Since the turn of the
century technology has been seeping into every sector of the economy,
making nearly all industries more competitive and efficient. The
computer and the corresponding software has revolutionized the way we
do business, even in the most physical of industries. Take the
construction industry for example; an industry characterized by
hammers, nails, and hardhats that is now reliant on a variety of
construction software. Construction estimating software has become an integral
part of the industry at all stages of the building process. From the
architect drawing up plans, to the estimator who reads them, and all
the way through to building on the jobsite with the aid of GPS
technology and automated machines, construction software makes
incredible advances possible. From the beginning of the process,
construction software has completely changed the way that the
industry operates. Though it has eliminated the nostalgic image of
the architect with his ruler and a big roll of blueprints, CAD
software that architects use to generate their plans has greatly
increased the accuracy and detail that plans can provide. This
specific type of construction software has more in common with
graphic design software, but it is a central part of the process, as
it is where the whole building begins.
From the
architect the plans are sent to a set of contractors so that they can
bid on the project, each of them trying to outbid the other to win
the job. For this task contractors use takeoff software that allows
them to use their computers to read and measure the plans in order to
create accurate estimates of how much material is needed to finish
the job. With the help of construction software that calculates
takeoff quantities, contractors are able to generate material
estimates that they feed into the next step in the construction
software chain: estimating. Estimating software creates matrices for
contractors to input their takeoff quantities and then calculates the
cost to finish the job. From that number, contractors provide a bid
to the client and hope they are chosen for the project. With
estimating and takeoff construction software there is an equal
balance between accuracy and speed. Completing bids quickly allows
construction companies to bid more jobs, thereby increasing their
chances of winning more jobs. Accurate take-off allow contractors to
build reputations as finishing their jobs on time with the promised
cost, allowing them to win more jobs that way while also limiting
waste and subsequent extra cost. A wealth of other types of
construction software enters the equation on the tail end, from plan
sharing to accounting software, construction estimating software has truly
permeated the entire industry and looks to be here to stay.
