SOFTWARE TOOLS FOR ESTIMATION
The “Software Tools for Estimation” module equips students with practical skills to transition from manual or spreadsheet-based estimating to a fully digital workflow, primarily using PlanSwift. It introduces students to core features such as uploading and scaling drawings, performing digital takeoffs, and organizing estimates using CSI divisions or trades. Learners gain hands-on experience in measuring quantities like areas, lengths, and counts for various construction components—walls, floors, ceilings, MEP systems, and exterior works—directly from digital plans, reducing errors and improving speed and efficiency.
The module also covers more advanced PlanSwift capabilities such as creating assemblies that bundle materials, labor, and equipment into one automated measurement, customizing tools, and applying formulas for complex calculations. Students learn to generate professional reports and Excel exports containing quantity summaries and pricing breakdowns for bids or project tracking. By the end of the module, they are proficient in using PlanSwift to deliver organized, accurate estimates aligned with real-world industry practices for residential, commercial, and civil construction projects.
What You’ll Learn
01
Getting Started with PlanSwift
Begin with the basics: learn how to upload drawings, set scales accurately, and navigate PlanSwift’s interface. This module ensures you’re comfortable with the core environment before diving into measurements.
02
Performing Digital Takeoffs
Learn how to measure areas, lengths, and counts directly from digital plans. You’ll practice extracting quantities for walls, floors, ceilings, fixtures, MEP systems, and external works using PlanSwift’s tools.
03
Organizing Estimates by CSI Divisions
Discover how to structure your takeoffs using CSI divisions or trades. This helps you group items like drywall, plumbing, electrical, or site work into clean, logical sections for estimation and reporting.
04
Using Assemblies for Smart Estimating
Explore PlanSwift’s powerful assemblies feature. You’ll create smart bundles of materials, labor, and equipment that automatically calculate costs when quantities are measured — improving speed and accuracy.
05
Applying Formulas & Custom Tools
Master custom calculations by applying formulas within takeoff tools. You’ll learn how to tailor PlanSwift to complex scopes such as reinforced concrete, multi-layered finishes, or labor-hour driven tasks.
06
Exporting Reports & Final Estimates
Learn how to generate detailed reports and Excel exports for bids or internal tracking. You’ll create professional outputs with quantity summaries, pricing breakdowns, and line-item clarity ready for client use.
Our Academic Programs
Programs That Match Your Career Goals
Start from zero and build a solid foundation in construction estimation — learn drawings, takeoffs, and basic cost building in easy-to-follow modules.
Earn industry-recognized certificates that validate your estimating skills and boost your credibility with contractors, architects, and firms.
Work on complete construction projects from plans to final estimate a practical experience that prepares you for freelance or in-house roles.
Sharpen your skills with advanced topics like MEP, civil works, and finishing estimation using professional software and real-world projects.
Flexible, self-paced online access — study anytime, anywhere. Learn from expert estimators with hands-on demos and guided walkthroughs.
Stay updated with new tools, templates, and trends in digital estimation. Perfect for professionals looking to grow or shift into estimating roles.
Why Take This Course?
Construction estimation today isn’t just about rulers and calculators — it’s about using the right software to save time, improve accuracy, and stay competitive.
This course is ideal for anyone looking to modernize their workflow. Whether you’re a contractor still using paper, or an estimator aiming to upgrade your digital skills, we’ll teach you how to harness tools like PlanSwift, and Excel — even if you’ve never used them before.
By the end, you’ll be able to:
- Perform digital takeoffs with precision
- Access real-time material and labor costs
- Organize and automate your estimates
- Save hours on every project
- Build professional, data-backed bids that win more work
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We've got the answers you need.
No, most tools offer free trials or demo versions. We’ll guide you on how to access and use them for practice during the course.
Yes! This course assumes no prior experience with estimation software. Each module is beginner-friendly and walks you through the basics step-by-step.
Absolutely. A key part of the course is teaching how to use multiple tools together — like using Bluebeam for markups and Excel for calculations — to create a complete workflow.
Yes, everything taught is practical and directly applicable to real-world construction projects, whether residential, commercial, or renovation-based.