Choosing the right estimating software is crucial for builders. Residential construction businesses need accurate project costs, material calculations, and efficient job management in order to make the profit they deserve. On this page, we compare HBXL’s EstimatorXpress Estimating Software and Eque2 Estimating to help you decide which solution best suits your needs.

Overview of Each Software

EstimatorXpress – The UK’s Best Rated Estimating Software

EstimatorXpress by HBXL is powerful desktop-based estimating software. Designed specifically for small to medium-sized residential construction businesses (whether you’re doing renovations, home extensions, conversions or new builds), it provides detailed and accurate cost calculations, ensuring projects remain profitable and well-managed.

EstimatorXpress is built with automation and efficiency in mind, reducing the time needed to generate professional estimates. Its integration with other HBXL software tools, PlansXpress, BuildProjex,  Health & Safety Xpert and ContractsXpert, creates an easy flow from quote to completion.

By using smart 3D visual estimating (syncing EstimatorXpress with PlansXpress), users can visualise their projects while simultaneously calculating material, labour and plant costs.

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.

Eque2 Estimating

Eque2 Estimating is an estimating software solution designed for construction professionals, offering powerful tools for cost management and project estimation.

Key Features:

• Cloud and on-premises deployment options
• Integration with accounting and ERP systems
• Automated takeoff and cost estimation
• Subcontractor comparison tools
• Customisable reports and tendering functionality

Detailed Feature Comparison

Who is Each Estimating Software Best For?

• EstimatorXpress: Ideal for builders and contractors who need an all-in-one estimating and project management software tool with in-depth reporting, compliance integration, and customisable estimates. The estimating software is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an easy-to-use yet powerful solution to improve both the speed and accuracy of their estimates, and ensure every job turns a profit.
• Eque2 Estimating: Best for larger construction firms that require a scalable estimating solution with integration into accounting and ERP systems. This is well-suited for enterprise-level users managing complex projects with multiple subcontractors.