GeneralCOST Estimator

General Construction Cost Estimating Software for Excel

Increase your bid accuracy and speed, and have the vital information where and when you need it, so you can achieve higher construction estimating productivity and gain a competitive edge with one of the best construction estimating software today.

As a general construction professional, improving cost estimating efficiency translates to time savings and higher profits using a comprehensive best general contractor cost estimating software.

If increased accuracy and speed in a spreadsheet format, greater profits and lower risk are important in selecting your construction estimating software, then our MS Excel based GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is the right business software for you.

Buy now for immediate download. Multiple license discounts available at checkout.

GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel $65 Free Trial >> Video tutorial

GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel Site License $195

(Multiple computer and workstation installations within a Site)

Customizable Cost Estimating Data

For builders, contractors and asset managers time is money. Save time in creating accurate general construction cost estimates based on standard unit prices reflecting your way of doing business. That will save time and help you gain an advantage over the competition.

GeneralCOST Estimator comes with a built-in easy to manage 16 division CSI construction cost database covering construction cost categories such as Sitework, Concrete, Finishes, Mechanical, Electrical and others. You can easily customize the database listings to suit your cost estimating style:

Add new cost data or edit existing data
Apply your own overhead and profit factors
Make changes to suit the way you do business

GeneralCOST Estimator is easy to learn and with a step-by-step wizard-like interface and point and select lookup, you will generate a complete construction cost estimate within minutes including material, labor, equipment and construction costs.

Easy to Use Yet Powerful Estimating

Designed for MS Excel spreadsheet format and improving on its capabilities, GeneralCOST Estimator is contained completely within an Excel file with several worksheets. Use our top general contractor cost estimating software to create your cost estimate and print reports, all tied to a convenient menu. It’s that easy.

Key Benefits of Construction Estimating

Convenient MS Excel spreadsheet based contractor cost estimating
Customizable, flexible, built-in unit cost data
Works with 32-bit and 64-bit installations of MS Office
On-screen Takeoff Calculator
Cost data includes standard CSI 16 division cost categories
Modifiable overhead and profit applications
City index selection for localized cost adjustment
Summary and Detail reports including Price Quotation and Bill of Material
Automatically inserts your company logo to Quotation report
Free construction estimating system with 7-day full feature trial
Comprehensive Online Help system
Ranked in best cost estimating software award listing
Step-by-Step Tutorial for easy and fast learning of business software

System Requirements for GeneralCOST Estimator

Desktop or laptop computer running under Windows 7 thru Windows 11
Microsoft Excel 2000-23, Office 365 desktop (32-bit or 64-bit MS Office installation)
Compatible printer

Tutorial and Screens Construction Estimating

GeneralCOST Estimator Video Tutorial on YouTube:

View Video Tutorial >>

GeneralCOST Estimator sample screens:

Five Common-Sense Rules of Successful Cost Estimating

1. A good estimate must start with a complete understanding of scope of work followed by an accurate quantity takeoff. It's all too easy to miss out identifying items of work in the project. This may be due to absolutely mundane reasons such as missing drawings, details or specs. It could be due to a misinterpretation of the scope based on an ambiguous statement or comment. Or, it could be due to a more serious reason such as lack of experience in conceptualizing the work to be performed in the field.

2. Understand your resources and their cost to you – material suppliers, labor force, subcontractors, construction equipment, indirect costs, management.

Easier said than done, this requires a thorough analysis of costs. A cost engineer or asset manager may very well team up with the comptroller, accountant, field superintendent, project manager, purchasing manager even corporate lawyer. Even outside labor consultants may be hired to reach cost data to be incorporated in estimates. Remember, such data is not static, but changing in time and periodic review and update is a must.

3. Evaluate your strength and weakness and establish comparative advantage

This is where the upper echelons of management should participate to an extensive degree. Typically, they have the background experience not just within the company but with other companies and industries vis-à-vis competition. Once the main parameters are established, the middle management in collaboration within departments may detail out the analysis and attach workable numbers. These, in turn, become the ammunition of choice for the estimating department so that they can come up with an estimate that is not only sufficiently low but also profitable for the company.

4. Determine appropriate Overhead and Profit rates

In order to achieve optimal overhead and profit applications, item 3 above has to be completed so that risk factors are established and evaluated. Considering the general description of profit as being the return for taking a risk, it’s essential that it has to be a calculated risk. To arrive at these figures, not only the company cost structure and records must be thoroughly analyzed but also competition must be evaluated. In general, it is not recommended to trim bid figures from overhead and profit since they represent the long term viability of an ongoing business concern.

5. Use sound estimator’s judgment and keep an open mind and ear

When preparing a bid level estimate, care must be taken to identify not only labor and material cost items shown on the plans, but also labor and cost items that may not be reflected on the plans. This is where good estimating and estimator’s judgement to a large degree comes into play. It’s allright to consult a project manager, an engineer, a field superintendent and even a simple workman. A few new ideas here and a few there may mean understanding the project better and trimming estimating costs which may in turn mean a winning and profitable bid as opposed to a disappointing loss.

Happy Estimating!