Most popular features of all Construction apps
25 reviewers had the following to say about ProEst's features:
The scheduling program lacks tremendously; the estimating and couple other modules are completely unused, otherwise very capable program for managing vendors and clients.
Pros
Vendor management, budgets, change events, change management, cost integration, document management, submittal processes, RFI processes
Cons
1, excessive separate modules rather than single page options as was 2017 version 2, lacks home page full client contact, lists only project info not people or their contact info 3, excessive message 404 errors and too much downtime on system 4, terrible schedule program; visually unable to have clients and vendors understand it
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Thank you, Brian, for taking the time to review ProEst! We appreciate your feedback.
The salesman attached to our account was helpful and able to demonstrate the product well, but did not fully address any limitataions of the product he was selling, even after we described our intended use case.
Pros
The ability to route estimations through workflows, maintain a shared cost database, and produce good looking reports from the system were all high points.
Cons
This is a significant slowdown when estimating large projects.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
My company has recently purchased the Enterprise Version of ProEst. We have only started learning the system but have so far been very impressed with the functionality, ease of use and product value. The ability to do digital takeoff straight from the program, as well as the flexibility to edit / modify just about every piece of information on the system gives it an advantage to other programs i have used.
Pros
Other pros include - Flexibility to edit almost everything; the large cache of report templates; the large database and pre-built assemblies; the built in digital takeoff; the bid day summary to use for sub-contractor bid tabulation
Cons
The preset costs are very generic (i.e. labor costs) - for large projects with heavy labor, this could throw off the labor estimate. In addition, the digital takeoff module, albeit very handy, is somewhat limited.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
This is an ideal product for small and medium sized construction companies. If you want a flexible program with a small learning curve, ProEst is right for you. Be prepared, however, to need to update the labor costs - i would suggest not relying on the preset amounts.
Pros
The software lets you link up with a payroll/scheduling software to give you an all-around control of your estimates directly on to your projects.
Cons
It is an activity database, you have to build your database first while you're doing your estimates, you'll reach full operational capability once you have a concise database of activities that will let you speed up the estimating process.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Occasionally
Likelihood to recommend
There are many different ways you could use the software, from a pure budgeting stand point, to keeping historical data, to only writing formal proposals.
Pros
ProEst gives you the ability to quickly turnover a budget or estimate by integrating take offs with your historical data and translating it into a report that can be emailed directly to the owner.
Cons
The software is cloud based, if internet is down or a glitch on their end occurs it could be frustrating. This is very rare however, and shouldn't direct your decision.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Thanks, Jon, for taking the time to write a review! We appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear ProEst has been a good fit for your company.
So so.
Pros
Nothing stands out. The desktop version seemed more complete while the cloud based seems like it was rushed out, missing key features that the desktop version had. Disappointed.
Cons
Clunky, poor flow of program through estimates, reports etc.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Hi Kirk, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about ProEst. We're sorry to hear that you've missed some of the old features from before ProEst switched to the Cloud. We hope that our many product updates over the last several months have resolved some of your issues. We're constantly rolling out new features, but if you're still experiencing problems, please reach out to your account manager and they'll be happy to assist you.
Pros
Prompt customer support - unfortunately, there wasn't much they could do about the poor operation of the software
Cons
I'm sure the Project Management integration is great, but we only needed the takeoff software, and it's been a huge letdown.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Don't use it for Takeoff Software. If I was needing the other features I would definitely require a free trial period, as the glitches in the takeoff software are very frustrating.
Pros
The best part about the software is the depth at which you can estimate especially with all the factors that you can take into account, whether you are using existing ones or custom ones.
Cons
Once you're familiarized with the tools and order of operations for the different tasks it becomes a very useful tool.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
I would strongly recommend scheduling a demo and comparing it with a couple of other products. I also encourage that you consider how to use the product in your office. In others words, how do you envision it being used.
Pros
Takeoffs Possible For Estimating before actual bids are received during budgeting.
Cons
Cannot overwrite the estimate with an actual number once you use the takeoff software.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Weekly
Likelihood to recommend
Thank you for taking the time to review ProEst! We appreciate your feedback.
Pros
Ease of use Reporting Predefined database's to fit specific company needs Onscreen takeoff and estimating software in one Cloud or Desktop
Cons
No way to change database and have it reflect on templates without updating templates individually Training is not free
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
It requires the building of all of the assemblies that you, as a builder or subcontractor, actually need.
Pros
I also like that the software is integrated with onscreen digital take off, and that it integrates directly to your estimate take off sheet all in the same software program.
Cons
You also have to pay for custom reports. In the long run the training pays off, and if the custom report saves you time and/or money than they pay off as well.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Watch there videos online. Do a demonstration with them. Have them do a demonstration with the database that it comes with. You'll see how user-friendly it is and how much you can customize the database to your needs.
Its easy to use but, the team has to improve lot of things to this software like it should work like Microsoft Excel
Pros
Its easy to use estimating software and saves our time in creating a price proposal to several customers of our company and easily keep track those at one place.
Cons
Its not compatible with accounting software and everyday you will find some problem with print, page setup and adding line items to the proposal.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Thank you, Paul, for taking the time to write a review. We're happy to hear our platform has saved you time on your estimates! If you're still experiencing issues integrating with your accounting software, please reach out to our support team (https://proest.com/submit-a-support-case/) or your account manager for assistance! ProEst integrates with various accounting software, including Foundation, Acumatica, and Quickbooks, and our team should be able to help you find a solution to your problem.
