Calsta to Add $2.6 Billion in Intercity Transit

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) is set to pump in $2.6B in Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grants for transformative transit and rail projects. The body has announced 28 recipients for the funds.

The agency has allocated additional funding for seven projects via multi-year funding agreements, taking up the funding amount to excess of $4.3B. The funding will be provided from the proceeds of the Cap and Trade program through Senate Bill 1 (SB 1).

Projects funded by TIRCP will facilitate faster, more frequent, and more reliable through expanded transit and rail offerings, thus benefitting Californians. Investment is centered on key projects to augment the region in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games. Six LA Metro expansion projects will benefit from funding, including light rail extensions to Torrance and Montclair and additional rapid transit service along corridors with more passengers.

Additional funding will be flushed in for beefing up regional commuter and intercity rail. Major investments are set to allocated for track improvements at Los Angeles Union Station.

Projects will facilitate better connections for the Bay Area. Plans are to establish the San Jose Diridon station as a Bay Area regional hub, create new Samtrans express bus routes along the congested US-101 corridor, begin new rail service to Salinas and Monterey, and arrange for Caltrain electrification.

5 Perks of Using Cloud-Based Takeoff Software

The takeoff world has been undergoing a steady change, thanks to evolving technology. Components like cloud-prompted connectivity, digital blueprints and social media apps have made businesses more digitally driven. The cloud in particular has changed the way construction companies have worked forever.

Cloud-based takeoff is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) involving a remotely located server that you access online. You may be able to use the software on your smartphone, laptop or desktop, but the operational capability is on the remote system. As in SaaS, you pay for what you use.

Let’s see the 5 biggest advantages of using cloud-based takeoff software for construction companies:

Instant Access to Facts & Figures

Cloud software is generally platform agnostic, meaning that you can use it on virtually any computer or mobile device from any number of locations. All-pervasive connectivity has eliminated restrictions regarding access to data. This feature of software is quite helpful when you’re on a job site and want to take another look at the building plans or check the numbers from your bid. For instance, rather than calling in or driving to your office for checking the information, you can just take out your smartphone and check the difference between the previous structure(s) versus current, and make changes while in the field.

Slashing of IT Budget

Opting for cloud-based takeoff software can bring your IT budget seriously down. You no longer have to sink all of your money into high-end laptops fit to survive a job site. Instead, you can buy the same number of tablets and arrange that they work just a few minutes out of their case. Any time, SaaS service costs less than the permanent software installed right there in local machine. As SaaS providers automatically update the software for all users across the board, you don’t have to take any extra steps to be sure you’re working with the most up to date version.

Going Green

In a cloud set-up, real usage of power happens at the data center where the server and software are stored. This means lesser machines at your site (printers and other peripheral device included). Moreover, you can work out most issues without having to travel away from your office, home, or job site. Whether it’s about specs on the construction, or any specifics regarding the takeoff, you just have to pull out your smartphone or tablet and get going.

Propels Fast Growth

If your company is growing rapidly, conventional software can cause some serious troubles. For instance, if you expect your company to grow from 20 to 200, you may have to purchase as many new laptops, have the software installed and make sure it’s secured.

When using cloud-based takeoff software, you don’t have to purchase any machine most of the times as people may already have some device of their own. You just have to impart them some kind of training regarding the cloud takeoff software you’re using. Later, if you recruit more people, you just have to upgrade your software plan.

Streamlined Collaboration

Cloud-based takeoff software gives you more options when it comes to assigning tasks and deadlines to team members. You can communicate real-time with team members present at different physical locations. If you’ve queries about a particular part of a plan, simply highlight that section and leave a note rather than calling half a dozen people and zooming off to a string of job sites.

Summing Up

Any software based on cloud technology has numerous advantages. If you’re still unsure, just sign up for free trail of Square Takeoff and find out how it can make life easier for you.

