Finding the right construction estimating software can make or break your business. We tested 10 popular options to help you choose the best fit for your needs and budget.
Quick Answer: For small contractors, Joist offers the best value. For mid-size companies, Buildertrend balances features and price. For enterprise, Procore leads the pack.
Best Construction Estimating Software 2025: Quick Comparison
| Software | Best For | Starting Price | Free Trial | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procore | Enterprise/Large GCs | Custom pricing | Demo only | 4.5/5 |
| Buildertrend | Mid-size builders | $499/month | Yes | 4.4/5 |
| CoConstruct | Custom home builders | $449/month | Yes | 4.3/5 |
| Houzz Pro | Remodelers | $149/month | 30 days | 4.2/5 |
| Joist | Small contractors | $19.99/month | 14 days | 4.2/5 |
| Stack | Takeoff specialists | $2,999/year | Yes | 4.1/5 |
| PlanSwift | Detailed takeoffs | $1,749 one-time | Yes | 4.0/5 |
| Clear Estimates | Remodeling | $59/month | 30 days | 4.0/5 |
| TheSiteMath | Quick calculations | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Spreadsheets | Budget option | Free | N/A | N/A |
1. Procore - Best for Enterprise
Price: Custom (typically $10,000+/year) | Best For: Large general contractors
Procore is the industry leader for large construction companies. It handles everything from preconstruction to closeout.
Key Features
- Complete project management suite
- Real-time cost tracking
- Bid management and leveling
- Document control
- Mobile apps for field teams
- 400+ integrations
Pros
- Most comprehensive feature set
- Excellent mobile experience
- Strong reporting and analytics
- Industry-leading support
- Scales with your business
Cons
- Expensive for small companies
- Steep learning curve
- Overkill for simple projects
- Long implementation time
Who Should Use Procore?
General contractors with $10M+ annual revenue and complex projects. The ROI makes sense when managing multiple large jobs.
Verdict: If budget isn’t a concern, Procore is the gold standard. But smaller contractors will find better value elsewhere.
2. Buildertrend - Best for Mid-Size Builders
Price: $499-$999/month | Best For: Residential builders and remodelers
Buildertrend offers a strong balance of features and usability. It’s popular among home builders doing 5-50 projects per year.
Key Features
- Estimating and proposals
- Scheduling and calendars
- Customer portal
- Financial management
- Lead tracking CRM
- Time clock for crews
Pros
- All-in-one solution
- Good customer portal
- Reasonable learning curve
- Strong mobile apps
- Active user community
Cons
- Monthly cost adds up
- Some features feel basic
- Limited customization
- Reporting could be better
Who Should Use Buildertrend?
Residential builders and remodelers with 5+ employees who need project management beyond just estimating.
3. CoConstruct - Best for Custom Home Builders
Price: $449/month | Best For: Custom home and remodel specialists
CoConstruct focuses specifically on custom residential construction. It excels at managing selections and change orders.
Key Features
- Selection management
- Change order tracking
- Spec templates
- Client communication portal
- Budgeting and forecasting
- QuickBooks integration
Pros
- Purpose-built for custom homes
- Excellent selection tracking
- Strong client experience
- Good change order workflow
- Detailed budgeting tools
Cons
- Limited to residential
- Higher price point
- Learning curve for full features
- Mobile app needs improvement
Who Should Use CoConstruct?
Custom home builders who deal with lots of client selections and change orders. The selection management alone justifies the cost.
4. Houzz Pro - Best for Remodelers
Price: $149-$399/month | Best For: Kitchen, bath, and remodeling contractors
Houzz Pro combines estimating with lead generation from the Houzz marketplace. Good for contractors who want marketing built in.
Key Features
- Estimating templates
- 3D floor plans
- Lead generation
- Client collaboration
- Invoicing and payments
- Project management
Pros
- Integrated lead generation
- Beautiful 3D visualizations
- Client-friendly interface
- Reasonable pricing
- Marketing tools included
Cons
- Less powerful estimating
- Houzz dependency
- Limited for new construction
- Fewer integrations
Who Should Use Houzz Pro?
Remodelers who want a combined marketing and management platform. The Houzz marketplace leads can be valuable.
5. Joist - Best for Small Contractors
Price: $19.99-$49.99/month | Best For: Solo contractors and small crews
Joist is simple, affordable, and gets the job done. Perfect for contractors who don’t need enterprise features.
Key Features
- Quick estimates
- Professional invoices
- Payment processing
- Basic CRM
- Mobile-first design
- QuickBooks sync
Pros
- Very affordable
- Easy to learn
- Great mobile app
- Fast estimate creation
- Accepts credit cards
Cons
- Limited features
- No project management
- Basic reporting
- Not for complex jobs
Who Should Use Joist?
Solo contractors and small crews who need simple estimating and invoicing without the complexity of larger systems.
Verdict: Best value for small operations. Start here before investing in expensive software.
6. Stack - Best for Takeoffs
Price: $2,999/year | Best For: Detailed quantity takeoffs
Stack (formerly StackCT) specializes in cloud-based takeoff and estimating. Strong for plan-based quantity calculations.
Key Features
- Cloud-based takeoffs
- Automatic scaling
- Assembly-based estimating
- Collaboration tools
- Bid management
- Mobile markup
Pros
- Powerful takeoff tools
- Works on any device
- Good for subcontractors
- Accurate measurements
- Team collaboration
Cons
- Annual pricing only
- Learning curve
- Limited project management
- Needs good internet
Who Should Use Stack?
Subcontractors and estimators who do detailed plan takeoffs. Especially good for drywall, concrete, and flooring.
