Esticom Reviews

Pros

I find it easy to use with Procore, which removes the need for multi-platform data transfers and work processes.

Cons

Esticom recently became an integrated Procure tool, but during the transition, Procore users with non-profit or free licenses can't access it. I hope this changes over the next year since this is the main function Procore lacks, and I currently pay for a separate third-party app integration to make up for it. I appreciate that Procore has a non-profit program to help us train new trades employees for adopting digital construction tech, so it's a minor inconvenience that this feature isn't available for free yet!

Pros

This software works great for my weekly quality takeoff needs.

Cons

Sometimes, using this software for bid management can be a bit perplexing.

Pros

I used it for HVAC takeoff estimation and found almost everything I needed in their libraries. It requires minimal learning, so I could start right after logging in. No installation is needed, just web access. Navigating between plans and scaling is simple. My three colleagues and I tested it together, and we're all pleased with how it performs in various trades like plumbing, masonry, and concrete.

Cons

The price is a bit steep, and relying on internet access can sometimes be an issue.

Pros

What I liked most about Esticom is how simple it is to measure blueprints and download them with legends. It works very well with the mouse, and since it's web-based, I can access it from anywhere.

Cons

What I found least appealing about Esticom is that it lacks crucial features and is priced too high. They should add templates, stages, and Excel options!

Pros

The ease of use is definitely a big advantage. Plus, some of the automations are really helpful for quickly building up a proposal.

Cons

There are still some features I'd like to see, but I'm confident their team is already working on them.

Pros

The cloud-based structure and simple functions make this software powerful.

Cons

Here are a few suggestions: 1) It would be great if we could set a color, legend size, and shape for an assembly so we don't have to select them every time. 2) An option to select a specific area for takeoff would be useful. 3) The ability to download all takeoff drawings to PDF in one go would be great.

Pros

It's very easy to assemble an efficient, high-quality bid.

Cons

There isn't anything I dislike about the software.

Pros

The simplicity of the software and the knowledge and assistance from the support staff who helped set up and run Esticom were excellent.

Cons

I find working with margins and profit categories challenging. This might be more about user error than a software issue.

Pros

I appreciate that you can just plug and play, download your material list, create a symbols list, and then start scaling.

Cons

Occasionally, there are glitches where wording and numbers bunch up together.

Pros

I like how quickly I can complete a takeoff and that all the parts are included.

Cons

I wish the auto count feature was more reliable and that adding parts to the parts list was easier.

Pros

When properly set up, the speed of producing an estimate improves significantly.

Cons

The materials search functionality often fails to find products, and there's a lack of output options in spreadsheet format.

Pros

The takeoff process is both quick and simple, which definitely helps to save a considerable amount of time.

Cons

I'm not sure the markup numbers they use are accurate.

Pros

It's very user-friendly once you know what you're doing. It has been more helpful in my specific field compared to other products out there.

Cons

I wish there were more options for legends.

Pros

I value the intuitive nature of the interfaces and how simple it is to adjust my estimates.

Cons

There are a few quirks that take some getting used to. The two minor issues that bother me the most are: 1. The inability to add one-time-use items to the estimating section. 2. Not being able to switch between takeoff modes without deleting the entire item (e.g., switching between linear and linear average with drop).

Pros

I like how user-friendly it is, very intuitive. The menu is simple and effective.

Cons

The auto takeoff feature is not very reliable. I would love for this feature to work correctly.

Pros

The ease of use is a major plus. The software is very intuitive.

Cons

The breakout section in the estimation part of the software is lacking. There's no way to separate a specific task or job from the overall bid to provide numbers to GCs. Also, the markup calculations and profits don't match the percentages set in the profit section.

Pros

It saves me a tremendous amount of time by building my estimate as I'm doing my takeoff.

Cons

Sometimes there are minor quirks that need fixing, but this is mainly because they're adding new features, and these issues are usually resolved.

Pros

Digital takeoffs are easier than paper and simple to view.

Cons

The pricing is listed in USD, and while exporting data to Excel is possible, it is not entirely seamless or flawless. There are some issues with the process that can affect how the information is transferred and formatted in the spreadsheet.

Pros

Customer service was excellent, and getting started was easy.

Cons

The estimate submission and breakout of the PST is awkward. I would prefer more flexibility with my final price for submitting to the client.

Pros

It speeds up the estimating process, and they're always adding new features and improving the software.

Cons

There aren't many additional drawing functions for customization.