3 Tips for Easy Estimating Software Evaluation

Why do I need to switch construction estimating software?  

“Ugh,” you might be thinking. “But don’t I already have enough apps? Why do I need another one?”  

We predicted this tech fatigue at the end of 2023. 

We are all multitasking across multiple apps and devices at work and in our personal lives. We’re connected 24/7 no matter where we are. And there is just. Too. Much. Information.  

But that’s exactly why switching from your legacy systems to an integrated one will eliminate some of this digital fatigue… at work at least.  

The way we do precon is evolving and we need proficiencies to keep up.  

You need software that: 

• Handles more powerful datasets. 
• Supports features like BIM, 3D modeling, and communication tools. 
• Incorporates robust visualization and customized reporting.  
• Reliably secures your data. 
• Provides real-time updates and workflows. 
• Consistently improves and updates features and functionalities that meets your changing needs. 

And these are just a few of reasons why precon teams are dedicating time to evaluating new construction estimating software.  

Taimoor Khan, Vice President of Preconstruction at Satterfield & Pontikes says, “You have to be efficient. If you’re using older processes or estimating software, you’re not going to be able to meet the needs of businesses today. With our previous estimating process, we were using multiple different software for our takeoff and also for estimating. A typical estimate would take 2-1/2 to 3 weeks. [With DESTINI Estimator], we’ve got it down to 1-1/2 to 2 weeks” cutting their estimating time down at least 30%.  

We are fully aware that software evaluation takes time. And we know it’s time that you can’t really spare, but like the old saying goes, ‘you’ve got to spend money to make money.’ Twenty-five percent of the country’s Top ENR Contractors have invested in their future growth by evaluating and implementing new preconstruction software.  

So, take it from estimators and preconstruction professionals like you how to efficiently evaluate new construction estimating software. Here are our favorite 3 tips on how to easily evaluate estimating software from DESTINI suite users. 

Choose by Advantages 

Matt Hammer, Chief Estimator at Haselden Construction, switched his preconstruction team from MC2 to DESTINI Estimator by using the Choose by Advantages decision-making process.  

Founded in 1986 by Jim Suhr, co-founder and president of the Institute for Decision Innovations, Inc. this process is defined by “Decisions must be based on the importance of advantages” and is popular with lean construction methodology. 

Matt and his team developed a grading scale for software features from 1-3. 1 being nice to have, 2 was a feature they needed, and 3 was mission critical. Then, they rated each software from 1-3: fails to meet criteria, met criteria, and exceeded criteria.  

He says you can’t evaluate all of them, so narrow it down to 3 to 4 and go from there.  

To start, Matt suggests getting feedback. Reach out to the users of the systems you are evaluating and ask your team members what they’ve used in the past. “If you’ve been the person in your company tasked with choosing software, make sure that the users are offering information up to you to help make that decision,” says Matt.  

For a more in-depth look at how Haselden approached evaluation and implementation, read this article that includes an interview with Matt about his journey. 

Create an Evaluation Task Force

Many successful DESTINI users like Balfour Beatty, Korte Company, and Gilbane Building Company, developed a software evaluation team when they decided to make the switch.  

Because implementing new software impacts the entire organization, it is important to include those decision makers outside of precon who have a direct stake in the game like your IT department. 

Splitting up the responsibilities of the software evaluation helps save time and lessens the burden. 

Balfour Beatty chose Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from each of their offices, precon leadership, IT, and other stakeholders to head up the team that would be conducting the evaluations. A Vice President of Preconstruction at Balfour Beatty says this approach helped a lot in freeing up time to devote to the evaluation. 

When Gilbane was exploring new software options to switch from Sage Timberline to become quicker, better, faster, and leaner in their workflows, they chose people who were advocates of innovation and tech-savvy. Justin Wetherby says that your task force will have the “urge to deprioritize” the evaluation, so make sure your software evaluation team is accountable and makes a “hardline commitment” to getting it done.

Set Realistic Timelines 

One of the biggest lessons learned from most DESTINI users is setting realistic timelines. For Gilbane, new construction estimating software evaluation and implementation took two years.  

But taking this time allows you to get buy-in from those who will be using the software (another hugely important step in switching software), establishing a roll-out and training schedule, receiving feedback, getting to know the software vendors, and doing more research on reviews of the software you’re evaluating.  

For PARIC, vendor alignment was one of the biggest drivers in which software they were choosing. Ryan Mayer, Estimating Technology Manager at PARIC says, “Hands down, the biggest thing for me is how responsive the software vendor is going to be when you run into issues.” 

Another tip on timelines is to work backward from your goal of when you want to be fully implemented. We provide some suggestions on how to set realistic goals on software evaluation in this article: Taking the Emotion out of Software Evaluation (beck-technology.com) 

We understand the difficulty of switching software; that’s why we have become experts in helping precon teams transition as smoothly as possible. Our resources and guides offer evaluation advice for when you begin exploring new software and our in-house teams are dedicated to customizing an exploration and implementation plan built just for you. 

To explore the DESTINI suite of preconstruction software that houses your data in one easily accessible database and integrates with the latest takeoff and bid leveling software, reach out to us, and request a demo by clicking the button below.