How BUILDFitters Simplifies Pre-Construction with Construction Estimation Software
Introduction
In 2024’s construction environment, AEC firms face significant challenges when it comes to managing pre-construction estimation and budgeting. Many still rely on manual processes, which can result in inefficiencies, miscommunication, and errors that lead to budget overruns and project delays. With tighter timelines and increasing client expectations, the need for real-time collaboration and accurate, data-driven decisions has never been greater. This is where construction estimation software makes a difference. By automating and streamlining the estimation and budgeting process, modern solutions help teams work more efficiently, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure every project phase is accurately tracked. The right software doesn’t just manage costs; it enhances overall project coordination and keeps schedules on track, improving profitability and client satisfaction.
BUILDFitters is a comprehensive construction estimation software platform that simplifies pre-construction workflows. From bidding management and contract creation to procurement and team collaboration, BUILDFitters provides a robust set of tools that help AEC firms eliminate inefficiencies and achieve greater project control.
In this post, we’ll explore how BUILDFitters addresses common pre-construction pain points and provides an integrated solution that drives better project outcomes. As the final piece of our three-part series, this post will demonstrate how BUILDFitters transforms estimation and budgeting into a seamless process—ultimately helping firms deliver on-ds, contracts, or team communication, BUILDFitters has the tools to help you succeed.
Streamlining Bidding and Estimation with Construction Estimation Software
Accurate and efficient bidding and estimation processes are the backbone of a successful pre-construction phase. BUILDFitters’ construction estimation software is designed to simplify and streamline these processes, helping AEC firms reduce errors and improve productivity. With centralized bidding information, automated workflows, and cloud-based accessibility, BUILDFitters enables teams to manage estimates and contracts with ease.
Simplified Bidding Process with BUILDFitters
One of the key features of BUILDFitters is its ability to centralize all bidding information, providing users with a single dashboard to manage bids and active contracts. This centralized approach eliminates the need to search through multiple platforms or spreadsheets for information, significantly improving efficiency.
The software’s automated bid creation tools further enhance productivity by reducing redundant data entry. BUILDFitters automatically generates bids based on pre-populated templates and data, eliminating the risk of errors caused by manual input and cutting down the time it takes to associate bids with active contracts. This streamlined process helps AEC firms respond to bids faster, improving their chances of securing contracts and increasing overall project productivity.
By integrating bids directly with contracts, BUILDFitters reduces the typical turnaround time, allowing teams to focus on delivering accurate estimates rather than being bogged down by administrative tasks.
Cloud-Based Estimation Capabilities for Improved Accuracy
BUILDFitters’ cloud-based estimation software allows estimators to work from anywhere, providing instant access to all estimates from any device. This flexibility is critical in today’s fast-moving construction industry, where teams are often spread across multiple locations or working on-site. With BUILDFitters, teams can collaborate in real time, ensuring that all members have access to the most up-to-date information.
The cloud-based nature of BUILDFitters eliminates manual errors often associated with traditional estimation methods like spreadsheets. By having real-time access to updated project data, estimators can make adjustments as needed, ensuring that estimates remain accurate and responsive to any changes in project scope, material costs, or labor availability.
A study by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) found that real-time access to project data can improve cost estimation accuracy by up to 30%, reducing the risk of budget overruns. BUILDFitters enhances this accuracy by providing seamless access to real-time data, allowing teams to make informed decisions throughout the pre-construction phase.
Managing Project Budgets and Contracts
Effectively managing project budgets and contracts during the pre-construction phase is essential for avoiding costly delays and budget overruns. BUILDFitters’ construction estimation software simplifies these tasks by offering a centralized platform where all relevant financial data—such as estimates, purchase orders, subcontractor agreements, and timesheet data—can be accessed in one place, in real-time.
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Seamless Budget Management with BUILDFitters
BUILDFitters makes managing project budgets more efficient by integrating estimation details, material purchase orders, and labor costs into a single, unified dashboard . This enables project managers to track expenses in real time, giving them the flexibility to adjust budgets as needed to prevent cost overruns. Teams can quickly access all financial data, improving decision-making and reducing manual errors that lead to budgeting issues.
Having a comprehensive view of the project’s financial health in one place enhances transparency and accountability. BUILDFitters ensures that all teams, from estimators to project managers, are aligned on budget progress, reducing the risk of financial surprises later in the project. According to the Project Management Institute, ineffective communication and poor budget tracking are major contributors to project failure, affecting 30% of all construction projects globally . BUILDFitters addresses these issues by centralizing and automating budget management.
