Last Updated Oct 30, 2025

Overview

Estimating Link empowers heavy civil construction contractors to create faster, more accurate estimates with confidence and ease. Purpose-built for the industry, it streamlines estimating workflows, automates repetitive tasks, and centralizes project data, helping teams cut estimating time, eliminate costly errors, and bid more profitably. With Estimating Link you spend less time crunching numbers, avoid costly errors, and win more profitable work.
Overall Rating

Based on 1 users reviews

4

Rating Distribution

Positive

100%

Neutral

0%

Negative

0%

Starting Price
$199

/seat/month

What Is Estimating Link?

Estimating Link is a specialized software solution designed to streamline the estimating and bidding process for heavy civil construction projects. Designed by contractor Lance R. Ward, who performed work for the New York Department of Transportation (NY DOT) before starting TCLI, Estimating Link draws on decades of experience in the industry. Lance envisioned an easy-to-use yet powerful estimating software, and that vision came to life when he sold his first software program in 1986.  Since then, TCLI has been dedicated to creating powerful tools for the construction industry. Estimating Link is the culmination of that real-world experience and decades of User Feedback, offering contractors a reliable platform to improve efficiency, accuracy, and profitability in their project estimates.

Key Features:

  • Task Reusability & Scalability: Reuse task data from templates or previous projects and scale tasks based on project size, ensuring consistent and efficient bidding every time.
  • Subcontractor & Material Comparisons: Easily compare subcontractor bids, materials, and rates, allowing for more informed decision-making.
  • Fuel Calculator: Automatically recalculates fuel requirements to help you adjust for changing costs and resource needs.
  • Pipe Trench Calculator: Quickly and accurately estimate the materials and costs associated with trenching for pipe installation, factoring in depth, width, and other key variables.
  • Haul Calculator: Estimate the time, equipment needed, and cost of hauling materials to help you plan logistics and optimize project budgets.
  • Revenue Management: Move revenue sources to optimize for quantity overruns or underruns, ensuring accuracy and profitability.
  • Error Checking & Bid Accuracy: Built-in error-checking tools flag potential mistakes, helping you avoid costly oversights and ensuring your bids are always on point.
  • DOT Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Department of Transportation (DOT) electronic bidding systems for easy submission and compliance.
  • Multi-User Collaboration: Multiple estimators can work on the same project simultaneously, improving team efficiency.
  • Accounting & Project Management Integration: Export your data directly to accounting and project management systems, reducing manual entry and streamlining project workflows.

How Much Does Estimating Link Cost?

Estimating Link offers flexible pricing tailored to your business needs. We also offer a free trial after your demo, so you can experience the benefits firsthand before committing.

  • Desktop Software - $199/mo*
  • Cloud-Hosted Software - $375/mo*

*Annual Payment Discounts Available

Users can request a detailed Estimating Link price analysis to pick a plan that aligns well with their business settings.

Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change.

Estimating Link Demo

TCLI offers an interactive demo to give you customized experience with Estimating Link. See how our software works, explore key features, and understand how it can help streamline your estimating and bidding process. Schedule a demo today to see Estimating Link in action.

Who Is Estimating Link For?

Estimating Link is perfect for construction companies of all sizes working in the heavy civil sector. Whether you’re managing large infrastructure projects or smaller construction bids, our software is built to scale with your business needs. 

Estimating Link is ideal for estimators, project managers, and any team involved in the planning, bidding, and estimating process.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting started with Estimating Link is simple! Schedule a demo to explore all of our features without commitment. Once you're ready, our team will guide you through setup and onboarding to ensure you get the most out of our software. 

Contact us at (661) 384-7070 and get expert assistance from our team regarding any further queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Estimating Link is offered as a subscription only. You can choose a monthly subscription or an annual subscription and save.

Yes! Estimating Link interfaces with most major accounting systems like Quickbooks, Foundation, Sage, Computerease, Jobpower, and more. the software also interfaces most major takeoff software systems that support an import/export functionality using .csv files.

Absolutely! We offer 24/7 LIVE phone and email support so you get answers quick! Our friendly support team is U.S. based with a background in construction. We also offer technical support and self-service support via our online Knowledge Base. We're proud to say we're ranked 4.9 out of 5 stars on software review websites!

Cloud-hosted software refers to applications that are stored and run on remote servers, rather than being installed locally on a user’s computer or on-site servers. Estimating Link is hosted on TCLI's servers, and users access the software via the internet. This setup provide a concurrent, multi-user environment and allows for easier updates, scalability, and access from anywhere.

Yes. Estimating Link was designed for both individual and simultaneous usage. Whether you choose Cloud Link or On-Premise Server deployment, multiple users can work together and make changes to the same project at the same time.

Yes, there are setup costs. Your software is setup and deployed by our expert team. Setup includes customized, one-on-one training at no additional cost to you! Training is quick and easy.

Estimating Link is by far the easiest civil estimating software on the market. Most users are able to start bidding their first job after just 2 hours of training! Training is hands-on and customized to you, for your type of work. No generic classroom training that doesn't stick.

Yes! We interface with DOT Electronic Bidding Systems AASHTOWare and ICx. Send your bids from EBS to Estimating Link, build your bid, then send it back to EBS. Saves tons of time by eliminating manual entry. Ensures accuracy by preventing "fat finger" mistakes. No cross referencing - just click and submit!

No way! We do not offer different tiers for basic, Pro, Enterprise, etc., so all users enjoy every powerful feature in the program. Estimating Link includes built-in calculators, subcontractor and material price comparison tables, advanced markup analysis, security options, and more.