Jaguars Co-Build $2.5 Billion Mixed-Use Project

NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars has joined hands with the Cordish Cos. to co-develop a $2.5 billion mixed-use district along with Iguana Investments at a site near Jacksonville NFL stadium. This development, along with the Oakland Raiders $1.8 billion stadium coming up in Las Vegas, underlines the scale of investments in sports venues across the United States.

Developed in partnership with globally renowned architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle, the master development plan could eventually span 4.25 million square feet of top-notch dining, entertainment, retail, office, hotels and luxury living experience.

The Cordish Cos. has earned a name in sports-anchored, mixed-use developments, partnering with several professional sports franchises and media companies, of the likes of the Comcast-Spectacor, NBC Sports, Professional Bull Riders, St. Louis Cardinals, FOX Sports, Philadelphia Flyers, and Sporting KC.

No timeline has been announced for the project, but the full buildout may take decades. The site, previously used by shipyards and oil tank farms, will require cleanup of petroleum-contaminated soil along with approval from environmental regulators.

How to Save Time and Money Construction Takeoffs

Construction estimating has come a long way since the days of onsite estimating and desktop takeoff. The new tech is now facilitating the growth of construction companies, accelerating estimation, streamlining bid management, and enabling you to bid more projects, while saving precious time and money.

In the prevailing age of cloud-based digital takeoff, your willingness to adopt new technology and getting adept to it is the key for reaching the next level as a construction business. Rather than the number of heads in your staff, it is your choice of software and the ability to use the tools to your advantage that matters.

Let’s see how cloud-based software helps you complete takeoffs in the most economic manner and with better time efficiency:

Eliminate the cost/time of printing the blueprint and subsequent calculations – Conventional takeoff requires you to use a paper blueprint. Going digital eliminates the cost associated with printing and handling of paper. You can do complex calculations such as roof/wall area in seconds. Calculation of square footage, linear footage, and item counts just needs a point-and-click with your mouse, finger or stylus.

Support to a host of digital formats – Cutting edge software enables you to work with an array of digital formats, including the most popular ones like PDF, JPEG, TIFF and BMP.

Easy uploading of files – To upload your digital files, you just have to browse to your files or drag and drop these items onto the page.

Simple scaling – Once you load your digital blueprint into the cloud and it appears on the screen, you need to set the scale of the plan. Select a dimension line or determine measurement and feed it into the software. You’re now scaled and ready for the takeoff.

Cloud-generated advantage – The cloud has taken collaboration to a completely different level. You can easily calculate basic area, linear and counts for any type of project and share it with other members/professionals in your company. Any of your professionals can drive to any site with a mobile device, make adjustments of any kind and share the changes instantly with other people involved. Team members located in different parts of the world can work in tandem with ease, bringing down the takeoff time considerably.

Support to multiple platforms – Modern technology allows you to work from Windows, Apple iOS, Android or any platform.

Identify takeoffs with ease – You can identify takeoffs easily using notes and colors.

Maintain clinical accuracy – Scale tool helps maintain clinical accuracy without requiring old-fashioned rulers.

Google Maps advantage – Google Maps integration enables you to enter any address and make the Maps display the physical location. Otherwise, you can zoom in to display the location you want and select it. You can then scale the location and takeoff.

Handle all sorts of construction trades – Such a platform is a one-stop place to handle all sorts of construction trades including general contracting, framing, roofing, concrete, asphalt, masonry, drywall, insulation, electrical, plumbing, siding, door/window, painting, flooring, and more.

It’s time you take a big step forward into a new, technology-driven future. Realize the potential of cloud-based takeoff software such as Square Takeoff.

Organize Your Construction Takeoff with Software

Takeoffs are integral to the bidding process. Before you bid, you need to figure out the types and quantities of different materials you may require for the job. You also have to determine the labor costs and accumulate other aspects as well such as complexity of the project and unexpected events. This will lead to a proper estimate.

