In short:
- Manual estimating errors lead to lost bids and lower profits for concrete and drywall estimators.
- On-Screen Takeoff® automates takeoffs and helps deliver fast, accurate estimates.
- Digital takeoff and estimating software can reduce costly mistakes and increase competitiveness.
- Adopting digital estimating tools lets you focus on smarter bidding, not repetitive tasks.
Winning bids as a concrete or drywall estimator isn’t easy, but it’s possible. Manual estimating can lead to costly errors, delayed bids, and missed opportunities. That’s where tools like concrete and drywall estimating software can help you streamline workflows and gain a competitive edge.
Here are four strategies to help you eliminate bid losses and improve your success rate.
1. Create Faster Bids Without Sacrificing Accuracy
It’s not just about faster takeoffs. For concrete and drywall estimators, accuracy is everything. A small error measuring square footage for a foundation or miscounting drywall sheets can lead to overbids or underbids. Bidding too high means you lose the job, while bidding too low hurts your profit.
On-Screen Takeoff® not only helps you work faster, but more importantly, it eliminates the mistakes that can occur from manual estimating and repetitive tasks.
As Mike Phillips, VP, Preconstruction, Miller-Tippens Construction, stated:
You could spend a couple of days doing an accurate takeoff that you can now do in a matter of hours using On-Screen Takeoff.”
By cutting out manual work and repetitive tasks, you get back valuable time so you can focus on reviewing, analyzing, and perfecting your estimates.
2. Save Time with Smart Automation
Speed matters when you’re bidding against competitors, but rushing through takeoffs often leads to mistakes. That’s why automation is your ally in creating accurate and timely estimates.
On-Screen Takeoff’s Takeoff Boost™ automates repetitive tasks, completing entire pages of concrete or drywall takeoff in seconds. This gives you time to focus on analyzing project details and crafting a bid that stands out.
Zach Batson, an estimator at Zook Interiors, shares his experience with Takeoff Boost:
“If it’s taking me 10 minutes to do a wall takeoff, Boost has it completed in 30 seconds to a minute. If I can rely on Takeoff Boost, that’s a no-brainer—it’s extremely fast compared to what I can do.”
3. Use Advanced Tools to Simplify the Process
- Auto Name: Rename an entire plan set in minutes.
- Multi-Condition Takeoff: Takeoff multiple building components simultaneously.
- Typical Groups and Typical Areas: Simplify repeating rooms, floors, or sections.
- Template Jobs: Start projects faster with reusable templates.
4. Use Trade-Specific Features for Speed and Accuracy
Estimators in concrete and drywall need solutions built around their daily challenges. On-Screen Takeoff includes features tailored to both trades:- Concrete Estimators: Instantly measure foundations, parking lots, curbing, and more. Visualize and calculate area, perimeter, and volume at a click
- Drywall Estimators: Founded by a drywall subcontractor, On-Screen Takeoff is built with your needs in mind. Take precise measurements for walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and windows. Linear and Area takeoff make it easy to capture every scope detail.
Why Digital Tools Are the Key to Staying Ahead
The bottom line is simple: Manual methods aren’t enough in a competitive field like construction estimating. Tools like On-Screen Takeoff and Takeoff Boost give you the accuracy, speed, and efficiency to confidently submit estimates that win bids and restore your peace of mind.Start Today
Try On-Screen Takeoff free for 14 days and transform the way you estimate. Start Your Free Trial Today.
See On-Screen Takeoff in Action at ASPE!
Are you attending the ASPE Summit in September? Stop by Booth #5 to see how On-Screen Takeoff can transform your estimating process. Our team will be there to answer your questions, provide live demos, and show you how to win more bids with ease.
