Clear Estimates

Cloud-based construction estimating software providing localized cost databases and professional client proposals.

Overview: Clear Estimates is construction estimation software with cloud-based technology used by general contractors, remodelers, and handyman for residential purposes. It comes with pre-loaded localized cost databases to estimate construction projects, create professional proposals, and materials list.   Main payroll features: Even though the main focus of the Clear Estimates software is cost estimation, bid management and proposal generation, it does provide assistance with payroll by using baseline labor rates in the task estimates.   It enables general contractors to set hourly rates and burden rates which become the basis for tracking the payroll and estimating project labor budget before starting any work. HR functions: Despite being non-human resources software, Clear Estimates helps contractors estimate the labor overhead by keeping track of sub-contractor rates, labor costs of the crew and operation markup.   It makes it easier for management to evaluate labor efficiency, onboard trade rates and plan manpower capacity on residential construction projects.   Time tracking: Clear Estimates includes basic project duration forecast based on labor hours estimated in the bids.   General contractors have an opportunity to export labor estimates to other time tracking and scheduling software making sure field workers' hours are in sync with their bid allocation. Advantages for construction industry: The Clear Estimates is tailored specially for the construction industry, including localized material and labor pricing quarterly updates provided by RemodelMAX.   General contractors are provided with automated line item estimates, customizable bid templates, change order management and client proposals to win more deals.   Payroll Compliance: Through helping contractors classify workers correctly, determine trade wages, and identify labor costs on a local basis during the estimation process, Clear Estimates helps avoid errors in calculating actual labor liability and prevailing wage estimates of clients' projects.   Integrations: Clear Estimates works well with various software systems, including QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop.   This lets general contractors send their approved estimates into accounting work flow, link customer contacts, and automate invoicing process without any need to make duplicate entries.   Mobile App: The application is completely optimized for web browser usage in tablet and mobile devices, which lets contractors go to site visits, modify materials list, make estimates and present them to homeowners in the field.   Reporting: The tool comes with powerful reporting system that creates itemized materials list, tentative schedule, detailed report about cost breakdown, bid comparison and profit margin summary in order to help contractors maintain good project margins.   Customer Support: Clear Estimates provides excellent customer service by means of providing email support, live chat and live phone support, video tutorials, weekly onboarding webinars and knowledge base.   Pricing Overview: The software has flexible pricing system based on a monthly subscription and there are no contracts. Pricing usually starts from around $59 per month for the Standard plan with additional functionality in the advanced plans such as bid request automation and integrations. Free trials are available as well.   Pros: Pre-loaded localized cost database, user-friendly interface, quick proposal generation, easy QuickBooks integration and affordable flat rate monthly fees are among the advantages of Clear Estimates.   Cons: Its disadvantages include its focus mainly on residential remodeling projects, lack of sophisticated digital takeoff tools, and limited HR/payroll functionality.   Ideal business size: Clear Estimates fits for small to medium sized general contractors, residential remodeling companies, specialist trade contractors and home builders.