The Process

A contractor can handle a takeoff in several ways. Many still burn time using paper blueprints, manually counting items like outlets, switch and wire runs. The approach is prone to mistakes, resulting in inaccurate takeoffs. The outcome of missing items is lower profitability, while over-calculation of items makes your takeoff estimate go too high.

A better approach, that most contractors take now, is to use a digital copy of the blueprint, zooming in on areas of interest, while scanning other areas as well. If your client has provided you with a paper blueprint, you could have it scanned and upload into the software.  In most cases, a digital file is used. These files are uploaded into the software and you’ll do your takeoff in the software, just like you would with paper.

Where Square Takeoff Rolls In

Square Takeoff is cloud-based software designed for automation of the construction blueprint takeoff process for commercial and residential companies. The tool allows you to upload a blueprint or zero in on a desired region using Google Maps, scale it, create/customize mathematical functions and determine an accurate estimate.

The software is divided into several sections you may all require in the whole process – Bid Management (including Takeoff), Estimating, Reports, User Management, and more.

Bid Management

This section is your gateway to initialize a takeoff. When using the Bid Management tool of Square Takeoff, you see a calendar with bids appearing on appropriate dates. You select a bid and the Takeoff button will show up on the screen.

There are two drop-downs at the top of the screen as well – ‘Company’ and ‘User’ – both serving as quick navigational filters. ‘Company’ drop-down enables you to focus on the bids related to a particular company. For instance, if you’re bidding on a lot of bids for Richard Green Construction, and you only want to see relevant bids, select Richard Green Construction on the Company drop-down. All irrelevant bids will disappear.

As for ‘User’ drop-down menu, it allows you select one from multiple estimators. If you’ve multiple estimators using Square Takeoff, you can filter bids out by with user drop-down.

Bid Management tool also allows you to view data in List (grid form), if needed, and also view the other projects shared by others. You can feed in any data regarding bid management and project.

These features enable you take any shot you want on bid management from a single screen.

Starting Takeoff

As mentioned, when you select a bid, a ‘Start Takeoff’ button appears. When you push the button, a windows pops up, allowing you to upload a document. The file will appear on the takeoff screen. The basic navigation on the screen has three icons labeled Area, Linear, and Count. These are buttons that will activate the type of measurement you want to activate. Before using any of these choices, the page needs to be scaled that you can do by selecting a button at the top toolbar and choosing imperial or metric measurements.  Or apply a manual scale by choosing a known measurement on the print.

Once you’ve fed in the measurements, you can draw along the line that you want to set the scale to. After setting the scale, you can use Area, Linear, or Count tool as required. For instance, if you want to get the perimeter of the entire floor, you need to select the Linear tool. If you’re doing Drywall and price out your work by linear fee, this tool is perfectly for you!

Area and Count tools may be useful for other professionals. For instance, if someone wants to get the total square foot of one of the rooms, you can use the area tool. Count tool is useful for doors or windows, or even electrical work. If you want the number of left-handed doors in the structure, this tool will come handy.

You can create straight lines, which allows you to perform position takeoffs without worrying on aligning to the exact point you want to click.

There are several tools that you can use to make your Takeoff faster. A particular useful one among them is Google Maps Integration. You can input any location address and perform a takeoff live on the system. This is a very powerful tool if you’re doing asphalt/concrete. Once you feed in the address, you get a satellite image of the location, if Google has it. You can move area and get it where you want it to be. You then export the image which makes it drop on Pages panel. As this is scaled directly by the satellites, no scaling is required on your part.

You can use tools like Area, Perimeter, and Count, just like the previously installed process. The system also enables you to delete Area, Perimeter, and Count takeoff if a mistake was made. If required, you can print the takeoff as well.

Estimating

Estimating tool has four sub-sections – Templates, Template User Groups, Parts Catalog, and Global Part Properties – each of which allows you to customize the software as per your precise requirements.

The best approach is to create template user groups for each trade you estimate. Here’s an example to help you understand it better. You may organize framing templates together as one group and roofing templates as another. Sub-contractors may like grouping templates as builder and general contractor.