Automated Contract Creation and Management
BUILDFitters also transforms the contract management process by automating the creation and tracking of contracts directly from the estimate. With just a single click, estimators can turn an approved estimate into a formal contract, saving time and minimizing manual data entry errors. This eliminates redundant steps and allows teams to focus on higher-value tasks rather than administrative work.
Once generated, contracts are stored in BUILDFitters’ centralized system, where project managers can easily track and manage multiple contracts across different projects. By automating contract creation and linking it to real-time project data, BUILDFitters reduces the potential for discrepancies and ensures that contracts are accurate and up-to-date.
The platform also integrates seamlessly with procurement and scheduling functions, automatically importing data from awarded bids. This reduces the need for rework and ensures that all contract details align with the project’s scope and timeline. By improving contract management workflows, BUILDFitters helps AEC firms avoid delays and disputes, allowing projects to progress smoothly.
Enhancing Procurement Efficiency with Construction Estimation Software
Procurement is a vital component of any construction project, and inefficiencies in this phase can cause significant delays and cost overruns. BUILDFitters’ construction estimation software streamlines the procurement process by integrating estimation and purchasing workflows, improving accuracy and reducing delays. With features like automated purchase orders and a comprehensive procurement dashboard, BUILDFitters helps AEC firms keep their projects on track while minimizing errors and enhancing collaboration.
Streamlined Procurement Process
BUILDFitters bridges the gap between estimation and procurement by linking the two processes seamlessly. Estimators can send estimated items and take-offs directly to vendors from within the platform, eliminating the need for manual data transfer and reducing the risk of errors during the purchasing phase. This integration ensures that all procurement activities are based on the most accurate and up-to-date estimates, allowing teams to order materials and services more efficiently.
The software also automates the creation of purchase orders, using pre-populated data to speed up the process and ensure accuracy across teams. By automating purchase order creation, BUILDFitters eliminates redundant manual tasks and ensures that all procurement-related information is consistent, reducing the likelihood of miscommunication or discrepancies between estimators and vendors. This streamlined approach accelerates the procurement process, allowing teams to focus on delivering the project on time.
Boost Accuracy and Efficiency with BUILDFitters
Tired of manual processes and budget overruns? BUILDFitter’s construction estimation software automates workflows and provides real-time insights to keep projects on track. Request a demo now to see how it can transform your pre-construction phase.
Comprehensive Procurement Dashboard for Better Project Transparency
BUILDFitters enhances procurement efficiency further by providing a comprehensive procurement dashboard with rich reporting tools. The dashboard offers real-time data on procurement progress, providing project managers with instant access to information about vendor orders, equipment quantities, and pricing. This transparency allows teams to monitor every stage of the procurement process, ensuring that orders are placed and fulfilled on time, and that any potential delays are identified and addressed early.
With BUILDFitters, project managers can visualize the status of their procurement activities through detailed reporting charts, which offer insights into purchase order requests, vendor progress, and equipment delivery schedules. This level of visibility helps to minimize procurement delays, keeping the project timeline intact and ensuring that all materials are available when needed.
A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that inefficiencies in procurement can delay projects by up to 15%. BUILDFitters combats these inefficiencies by providing a real-time view of procurement activities, reducing the risk of delays and keeping the project on track from estimation to completion.
Improving Team Collaboration
Collaboration is critical to successful project execution in the construction industry, especially during the pre-construction phase. BUILDFitters’ construction estimation software strengthens team communication and coordination by providing seamless integration with tools like Microsoft Teams and Office 365. This enhanced collaboration ensures that all project stakeholders—estimators, project managers, subcontractors, and clients—are aligned, ultimately leading to better project outcomes.
Seamless Team Communication with BUILDFitters
BUILDFitters improves team communication by integrating directly with Microsoft Teams and Office 365, allowing users to share files, messages, and updates effortlessly across all devices. This integration enables all stakeholders to communicate within a single platform, streamlining collaboration between estimators, project managers, subcontractors, and clients.
With BUILDFitters, all project-related correspondence—such as bid details, contract changes, and procurement updates—can be easily shared in real-time, ensuring that all team members are working from the same set of accurate information. By eliminating the need to switch between multiple tools and communication channels, BUILDFitters reduces the risk of miscommunication and missed updates, which are common sources of delays in construction projects.
