- AI dramatically reduces estimating time: Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes with AI-powered takeoff.
- Centralized workflows eliminate inefficiencies: Moving from disconnected tools to one platform removes duplicate work and reduces errors.
- Faster, more detailed bids increase win rates: Clear, professional proposals help contractors stand out and close more jobs.
- Scalable growth without added overhead: Efficient estimating allows teams to bid more projects and grow revenue without hiring more staff.
Construction estimating software is essential for contractors who want to move faster, reduce errors, and stay competitive. Executive Flooring transformed its entire preconstruction process by replacing manual workflows with a centralized, AI-powered platform.
Before adopting STACK, their estimating process relied on multiple disconnected tools, repeated data entry, and time-consuming revisions. As the company expanded across multiple states, those inefficiencies became a bottleneck to growth. Today, with STACK’s Takeoff & Estimating platform, they produce accurate, detailed bids in a fraction of the time, helping them win more work and scale their operations without increasing overhead.
What is Construction Estimating Software?
Construction estimating software is a digital solution that helps contractors perform takeoffs, calculate material and labor costs, and generate professional proposals—all within a single platform. It replaces manual processes like spreadsheets and paper plans with automated workflows that improve speed, accuracy, and consistency.
Why Manual Estimating Holds Contractors Back
For Executive Flooring Solutions, the limitations of manual and disconnected tools became clear as the company expanded nationally.
Before STACK, their workflow looked like this:
- Perform takeoffs in one tool
- Transfer quantities into spreadsheets
- Build pricing models manually
- Move data into another system for proposals
This multi-step process created inefficiencies and increased the risk of errors. Every change required rework, and collaboration across states became difficult.
This challenge isn’t unique. According to McKinsey Global Institute, construction productivity has historically lagged behind other industries, largely due to inefficient workflows and lack of digitization.
How Construction Estimating Software Transforms Workflows
Executive Flooring adopted STACK’s Takeoff & Estimating platform to unify their preconstruction process—and the impact was immediate.
Instead of juggling multiple tools, their workflow became:
- Upload plan sheets
- Perform digital takeoff
- Apply assemblies with built-in pricing
- Generate proposals instantly
This shift eliminated redundant work and allowed estimators to focus on strategy instead of manual data entry.
Manual vs Digital Estimating Comparison
Process Step | Manual Workflow | STACK Digital Workflow |
|---|---|---|
Takeoff | Separate tool | Built-in digital takeoff |
Pricing | Spreadsheets | Assembly-based estimating |
Revisions | Rework entire estimate | Real-time updates |
Collaboration | Limited | Cloud-based access |
Proposal Generation | Manual formatting | Automated proposals |
How AI Takeoff Accelerates Estimating Speed
One of the biggest breakthroughs for Executive Flooring came from AI-powered takeoff. STACK’s Floor Plan AI automatically detects and segments rooms, allowing estimators to apply assemblies instantly. What used to take hours now takes minutes.
Executive Flooring shared that large floor plans that once required “an hour and a half, two hours” can now be completed “in a matter of five minutes.”
How AI Takeoff Works
1. Upload plan sheets into the platform
2. AI identifies rooms and areas automatically
3. Apply pre-built assemblies to each space
4. Review and adjust for accuracy
This balance of automation and control ensures speed without sacrificing precision. At STACK, we have seen customers across trades reduce takeoff time by up to 90% when leveraging AI-assisted workflows—especially on large commercial projects.
How Custom Libraries Improve Accuracy and Consistency
Another key advantage of construction estimating software is the ability to standardize estimating practices. Executive Flooring built custom libraries of items and assemblies, allowing them to:
- Maintain consistent pricing across projects
- Reduce human error
- Speed up estimate creation
Instead of rebuilding estimates from scratch, estimators can reuse proven assemblies tailored to their business.
"With STACK it was just all-encompassing. Once you get your libraries and your items built for what you're going to do on that project, you put it in an assembly. When you do one area takeoff, it would incorporate everything that you possibly need for that area from the labor to the materials"
Why Cloud-Based Estimating Enables National Growth
As Executive Flooring expanded across multiple states, cloud accessibility became critical.
With STACK’s 100% cloud-based platform, their team can:
- Access project data from anywhere
- Collaborate in real time
- Work across offices, job sites, and states
Jason Moll, CFO at Executive Flooring, highlighted that since 80% of their revenue comes from out-of-state projects, having access to data “at our fingertips” while traveling is essential to operations.
