Software tools play an ever-increasing role in modern construction, especially in construction planning. One of the most important jobs in preconstruction is the Construction Estimator, who translates building designs into detailed estimates used to evaluate and fund projects. Prospective Construction Estimators will need to learn several kinds of software, starting with general office programs. Since Construction Estimators work closely with detailed building plans, they frequently use computer-aided design and drafting (CAD and CADD) programs, construction-specific systems like Building Information Models (BIM), and more general 3D modeling software. Most importantly, Construction Estimators should learn one or more cost estimation packages to organize project information, automate their calculations, and generate finished reports. 

What is a Construction Estimator?

Construction estimation, also called quantity surveying, is a specialized type of cost estimation. Construction Estimators predict, as accurately as possible, what a building project will cost, considering the project's full scope to produce detailed cost breakdowns and summarized estimates. Construction Estimators may produce multiple estimates for the same project, starting with a general conceptual estimate and then generating progressively more detailed estimates as information becomes available.

To perform this work accurately, Construction Estimators must have a detailed understanding of construction work, including:

  • Reading building plans;
  • Listing the materials, labor, and equipment needed for a project;
  • Knowing the prices for these needs;
  • Anticipating other possible costs like insurance and fees; and
  • Anticipating factors that could alter those costs. 

Some of this knowledge comes from formal studies, some from construction experience, and some from active research. Construction Estimators must be good communicators, able to discuss projects with anyone involved: clients, supervisors, government agencies, tradespersons, subcontractors, vendors, and financial officers. These discussions elicit information and clarify a project’s requirements and limitations so that the Estimator can fully calculate its details. Attention to detail is another crucial skill for a Construction Estimator. The success of their work relies on their ability to spell out every possible aspect of construction projects and correctly anticipate their costs or influence on costs. 

Construction Estimators frequently work for building contractors, creating their bids for proposals or helping them decide what jobs are worth bidding on. Construction Estimators also assist in budgeting for construction projects at building companies, real estate developers, or government agencies like transportation, urban planning, or civil engineering. Some Construction Estimators are direct employees of these industries, often advising an administrator or supervisor or else contributing to a construction planning team. Other Construction Estimators are self-employed, working as freelancers whenever and wherever their services are needed. Freelance Construction Estimators often assist smaller businesses that only need occasional estimation work, but such independent Estimators may also be hired to produce estimates for comparison against contractor bids or internal budgeting, to make sure those estimates are reasonable.

Some Construction Estimators work remotely, collecting information from local clients and contacts and then building their estimates from these reports. Other Estimators travel as necessary, examining construction sites, talking to local contacts, and meeting with clients. Additionally, depending on their position, a Construction Estimator’s work might not be done after preconstruction. Some Estimators monitor jobs in progress to watch for potential savings, cost overruns, inventory and labor problems, and other concerns that could alter a project’s final cost. 

What Software Do Construction Estimators Use?

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General Software Tools

If they have not already learned these tools elsewhere, Construction Estimators should consider learning commonly used communication, record-keeping, accounting, and image-editing programs. These programs help when discussing building plans with clients, presenting questions and reports to colleagues, sketching prototypes, and gathering information.

Construction Estimation Software

Construction estimation systems are specialized cost estimation programs, often integrated with CAD and BIM software. These systems streamline the estimation process by storing cost and building information, breaking designs into detailed and organized lists, and combining these resources to quickly produce estimates. These programs also include prompts that help Estimators avoid oversights plus output tools that generate clear, detailed reports. The increased speed and accuracy provided by estimation software make it an essential tool for every Construction Estimator. Many construction estimation packages are available, some designed for particular types of projects and users:

  • ProEst — One of the most well-regarded professional construction estimation systems, with nearly every feature a Construction Estimator might need
  • STACK — designed for ease of use and more approachable for small contractors
  • Clear Estimates — inexpensive but may be sufficient for many projects
  • Procore and Sage Estimation — offer powerful integration across multiple construction applications, making them valuable for large businesses that prefer to keep their operations unified in a single framework

Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)

A variety of design programs can create prototype sketches, 3D models, and detailed diagrams for construction planning. Construction-specific drafting programs can also produce usable blueprints. Construction Estimators should learn to use design, drafting, and modeling software both to extract information from computer-designed building plans and to exchange feedback on proposed designs with colleagues and contacts.