7. PlanSwift - Best One-Time Purchase
Price: $1,749 one-time | Best For: Budget-conscious estimators
PlanSwift offers powerful takeoff capabilities with a one-time purchase. No monthly fees after initial investment.
Key Features
- Digital takeoffs
- Custom assemblies
- Excel integration
- Area and linear tools
- 3D viewer
- Plugin ecosystem
Pros
- One-time payment
- Powerful features
- Works offline
- Good Excel export
- Active user community
Cons
- Windows only
- Dated interface
- Annual support fees
- Steep learning curve
Who Should Use PlanSwift?
Estimators who prefer owning software outright. Good for those comfortable with desktop applications.
8. Clear Estimates - Best for Remodeling Estimates
Price: $59-$149/month | Best For: Kitchen and bath remodelers
Clear Estimates provides pre-built templates specifically for remodeling work. Fast estimates with regional pricing.
Key Features
- Remodeling templates
- Regional pricing data
- Proposal generation
- Photo documentation
- Basic CRM
- Online payments
Pros
- Fast estimate creation
- Accurate regional pricing
- Good templates
- Easy to learn
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited to remodeling
- Basic features only
- No project management
- Simple reporting
Who Should Use Clear Estimates?
Remodeling contractors who want fast, accurate estimates without complex software. Great for kitchen and bath specialists.
9. TheSiteMath - Best Free Option
Price: Free | Best For: Quick material calculations
TheSiteMath offers free construction calculators for common materials. No software to install, no account needed.
Key Features
- 11 free calculators (roofing, concrete, drywall, etc.)
- Material quantity estimates
- Cost calculations
- Mobile-friendly
- No signup required
- NRCA/ACI standard formulas
Pros
- 100% free forever
- Works on any device
- Instant results
- No learning curve
- Privacy-focused
Cons
- No proposal generation
- No project management
- Not for complex estimates
- No bid management
Who Should Use TheSiteMath?
Anyone who needs quick material calculations. Use alongside paid software or for simple DIY estimates.
Try it: Free Construction Calculators
10. Spreadsheets - The Budget Classic
Price: Free (Google Sheets) or included with Office | Best For: Ultimate flexibility
Many successful contractors still use Excel or Google Sheets. With templates, spreadsheets can be surprisingly powerful.
Pros
- Free or already owned
- Complete customization
- Works offline
- No learning curve
- Universal format
Cons
- No built-in features
- Error-prone formulas
- Limited collaboration
- Manual updates needed
- No mobile optimization
Who Should Use Spreadsheets?
Contractors with unique workflows or very tight budgets. Combine with TheSiteMath for material calculations.
How to Choose the Right Software
By Company Size
| Company Size | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solo/1-2 people | Joist + TheSiteMath | Affordable, simple |
| 3-10 employees | Buildertrend or Houzz Pro | Good features, fair price |
| 10-50 employees | CoConstruct or Buildertrend | Scalable, full-featured |
| 50+ employees | Procore | Enterprise capability |
By Trade
| Trade | Best Options |
|---|---|
| General Contractor | Buildertrend, Procore |
| Roofing | iRoofing, EagleView |
| Concrete | Stack, PlanSwift |
| Drywall | Stack, PlanSwift |
| Remodeling | Houzz Pro, Clear Estimates |
| Custom Homes | CoConstruct |
By Budget
| Monthly Budget | Options |
|---|---|
| $0 | TheSiteMath, Spreadsheets |
| $20-50 | Joist |
| $50-200 | Clear Estimates, Houzz Pro |
| $200-500 | Buildertrend, CoConstruct |
| $500+ | Procore |
Cost Comparison: First Year
| Software | Year 1 Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| TheSiteMath | $0 | Calculators only |
| Joist | $240-600 | Estimating + invoicing |
| Clear Estimates | $708-1,788 | Templates + CRM |
| Houzz Pro | $1,788-4,788 | Leads + management |
| Buildertrend | $5,988-11,988 | Full platform |
| CoConstruct | $5,388 | Custom home focus |
| Procore | $10,000+ | Enterprise suite |
Our Recommendations
Best Overall Value
Joist for small contractors. Simple, affordable, and does the essentials well. Add TheSiteMath calculators for material estimates.
Best for Growing Companies
Buildertrend for companies ready to scale. The all-in-one approach simplifies operations as you grow.
Best for Accuracy
Stack or PlanSwift for detailed takeoffs. When estimates need to be precise, dedicated takeoff tools pay for themselves.
Best Free Option
TheSiteMath for quick calculations. Combine with spreadsheets for a zero-cost solution that works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is construction estimating software?
Construction estimating software helps contractors calculate material quantities, labor costs, and project pricing. It ranges from simple calculators to complete project management platforms.
How much does estimating software cost?
Prices range from free (TheSiteMath, spreadsheets) to $20/month (Joist) to $10,000+/year (Procore). Most contractors find good options in the $50-500/month range.
Can I use free tools for professional estimates?
Yes, for simple projects. Combine TheSiteMath calculators with spreadsheet templates. For complex projects or client-facing proposals, paid software looks more professional.
Which software has the best mobile app?
Joist and Buildertrend have excellent mobile apps. Procore’s mobile app is comprehensive but complex. Stack works well on tablets.
Do I need takeoff software?
If you regularly estimate from plans, yes. Stack or PlanSwift save hours compared to manual takeoffs. For simple projects, online calculators work fine.
Summary
The best construction estimating software depends on your size and needs:
- Solo/Small: Start with Joist + TheSiteMath (free calculators)
- Mid-size: Invest in Buildertrend or CoConstruct
- Enterprise: Budget for Procore
Don’t overspend on features you won’t use. Start simple and upgrade as you grow.
Get started: Try our free construction calculators — no signup needed.