Ranking the Best Software for Preconstruction

As we move away from piecemealing different tools and reports together and toward an integrated system (much like the fast-growing trend of integrated project delivery models), it is of upmost importance to remember that the architecture and foundation of your new preconstruction technology work together cohesively.  

If you are currently reevaluating your current processes and efficiency during the preconstruction phase, you may be interested in finding out how the best preconstruction software is ranked. 

There is technology geared at preconstruction now more than ever and it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is right for your business.  

To be successful in delivering an accurate and clear estimate to owners you must have the integrated tools that allow you to utilize a database, create estimates, perform takeoff, collaborate with project teams and owners, submit defendable reports, and report back your financials.  

Here is the best preconstruction estimating software for offering the best solutions to owners and winning more work.  

Utilizing Construction Data 

With an annual margin of return at only 2.7%, anything that increases profit margins should raise the eyebrows of any contractor.  

Research proves that many of the construction industry’s problems are due to lack of or the use (or non-use) of poor data. According to FMI, 95% of construction data collected is not used. Yet:  

• 52% of rework is due to poor project data and miscommunication. 

• 41% of contractors believe that inconsistent data input leads to inaccurate, incomplete, and unusable data.

By standardizing and using your data, you could see a 50% increase in average profit growth. 

DESTINI Estimator construction estimating software captures your data in a centralized location for easy access to the entire team. This powerful data-backed software helps estimators make more informed decisions and present a timely and accurate estimate to owners.

DESTINI Estimator allows estimates to analyze project information from the conceptual phase to the end of a construction project, tracks key data point, helps you better predict costs with greater accuracy, and provide insight on data generated at the beginning of preconstruction impacts the execution of the build.  

Estimate templates, estimate comparisons, and dashboards and reporting allow users to review estimate changes in real time and show owners how project costs change throughout each stage of the project’s lifecycle.  

Takeoff 

Takeoff is one of those extremely laborious but extremely necessary steps to completing your estimate.  

Imagine what you could be doing with all that extra time if you could just automate takeoff. 

Well, with Togal.AI automated takeoff software, you can now save up to 90 minutes per sheet when doing takeoff.  

This artificial intelligence, machine-learning model software speeds up the takeoff process up to 80% at 97% accuracy.  

Instead of coloring, clicking, and dragging, you can spend your time finding solutions to the project’s biggest challenges, collaborating with design and owners to make the best project decisions, and working with subs to build the best building on time and on budget.  

Collaboration  

KPMG, one of the largest professional accounting firms in the world, found that 82% of owners desire more collaboration with their GC.  

Join is a project delivery software that connects contractors, owners, and design teams and tracks decision making eliminating siloed email and messaging systems. Everyone has access to the same information and can see the real time impact those decisions have.  

Project teams can ask “what if” questions in Join and see the real-time cost impact of those alternates.  

Join “makes it easier to incorporate critical factors like cost, timeline, design, constructability, supply chain and the owner’s business case into the decision process.” 

Financials 

Procore

With a Procore integration, you no longer have to deal with the manual process of creating a budget spreadsheet for the operations team. And when the project team makes changes, precon will know.  

The direct link between Procore Financials and DESTINI Estimator allows the project budget to be built and maintained in Estimator and then transmitted seamlessly over to Procore.  

The benefit? Your audit trail stays intact.  

For the 411 on building your tech stack, we highly recommend reading this article on the importance of making sure your technology system is organized and integrated: Does Your Tech Stack Up? 

For you are ready to explore the best construction estimate software on the market, click the link below.