AP Construction Scales Operations with Estimating Link®: From Startup to 25 Employees in 9 Months

Anderson Place Construction, LLC, is a dynamic construction company specializing in site work and underground utilities. Based in Florida, the company has expanded rapidly within its first year of operation, securing multiple contracts and growing its team from just two employees to over 25. Jason Beasley, the Division Manager for the Site Work Division, oversees much of this growth and attributes part of the company's success to the integration of advanced estimating tools.

  The Challenge

Before using specialized estimating software, Anderson Place Construction faced significant challenges in managing estimates and budgets. Jason Beasley had previously relied on tools like Excel, which proved inefficient for the complexity of their operations.

“With Excel, what we were running into was trying to create a budget, but cost coding items and tracking them were very limited.”

Although Excel allowed some flexibility, it required excessive manual input and lacked the capabilities to streamline estimating and budget generation, crucial for a company aiming to scale quickly.

Jason knew that Anderson Place needed a more robust solution, but budget constraints were a concern:

"I liked some of the bigger programs, but the cost was a challenge for us being a small company just getting started."

  The Solution

After researching various software options, Jason discovered Estimating Link, a program tailored for site utility and underground construction projects.

"Estimating Link kept coming up in my search, and it turned out to be exactly what we needed—affordable and similar to the big names I had used before"

said Jason. Estimating Link enabled Anderson Place Construction to quickly build a database of equipment, labor rates, and materials, which could be reused and modified for future projects. It provided a "plug-and-play" solution, making it easier to create and review estimates, track costs, and transfer data seamlessly into accounting software.

   The Results

• Improved Efficiency: Within a few months of adopting Estimating Link, Anderson Place Construction saw a drastic improvement in its estimating process. "We’re on bid number 78 or 79 this year, and I can tell you with Excel, we wouldn’t even be close to that," Jason shared. The software allowed the team to bid on significantly more projects compared to their previous system.
  
  
• Faster Turnaround: Estimating Link’s ability to auto-generate detailed estimates and budgets saved the team time, allowing them to respond to bids more quickly. "In the last few months, we’ve doubled the number of jobs we’re sending out, which has also led to doubling the jobs we’re getting," Jason noted.
  
  
• Scalability: The software allowed Jason to onboard a junior estimator with no prior experience in the industry. "He had zero experience in estimating, but the software was so user-friendly that it didn’t take long to get him up and running." This scalability further increased the company’s capacity to handle more projects.
  
  
• Better Budget Management: Estimating Link allowed Anderson Place to create precise budgets for labor, equipment, and materials. "I can produce a field worksheet that shows my crews exactly what they need to do, what equipment they have, and how long it should take," Jason explained. This level of detail was not possible with Excel.
  
  
• Enhanced Accuracy and Confidence: "With Excel, you always had question marks—what did I miss? But now, I feel confident that everything is included and I can easily review every detail," Jason said. Estimating Link’s thorough data capture and review process reduced errors and increased confidence when submitting bids.
  
  
• Growth Support: The software played a pivotal role in supporting the company’s rapid growth. "When we started, it was just me and my project manager. Now we’re over 25 employees, and Estimating Link has been a huge part of our success," Jason shared. 
  
  
  

Results

Thanks to the efficiencies gained through Estimating Link, Anderson Place Construction doubled the number of bids it submitted and the number of projects it was awarded within its first year. The company has grown significantly, both in terms of headcount and project volume.

"We’re cooking pretty good for a first-year company," Jason said, expressing pride in the company's accomplishments. Estimating Link allowed them to focus less on administrative tasks and more on delivering quality work. "Now, I spend 80% of my day out in the field, not stuck behind a computer." -Jason Beasley

Conclusion

For small to medium-sized construction companies like Anderson Place Construction, finding the right tools is critical to growth. Estimating Link provided an affordable yet powerful solution that allowed the company to streamline its estimating process, scale its operations, and improve overall project management.

Jason Beasley continues to recommend the software to others in the industry, praising its user-friendly interface and outstanding customer support.

Key Metrics

• Growth: From 2 to 25+ employees in the first year.
• Bids Submitted: 78+ bids within the first 9 months.
• Time Saved: Up to 80% reduction in time spent on estimates.
• Jobs Awarded: Doubled in the second half of the year.

Ready to Streamline Your Estimating Process?

See how Estimating Link can transform your business, just like it did for Anderson Place Construction. Schedule a personalized demo today to explore how our user-friendly software can help your team save time, improve accuracy, and drive growth.