  • Autodesk AutoCAD — A 2D and 3D modeling program with strong expansion and customization features, including custom workspaces and workflows, task-specific toolsets, and collaboration and productivity tools
  • Autodesk Navisworks — 3D design review software for collaborative exploration, evaluation, and revision of designs and building plans; helps plan building schedules, coordinate activities, and avoid conflicts
  • SketchUp — A flexible and user-friendly 3D modeling program used more often in architecture and interior design than in construction planning

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Building Information Modeling software represents building projects in high detail, embedding information like materials and construction tasks alongside 3D models. Many BIM systems can export these specifications directly to construction estimation systems.

  • Autodesk Revit — A BIM program that combines 2D and 3D modeling and design tools with detailed architectural, engineering, and construction information to create fully-described building plans
    • Revit also interacts with additional software tools to analyze designs for features like safety and environmental impact and to break designs into construction stages.
  • Autodesk Civil 3D — Design and documentation software similar to BIM programs but specialized for civil construction such as transportation, utility, and other large-scale projects

How to Learn Construction Estimation Software

While users can learn some programs by reading documentation and exploring their features, this self-taught approach is less effective with construction planning software. Without organized lessons and expert guidance, learners will waste valuable time, make costly mistakes, and might never discover certain features of these complex tools. 

The fastest and most certain way to learn new software is through live instruction, attended either in person or through online video conferencing. In addition to presenting lectures and demonstrations, skilled instructors can rephrase lessons, give additional examples, and answer questions, ensuring that students understand each concept before moving on. They can also review students’ work and give timely feedback on exercises and projects. The drawbacks to live instruction are its higher cost and the need to attend classes on a fixed schedule. In-person classes also add travel time and expense and limit students’ options to nearby trainers, although some students prefer a physical classroom for better engagement.

An alternate study method that takes greater advantage of online resources is on-demand training, also sometimes called self-paced or self-guided learning. On-demand courses use combinations of pre-recorded videos, texts, and interactive websites to present their lessons. Students can then study at any time they find convenient, from anywhere with an Internet connection. They can also work at their preferred speed and skip or add topics. While studying software through on-demand lessons is convenient, students using this format must wait longer to resolve questions or get additional explanations. At best, they may get help through message boards, chat systems, or occasional phone or email contact with advisors. This limited feedback often slows progress and can significantly delay the completion of on-demand classes, especially when coupled with the challenges of maintaining motivation and attention alone. Plus, no matter how good they are when created, pre-recorded lessons cannot match the currency and flexibility of live instruction.

Self-guided courses can also be tempting because of their reduced cost. Similarly, some students seek free instruction through publicly-shared video and text tutorials. However, these free resources are rarer for construction software and are generally limited to introductions, demonstrations, tips, and creative ideas. Free lessons are more common for more general design and 3D modeling software, but again, complete courses covering every program feature are rare. Even for sites that do offer complete, free courses, students will still lack an instructor’s guidance and will take longer to learn through this approach. Free lessons also offer no guarantees of quality and may be even older and more outdated than on-demand classes.

Other Skills Needed to Become a Construction Estimator

Software can assist and automate, but a Construction Estimator must know what they want these tools to accomplish. Mathematical ability allows Estimators to make on-the-spot calculations and check the validity of generated numbers. Data management and accounting skills help to organize information like vendor lists and product costs. 

Even with help from software, good organizational skills and the ability to prioritize are critical talents. Building designs and their corresponding estimates are complex informational structures, and Construction Estimators often work on multiple projects at once. All of the above also benefit from strong attention to detail, a critical trait for any Estimator’s success. 

