Shortlist the right UK estimating software by budget, features and integrations, then plan a low risk migration with clear costs and timelines.
Prefer a done-for-you setup and pricing comparison? Request a Custom Estimate and we will size your shortlist against your drawings, trades and workflow.
This buyer’s guide pairs a practical scoring rubric with current UK pricing ranges and example implementation plans. If you only want free tools, see our sibling guide Best Free Construction Estimating Software in the UK. For pricing context on build elements, try the Building Cost Calculator UK and Estimating vs Quoting: What’s the Difference?
Executive Answer
Headline: Most UK builders and trades pick a cloud estimating suite at £45 to £120 per user per month, plus optional onboarding £300 to £1,500. Region: Great Britain. Base date: Q4 2025. VAT: Prices exclude VAT. Units: per user per month and per implementation. Currency: GBP.
- Cost Summary
- Assumptions and Methodology
- Detailed Cost Breakdown
- Programme and Durations
- Regional Variation
- Inclusions and Exclusions
- Risks and Allowances
- FAQs
- Sources
- Key Facts & Assumptions (At a Glance)
This post is part of our Builder Software series. For free tools specifically, read Best Free Construction Estimating Software in the UK.
Cost Summary
Base date: Q4 2025. VAT: Ex VAT. Ranges reflect typical UK list or street pricing and common onboarding options.
- Entry cloud tools: £20 to £45 per user per month. Light takeoff, simple estimates.
- SME suites: £45 to £120 per user per month. Takeoff, assemblies, rates libraries, quote output, basic integrations.
- Pro suites: £120 to £180 per user per month. Multi user, revisions, subcontractor comparisons, APIs, deeper integrations.
- Enterprise bundles: £180 to £400+ per user per month. Advanced workflows, SSO, custom reporting, multi company.
- Onboarding and training: £0 to £1,500 typical for SMEs. Larger deployments £5,000 to £25,000.
Assumptions and Methodology
We sized ranges for UK builders, specialist trades and small subcontractors. Pricing is per user per month unless noted. Onboarding covers configuration, data import and training. Feature scope maps to common RICS NRM cost planning concepts so your estimate structure is familiar from takeoff through to quote. We do not publish vendor-by-vendor figures here to avoid rapid dating. Instead, use the scoring table and CSV to compare live quotes from shortlisted vendors.
Method steps we recommend:
- Define your estimating outputs and approval steps in plain language. Keep them aligned to the way you present quotes to clients.
- List integrations you actually use: accounting, CRM, document control, takeoff, scheduling.
- Score vendors against must haves and nice to haves using the table below, weightings 0 to 5.
- Request quotes and trials. Build one real estimate in each system and time it.
- Account for migration effort, training and short term productivity dip.
Related reading: Preliminary Estimating in Construction and Construction Calculators.
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Use this table to benchmark your quotes and to brief stakeholders. It is a liveable template rather than a fixed price list.
| Tier | Typical scope | Pricing unit | Low £ | High £ | Typical £ | Setup/Training £ | Base date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry cloud | Basic takeoff and single user estimates | per user / month | 20 | 45 | 35 | 0 to 300 | Q4 2025 | Good for sole traders and small jobs |
| SME suite | Takeoff, libraries, quote output, light integrations | per user / month | 45 | 120 | 85 | 200 to 1,500 | Q4 2025 | Most common choice for UK builders |
| Pro suite | Multi user, revisions, advanced assemblies, APIs | per user / month | 120 | 180 | 150 | 1,000 to 5,000 | Q4 2025 | For larger subcontractors or main contractors |
| Enterprise bundle | SSO, multi company, custom reporting, sandbox | per user / month | 180 | 400 | 250 | 5,000 to 25,000 | Q4 2025 | Quoted individually on scope |
What features matter most
- Takeoff speed and accuracy. Vector PDF support, snapping, area and linear tools.
- Rates libraries and assemblies. Use labour, material, plant and prelims in a repeatable way.
- Revision control. Track changes between versions and show deltas on quotes.
