If you’re considering using an Excel spreadsheet for your estimating needs, it’s worth taking a moment to evaluate the limitations before investing significant time and effort. While Excel offers flexibility for basic calculations and custom setups, it lacks the depth, automation, and integration that professional estimating software provides.
Below is a Feature/Capability of an Excel Spreadsheet versus Takeoff Professional from Contractors Software Group.
| Feature/
Capability |
Excel Spreadsheet | Takeoff Professional from Contractors Software Group |
| Ease of Use | Familiar interface, but requires manual setup and formulas | Intuitive UI with built-in estimating workflows and automation |
| Accuracy & Error Reduction | Prone to human error, version control issues | Validated inputs, assembly-based takeoffs, and real-time pricing updates |
| Speed of Estimating | Manual entry slows down bid creation | Assemblies, templates, and digital takeoff integration speed up estimating |
| Proposal Generation | Requires separate document creation | Auto-generates proposals and agreements during estimate creation |
| Bid Management | No centralized bid tracking | Bid Lookup dashboard with sales price, costs, gross profit, and GP% |
| Change Order Management | Difficult to estimate Changes | Estimates, generates and tracks client change orders |
| Document Automation | Manual creation of POs, subcontracts, work orders | One-click generation from estimates and change orders |
| Vendor Pricing Updates | Manual updates across spreadsheets | Electronic price updates sync across cost database, assemblies, and bids |
| Integration with Other Systems | Limited or no integration | Seamless links to CRM, job cost accounting, scheduling, and builder portals |
| Training & Support | Self-taught or ad hoc | Dedicated support, on-boarding, and training resources |
Contractors Software Group’s Takeoff Professional is purpose-built for construction estimating, offering features like predefined bid sheet templates, automatic proposal and specification generation, vendor comparison tools, and seamless integration with accounting and scheduling modules. Unlike Excel, which requires manual updates and custom formatting, Takeoff Professional streamlines the entire estimating process—from takeoffs and change orders to purchase orders and subcontractor agreements. It also includes built-in assistants for structural components, robust reporting capabilities, and secure user permissions through a SQL backend.
For contractors looking to save time, reduce errors, and scale their operations efficiently, Takeoff Professional delivers a comprehensive solution that far surpasses the capabilities of a spreadsheet. Before you commit to building out an Excel-based system, consider the long-term advantages of a tool designed specifically for your industry.
Contractors Software Group has been developing software for residential and light commercial construction since 1995. To learn more about Takeoff Professional click on schedule a demo on this web page https://contractorssoftwaregroup.com/professional-estimating-software/
You can also check out our you tube channel for short videos on our estimating software and other applications we offer at https://www.youtube.com/@csgsoftware
