On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid Rank in FrontRunners Quadrant
Call it a REPEAT! On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid were once again named to the FrontRunners Quadrant for Construction Estimating Software by Software Advice for September 2020, Ranking in the top 10 vendor quadrant means OST and Quick Bid excelled in terms of Usability and User Recommended scores. What’s it about? FrontRunners is based on reviews from real […]
3 Ways to Prep Before Your Online Takeoff and Estimating Training
In the wake of COVID-19 and work-from-home becoming the new normal, more and more preconstruction professionals are choosing to attend training online. Rather than learning the ins and out of using a new construction software programs in-person, they are clearing their calendars for more online learning. As always, the adage—you get out of it what […]
How to Make Every Construction Project More Profitable
Let’s face it, the ebb and flow of construction work mean that projects will overlap and intersect. Crews and equipment will—at times—be spread thin. On the one hand, it’s the nature of the beast. On the other hand, it’s not always smart to view each project as separate—especially if your project backlog is shrinking In […]
How to Build Stronger Sub-GC Relationships
It’s been a long, hot summer for anyone in construction. In July, the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 7.8 months—a full month lower than in July 2019. In addition, 47% of construction leaders reported they expect to see shrinking profits in the next six months. In these uncertain […]
Seize the Opportunity! 3 Reasons to Take Your Training Now
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing most of us to stay home and stay safe. As a result, you probably have extra time on your hands. Let me offer a suggestion for all of you who work in preconstruction and are searching for something to fill a little extra downtime. If you recently purchased new takeoff […]
Bid and Win More Construction Projects
In the wake of COVID-19, all efficiencies that can be gained—from the takeoff process through the project build-out—begins with a high-quality bid. Your bid should be built on the accuracy and timeliness of your company’s takeoff and estimation process. As trades become more specialized, complex, and precise, construction pros must work hard to reduce waste […]
Leaning on Cloud Technology in Tough Times
No doubt, the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing how many construction pros get work done. For an industry built on handshakes and one-on-one conversations, the concept of social distancing may be hard to comprehend. For many, the new normal may involve carving out a workspace on the kitchen table. Your daily worries may revolve […]
Setting Up Your Home Workspace for Success
Many of us in the preconstruction industry are adjusting to working from home due to social distancing mandated by the need to control the spread of the coronavirus. By this time, you’ve probably secured the basic technology, such as laptops, HDMI cables, additional monitors, extra keyboards and a mouse, and so on. But that’s just […]
5 Aha Moments for Estimators
Do you often feel chained to your cell phone? Maybe not, but you probably think life would be bleak without it. Even so, I suspect a few of us ever leverage our mobile devices to their fullest potential. Think of it—we’re basically carrying around a supercomputer in our pocket, yet we tend to use only […]
How to Recruit Generation Z in Hot Construction Market
Wow. There appears to be no relief in sight for contractors trying to find qualified construction workers. Call it a “nice to have problem” if you like—but the struggle is real. With a record low unemployment rate, most construction firms are worried about where to find the next generation of workers. In some parts of […]