Most popular features of all Construction apps
25 reviewers had the following to say about Clear Estimates's features:
I used Contractor Foreman previously and Clear Estimates may not include as many project management-related features, but it is far and away the better choice for putting together estimates, quotes, and project proposals.
Pros
Once you modify the provided tasks to fit the projects you do and the way you bid your work, Clear Estimates allows you to bid out the standard components of a project by the piece or by area.
Cons
The system for adding sales tax to a proposal is a little clunky, but if you're familiar with the various tax rates in your work area, it's only a minor inconvenience.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
I love the reports and the quotes I can generate because they are highly professional.
Pros
Ease of use and intuitive
Cons
Some times the prices and text need to be altered to fit a particular project. The tools for doing customization could be easier.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Monthly
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering Clear Estimates
It would be great if it included a drafting tool so that you can shape a room with dimensions and then use that as the baseline for estimates--already having the linear and square footage would help me from having to add it over and over again.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the feedback. We're glad you find CE to be easy to use. A drafting tool would be a nice idea - I will bring it up in our next meeting!
Prior to Clear Estimates I was using Excel spreadsheets to prepare estimates which, looking back, really left a lot of money on the table for me, as a contractor. Using Clear Estimates has not only allowed me to see the "going rates" but it also has allowed me to start charging the going rates.
Pros
Ease of use, customer support, reports look very professional
Cons
Wish there was an easier way to track changes to a proposal which would allow me to see old vs new; an invoicing module would be a great add-on
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
Steve, we're happy to hear that our software has taken your estimating to the next level! Thanks for being such a loyal customer! - The Clear Estimates Team
We have been overall happy with the program. It is really hard to teach someone new how to use it though. We have a new employee and there have been several huge mistakes that have costs our company money in the long run due to over seeing some things.
Pros
Produces estimates fast, great to keep track of jobs, easy to change estimates for customers, cuts down on the time spent on the estimate
Cons
It does not integrate with quickbooks, which would make sending estimates a lot easier.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 1-2 years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering Clear Estimates
It would really be helpful to put removal and install of work in the same category and be consistent.
Hi Kim,
Thank you so much for taking the time for writing the review, we really appreciate it and glad you are generally happy with the product.
I'll get in touch with you to hear more about the error you were talking about with your new employee. We're always looking for ways to improve the software so hearing about a problem like that will help us avoid it in the future.
We also do integrate with Quickbooks, so I'll help you work through that.
Jack
Clear Estimates Support
Providing customers with a quote using Clear Estimates adds credibility and professionalism to our company image.
Pros
allows you to provide potential customers with an accurate estimate, including all aspects of the project
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Monthly
Likelihood to recommend
Hi Bryan. Thanks for taking the time to write this. First of all, we want to thank you for your continued support over the years. We're happy to hear Clear Estimates helps you provide accurate, professional looking estimates. The sales process of a bid is very important to us, and we want to make sure you can win the most important ones. Know that we will do our best to continue to provide a quality product. Let us know if you have any questions! - The Clear Estimates Team
I am a remodling contractor. I use it to give estimates to my customers.
Pros
I like the professional reports it generates.
Cons
It is a little difficult to change the wording of the descriptions.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 1-2 years
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering Clear Estimates
Make is so you can change the wording before you send it to report without having to add it to the tools.
Hi Greg, thank you for the kind words and useful feedback. We're glad that you are finding our software helpful and wish you the best going forward. - The Clear Estimates Team
Professional estimates.
Pros
The constantly updated materials and labor costs based on my geographical area is invaluable! I also like the flexibility to adjust pricing.
Cons
Can be a bit time consuming putting all the bid pieces together.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Monthly
Likelihood to recommend
Hi Eric. Thanks for taking the time to write this. We're thrilled to hear our up to date pricing is helping you win bids. It's also nice to hear that you have been able to customize bids to fit each specific project. Just a few weeks ago, we did release a Pro version of Clear Estimates. Pro allows you to invoice for each bid you create. We would be happy to enroll you in a free trial of Pro should you be interested. Thanks again, Eric. Take care! - The Clear Estimates Team
Pros
A quick customized estimate is the only thing that a small contractor would need.
Cons
Once a labour portion is added to your master database it uses it for all of the project created from that time on wards.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Free Trial
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
Good value for those with constant sales revenue and estimating needs.
Pros
Pricing in line with industry standard easy to use somewhat mobile friendly Can update and make your own templates
Cons
Does not integrate with CoConstruct Templates can be a burden to adjust brands, would be nice if some pre loaded appliance and cabinet brands where in the estimating software i.e.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
Pros
Easy to learn and use then customize the quotes. Does feature pre-built estimate groups for certain projects.
Cons
Prices for planning and permitting are grossly underestimated, planning is about half of what it should be and permitting is a third of what it should be.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 1-2 years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
If you are a small contractor this is a must for speed of quoting and accuracy.
Pros
Professional looking reports. The ease of updates prices for material and labor.
