Bluebeam Revu is a desktop, mobile, and cloud-based tool for managing construction projects from the design process through to completion. Its emphasis is document management, with features focused on sharing metadata, hyperlinks, bookmarks, images, attachments, and 3D data downstream. Bluebeam Revu is a popular tool among construction professionals. Many praise the significant features offered in its lower prices tiers. The system is definitely less friendly to some file types than others, being a PDF-heavy system at its core.

Obviously, a standout feature of this tool is the mobile device capabilities. For many users, they need to provide accurate quotations where the customers are, and this allows for that/

Bluebeam offers a standard Revu edition, one specialized for CAD users, and an edition that features both standard and CAD-focused capabilities. They also provide a Revu iPad version optimized for tablet users. Bluebeam Revu can also be tailored just for estimators with features focused on quantity takeoff, design review, document management, and quality control. It offers a 30-day free trial which small business owners recommend using before locking in. Revu end users state the following:  

“It makes estimating take-offs a breeze by allowing for the simple creation of groups and automating counting and take off.”

Verified User | Consultant in Information Technology | Oil &Energy Company (5001-10,000 employees)

“There are multiple ways to markup files from revision clouds, hyperlink tools, various shapes, and lines. All of these markups can also be counted and sorted for estimating takeoff style markups.”

Nick T. | BIM Specialist | Jacobsen Corporation | Construction, 501-1000 employees)

Bluebeam Revu pricing starts at $349 per user for its Standard Edition. Bluebeam is a great option for larger construction companies whose project portfolio is too large to be supported on free programs, and have complex projects that require additional automated tasks pertaining to takeoff and estimation to save project managers time. The ability to handle multiple different type of work estimations, and then switch to other tabs is made for those will more daily site reports, longer-term projects, and simply more team

 #2: Planswift

PlanSwift is a quantity takeoff software for construction. It provides a drag-and-drop interface that utilizes assembly templates for quantity counts and measurements. PlanSwift automatically calculates material and labor costs, and exports the information via built-in reports or as raw data to 3rd party software like Excel. The tool provides trade-specific features for general contractors, concrete, drywall, masonry, electrical, flooring, framing, HVAC, landscaping, painting, plumbing, and other specialties. 

For specialties, this is one of the best ways of getting a truly accurate construction cost estimate. The specificity allows site managers better organization of material cost as well as laborers. This allows for better construction planning and sales orders with less waste. Project profitability is easier with more complex estimation tools, as budget planning becomes far easier. This is true for the entire estimate, from the bill of materials to the labor costs. Ultimately, this allows new construction projects to be planned better and new construction opportunities accepted or rejected in smarter fashion.

The majority of Planswift users report that Planswift provides unbeatable time savings compared to just using Excel on its own. They also report that its user interface is a lot easier to use than many other estimating tools of a similar price. Given the nature of estimating and takeoff software, it’s easy to create user interfaces that can get bogged down with a proliferation of buttons, tabs, and icons.