the right tools. You could use a wrench to hammer in a nail (and it might get there eventually), but you may as well grab the hammer and get it done! Accurate construction estimation can make or break a project, so having the best tools saves you time and can turn around into better projects, return on investment and stronger business growth. Residential clients are always looking for construction businesses with a stellar reputation for quality and value.
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