Choosing the right estimating software is essential for construction professionals who need precise project cost calculations, material estimates, and efficient job management. In this article, we compare HBXL’s EstimatorXpress and Buildxact Estimating to help you determine the best solution for your needs.

Overview of Each Software

EstimatorXpress – The UK’s Best Rated Estimating Software

HBXL’s EstimatorXpress is a feature-rich desktop estimating software developed in the UK, specifically for small to medium-sized construction businesses. Whether you’re working on renovations, extensions, conversions, or new builds, it provides highly detailed cost estimates to help ensure profitability and effective project management.

Built with automation at its core, EstimatorXpress significantly reduces the time required to create precise, professional estimates. The software seamlessly integrates with other HBXL tools, including PlansXpress, BuildProjex, Health & Safety Xpert, and ContractsXpert, offering a smooth workflow from initial quotation to project completion.

By leveraging advanced 3D visual estimating (when used alongside PlansXpress), EstimatorXpress enables users to not only visualise their projects but also accurately calculate material, labour, and plant costs simultaneously.

Key Features:

• Intelligent Dashboard – shows all your projects and automatically does a load of analysis to give you a visual overview of profit, cash flow, expenditure, work-in-progress and more.
• Pre-loaded templates for quick estimates – Speeds up project costing with custom templates, estimating calculators and more…
• Live material price updates – Ensures quotes remain accurate with real-time supplier pricing.
• Integration with PlansXpress, BuildProjex, Health & Safety Xpert and ContractsXpert – All the software is connected via our X-Connex technology. Create your designs, estimate those designs, assign your team to the tasks generated, and have all your Health & Safety documents, plus your Contracts, sync’d with your job.
• Detailed cost breakdowns with reports and quotes – Automatically generates clear, professional reports, including a Material Schedule so you can order your materials at the best price possible.
• Automated build programme – Creates a Gantt chart to help you see, manage and view all your activities. You can see where all your people, plant and materials need to be and when they need to be there.
• Easy-to-use interface – Designed for builders, by builders – with a support team on hand. Also opportunity to learn the software further with training via HBXL Skills Academy.
• Estimating Service – and if you’re pushed for time, or on holiday, our own professional HBXL Estimating Service will produce your estimates for you, that you can then revise in your own software.
• Take-offs and Smart 3D visual estimating – Automatically generates costs based on drawn plans (when combined with PlansXpress)

BuildExact Estimating

Buildxact was launched in Australia in 2011. It’s cloud-based estimating and project management software designed to help small to mid-sized builders and remodelers streamline their estimating and job management processes.

Key Features:

• Cloud-based access from any device
• Takeoff tools for accurate material calculations
• Automatic pricing updates from suppliers
• Integrated project management tools
• Job scheduling and cost tracking

Detailed Feature Comparison

Who is Each Estimating Software Best For?

• EstimatorXpress: Perfect for builders and contractors who need a comprehensive estimating solution with advanced reporting, compliance integration, and tailored cost estimates. It is especially suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an intuitive, time-saving tool that enhances the accuracy of their estimates and maximises profitability.
• BuildExact: Best for small to mid-sized construction businesses that want a cloud-based estimating and project management platform. It is particularly beneficial for companies that require easy job scheduling, supplier pricing integration, and simplified cost tracking.