Takeoff in a fraction of the with PlanSwift software click, drop, and estimate functionality. Sharing your estimate is easy, and PlanSwift is fully Excel compatible. Takeoff and Estimate in seconds, if it's colored it's counted.ĭrag and Drop material and labor assemblies onto your takeoff. Then drag those assemblies onto the takeoff items for instant and accurate estimates of all your costs!

Simply create assemblies of commonly used materials, waste and even labor. PlanSwift is easily customized for you and your specific trade. I could tell you more if you'd like, but that's enough writing for now.PlanSwift Pro is a complex and efficient application created to provide architects and other specialists in the field with a method of creating virtual versions of construction plans, which they can edit in any way they please. I haven't used OST as nearly as much as Planswift, but the school I went to (Illinois State University) used OST to teach students how to use takeoff software. This software is also relatively expensive, but it is a very good option. Conditions that are used to perform takeoffs can be saved in a master list and loaded into each project to save time. If all the licenses are in use OST just won't let you digitize anything. Licenses can be floated on a network which is nice, no need to re-enter information to activate one either. In planswift you would have to input formulas that can already be done in excel, but might make more sense if you're a subcontractor. Also easier than planswift to convert SF to SY or CF to CY, etc. OST: Has a cleaner interface compared to planswift. Large drawing sets (say, >60 pages) can make the software drag and even crash depending on the specs of your computer. Also licenses have to be manually entered if switching between computers and someone is using the license that you had used on a certain computer before which can be a pain. I used Planswift for two years as an intern doing estimates for a painter, so it's become what I'm comfortable with. But within those items formulas similar to excel can be used. is very time consuming especially if you have one that already exists. And needless to say, creating a database with unit pricing, production rates, material costs, etc. The parts and assemblies that can be used to calculate costs within the software itself are very customizable, the main limitation is your imagination.

Planswift: Relatively easy to use from what I've heard (I'm 22, so I grew up with technology). I use both OST and Planswift but some prefer OST (which we have three licenses of) and others like Planswift (which we have two licenses of). My company has 6 people in the estimating department, we have licenses for both On Screen Takeoff (OST) and Planswift, and use our own excel template for creating bids.

Planswift concrete takeoff