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Here’s the thing about estimating software and profit. You want to make proper money from your building company. It makes business sense. But there’s a good chance that whatever you’re doing right now, isn’t cutting it. It isn’t giving you a good enough return on your time and effort. We’re regularly asked questions on the topic of money and profit – actually it’s the number two question (after ‘how do I save time?’). And basically the easiest and fastest way to become more profitable is to use professional estimating software.

Q: “Why do I keep losing money on building projects?”

Many builders underestimate costs when quoting by hand or in spreadsheets. Missed labour hours, forgotten sundries, or outdated material prices eat into profit fast. Estimating software pulls in live market data and does the calculations for you, giving accurate quotes that protect margins right from the start. Nothing is forgotten.

Q: “How can I win more building jobs without working every evening on quotes?”

Manual quoting limits how many quotes you can submit. It’s a slow process. Software automates time-consuming tasks by doing the calculations whilst leading you through the job. This means quotes go out in hours instead of days. And of course, the more quotes you can send, the higher your chances of winning good-quality jobs – without burning the midnight oil.

Q: “Why do I feel constantly pressured to lower my prices to beat competitors?”

It’s often because clients don’t see what’s behind the price. Estimating tools create professional, detailed proposals that show where every pound goes. With transparent, up-to-date costs you can justify your price, avoid the “race to the bottom,” and charge what the job is really worth.

Q: “How can I stop projects eating into my profit once the job starts?”

Buying materials at the last minute, and paying over the odds, or having subbies on site when there’s nothing for them to do, or no plant hire just when you need it – literally comes off your profit. A quote isn’t just for the customer – it’s a live project plan.

With estimating software, the same data feeds into the build programme (well it does with high quality, professional software) and drives schedules, and material lists. This ‘single source of truth’ makes sure the job stays on track, reduces delays and rework, and limits material waste – all of which protect profit. So instead of crossing your fingers and willing a tidy profit – you’re all set to actually make one.

Q: “Is there a way to cut down on wasted materials and overspending on supplies?”

Yes. Accurate digital take-offs mean you buy the right quantities first time. No more over-ordering ‘just in case,’ no costly last-minute top-ups, and less waste in the skip. Importantly, if you get your digital material schedule sorted, you can also negotiate favourable prices with your merchants, ahead of the job.

Q: “How can I be sure today’s quote will still be profitable when the job starts in 9–12 months?”

Good software can model inflation. You want a tool that recalculates the job using the increased percentage figure. You’ll then always price realistically, instead of absorbing unexpected cost hikes later down the line. Give the customer a ‘now’ price and a ‘future’ price.

Q: “Can estimating software help me grow my business beyond my usual work?”

Absolutely. You can choose software that grows with you – start with your more familiar extension templates and move onto, say loft conversions,  and more complex projects. Next stop, new builds. Maybe you could estimate for developers? You could also add another revenue stream and offer CAD-based design services to clients.

What’s the real takeaway for residential builders?

If you’re leaking profit because of underquoting, wasted labour, rushed quotes, or price-cutting, a professional estimating tool is more than a cost-saver – it’s a revenue-builder. By pinpointing where money currently slips through the cracks and fixing those leaks, you set yourself up for healthier margins and steadier growth.

EstimatorXpress – you make your money on your laptop – not on site

It doesn’t matter how good a builder you are – if you don’t cost the job right in the first place – you won’t make the money you deserve. EstimatorXpress is the ultimate revenue-maker. It’s the number one product for small to medium sized building companies in the UK. It boasts hundreds of calculators and a huge amount of knowledge. It uses AI to assist in an intelligent, reliable way, And above all, EstimatorXpress is accurate – that’s how it helps make you your money. It…

• Works out quantities for every brick, block, timber, tile, screw and nail – nothing gets forgotten
• Uses the latest material prices so you don’t underquote
• Knows what plant you need and how long you’ll need it
• Knows how long everything will take – and adds labour hours based on your rates
• Factors in wastage, wear and tear, overheads…
• Builds in inflation
• Adds your profit margin percentage – and importantly, knows when to add it
• Pulls together a schedule of materials for the builders’ merchant – so you can negotiate a good deal
• Works out when you’ll need your materials, labour and plant
• Maps out cashflow — when money should come in, and when it should go out
• Advises on stage payments
• Puts together the quote… and makes it look professional
• And much more… all in minutes rather than hours and days.

You can see from just this list, the return on your investment is going to be impressive.

What next?

Use EstimatorXpress estimating software to your financial advantage. Ask for a short, personal 1-2-1 online demo at a time that suits you, or try the software free. Or you can give us a call on 0117 916 7898.