- Export quality. Branded quotes, alternates, inclusions and exclusions clearly shown.
- Integrations. Accounting, CRM, document control, scheduling, e signature.
- User management and audit. Roles, approvals, and activity logs.
- Data security. UK GDPR, MFA, data residency options, export capability.
Scoring rubric you can copy
Weight each category 0 to 5, then multiply by vendor scores 0 to 5. Anything below 70 percent usually fails for production use.
- Core takeoff and estimating workflow
- Libraries and assemblies reuse
- Output and client communication
- Integrations fit for your stack
- Implementation effort and training
- Security and compliance
- Total cost of ownership over three years
Programme and Durations
- Discovery and shortlist: 1 to 2 weeks. Define outputs, integrations and budget. Build your scorecard.
- Trials and time test: 1 to 2 weeks. Replicate a real estimate in two systems and measure time and quality.
- Contract and setup: 1 week. User provisioning, templates, rates libraries and branding.
- Training and first live estimate: 1 to 2 weeks. One to two short sessions plus guided first estimate.
- Total typical duration: 3 to 6 weeks for SMEs with clear scope.
If you need support, our team can configure libraries and templates within 24 hours for small residential scopes when all information is complete. Request a Custom Estimate.
Regional Variation
Software licence pricing is generally UK wide. Effective cost varies by company size and the value of integrations to your workflow. Training rates and on site days cost more in remote areas. Northern Ireland businesses should confirm any cross border data storage requirements with vendors.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included in ranges: licences per user, common onboarding packages, access to standard integrations and support tiers. Excluded: bespoke development, on site workshops beyond day one, data cleansing, change management, custom APIs, enterprise security reviews.
Risks and Allowances
- Contingency: 10 to 20 percent of year one software and setup costs for SMEs. Higher for complex migrations.
- Provisional sums: Allow for extra training or template building if estimates are highly bespoke.
- Inflation note: SaaS pricing commonly adjusts annually. Budget for 3 to 8 percent list price increases.
- Data exit: Confirm export options for estimates, libraries and history before signing.
Disclaimer: Ranges are indicative at Q4 2025 and depend on vendor, contract term and scope. Always confirm written quotes.
FAQs
What is the best estimating software for UK builders?
The best choice depends on your scope, budget and integrations. Most SMEs pick a cloud suite in the £45 to £120 per user per month range with basic onboarding and training.
Do I need separate takeoff and estimating tools?
Many suites include takeoff. If you already own a takeoff tool, confirm the estimating system can import measured quantities cleanly.
How many licences do I need?
Count estimators, project managers who review estimates, and anyone who approves quotes. Many teams start with one to three licences and add as needed.
What about free estimating software?
Free tools suit trials or very small jobs. They often limit projects, features or exports. See Best Free Construction Estimating Software in the UK.
Can I migrate my Excel rates library?
Most systems support CSV import. Plan a short mapping exercise so labour, materials, plant and prelims land in the right fields.
How long does implementation take?
Three to six weeks for most SMEs. Complex workflows or bespoke outputs add time.
How do I compare vendors fairly?
Use the scoring rubric and build one real estimate in each system. Time it, check outputs, and test an approval cycle end to end.
Will it integrate with my accounts package?
Most suites integrate with the major UK accounting tools. Confirm the exact version and the direction of data sync during the trial.
Sources
- GOV.UK VAT rates
- RICS New Rules of Measurement overview
- NCSC Cyber Essentials overview
- ICO UK GDPR guidance
Key Facts & Assumptions (At a Glance)
- Audience: UK builders, specialist trades and small subcontractors
- Region: Great Britain, pricing ex VAT
- Units: per user per month and per implementation package
- Typical licence: £45 to £120 per user per month for SMEs
- Onboarding: £300 to £1,500 typical for SMEs
- Method: Feature tiers and scoring rubric mapped to RICS NRM concepts
- How we calculated this: Triangulated current list ranges and SME onboarding patterns, then normalised to Q4 2025
Next step: Request a Custom Estimate for your shortlist, configuration and migration plan.
