Custom Estimating & Management Software for Construction Companies
Tired of having to change the way you work in order to fit your estimating tools?
Wish you could generate professional, fully-customizable reports that are flexible enough to handle the variety and complexity of your construction jobs? You’re not alone. That’s why at CES, we build custom construction estimating software that is designed around the way you want your business to operate— not the way some software company in silicon valley thinks you should. Then we turn the keys over to you so you have full ownership of it without any recurring payments.
Custom Excel Speadsheets
Where SaaS Platforms Fall Short for Construction Companies
Software platforms like Procore, Buildertrend, CoConstruct, HeavyBid, and others provide powerful features tailored to the construction industry.
They are designed and built to serve thousands of different companies under the massive umbrella of “Construction,” and so they are (somewhat) adjustable and include a wide array of features intended to cover the wide array of potential users.
The problem is that adjustable and fully customizable are two very different things.
That’s why if you use one of these platforms, you will inevitably find yourself saying: “we have to do it this way because that’s how the software is set up and it won’t let us change it.”
The reporting can’t be broken down or summarized the way you need. You can’t display alternates, scope of work, inclusions/exclusions or qualifications and assumptions the way you need to. You have to run some of your calculations in a separate spreadsheet or using a calculator because the program isn’t set up to handle every nuance of your estimating needs.
That's a Problem!
It also means that you’re squeezed into the same box as your competition, using the same software with the same limitations that produces the same generic outputs (e.g., for construction estimates).
Then there’s the problem of learning the system and training new users so that they know how to use the 40% of the software that actually applies to your business, while ignoring the other 60% that does not.
The Problem with Spreadsheet Estimating
Some construction companies prefer Excel spreadsheets over SaaS products for the flexibility Excel can provide.
While this sounds great in theory, in practice, this typically results in a conglomeration of hodge podge spreadsheets with rogue formulas and client-facing reporting that is underwhelming due to formatting issues.
Without the proper design and controls in place, costly estimating errors are always just one keystroke away.
At the end of the day, while in-house spreadsheets are highly flexible they lack the power and robustness to be able to do everything the way you’d like, and so you end up in a similar position to the SaaS users– still not able to do things quite they way you want in a system you can fully trust.
We Build Tools Around Your Process
We don’t ask you to change how you estimate. We analyze how you already build quotes, track costs, and manage projects — then we design a system that fits your approach and preferences.
- Standardizes estimating across your company
- Produces polished, professional proposals
- Incorporates all of your preferences in formatting and configuration
- Protects margin controls
- Reduces inconsistent pricing
- Eliminates unnecessary workarounds
- Gives you clearer visibility into job performance
And once it’s built, you own it.
No subscriptions. No forced updates. No price increases. No changes to terms of service.
It’s your system.
Custom Excel Speadsheets
The reason we can build these custom tools at a fraction of the price and development time compared to other software companies is that we utilize the user-interface and structure of Microsoft Excel as a development platform.
Custom Excel Speadsheets
Custom Construction Estimating & Quoting Systems
This is where most of the magic happens. Accurate estimates with increased industry-specific estimating precision that can be pulled together quickly with minimal training required.
Our estimating systems can include:
● Standardized cost libraries
● Controlled margin adjustments
● Professional, user-friendly interface
● Robust, protected calculations
● Clean, fully-customizable proposal outputs
● Detailed internal cost breakdowns
● Historical cost tracking for future analysis
Whether you’re starting from messy spreadsheets, migrating from a SaaS platform, or just getting started with a computer-based estimating system, the goal is the same: An estimating process that works seamlessly with your business and preferences and that helps you win more projects with less effort.
Greater control. Greater precision. All in a single, custom program that you own.
Project Tracking & Job Cost Dashboards
To remain competitive, it’s crucial for you to understand key aspects of your business, how they are performing and what’s driving their success or failure.
We build internal dashboards that help you do all of the above by empowering you to:
● Compare estimated vs actual costs
● Monitor job profitability
● Track labor and material performance
● Identify trends over time
What Results Can You Expect?
The end result you can look forward to is a customized program that works the way you want it
to. You’ll have a single platform that is professionally designed to do what matters to you, all in
one place.
If you’re moving away from spreadsheets you’ve built in-house, you can expect:
● More accurate estimates
● Faster estimate creation
● Standardized pricing structure
● Improved proposal presentation
● Greater internal control
● Faster onboarding/training of new estimators
If you’re moving away from a SaaS platform:
● True customization of all aspects of the program
● Better alignment with your ideal workflow
● More control over how estimates are built and presented
● No more recurring monthly costs (major cost savings long-term)
Custom Excel Speadsheets
Why Rent When You Can Own?
SaaS platforms feel accessible because the upfront cost is manageable.
But over time:
● Subscription fees continue
● Pricing increases
● Feature changes occur
● You remain dependent on a third party for a core part of your business
The liability of renting is that you are completely beholden to the whims of your landlord. Features may be removed, functionality changed, prices increased– all which you have zero control over.
The reason construction companies rent instead of buying is that traditional custom software costs between $50,000 to $100,000 and requires 6 to 18 months to develop.
Our construction estimating systems are typically built in 2 to 6 weeks and usually range between $2,500–$5,000, depending on the scope. Typically this represents a break-even timeline ranging between 3 to 12 months, just looking at the cost of the tools (not including time saved or improved performance from making the switch). After that, every month you get to keep the money you were paying to rent a SaaS solution.
Even more important for many of our clients than cost is control. With full ownership of the tool, you aren’t at the mercy of the whims of a tech company. You can add or remove whatever features you want, whenever you want and you never have to worry about being forced to change something you don’t want to.
Our Approach
What Working With Us Looks Like
1. Review
We review your current estimating or management process with you.
2. Listen & Identify
We listen for pain points and identify inefficiencies and structural weaknesses.
3. Design
We design a system around your workflow.
4. Build, Test, Refine
We build, test, refine (with input from you or your team), and provide any necessary training.
5. Long Term Support
We remain available for support and upgrades long-term so the tool can grow with you as-needed.
While client involvement is a crucial aspect of project success, most projects require only a few focused meetings over the span of a few weeks, so you don’t need to “oversee a development project.” Just tell us how you operate, what you do and don’t like and what your wish list looks like for your custom software. Then, as we provide drafts, test them out and give us feedback. We handle the rest.
CUSTOM SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
Is This Right for You?
We’ve worked with more than 800 companies to build better tools for their business. Our clients love what we do, but that doesn’t mean we’re the right fit for everyone.
We’re a strong fit for:
● Small to mid-sized construction companies
● Owners who want more control over estimating
● Teams frustrated with rigid SaaS platforms
● Companies ready to standardize their process
We may not be a fit if:
● You want a all-in-one enterprise platform
● Prefer subscription software
● SaaS solutions already solve your problems perfectly
● Can’t accommodate a $2-5k business investment
Custom Excel Spreadsheets
Schedule A Consultation
If your estimating process feels inconsistent…
If you’re frustrated with your current construction software…
If you want greater control over your margins and reporting…
Schedule a free 1-hour consultation.
We’ll review your current process, identify opportunities for improvement and help you evaluate fit.