How Faster Estimates Lead to Higher Win Rates
Speed matters in construction bidding. The faster you deliver accurate, detailed proposals, the more competitive you become.
With STACK, Executive Flooring can:
- Turn around estimates in days instead of weeks
- Make real-time revisions
- Provide highly detailed proposals
The Executive Flooring team explained that detailed estimates help them stand out, giving General Contractors full transparency into costs—reducing back-and-forth and building trust. Faster turnaround allows them to “get to market faster,” which is often the deciding factor in winning bids.
How Construction Estimating Software Supports Lean Growth
One of the most significant outcomes for Executive Flooring is the ability to scale without increasing overhead.
With more efficient estimating:
- They can bid more projects
- Win more work
- Grow revenue without hiring additional estimators
Jonathan Moll, VP of Business Development at Executive Flooring, noted that STACK has enabled them to grow so quickly that the challenge is now keeping up on the project management side—not generating opportunities.
This aligns with industry trends. According to FMI Corporation, contractors that adopt digital tools see improved operational efficiency and scalability.
How Real-Time Revisions Improve Project Accuracy
Construction projects rarely stay static. Design changes, scope updates, and field adjustments are constant. Before STACK, every change required a full rework of the estimate.
Now:
- Small changes can be made instantly
- Costs update automatically
- Change orders can be generated in minutes
The team shared that projects could undergo “30 or 40 changes,” and with STACK, updates that once took days now take minutes.
How STACK Supports Compliance and Documentation
In construction, accurate documentation is essential for compliance with contracts, building codes, and financial audits.
STACK’s digital platform supports:
- Detailed audit trails
- Version-controlled estimates
- Transparent cost breakdowns
This is especially valuable for:
- Change order documentation
- Cost validation
- Contract compliance
Having a centralized system ensures that all stakeholders are working from the same, accurate information.
STACK Expertise: Why Assemblies Are a Game-Changer
From a technical perspective, assemblies are one of the most powerful features in modern estimating software.
Unlike basic templates, assemblies in STACK:
- Combine materials, labor, and equipment
- Include waste factors and markups
- Automatically calculate total costs
For flooring and interiors contractors, this is especially impactful because:
- Different materials require unique installation methods
- Labor costs vary significantly by scope
- Projects often involve multiple trades
STACK customers in flooring and interiors trades have reported that assemblies dramatically reduce estimating time while improving consistency across teams.
Why Executive Flooring Says They Couldn’t Scale Without STACK
Perhaps the most telling insight comes from the team themselves.
Without STACK:
- Estimates would take longer
- Fewer bids would be submitted
- Growth would slow
As Jason explained, they would need “more employees tied to it” just to maintain the same output—resulting in higher costs and lower efficiency.
And as Jonathan put it: “STACK lets us grow on the top end very fast… I’ve got to keep up with STACK and not them keep up with me.”
Why Construction Estimating Software Is Essential for Growth
Construction estimating software is no longer optional for contractors who want to compete in today’s fast-paced market.
Executive Flooring Solutions proves that with the right tools, contractors can reduce estimating time drastically, improve accuracy and consistency, increase win rates, and scale operations without increasing overhead.
By combining AI-powered takeoff, cloud collaboration, and assembly-based estimating, STACK enables contractors to move faster, work smarter, and grow sustainably.
FAQ: Construction Estimating Software
What is construction estimating software used for?
Construction estimating software is used to perform takeoffs, calculate costs, and generate proposals. It streamlines the preconstruction process and improves accuracy compared to manual methods.
How does AI improve construction estimating?
AI automates tasks like room detection and quantity takeoffs, reducing hours of manual work. It allows estimators to complete complex projects faster while maintaining control over final outputs.
Can estimating software help win more bids?
Yes. Faster turnaround times, detailed proposals, and accurate pricing improve competitiveness and increase the likelihood of winning projects.
Is cloud-based estimating software important?
Cloud-based software enables teams to access project data from anywhere, collaborate in real time, and manage projects across multiple locations efficiently.
How does estimating software support business growth?
It allows contractors to handle more bids without increasing staff, improve accuracy, and scale operations efficiently—leading to higher revenue and profitability.
