Value of Using Construction Takeoff Software

For years, I spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per project on printing blueprints. With the national average of $1.09 per page for a 24”x36” B&W blueprint to be printed and an average project size of 70 sheets, with a minimum of 2 sets required, I found the cost can quickly become more than the investment into using a digital solution to view and complete a takeoff. With an industry focused on trying to build green, I asked why not eliminate the cost of paper with technology. Well, if you are like me and are looking for some reasons why to make the change, here are a few.

Reprographic fees are expensive. 

For years, I would always look past reprographic fees on my P&L, just because they were a necessity I couldn’t get rid of. It wasn’t until the housing crash that suddenly looking for a different solution became important. By reallocating and reinvesting the money spent on printing on a form of technology, my bottom line got better. 

Technology will improve accuracy and accountability.

I couldn’t tell you how many times I have been in the middle of a takeoff, just to be interrupted by a visitor or a phone call, only to come back to my takeoff minutes, hours or even days later to find that I didn’t remember exactly where I left off. With paper, I would find myself tracing the walls and other items using a highlighter to indicate that I measured it and would then scribble my numbers down on a yellow notepad. Depending on how rushed I was, I would hopefully label everything correctly. Well, with technology, I can now start and stop a project anytime and always know what I measured and what the totals are because if it is colored, it is measured. I also have the chance to look back at old jobs just to verify numbers without digging through a notepad to find those numbers. 

Speed

Through my many years of estimating, I have done things by hand and also used technology. Being in the southern market I couldn’t tell you how many times I would get a plan that had a roof with more than 4 pitches involved. For me, doing it by hand and making sure it was accurate took me some time. But thanks to technology, the time it took me to complete it quickly increased to the point that I was 10x faster and more accurate than ever before. Even simple room area takeoffs became much faster and provided me with a tool that even allowed me to share my takeoff with my fellow colleagues in the field.

Technology improves collaboration.

Being in the construction field for over 20+ years, I have seen many different pieces of technology. From my first job as a Project Manager with a local Commercial GC, when the biggest piece of tech was my pager, to my most recent venture where I carried an iPad, iPhone and had a blueprint takeoff software to view and edit my takeoffs. Back in the day, I communicated with my subs by meeting with them onsite and discussing what needed to be done. If they needed me, they paged me or came to my job trailer. Every moment they spent trying to find me was a moment of production lost. Now, thanks to technology, they text me if they need me and if they have issues with something in the building process, they add a note and photo to the prints that is instantly available to me for review on my PC or mobile device. This creates for me a project history that allows me to stay up to speed with all that is going on and has improved my communication with my entire team. 

As I mentioned, being in this industry I have watched technology transition into what it is today. 10 years ago, I would have never thought that I would be carrying my plans around on a device the size of my notepad; but to be honest, I would never go back to carrying a heavy set of plans. There are many solutions on the market, but only a few of those are on the cutting edge and offer the power of desktop software with the benefits of cloud technology. If you are like me and are looking for that solution, why not try out one by visiting www.squaretakeoff.com. 

We're Listening, Provide Your Software Suggestions and Feedback

Since the launch of Square Takeoff, we have always took pride in the fact that we always enjoy listening to our customers on what new features they would like to see in the product. Is there a tool or method that Square Takeoff could add that would make your next takeoff or estimate even easier? Is there a tool currently in the software that if we added a few more things would help you get your next bid out quicker? If so let us know. Simply send your ideas or suggestions to sales@squaretakeoff.com or simply chat with us on our main site at www.squaretakeoff.com  of what you would like to see added to Square Takeoff or some feedback on any current features of our product. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

If you have not tried Square Takeoff, then take it for a spin today. Visit www.squaretakeoff.com/sign-up for your free 14 day trial.

