When it comes to serving their customers and clients, organizations that are involved in the construction industry are in a very special position. These smaller enterprises not only have to provide the desired final product, but they also have to offer a realistic image of what is to come. Estimation is an important part of a project that needs to be included right from the start, when people are coming up with ideas and making plans. Estimates are helpful to construction companies because they allow them to provide a more accurate prediction of the process and timing involved in the execution of a new project. 

We have compiled some of the best free estimating software

Top 7 Best Free Estimating Software

  1. Bidscreen LX- Best Free Estimating for digital drawing files
  2. Catalysrk– Best Free Estimation software for construction works
  3. methivin– Best Free Estimating software forintuitive online construction
  4. Estimate2.0– Best Free Estimating software for small to large enterprise
  5. Estimate- Best Free Estimate software for simple and fast construction tools
  6. priMus- Best Free Estimating software for accurate planning and controlling costs
  7. ClearEstimates- Best Free Estimating software for accurate estimates within seconds

1. Bidscreen LX- Best Free Estimating for digital drawing files

When you use BidScreen XL, you may measure, estimate, and identify the areas, counts, and lengths from your digital drawing files with just a click on a spreadsheet cell. This is made possible by the software’s drag-and-drop interface.

Estimating Excel template files are widely accessible for many kinds of construction projects, making it easy and quick to produce estimates and share them with others. This also makes it possible to compare several estimates side-by-side.

 PRICING: It has free trials, Starting price: $750

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Audit Trail
  • Project Management
  • Reporting/Analytics
  • Accounting Integration
  • Customizable Templates
  • Subcontractor Management

REASONS TO BUY:

  • It measuresthe cut and fills areas for each cross–section 
  • BidScreen XL allows working with the original drawing
  • It give the number of materials and accurate estimation
  • It measuring on-screen from PDF, DWG, DXF, TIF, and other file types

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • It takes vast knowledge to use

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2. Catalysrk- Best Free Estimation software for construction works

PRICING: Free user: £0, / user, imini: 375/month, imax £1000

CatalystK is a free construction estimating software that may be used in the process of estimating quotes for any and all construction projects accurately. It was developed for construction operations.With the help of CatalystK, you can easily and accurately calculate several sorts of work estimates, such as the cost of materials and labor, task scheduling, and budget planning, amongst other things.CatalystK also helps with figuring out all the important plans, like estimating costs, keeping track of work, and keeping an eye on work that has already been done.

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Progress Tracking
  • Self Service Portal
  • Inpatient/Residential
  • Treatment Planning
  • Single Provider Practice
  • Multi-Provider Practice

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Can create sales orders
  • Allows you to mail quotations
  • Allows leads and task management
  • Can create customized quotations with images
  • It can generate reports helping to make estimates quickly

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Not compatible with older i pads or tablets

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3. methivin- Best Free Estimating software for intuitive online construction

PRICING: Free: forever, Business: $27/month, Enterprise: $179/month

Methvin is an online construction estimating and procurement program that is known for its user-friendliness and intuitiveness. Methvin can help businesses figure out how much a project will cost, post tenders or bids, and make comparisons. All of these things can help businesses take advantage of possible business opportunities. Because it automates the entire pre-construction planning process; your workflow will be more streamlined and consistent.

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Audit Trail
  • Historical Database
  • HVAC Estimating
  • Plumbing Estimating
  • Project Management
  • Customizable Templates Electrical Estimating

REASONS TO BUY:

  • It includes the Gantt chart scheduler
  • Provides simple & complex estimation with a worksheet
  • It provides quick and accurate estimates for any construction plan
  • It makes coordination easier between the contractor and the client

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Sometimes the program is difficult to log into

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4. Estimate2.0- Best Free Estimating software for small to large enterprise

PRICING: Free trials available

Free and open-source construction estimating software is available in the form of Estimator 2.0. It is a solution that is quick, accurate, and intelligent, and it can be used by small to large businesses. Architects, builders, engineers, and construction businesses who wish to produce precise estimates for residential and commercial projects can benefit from using this program since it is handy for them. Users of this program are given the ability to create bids, a cost abstract, purchase orders, and a variety of other papers that are necessary for accurate estimating work.

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Commercial
  • Accounting Integration
  • Contractor Management
  • Change Order Management
  • Budget Tracking/Job Costing
  • Contract/License Management

REASONS TO BUY:

  • It can maintain multiple costing standards
  • Quickly create an estimate and then print it out
  • Prepares tenders, cost abstracts, and purchase orders
  • Can generate the bill of quantity and extensive cost sheets
  • Ability to maintain assemblies and bills of different materials

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • It’s specialized on constructions projects

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5. Estimate- Best Free Estimate software for simple and fast construction tools

PRICING: Not provided by the vendor

The goal of construction estimating software is to provide a tool that is uncomplicated and rapid, one that can be tailored to any size company and used to provide an estimate of any construction-related job in a very short amount of time. With the use of this software, construction businesses are able to generate accurate estimates for a wide range of building projects, including concrete structures, earthwork, masonry, plastering, and any and all other associated operations.

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Best Price” Estimating
  • Pre-Press Estimating
  • Multiple Version Calculations

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Can have up to 200 users
  • A centralized database for backup
  • Ability to achieve projects and documents for references.
  • It can generate reports in PDF format & complete with tables and charts.

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • take some time to install also to input all data

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6. priMus- Best Free Estimating software for accurate planning and controlling costs

PRICING: It has 30days free trials

PriMus is the solution that is focused on BIM for estimating, planning, and cost control in the construction industry. The instrument that is capable of supplying acceptable solutions to the expanding demands of the construction business, especially for the purposes of project designers, site managers, and construction firms, The solution that streamlines collaboration, coordination, and data exchange to allow full participation in the BIM process while giving the peace of mind that comes with using software that has been buildingSMART-certified in its entirety.

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Takeoff
  • Cost Database
  • Quotes/Estimates
  • Historical Database
  • Project Management

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Helps in optimizing work execution costs
  • Includes extensive construction cost estimation database
  • It allows for generating fast & accurate construction cost estimates

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Primus has deep and smart background

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7. ClearEstimates– Best Free Estimating software for accurate estimates within seconds

PRICING: Monthly Plan: $59/month 6-month Plan: $53/month Annual Plan: $47/month The vendor offers first month FREE without any obligations

Clear Estimates is an easy-to-use residential remodeling estimating program that enables you to quickly determine the cost of a project, manage and customize a part database, maintain a customer and project library, produce several types of reports and proposals, process change orders, integrate with Quickbooks, and access up-to-date pricing that is specific to your area. Clear Estimates also allows you to access up-to-date pricing that is specific to your area.

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Cost Database
  • Cost Estimating
  • Billing & Invoicing
  • Historical Database
  • Customizable Templates
  • Customizable Branding
  • Change Order Management

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Can create accurate estimates in minutes
  • It includes pre-loaded data with material and labor costs
  • It allows creation of professional-looking reports quickly and easily

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • The system for adding sales tax to a proposal is a little clunky,

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Reference and Link

  • https://www.capterra.com/p/169395/BidScreen-XL/#reviews
  • https://civiconcepts.com/blog/construction-estimating-softwares#4_CatalystK
  • https://www.trustradius.com/buyer-blog/free-construction-estimating-software