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 Esti-mate to help you determine the best solution for 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.

Esti-mate

Esti-mate is a desktop-based estimating tool designed to provide simple and effective job pricing solutions for Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Contract Managers, Building Surveyors, Buyers and Site Staff. It focuses on ease of use and simple estimate generation while offering essential cost calculation and quotation tools.

Key Features:

• Desktop-based platform for Windows desktops or laptops
• Quick estimating and quotation generation
• Customisable templates for different trades
• Basic material cost management
• Ability to import from Bill Production systems (CITE Files) or from Excel workbooks and CSV text files

Detailed Feature Comparison

Who is Each Estimating Software Best For?

• EstimatorXpress: Ideal for builders, developers and contractors who require a comprehensive estimating solution with advanced reporting, compliance integration, and tailored cost estimates. Particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses that need a feature-rich, efficient, and highly accurate estimating tool.
• Esti-mate: Best suited for Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Contract Managers, Building Surveyors, Buyers and Site Staff who need a straightforward, estimating solution that covers Bill of Quantity generation and exporting of data into CITE  and CSV files