Those that work in estimating face unique challenges, and daily find themselves racing against the clock to finish an estimate often due to poor collaboration and project management.
Let’s look at the main challenges facing today’s estimators and the ways in which software can help Main Contractors address them.
Beating inadequate timescales
Time is always of the essence if you are the main contractor, as delivering projects on time and within budget are two of the most critical factors when completing a construction project.
That said, forcing estimators to meet tough deadlines can lead to the risk of expensive mistakes and poorly completed tenders.
If time is an issue for your business, check out the time-saving features within your estimating systems and make sure your team is using them – if not it may be time for re-training as these tools should be utilised wherever possible.
Remote working – here to stay
The rise of remote working has been a challenge for many businesses that are behind with their digital transformation plans.
According to Forbes, by 2025, an estimated 70% of the workforce will be working remotely at least five days a month, therefore, it is well worth investing in hosted solutions.
Think about using a hosted solution, that way your estimating team doesn’t need to rely on on-premises infrastructure, and colleagues can work on projects at any time, from anywhere.
Causeway software provides global access for multiple users, this means estimating teams don’t have to worry about falling behind on deadlines if a member of the team can’t make it into the office, as restricted/machine-specific working is eradicated.
The need to drive efficiencies into the estimating process
The construction industry is changing, and this change is here to stay.
Your estimating team needs to look at the carbon costs of projects and that is why many estimators are moving away from the traditional spreadsheet approach and looking for a solution specifically developed for the built environment.
If you are looking to take a more digital approach, tools like Causeway’s CAD/BIM Measure help estimators make quick and easy measurements when building up BoQs. Investing in estimating software like this will increase the time you save on projects and improve efficiency within your estimating team.
Lack of communication
Poor communication can be a slippery slope for an estimating team as it is essential that the right information is delivered to the right person(s) at the right time, every time.
Digital transformation should be able to give your team a boost when it comes to communication, so embrace technology that promotes collaboration.
A true multi-user system like Causeway Estimating simplifies and streamlines the standardisation of estimating data, presenting a corporate approach to estimating.
Would you like to overcome these challenges with support from Causeway?
Learn more by downloading our latest ebook 'The Challenges Facing Main Contractors in 2022' or book a discovery call with our experts today.