Cons
Some minor software updates could be done. A mobile version could also help a lot more small business.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Recommendations to others considering Clear Estimates
Well worth the money. It will pay for it self with 1-2 jobs.
Hi Chuck,
Thank you for the review! We're happy to have you on board again. We are thrilled to hear you like the improvements we've made since you have been gone. We appreciate the kind words. Happy estimating!
Over all I am very satisfied with the program.
Pros
Easy to put together an estimate with in minutes.
Cons
You should be able to put the disclaimer, project disruption etc... any where you would like.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
We searched and tried many other software options for estimating our large projects , maintenance , and repairs and were pleased to find CE nailed it for quoting everything we do and almost instantly made our estimating chore quick and painless.
Pros
User Friendly / Excellent adjustable database / Easy to make proposal changes for re-submittal /Proposals that Clients Complement Every time
Cons
No Cons with this software , we adjusted to fit our needs .
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Hi Mark! Thank you for taking the time to write this. We've appreciated your support over the years. It means a lot to us to know that Clear Estimates has been a helpful solution for your estimating needs. We do our best to continually update the program based on customer feedback. We hope you are enjoying the new changes! - The Clear Estimates Team
Pros
Easy to navigate, intuitive, can quickly get up to speed and start pumping out estimates without significant downtime learning how to use.
Cons
The task list could be better collated to make the itemization of project work scope much easier and, ultimately, faster.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Monthly
Hi John. Thanks for taking the time to write us a review. Knowing our users find Clear Estimates intuitive and easy to navigate gives us great pride. I understand your database concerns and will reach out to see specifically what you are having trouble with. Keep in mind too that we offer templates for all of the common jobs (kitchens, baths, decks, additions) where all you need to know is the SF, and Clear Estimates calculating the material and labor. Look for an email from us shortly. - The Clear Estimates Team
Overall clear estimates has been extremely helpful building estimates and has saved time estimating projects
Pros
The customer service is excellent, website is easy to use and very customizable presents information in easy to use context.
Cons
I wish there was an option to use offline, some of the templates and parts are hard to find, I wish there were more parts and a different way to sort them or an alternate way to search phrases or components maybe smart assist estimate building like a questioner about the project being estimated then an ai suggest components to add or a way to review your estimate for errors.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Estimates look professional instead of the two to three line estimates many contractors provide.
Pros
Good price point, updates to pricing list based on area you're working, template usage
Cons
No internal calculations to figure out square figure of walls and flooring based on user inputting room dimensions. No ability to attach photos or sketches. Electronic signature ability would be helpful.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
I bought this after trying several others. As a small business, I couldn't afford to spend a lot of money up front.
Pros
The estimates seem to be right on for both Materials costs and the labor hours.
Cons
I wish there was some way to track the projects... i.e. bids submitted, waiting on customer. signed.. completed.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 1-2 years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Hi Keith, thanks for taking the time to review our software. We are happy to hear that Clear Estimates pricing is accurate for your area. Individual markups is something we would like to implement in the future. Thanks for the input. - The Clear Estimates Team
We were looking for a software package that would enable us to bid on larger, more substantial construction projects.
Pros
Flexible easy to use.
Cons
Similar project parts - difficult to tell difference.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Frequency of use: Monthly
Likelihood to recommend
Hi Robert,
We are glad Clear Estimates has turned out to be a flexible program for your needs. We understand every business is different, so the option to edit and change line items is vital. Thanks again for the feedback!
- The Clear Estimates Team
I can estimate a price with out worry to check on material price at stores
As we say in New Orleans “Easy Breezy”
Pros
It meets my need 100%. I can store customer info and pull up in field.
Cons
I knew what I was looking for in an estimating software program and Clear Estimates was the perfect collaboration.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Pros
Clear estimates is extremely easy to navigate and is very customizable.
Cons
I hope there’s a mobile app available in the future.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
I used to leave "money on the table". Now my bids are market accurate.
Pros
Accurate market pricing of labor and materials on a regional and national basis.
Cons
Report layout customization could be a bit more flexible .
Rating breakdown
Time used: 1-2 years
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
Hi Bob,
Thank you for the kind words. We're happy to hear our pricing is accurate for your area and that you're finding our tool flexible and useful. Happy estimating!
- The Clear Estimates Team
Good overall product for putting together estimates
Pros
The program is easy to understand and create estimates. Templates provided make it much quicker to calculate prices
Cons
Does not integrate with any take-off software There is no straightforward overhead and profit calculation
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
Clear Estimates has helped my company write many estimates with ease.
Pros
Itemized job descriptions.
Cons
Would love to see a better way to calculate payments, and send paid in full receipts to customers.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Hi Patrick,
Our team is happy to hear you are writing estimates with ease. Also, thank you for those suggestions, we will take them into account!
Overall this is a good product. The ideal end user would be a small to midsize company.
Pros
With Clear Estimates, every thing is customizable.
Cons
Clear Estimates is a fairly need product so some users may find that the system doesnt integrate with popular accounting software.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
