Introduction
Introducing a new tech solution dazzles many construction company owners, but they often fall flat when trying to use it in day-to-day operations—especially in an industry like construction, where the primary goal is to ease the technical process since your construction team already has a lot on their plates. Construction estimation tool is one of the many tech tools essential in the modern building industry.Â
The Construction Estimation tool helps your construction firm primarily in these 3 ways:
- Provides real-time data analysis on project costs
- To avoid miscommunication and stay aligned on risk management strategies
- VE options allow construction estimators to explore alternative materials
However, it’s a challenge to introduce a new estimation tool to your team, especially when you don’t have a clear understanding of their current process. And that is why you should read this blog. It’ll prepare you and your employees to work with a construction estimation tool.
Before making the purchase
1. Assess Your Current Estimation Process
It’s very important to understand how your team currently does estimation. Ok, we know you’d definitely know the process. But you need to get into the details. See how much time they spend on each tool available in your firm. Ask them what challenges they face. Talk to them about the features they would want in the new estimation tool you’re planning to buy.
Evaluate Existing Methods
When you review your current estimation techniques. You will come to know about the pros and cons of the method. You will understand the strengths and weaknesses of the tool. Thus, you’ll gather valuable feedback from your team on the current system.
| Aspect | Traditional methods | Modern cloud-based software |
| Tools Used | Papers, spreadsheets & manual calculations. | Specialized estimation software. Cloud platforms. |
| Accuracy | Prone to human error and miscalculations. | High accuracy with automated calculations. |
| Time Efficiency | Time-consuming due to manual entry and corrections. | Fast & streamlined with automated processes. |
| Collaboration | Often requires physical presence. | Real-time collaboration across teams. You can access the data from anywhere. |
| Data Storage & Access | Physical files, localized digital storage. | Centralized cloud storage that you can access from anywhere. |
| Cost Estimation | Based on employees previous experience. | Data-driven. Using historical data & algorithms. |
| Integration | Difficult to integrate with other systems. | Seamless integration with other construction management tools. |
| Mobility | Based on employees’ previous experience. | Accessible from any device with internet access |
| Security | Vulnerable to physical damage, loss, or theft | High-level encryption and regular backups |
| Training | Requires extensive training and experience | User-friendly interfaces with guided workflows |
| Cost | Lower upfront costs, but higher long-term inefficiency | Higher initial investment, but better ROI over time |
| Scalability | Requires extensive training and experience | Easily scalable for projects of any size |
Determine Areas for Improvement
You’re thinking of buying a construction estimation tool. This shows that you realize your current estimation workflow is not foolproof. You’ll need to pinpoint these bottlenecks so that when you make a purchase, you know exactly what features you need in the estimation software. Features such as real-time data analysis, labor and material costing, VE options, takeoffs, and bid preparation should top your priority list.
2. Choose the Right Estimation Tool
Nothing is more important than selecting the right construction estimation tool. You need to conduct detailed research, read reviews and case studies, and request demos and trials before you zero in on an estimation tool. After you sign up for trials make sure to check that your team is comfortable working on the software. Want to read more about How to pick the best Construction Estimation Tool?
3. Communicate the Change to Your Team
Goes without saying – Clear communication is key to gaining buy-in from your team members. Your construction team needs to be onboard with your plan of buying a construction estimation tool. You can do 2 things for this:
Explain your construction team’s reasons for the change
Don’t forget to highlight ways the tool will make your team’s task easier. I’m sure that will help them to try learning & using the new software. Automation piques concern and resistance, keep note of this and address the issues beforehand.
Involve your Team Members in the Decision process
Don’t just hand your construction team a tool to work with. Involve them in the decision-making process, as it is your team who will be using the tool. You can seek input from key team members, or alternatively, you can form small groups to test different construction estimation tools and share their feedback. This will reinforce trust and reliability in the estimation tool.
After the purchase
4. Provide Comprehensive Training
It is important that you train your employees to use the construction estimation tool. You should schedule a dedicated work time to train your workforce on the tool. You can also create quick reference sheets for common recurring tasks. While working with the team you will need FAQs and Troubleshooting Guides. You can prepare a list of common issues and solutions to assist employees when they encounter challenges while trying out the estimation tool for the first few times
Conclusion
We understand that changing your estimation method might be uncomfortable at first. But with the right preparation, you can prepare your team to use the construction estimation tool to its full potential. It is your duty, of course, to find a powerful estimation tool that meets all your business needs and matches your team’s skills. Always look for a CMS company that offers a live demo of the construction estimation product or, at the very least, has several estimators who have shared their experiences online. Check how frequently they provide live support to your team in case something goes wrong. Subscribe to the trial version of different tools, let your team work with them, and then make your purchase.