In Global Part Properties, you can create custom part and property groups such as cost per hour. The system allows you to associate various functions with part and property groups, which you can call at will when estimating, giving you an unprecedented flexibility.

If you decide to export a document, you may do it to HTML or Excel. When it exports, you see all the measurements and colors, and if needed, you can have it show even total value.

There is a support team as well that will provide you full support, answering any questions you may have.

User Management

The tool allows you to set users, their roles, and reporting structures.

Summing Up

Working directly from digital drawings, Square Takeoff boosts your speed and accuracy. Advantages include less time on multiple measurements and calculations, visual audit trail, quick project startup, Google Maps integration, job collaboration, a system of checks and balances, affordability, and scalability, among others.

Final Vote on Miami Mall Scheduled for May 17

The American Dream Miami mega-mall, theme park and hotel, expected to be the largest indoor theme park and mall in the US, when completed by 2023, is in its final stretch of approvals. On May 17, the Miami-Dade County Commission has scheduled the final vote on the project.

The proposed mall is set to dwarf the existing malls in America today. It’ll present a string of features to visitors including a submarine ride, indoor ski slope, water park, theme park, sports complex, outdoor fishing and theaters.

The project will turn the now 511 vacant acres in unincorporated northwest Miami-Dade, two miles south of the Broward County border unrecognizable.

The Herald has pegged the cost of the project at $3 billion, while the Sun-Sentinel regards the cost $4 billion. As per estimates, the project may create 25,000 permanent jobs and offer opportunities for small businesses.

Major Miami-area malls and retailers though have come together not to let the upcoming mega-mall enjoy any public subsidies or incentives, which may be granted by the State to promote job creation and subsequent economic activities.

Canadian firm Triple Five, the mega mall’s developer, hasn’t officially requested tax breaks or other special incentives, but it’s said to have raised the issue in informal discussions with Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez.

Those opposing such potential breaks for the mega mall argue that such subsidy would create an unfair advantage over similar projects that weren’t lucky enough to get that kind of financial backing, such as Dolphin Mall, International Mall and Dadeland.

Joint Venture Leads to South Texas Terminal

US-based Buckeye Partner has entered into a joint venture with Phillips 66 Partners and Andeavor to develop a new open access marine terminal in Ingleside, Texas.  The participants plan to construct a South Texas Gateway Terminal on a 212 acre waterfront parcel at the mouth of Corpus Christi Bay.

The terminal will offer 3.4 million barrels of crude oil storage capacity, connectivity to the Gray Oak pipeline and two deep-water vessel docks, built for berthing Very Large Crude Carrier (“VLCC”) petroleum tankers in the initial phase of construction. The facility can be later expanded to take up the storage capacity to over 10 million barrels of storage capacity, add multiple additional docks and several inbound pipeline connections.

Project schedule incorporates commencement of initial operations by the end of 2019.  Buckeye has a 50% interest in the newly formed joint venture, while Phillips 66 Partners and Andeavor share a 25% interest between them.

Designed to serve as a premier open-access deep-water marine terminal in the Port of Corpus Christi, the South Texas Gateway Terminal will provide companies with logistics solutions that provide the region’s rapidly growing crude oil production with advanced connect to global markets.  Buckeye’s partnership with two integrated energy firms in Phillips 66 Partners and Andeavor offers tremendous opportunity for future development of the terminal.

These assets will position Buckeye at the forefront of the rapidly growing US crude oil export movement. The terminal will offer waterborne shipments of crude oil and other petroleum products from the Permian and Eagle Ford shale plays strong competitive advantages.

