Would you risk a $100,000 mistake just to get a bid out the door, or would you rather invest in training your estimating team to ensure accuracy and long-term success?? A report from KPMG indicates that 70% of construction cost overruns stem from errors in initial cost or quantity estimates. Even a small miscalculation can snowball into a serious hit to your bottom line.
But with the right combination of technology and training, you can transform even the greenest estimator into a seasoned pro who bids with confidence and precision. STACK’s training resources and help center are designed to eliminate guesswork, prevent costly missteps, and get your team up to speed fast—so you can bid smarter, not harder.
Why Training Matters More Than Ever
Construction estimating isn’t just about plugging numbers into a spreadsheet—it’s a skill that requires a deep understanding of materials, labor, overhead, and risk factors. Even the best technology can’t replace human judgment, but it can enhance it. The key is knowing how to use the tools at your disposal correctly.
According to a 2025 Deloitte report, construction technology adoption is accelerating, up 20% from 2024. We know tech boosts productivity and can significantly reduce errors, but those benefits only come when users actually know how to use the software. Trying to wing it without proper training? That’s a fast track to miscalculations, blown budgets, and a whole lot of stress.
“[STACK Trainer] Roy is hands down one of the best instructors that I have ever had. With Roy’s help, I was able to navigate the course and know what buttons to click. The experience was wonderful which allowed me to relax, which helps me to remember and retain knowledge.”
STACK’s Training and Help Center: Your Secret Weapon
STACK understands that onboarding new team members may seem challenging, but we offer a robust set of training tools to get teams up to speed quickly:
- Help Center – A knowledge base filled with step-by-step guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting tips.
- Video Tutorials – On-demand training sessions that walk users through key estimating features.
- Live Training & Support – Real human beings (yes, they still exist!) ready to assist with personalized training sessions.
- Live & On-Demand Webinars – Product tutorials, industry insights, and the latest updates to STACK’s platform!
- Professional Services – While STACK is designed to be easy to use, we understand that sometimes your team does not have the time to implement new software. Get started with our Professional Services team today – reach out to your Account Manager or if you’re new to STACK, click here!
Investing time in training pays off in fewer errors, faster takeoffs, and more competitive bids. If you’re not leveraging these resources, you’re leaving money on the table.
"STACK’s customer support and attentiveness, anything you need and they help out. I don’t know if I could do this without them. It’s by far the easiest software to use for estimating and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
What Happens When You Skip Training? (Spoiler: Nothing Good)
Let’s be honest—jumping into a new software platform without training is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions. Sure, you might get there eventually, but at the cost of your time (and sanity).
Without proper guidance, novice estimators are prone to:
- Misusing formulas and calculations
- Misucing forumalas and calculations
- Overlooking critical project details
- Misinterpreting material takeoffs
- Wasting time fumbling through features instead of leveraging them efficiently
Avoiding training doesn’t save time—it creates rework, confusion, and costly errors.
"[STACK Trainer] Kate was very helpful! She squeezed me in unscheduled and I really appreciate all her useful help. Great customer service and she did a great job going into detail about certain things I wasn’t understanding.”
Train Smarter, Not Harder: Tips for Success
- Use Performance Metrics: Track estimating accuracy and efficiency to identify areas for improvement.
- Mirror What Works: Learn from experienced estimators by analyzing their successful estimates.
- Encourage Continuous Learning: Construction tech evolves quickly—stay updated with regular training.
"STACK is the best estimating software I have used. The learning curve is super short – my estimators were using STACK within 10 minutes of getting them logged in. STACK has plenty of training videos and a dedicated helpline.”
Investing in technology is smart. Investing in training for that technology? Even smarter. By leveraging STACK’s training resources, you’re not just avoiding costly mistakes—you’re building a team of estimators who work efficiently, accurately, and confidently.