The Downfall of Desktop Takeoff and Estimating Software Thanks to Cloud Technology

Over 20 years ago the construction industry became more efficient thanks to the introduction of computerized technology. In its early days, this new computer technology was very expensive which made it difficult for the average construction professional to access. Through the years more and more companies emerged with new tech that was faster than its previous counterpart and thanks to that continued growth, the price also became more affordable. Suddenly, everyone could use their digitizer board and computer to complete a takeoff and estimate quicker than doing it by hand. Next came the launch of digital takeoff solutions that no longer required you to have to print your plans and therefore allowing a tremendous cost savings that helped every contractor’s bottom line. These products offered a familiar feel that was easy to process and helped ensure a level of accuracy far better than methods of the past. Digital takeoff solutions could allow users to easily calculate basic area, linear and counts for any type of project, residential or commercial. Only one drawback was still evident; there was no easy way to share completed projects to help improve collaboration amongst team members. Desktop takeoff and estimating software was the best you could get at the time to complete a job.

It wasn’t until late 2014, with the release of technology such as HTML5, did the industry start to realize that the next step in the evolution of takeoff and estimating was about to happen. Suddenly, online takeoff™ and estimating solutions could now be built with cloud technology. This would usher such a change that by simply sharing a project, would improve and change the model of how a company did business. No longer being trapped by a desktop only solution, companies started to collaborate at a level never thought of before. From being able to walk a site with a mobile device and adjust and make changes that are instantly shared with all parties involved, to simply being able to access your job from anywhere in the world. Never again being confined to one operating system, thanks to modern technology you can work from Windows, Apple iOS, Android or any platform where you can access the web. Since this change, companies such as Square Takeoff™ have chosen to leave the world of desktop technology behind and have successfully launched into what the future has in store through the use of the cloud. So why not step away from the past and take a new step forward into a future with a level of potential that is only starting to be realized.

To learn more about Square Takeoff and how it is reshaping the industry visit www.squaretakeoff.com or contact them at marketing@squaretakeoff.com.

How To Upload a Digital Construction Blueprint

 To upload your digital files simply browse to your files or drag and drop the items onto the page. You can upload many digital file formats such as PDF, Jpeg, PNG and many more. When done select the Continue Button. Once your files are uploaded you will be able to start your takeoff. To see the status of the files uploaded, simply select the status button at the top. To learn more. Visit www.squaretakeoff.com

Importance Of Industry Trade Shows

Whether you’re an architect, a project manager, or a general contractor, business-to-business trade shows and conferences are one of the best resources available to you. With events all year round and in cities across the U.S. there are any number of shows suitable to your business and needs.

Exhibitors incur a great expense because there is great value in getting in front of their customers. However, there is also a great value in a being an attendee. Trade shows are the main stage where suppliers and customers come together to discuss the future of your business. They are among the best resources for discovering, sourcing, and comparing new products and services, and have become a key element in the purchasing process.

As an attendee, YOU are the reason exhibitors are there. With sometimes hundreds of companies exhibiting and vying for your attention, you control how you navigate your way through the myriad of products and services. Trade shows can also help develop greater confidence in your purchasing power.  Specifications can sometimes be a challenge, trade shows offer the opportunity to test drive many of the products and services that you need for your business so that you become more comfortable with investments. They also include seminars, panels, and workshops in their calendar of events. These are great tools for really honing in on a specific topics or services that are relevant and may lead you to new ways of thinking about your business.

As with any business, relationships are an important factor to building and growing and there is no better platform for networking than a trade show. You can rub elbows with suppliers to learn about what’s hot and what’s not, see what your competition is up to, become acquainted with new companies that can offer something you didn’t know you needed, meet colleagues and/or potential new customers, and just connect personally with others in your industry.

Lastly, trade shows can be a lot of fun. There will be a lot of energy buzzing around you as well as chances to cut loose and mingle with business associates. As you end your day walking the exhibition floor, you can look forward to attending dinner parties and use that time to strike up long and meaningful conversations without the hustle and the bustle of the show itself.

