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How Construction Software Can Improve Project Efficiency and Communication

Kinjal Shah

Updated: Jan 15


 In the era of technological advancements that have taken place over the last several decades, the construction industry has also benefited in many ways through the innovations enabled by cost estimating software.

 

It comprises quantity material takeoffs, detailed cost estimating, progress bill compilation, and proposal submittals.

 

Construction estimating software has affected the way professionals conduct their business and achieve their goals, providing an efficient approach that offers forward-thinking over the competition.


Construction estimating software systems have become increasingly more innovative, allowing industry professionals to choose task-specific programs and customized platforms to create estimates and costs.

 

Along with accuracy, the construction estimation software system ensures consistency by utilizing constant procedures and estimation tools each time. Based on saved data, a company can compare the success rate of the project and make required changes for future projects, thus resulting in relatively error-free bills.

 

ADVANTAGES OF CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING AND QUANTITY SURVEY SOFTWARE


Such software builds instant momentum, equipping you with a centralized hub for streamlined plan management, lightning-fast takeoff and estimating, proposal customization, and real-time cloud collaboration. They provide value on numerous levels.

 

Here is the list of reasons to consider using construction estimation software for a company:

1.    It provides accuracy

2.    Can perform better project management

3.    Has consistency

4.    Is convenient

5.    Has efficiency

6.    Shows professionalism – reports and invoicing

 

Is Software Easy to Learn?


Software is used as a powerful model-based process to plan every aspect of a building from the design through construction management. However, they tend to be complex in the beginning, but when one gets used to it naturally, their benefits are beyond the sky.

Principles to work efficiently and effectively when estimating software is used are:

1.    Get organized

2.    Do it once

3.    Save settings

4.    Work from the General to the Specific

5.    Model Well

6.    Work hard less, Keep it safe.

 Necessary requirements for making a bill

• Have a list of all activities that are planned in the building

• Must have tentative quantities of each activity that is required to be completed for the project

• Should have an idea about the rate of each activity

• Should know the actual quantity executed at the site

• Know the tax applicable and any surcharges


For preparing a bill:

Bills are of two types: one is a running bill (commonly called RA bill), and the other is a final bill. In a final bill, all executed quantities are claimed, all deductibles are subtracted, and the earlier paid sum from previous RA bills is deducted. The net amount is then added with TAX etc.


Generally, we prepare RA bills only, hence giving the procedure for the same.

1. Prepare the BOQ (bill of quantities of each item) in Excel.

2. Enter the actual quantity executed against each activity.

3. Check whether each actually executed quantity is less than the planned or budgeted quantity. (Generally, it is less; however, if any executed quantity is more than mentioned in the planned or budgeted BOQ, then before claiming the extra quantity of that particular activity over the budgeted quantity, one may have to take a deviation approval. Sometimes if the deviated quantity is more, the rate may get modified with mutual acceptance of the contractor and client.)

4. Once the executed quantity is entered and rates are already known, multiply both to obtain the amount claimable against each activity. Needless to say, the rate and quantity should be in the same units; otherwise, the amount of the bill can be far high or far low.

5. Do a grand total of the claimable amount.

6. Make deductions for applicable items/facilities as mentioned earlier.

7. The net bill amount is obtained; add taxes etc. as applicable.

8. Your bill is ready.

9. Before submitting it, there are some formalities that vary with clients, like certification by an inspection officer regarding satisfactory quality of work, mutual agreement of the client’s and contractor’s representative upon measurements of activities claimed in the bill, attaching a copy/original purchase bill for cement-steel or other items, attaching royalty receipts of any mining resource used in the project, etc.


Conclusion

As long as buildings are designed and managed, the role of a Quantity Surveyor continues to exist. The profound data of the preceding software system and techniques might get within the long-term along with the place of construction.


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