Similarly, while programs provide useful contact methods and collaborative spaces, a Construction Estimator needs inherent verbal and written communication skills. Their work often involves gathering information from contacts, generating and explaining estimate reports, and exchanging suggestions to reduce project costs.

Construction Estimators must also understand construction in significant detail, including: 

  • Reading blueprints and other planning documents;
  • Knowing local building codes;
  • Detailing the materials, equipment, and labor needed for a project
  • Calculating approximate costs for said materials, equipment, and labor
  • Including incidental costs like transportation, site cleanup, and waste disposal fees;
  • Anticipating overhead costs like legal filings, licenses, approvals, insurance, and bonds;
  • Considering contingencies: variables that could add to costs like weather conditions or price variations
  • Including an appropriate profit if producing a bid for a contractor.

Learn the Skills to Become a Construction Estimator at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop and the Visual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offer online classes that teach the skills Construction Estimators need. In addition to classes on construction estimation, their curricula include general construction skills and construction and visualization software like 3D modeling, Computer-Assisted Drafting (CAD), and Building Information Model (BIM) systems. For each class, students complete one or more portfolio-quality projects, receive a certificate of completion, and can retake the course within 1 year, if needed.

Students new to construction estimation should start with VDCI’s Construction Estimator Course, a self-paced course including video lessons, practice exercises, training projects, and supplemental reference materials. The course assumes no prior experience and explains the primary skills of a Construction Estimator: reading construction drawings, translating those plans into component lists, calculating component costs, and accounting for various other expenses. 

Another set of self-paced courses explains how to read construction documents, often called blueprints. Construction Estimators need to completely understand building plans in any format, physical or virtual, to accurately extract information for their estimates. VDCI’s Blueprint Reading Fundamentals Course Bundle includes courses on both residential and commercial construction, combined at a discounted rate. This bundle can also be combined with the Construction Estimator Course as a Blueprint Reading & Construction Estimating Course Bundle.

For those without previous construction experience, VCDI’s self-paced Construction Fundamentals Course Bundle provides a thorough introduction to the processes, systems, and materials of building construction through video lectures and active projects. This series of six class units covers site surveying and foundation work, steel and concrete building structures, the components of the building envelope (including walls, floors, and roofing), interior and finishing work, utility systems like electrical and plumbing, fire protection, and final cleanup steps. The bundle also includes a one hour, 1-on-1 mentoring session with an expert instructor.

Alongside programs specifically for construction estimation, Construction Estimators often use Building Information Modeling (BIM) software like Autodesk Revit to itemize the details of a construction project. BIM programs combine 2D and 3D modeling tools with informational resources representing materials, work stages, and other components. VDCI’s Revit Fundamentals Course Bundle combines an introduction to the program and BIM systems in general with an intermediate course that extends and expands students’ ability to create and read detailed building models. Students learn how to create a full-featured 3D building model, create and use 2D representations within that model, and generate architectural graphics, working building plans, and schedules that list material and labor requirements. These courses also address workflow design to improve efficiency in Revit. 

Like BIM, Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) is also frequently used to visualize building projects, both to guide estimates and to collaborate with clients and colleagues. CAD programs like Autodesk AutoCAD create detailed visual and spatial representations that can depict buildings and construction sites. Construction estimation students will benefit most from VDCI’s Autodesk CAD Certification Bundle, a set of five self-paced classes that include an introduction to the program, an intermediate class explaining the creation of construction documents, two extended units building further construction document skills, and a class on smaller-scale detail drawings in CAD. This bundle is designed to prepare students for Autodesk Certified User in AutoCAD certification, and the course includes a voucher for the certification exam and a free exam retake if needed. Students also receive a 1-on-1 training session they can use for exam preparation or career advising.

Alternately, students prepared to pursue complete training in both CAD and BIM systems can combine both their certificate bundles into a single CAD/BIM Certificate Program. In addition to introductory and intermediate classes and two units of extended practice with construction documents for both programs, the combined program includes a professional-level capstone project, 120 hours of added elective classes (including advanced AutoCAD or specialized versions of Revit), and eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions to address difficult topics or get help with career preparation.