What I’ve covered so far is just the tip of the trade show iceberg. Much of your success will come with experience as an attendee as you become more familiar with the benefits of trade shows and how they apply to you. Of course you must consider the cost and time of attending these shows (ie: time away from the office, airfare, accommodations, food, and registration fees), but my goal here isn’t to discourage you but rather to share with you why attending these shows is worth your time and effort!

How to Start a New Project

To get started, simply select the Create New Project Button within the Bid Management section of Square Takeoff.

Once selected a menu will appear.

Within this menu you can enter and select multiple values

Such as the Company that the takeoff will be completed for. This can either be your company or a company you may be completing work for. To add new companies simple select System Tables and then Company Master to add additional companies to you system.

Next you will select the User that will be completing the project

You can now enter the project name you would like to use for this project.

Next you can Rate this Project based on the importance of the project.

Once you have selected a rating for the project you can now select the status of the project.

For Example you can select New when creating a new project and then select Bid Submitted once you have submitted the bid.

Throughout the different phases of the project you will be able to update the status as needed.

Next you will select a Project Bid Due Date and Project Start Date

Next you will enter the information for this project such as the Contact Name, Phone Number, Email and Address that the Project is located at.

In the next section you will enter the items that are required to complete the project.

Such as the Unit of Measure for Completing the Online Takeoff.

The color you would like to assign to the project.

The Total Estimated Value of the Entire Project and the Total Estimated Value of the Bid you are submitting.

Next select the currency value and lastly enter any notes that need to be included in the project.

Once completed select the Save Button to continue.

Next you will upload the digital blueprints you need for your project by selecting the project on the project calendar and then selecting the Green Start Takeoff button.

To learn more visit www.squaretakeoff.com

What is Construction Online Takeoff Software?

Completing a construction takeoff is not a new thing. Since before Roman time’s people have been calculating by hand a total area of a space or how long of distance they need so they can calculate how much material to build their structure. There have been many tools to calculate these items and all have been successful in the task, but thanks to technology, the latest and greatest tool to complete this process has, like past methods, once again helped to improve on the speed and accuracy it takes to complete a construction takeoff.

Just like the past, completing a construction takeoff requires you to use a blueprint but thanks to being digital you do not have to worry about all the cost associated with printing, and handling of paper. Most of today’s takeoff software allows you to work with many digital formats, such as, PDF, JPEG, TIFF and BMP files to name a few. Once you load your digital blueprint into the online takeoff™ software, you will need to set the scale of the plan. You just select a dimension line or know measurement and enter it into the software with a few simply clicks you are scaled and ready to do your online takeoff.

Some of the other benefits that come with taking advantage of today’s software it being able to stop at any point throughout your takeoff and pick up right where you left off. We all know that this has happened, you get very involved with your takeoff and suddenly the phone rings and you have to step away for a moment. Well in the past, you would have had to come back to your paper plan and yellow notepad and have to try to remember where you left off. Well not now, just remember if it is colored, it is measured. No more headache.

Another great benefit is simply being able to share you takeoff with others that might not be in your office. How many times in the past, when doing a takeoff by hand, would you need to share what was taken off with someone that was at the jobsite and not in the office? Normally this would cause you to have to pack up your plans and your trusty yellow notepads and head out to the jobsite. Not anymore, you can now instantly share the job to someone and they can view it from their laptop or mobile device in the field. This helps save on the gas you would have used to get there, but above all, it saves on time, and as we all know time is money.

If you have not tried one of today’s leading solutions for completing takeoffs, don’t worry it is not too late. There are many out there on the market today and each one has many different features to help you save that time and money on your next project. Some of those products such as Square Takeoff™, even offer a 14-day free trial. Square Takeoff also works on a Mac computer and any mobile device and offers along with its cutting edge web based online takeoff solution an easy to use bid management and project share solution, improving project collaboration between all phases of construction. 

So what is there to lose other than the headache of paper? Why not give it a try and visit www.squaretakeoff.com/sign-up today.