Additionally, BUILDFitters allows for real-time file sharing and messaging directly within project workspaces, so team members can collaborate more effectively and solve issues quickly. Whether it’s sharing project documents, uploading photos, or tracking RFIs and submittals, BUILDFitters keeps all communication transparent and centralized, ensuring that nothing is lost in translation.
Read more: Streamlining Bid Management in Construction: Best Practices
Geographical Flexibility and Multi-Device Compatibility
In today’s construction landscape, teams are often spread across various locations, whether in the office, on-site, or working remotely. BUILDFitters supports this reality by offering full multi-device compatibility and the flexibility to work from anywhere. The platform is accessible across all major devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, making it easy for teams to collaborate in real-time regardless of their location.
With BUILDFitters’ cloud-based construction estimation software, teams can communicate, share data, and access project information from any location, helping to overcome the geographical barriers that often disrupt project alignment. This level of accessibility ensures that even remote teams stay connected, promoting consistent project progress and reducing the likelihood of delays caused by communication gaps.
By providing cross-platform integration with Microsoft Teams and Office 365, BUILDFitters enables project teams to schedule meetings, track updates, and ensure that all stakeholders are informed in real-time, regardless of where they are. This geographical flexibility allows AEC firms to enhance collaboration and ensure projects stay on track, no matter where the team is located.
Experience Seamless Project Management
From estimation to procurement, BUILDFitters has everything your team needs to streamline pre-construction. Request a demo today and explore how our construction estimation software can help you deliver projects on time and within budget.
Visualizing Projects and Tracking Progress
In construction project management, keeping track of progress and staying on schedule are essential for delivering projects on time and within budget. BUILDFitters’ construction estimation software provides powerful visualization tools, including intuitive Gantt charts and an advanced financial dashboard, to help teams monitor dependencies, project milestones, and financial performance. These tools enable real-time adjustments, ensuring that projects remain on track and cost overruns are avoided.
Gantt Chart Capabilities for Real-Time Project Tracking
BUILDFitters simplifies project management with intuitive Gantt charts, which offer a clear visual representation of project tasks, timelines, and dependencies. These charts make it easy for project managers to track progress, prioritize tasks, and adjust workflows based on real-time data. By visualizing the sequence and timing of project activities, teams can identify potential bottlenecks or delays and take corrective action before they impact the overall project schedule.
The Gantt chart feature is designed to enhance transparency and accountability, allowing all stakeholders to stay informed about the status of the project at any given time. This level of visibility is particularly important for keeping the project on schedule, as it allows teams to make quick, informed decisions that prevent delays. According to a report by Project Management Institute, projects with clear task tracking and dependency management experience a 29% improvement in meeting deadlines. BUILDFitters’ Gantt charts enable this by providing the tools necessary for detailed task management and progress tracking.
With these visual tools, AEC firms can easily track dependencies between tasks and identify critical milestones, ensuring that teams are aligned and working toward the same project goals. The Gantt charts also allow for real-time adjustments, making it easier to accommodate changes in scope, resource allocation, or unforeseen delays.
Further Reading: From Leads to Deals: Construction Lead Management For 2024
Advanced Financial Tracking
In addition to its project visualization features, BUILDFitters provides an advanced financial dashboard that offers a comprehensive view of cost planning and budget performance. This dashboard allows project managers and estimators to monitor budget progress in real time, comparing actual expenditures against estimated costs. By providing instant access to financial data, BUILDFitters helps teams identify potential cost overruns early and take action to prevent them.
The financial tracking tools within BUILDFitters allow users to drill down into specific budget categories, such as material costs, labor expenses, and subcontractor fees, to understand where the project stands financially. This real-time insight is crucial for maintaining control over the budget and ensuring that financial performance aligns with project goals.
A study from McKinsey & Company reports that construction projects typically exceed their budgets by up to 80%, often due to poor financial tracking and lack of visibility. BUILDFitters’ financial dashboard mitigates this risk by offering real-time insights into every aspect of the project’s finances, enabling proactive cost management.
Conclusion
BUILDFitters’ construction estimation software simplifies every aspect of the pre-construction phase, offering AEC firms a comprehensive solution for managing bidding, estimation, contract creation, procurement, and team collaboration. With centralized data, cloud-based access, and automated workflows, BUILDFitters helps firms streamline their processes, reduce errors, and enhance overall project efficiency. By leveraging BUILDFitters’ powerful visual tools and real-time financial tracking, teams can stay on schedule, control costs, and improve profitability.
For AEC firms looking to optimize their pre-construction workflows and eliminate inefficiencies, BUILDFitters offers the tools needed to succeed.