Online Takeoff Software for Concrete Industry

Have you been completing your concrete estimate by hand using blueprints or doing onsite measurements? If so, there are solutions that can make your job easier every day. With less than 30 mins of training, you could be calculating the total square foot of an area and the total cubic yards of concrete in a matter of seconds. With a construction takeoff software such as, Square Takeoff™, you can do your measurements from a set of PDF blueprints and/or using the Google Maps Tool, which allows you to do an aerial takeoff. It is as easy as 1-2-3. So why not work smarter, not harder and take advantage of a software built for your next job.

To learn more and to take advantage of a free 14 day trial please visit our online takeoff software signup page

How construction companies can use technology to respond to paradigm-changes

You cannot remain immune to the paradigm changes around you and yet hope to run ahead of the competition, can you?

As a construction company, you need to respond with readiness to the fast-paced advancements in digital technology, that have seen every component of the industry getting transformed. The key technology-driven shifts in the industry include:

  • More streamlined bid management
  • Accurate cost estimates
  • Integration of Google Maps, drone or satellite imagery
  • Cloud technology facilitating project collaboration

Tiding Over Prevalent Challenges Using Technology

Construction companies face a gamut of unique challenges. Some major ones are as follows:

Fact: Involvement of several subcontractors coming from multiple companies.

Challenge: Streamlining them all to create a cohesive, completed project is an arduous task.

Fact: Inaccuracy of supply and cost estimates.

Challenge: Lack of advanced technical tools and mismanagement leading to cost overruns.

Fact: Difference of products and raw materials in every project.

Challenge: Complex projects carrying more business risk.

You need to peek into the technology window and explore how to overcome these issues with the help of software.

How Technology Brings in Better Opportunities

Technology has become a game-changer when it comes to construction projects. Cloud-based construction take-off and estimate software like Square Takeoff enable you to estimate upcoming projects within minutes, with clinical accuracy, ahead of your competitors, to help you win more bids.

Let’s see how technology has driven industry shifts mentioned above:

Streamlined Bid Management

Software takes your bid management to the next level, miles away from the of desktop-based bid management. It just requires you to enter your project bid information and upload your digital plans. Within a few clicks, you’ll be in position to measure all the areas, linears, and counts you may need for your construction estimate. Be it roof area (Area), total length of an exterior wall (Linear), or the count of windows, doors, or electrical outlets (Count), you can accomplish it all with ease.

Because it works on any desktop or mobile device, this easy-to-use bid management system is meant to be used in any construction trade. Be it roofing, framing, painting, plumbing, masonry, landscaping, concrete, asphalt, electrical, finishes, general contractor, drywall, doors or windows, Square Takeoff enables you to bid with confidence.

What is more, with a simple click, you can transfer your takeoff totals to Excel.

Accurate Cost Estimates

When you get down and dirty while bidding, without considering all the involved aspects (not possible in conventional desktop-based system in time-sensitive construction business), you end up leaving money on the table (while bidding low) or looking ridiculous (in case of exorbitant bids). It’s time-consuming and mentally exhausting when you attempt it manually, and yet, the numbers are skewed.

On the contrary, Square Takeoff enables you to know the exact costs and demonstrate your efficiency and accuracy to your clients.

Integration of Google Maps

Technology facilitates integration of Google maps with Square Takeoff. When you opt for this feature, Google Maps appears on the screen. You can either zoom in or simply enter an address that you want to search. Once you’ve located the item, such as a roof section or a parking lot, you can select the export button to save it and then use the immense calculating power of the software for measuring it in any way you like. For instance, you can measure the total area of the roof in terms of square feet or calculate its perimeter.

Cloud Technology

The cloud ushered in an unprecedented change in the way construction business was done. Now, one can simply drive to a site with a mobile device, make changes and share them instantly with other people who may possibly be working from different parts of the world. Thanks to the cloud, worrying about what software works with what type of operating system is no longer a concern – Windows, Apple iOS, Android. It also eliminated any worry about losing work to computer crash.

Cloud-based Square Takeoff allows you to travel ahead of the desktop age and successfully launch your company in the future.