I was looking for a powerful software that we could use to build a system for our estimating process.
Pros
Ability to create a custom database and can be used to consistently produce quick estimates. I love the onscreen take off.
Cons
It takes a long time to set up the database, but this is to be expected with any software. It is a lot of work up front, but then makes things more efficient on the back end. I would like to see a year off free tech support included to answer question about how to use the product. Most of it is intuitive, but there are somethings I would like to do, but it takes me a while to figure out how to do them. It would have been nice to be able to pick up the phone and quickly get answers for the first year while I learned how to use all of the features.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
I've have implemented this software in the residential home building industry. By estimating the budgets for newly designed product, it has literally saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Overall it is a great system, they have an awesome trainer that will work with you until you got it. Customer service is also real helpful.
Pros
I like the fact they have modernized the software to a cloud based system, also like the fact 2 people can work in the same estimate at the same time.
Cons
I think that they need to work on adding features, the reports are a little hard to manipulate especially when you are trying to allocate.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Thank you, Helen, for taking the time to review ProEst. We appreciate your feedback. We're glad ProEst has been a good fit for your company and that you've found our trainer and customer service team helpful!
We wanted an estimating software that would be for a general contractor and therefore not so detailed.
Pros
The larger Data Base makes takeoffs easy
Cons
Material Pricing, They can't set average cost due to the every changing market.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Pros
It makes drawing takeoffs simpler and allows multilayer markups on a single pdf, estimating and responding to RFPs is far less time consuming.
Cons
The user interface is cumbersome and has too many window pop ups.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Test drive as many programs as you can before finally pulling the trigger on just one, there's a wide variety out there.
Pros
Ease of takeoffs and assemblies are plenty detailed RS Means cost data embedded in the program makes pricing/budget very easy Multiple ways to view information in reports Customer service
Cons
Install was a little tricky Missing a few assemblies I would like to have (minor issue) learning curve at the very beginning, but became very proficient after a few trial and error moments
Rating breakdown
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Overall ProEst has been great, easy to learn and use, and can still have many more options for customization
Pros
The fact that it is easy to customize the take-off settings and get a clear measuring tool when needed
Cons
Integration with other CRMs is a little bit more tricky.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Thank you, Marco, for taking the time to write a review! We're glad to hear you've found ProEst customizable and easy to use. If you're still experiencing issues integrating with your CRM, please reach out to our support team (https://proest.com/submit-a-support-case/) or your account manager, and they will be happy to help you find a solution.
I've really enjoyed getting to know the software and putting it to use for my every day estimating operations.
Pros
They have thought of everything. Every line item you can think of is included, and they can all be altered to align perfectly with your business. Customer service has been excellent as well.
Cons
You must receive training before being able to utilize all of the functions of the software. It can be rather difficult to use unless someone shows you first hand.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
ok
Pros
I can keep all my quotes at one place and easy to use.
Cons
I have already suggested them a lot to change. I want them to make it like excel format.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Thank you, Sandeep, for taking the time to review ProEst! We're happy to hear that you've found our platform easy to use. We understand that switching from Excel to estimating software can be an adjustment, but we hope that you've found ProEst to be a more streamlined and accurate solution for your company.
Pros
The software is easy to understand and it truly meets and exceeds all of our expectation when it came time to turn in a bid . We are a building and design firm, the range of the work we bid goes from electrical, plumbing, HVAC to complete turn key.
Cons
The issues we had over the years are the same issues we get with other software in our systems, updates sometimes fix one program but conflicts with others. Happy to said the issues were not critical nor catastrophic in our daily use of the program nor cause major delays in our bidding process.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
I believe software should conform to the way you do business and not the other way around, you should not have to change overnight everything it took years to learn, to have to conform to a format that doesn't reflect how we do our jobs, or made no sense from the industry point of view. Software should adapt to the approach and methods that have proven true time and time again for your organization, make the software learn from you. If your company is doing the transition from another system or "OLD SCHOOL" of ruler, pen, and pad. The program and its functionality should make sense to you, even if you never sat in from of a computer. It should follow the same approach you take in creating an estimate as if you were doing it with paper and pen. Look for a program with a reasonable learning curve, justifiable price, good technical support as well as the ability to grow and adapt to the unique way you conduct your business with all its needs and constant demands that new technology brings. Before using Proest, we try other programs that were truly hard to learn. This resulted in a new set of issues and challenges when it came time to hire a new person. It takes time to teach any system to a new employee. Proest solved all that for us by creating a database unique to our firm, a database that used the same approach and methodology that we can relate to, lowering the learning curve considerably. Good software should be intuitable, it should follow the same order and path you take to resolved and complete your task and get the job done fast and accurate.
Pros
Support is fast to reply to your requests and very friendly.
Cons
I had to start over on an estimate twice due to software glitches.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Ask for a free 30-day trial and don't just rely on the training demos to make a decision.
It's unfortunate that they did not have a good experience but we really do not support Mac machines which were utilized by this client. A PC is really needed to best utilize ProEst and its functionality. If the client buys a PC we will gladly extend their service contract at no cost.
