How Switching to Estimating Software Increased Profitability and Efficiency for a Construction Company

Written by The Construction Link | Nov 12, 2024 3:36:45 PM

A contractor boosts profits and efficiency by streamlining estimates with powerful software.

INDUSTRY: Heavy Construction

WORK TYPE: Excavation & Civil

LOCATION: Delta, BC, Canada

TEAM SIZE: 18 employees

PRODUCT(S): Estimating Link

CUSTOMER SINCE: 5/9/2023

The Challenge

Before implementing Estimating Link, LA Contracting relied heavily on Excel for estimating project costs and managing bids. This manual process was cumbersome, error-prone, and time-consuming, often leading to bid errors and delays. Key pain points included:

Frequent Revisions: Constant project updates and drawing changes meant that Taylor and his team spent extensive time manually recalculating estimates to reflect these revisions.
Inaccurate Bids: The risk of mistakes in Excel spreadsheets was high, leading to overlooked details and errors in final bids.
Time Management: Spending hours on paperwork after fieldwork delayed project turnarounds and impacted work-life balance, often keeping Taylor in the office past typical business hours.

The Solution

Estimating Link provided a streamlined, robust software solution that mirrored LA Contracting's existing Excel-based workflows while adding automation and precision. Key features LA Contracting benefited from included:

Automated Unit Rates and Database Tracking: Pre-built unit rates reduced manual calculation, while a database backup ensured no data was lost or overlooked.
Flexible Reporting: Taylor could easily generate reports with Estimating Link’s proposal tools, minimizing manual adjustments and improving report accuracy.
Error-Reduction Tools: Features like the “Check Bid” tool caught missing line items and discrepancies, safeguarding bids from costly mistakes.
Cost Management Specific to BC’s Market: The “Haul Calculator” in Estimating Link allowed LA Contracting to precisely track transportation costs for materials—a crucial feature in an area where trucking and dumping costs are highly variable.

“Estimating Link blew me away—not only is it competitively priced, but it’s also the most powerful and straightforward estimating software we’ve used. It does everything we need without unnecessary complexity, and the time savings are incredible.”

- Taylor Reynolds, Project Manager, LA Contracting Ltd.

The Results

Increased Efficiency and Bid Volume
Estimating Link enabled LA Contracting to increase their bid volume threefold. Previously limited to handling around five bids at a time, they now comfortably manage 15, expanding their project pipeline while maintaining accuracy and detail.

Profitability Improvement
With improved visibility into project costs and markup, Taylor estimates that LA Contracting has seen a 15-20% increase in profitability across most projects, with some jobs experiencing profit increases up to 50%. Estimating Link’s reporting capabilities allow the team to monitor actual costs against estimates, making it easier to adjust bids for profitability on a daily basis.

Time Savings and Work-Life Balance
The streamlined estimation process has allowed Taylor to complete tasks that once took hours in a fraction of the time. He now finishes daily paperwork by 3:45 PM, leaving the office sooner and maintaining a healthier work-life balance. Tasks that previously took two or more hours in Excel can now be accomplished in less than 30 minutes.

Transparency and Client Trust
Estimating Link’s detailed line item breakdowns provide transparency to clients, enhancing trust and reducing resistance to change orders. For instance, in a large decommissioning project, Taylor used Estimating Link to present a clear cost adjustment for unexpectedly larger pipe sizes, assuring the client of a fair and accurate pricing adjustment.

"If you’re a contractor considering an estimation tool, I highly recommend Estimating Link. It’s easy to use, cost-effective, and powerful enough to handle complex estimates while cutting down bid time by up to 75%. Estimating Link delivers peace of mind by reducing bid errors and empowering us to provide our clients with transparent, reliable estimates.”

- Taylor Reynolds, Project Manager, LA Contracting Ltd.

About LA Contracting

LA Contracting specializes in comprehensive infrastructure and heavy construction services for both public and private sector projects. Their expertise covers a wide range of essential services, including road building, excavation, drainage, demolition, and utility installations such as storm, sanitary, and water systems. Additionally, they provide site preparation, street lighting, curb & gutter installation, and seasonal services like snow clearing and salting. This diverse skill set enables LA Contracting to tackle large-scale projects with versatility and dependability, making them a trusted partner in construction and infrastructure development across various environments.

About Estimating Link

Estimating Link simplifies and enhances the construction estimation process, offering user-friendly yet powerful tools for precise bidding, cost management, and profitability tracking. Trusted by industry professionals, it helps contractors improve accuracy, efficiency, and profitability.

Ready to Streamline Your Estimating Process?

Discover how Estimating Link can transform your bidding, increase profitability, and save you valuable time—just like it did for LA Contracting. Schedule a personalized demo today to see how our powerful, user-friendly software can meet your unique project needs and help you stay ahead in a competitive market.

Don’t wait—book your demo now and experience the difference!

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