Summing Up

Software cuts estimating time to a fraction of what it was, thereby making an impact on your bottom line. It enables you to complete many more bids than you would by completing takeoffs through other means and saves you your valuable time and money. Starting a project seems so easy with it!

Value of using construction takeoff software

For years, I spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per project on printing blueprints. With the national average of $1.09 per page for a 24”x36” B&W blueprint to be printed and an average project size of 70 sheets, with a minimum of 2 sets required, I found the cost can quickly become more than the investment into using a digital solution to view and complete a takeoff. With an industry focused on trying to build green, I asked why not eliminate the cost of paper with technology. Well, if you are like me and are looking for some reasons why to make the change, here are a few.

Reprographic fees are expensive.
For years, I would always look past reprographic fees on my P&L, just because they were a necessity I couldn’t get rid of. It wasn’t until the housing crash that suddenly looking for a different solution became important. By reallocating and reinvesting the money spent on printing on a form of technology, my bottom line got better.

Technology will improve accuracy and accountability.
I couldn’t tell you how many times I have been in the middle of a takeoff, just to be interrupted by a visitor or a phone call, only to come back to my takeoff minutes, hours or even days later to find that I didn’t remember exactly where I left off. With paper, I would find myself tracing the walls and other items using a highlighter to indicate that I measured it and would then scribble my numbers down on a yellow notepad. Depending on how rushed I was, I would hopefully label everything correctly. Well, with technology, I can now start and stop a project anytime and always know what I measured and what the totals are because if it is colored, it is measured. I also have the chance to look back at old jobs just to verify numbers without digging through a notepad to find those numbers.

Speed
Through my many years of estimating, I have done things by hand and also used technology. Being in the southern market I couldn’t tell you how many times I would get a plan that had a roof with more than 4 pitches involved. For me, doing it by hand and making sure it was accurate took me some time. But thanks to technology, the time it took me to complete it quickly increased to the point that I was 10x faster and more accurate than ever before. Even simple room area takeoffs became much faster and provided me with a tool that even allowed me to share my takeoff with my fellow colleagues in the field.

Technology improves collaboration.
Being in the construction field for over 20+ years, I have seen many different pieces of technology. From my first job as a Project Manager with a local Commercial GC, when the biggest piece of tech was my pager, to my most recent venture where I carried an iPad, iPhone and had a blueprint takeoff software to view and edit my takeoffs. Back in the day, I communicated with my subs by meeting with them onsite and discussing what needed to be done. If they needed me, they paged me or came to my job trailer. Every moment they spent trying to find me was a moment of production lost. Now, thanks to technology, they text me if they need me and if they have issues with something in the building process, they add a note and photo to the prints that is instantly available to me for review on my PC or mobile device. This creates for me a project history that allows me to stay up to speed with all that is going on and has improved my communication with my entire team.

As I mentioned, being in this industry I have watched technology transition into what it is today. 10 years ago, I would have never thought that I would be carrying my plans around on a device the size of my notepad; but to be honest, I would never go back to carrying a heavy set of plans. There are many solutions on the market, but only a few of those are on the cutting edge and offer the power of desktop software with the benefits of cloud technology. If you are like me and are looking for that solution, why not try out one by visiting www.squaretakeoff.com.

Roofing construction takeoffs made easy

With constant improvements in technology the art of completing a roof takeoff is getting easier by the day. With products like Square Takeoff, you can load in a roofing plan and complete a roof takeoff using the pitch/slope of the roof and calculate total SqFt in a 1/3 of the time with a high level of accuracy. With more and more contractors today using aerial images to view an existing roof, technologies such as Square Takeoff use Google Maps to capture the roof and allow their users to complete the takeoff. Some of their clients have even went as far as to purchase drones to fly vertically above the roof to take the images that they then import into the product to complete their work. With so many options today that allow for the needed speed to stay ahead of the competition, contractors are finding themselves taking the step in the right direction resulting in completing bids faster and providing the chance to win more jobs.
To learn more about how Square Takeoff can improve your roof takeoff process. Visit www.squaretakeoff.comroofing-construction

Provide Your Takeoff Suggestions and Feedback

Since the launch of Square Takeoff, we have always took pride in the fact that we always enjoy listening to our customers on what new features they would like to see in the product. Is there a tool or method that Square Takeoff could add that would make your next takeoff or estimate even easier? Is there a tool currently in the software that if we added a few more things would help you get your next bid out quicker? If so let us know. Simply send your ideas or suggestions to sales@squaretakeoff.com or simply chat with us on our main site at www.squaretakeoff.com of what you would like to see added to Square Takeoff or some feedback on any current features of our product. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

If you have not tried Square Takeoff, then take it for a spin today. Visit www.squaretakeoff.comsign-up for your free 14 day trial.

how to upload a digital construction blueprint

To upload your digital files simply browse to your files or drag and drop the items onto the page. You can upload many digital file formats such as PDF, Jpeg, PNG and many more. When done select the Continue Button. Once your files are uploaded you will be able to start your takeoff. To see the status of the files uploaded, simply select the
status button at the top. To learn more. Visit  www.squaretakeoff.com

https://www.youtube.com/embed/k-QyQPfCbU0?list=PLdO1KsGjVI7u7uw5dYQzccbKegIA_ROft

Cloud-Based Takeoff Software Takes Over Desktop

Over 20 years ago the construction industry became more efficient thanks to the introduction of computerized technology. In its early days, this new computer technology was very expensive which made it difficult for the average construction professional to access. Through the years more and more companies emerged with new tech that was faster than its previous counterpart and thanks to that continued growth, the price also became more affordable. Suddenly, everyone could use their digitizer board and computer to complete a takeoff and estimate quicker than doing it by hand. Next came the launch of digital takeoff solutions that no longer required you to have to print your plans and therefore allowing a tremendous cost savings that helped every contractor’s bottom line. These products offered a familiar feel that was easy to process and helped ensure a level of accuracy far better than methods of the past. Digital takeoff solutions could allow users to easily calculate basic area, linear and counts for any type of project, residential or commercial. Only one drawback was still evident; there was no easy way to share completed projects to help improve collaboration amongst team members. Desktop takeoff and estimating software was the best you could get at the time to complete a job.

It wasn’t until late 2014, with the release of technology such as HTML5, did the industry start to realize that the next step in the evolution of takeoff and estimating was about to happen. Suddenly, online takeoff™ and estimating solutions could now be built with cloud technology. This would usher such a change that by simply sharing a project, would improve and change the model of how a company did business. No longer being trapped by a desktop only solution, companies started to collaborate at a level never thought of before. From being able to walk a site with a mobile device and adjust and make changes that are instantly shared with all parties involved, to simply being able to access your job from anywhere in the world. Never again being confined to one operating system, thanks to modern technology you can work from Windows, Apple iOS, Android or any platform where you can access the web. Since this change, companies such as Square Takeoff™ have chosen to leave the world of desktop technology behind and have successfully launched into what the future has in store through the use of the cloud. So why not step away from the past and take a new step forward into a future with a level of potential that is only starting to be realized.

To learn more about Square Takeoff and how it is reshaping the industry visit www.squaretakeoff.com or contact them at marketing@squaretakeoff.com

What is construction online-takeoff software

Completing a construction takeoff is not a new thing. Since before Roman time’s people have been calculating by hand a total area of a space or how long of distance they need so they can calculate how much material to build their structure. There have been many tools to calculate these items and all have been successful in the task, but thanks to technology, the latest and greatest tool to complete this process has, like past methods, once again helped to improve on the speed and accuracy it takes to complete a construction takeoff.

Just like the past, completing a construction takeoff requires you to use a blueprint but thanks to being digital you do not have to worry about all the cost associated with printing, and handling of paper. Most of today’s takeoff software allows you to work with many digital formats, such as, PDF, JPEG, TIFF and BMP files to name a few. Once you load your digital blueprint into the online takeoff™ software, you will need to set the scale of the plan. You just select a dimension line or know measurement and enter it into the software with a few simply clicks you are scaled and ready to do your online takeoff.

Some of the other benefits that come with taking advantage of today’s software it being able to stop at any point throughout your takeoff and pick up right where you left off. We all know that this has happened, you get very involved with your takeoff and suddenly the phone rings and you have to step away for a moment. Well in the past, you would have had to come back to your paper plan and yellow notepad and have to try to remember where you left off. Well not now, just remember if it is colored, it is measured. No more headache.

Another great benefit is simply being able to share you takeoff with others that might not be in your office. How many times in the past, when doing a takeoff by hand, would you need to share what was taken off with someone that was at the jobsite and not in the office? Normally this would cause you to have to pack up your plans and your trusty yellow notepads and head out to the jobsite. Not anymore, you can now instantly share the job to someone and they can view it from their laptop or mobile device in the field. This helps save on the gas you would have used to get there, but above all, it saves on time, and as we all know time is money.

If you have not tried one of today’s leading solutions for completing takeoffs, don’t worry it is not too late. There are many out there on the market today and each one has many different features to help you save that time and money on your next project. Some of those products such as Square Takeoff™, even offer a 14-day free trial. Square Takeoff also works on a Mac computer and any mobile device and offers along with its cutting edge web based online takeoff solution an easy to use bid management and project share solution, improving project collaboration between all phases of construction.

So what is there to lose other than the headache of paper? Why not give it a try and visit www.squaretakeoff.comsignup/ today.

Construction software-referral partner program

Here at Square Takeoff we understand that nobody can share the value of our product better than our customers. We understand the importance of the referrals our customers send us and because of that we would like to provide you with a thank you for sharing our product.For every client that is referred to us and decides to subscribe to our program we will pay a 20% commission on that lead for every month they are subscribed to our service for up to one full year from the date of the referral.

How to start a new project

To get started, simply select the Create New Project Button within the Bid Management section of Square Takeoff.
Once selected a menu will appear.
Within this menu you can enter and select multiple values
Such as the Company that the takeoff will be completed for. This can either be your company or a company you may be completing work for. To add new companies simple select System Tables and then Company Master to add additional companies to you system.
Next you will select the User that will be completing the project
You can now enter the project name you would like to use for this project.
Next you can Rate this Project based on the importance of the project.
Once you have selected a rating for the project you can now select the status of the project.
For Example you can select New when creating a new project and then select Bid Submitted once you have submitted the bid.
Throughout the different phases of the project you will be able to update the status as needed.
Next you will select a Project Bid Due Date and Project Start Date
Next you will enter the information for this project such as the Contact Name, Phone Number, Email and Address that the Project is located at.
In the next section you will enter the items that are required to complete the project.
Such as the Unit of Measure for Completing the Online Takeoff.
The color you would like to assign to the project.
The Total Estimated Value of the Entire Project and the Total Estimated Value of the Bid you are submitting.
Next select the currency value and lastly enter any notes that need to be included in the project.
Once completed select the Save Button to continue.
Next you will upload the digital blueprints you need for your project by selecting the project on the project calendar and then selecting the Green Start Takeoff button.

Construction bid management system

Looking for a way to improve how you track your project bids? If so, Square Takeoff’s Bid Management System (BMS) could be the tool you have been looking for. With BMS you can log in your project information, such as project location, project contact, project bid value and overall project value, along with also uploading your project digital blueprints into Square Takeoff™ and much more. BMS offers users the chance to share the project with every person that is involved in every phase, allowing an improved method of project collaboration. With notifications being sent on important project tasks you will never miss a deadline again. So sign-up today to learn more about Square Takeoff’s Bid Management System and be one of the first to test it out in January 2016. To learn more visit www.squaretakeoff.com