Free takeoff software ROI calculator.
Quantify the labor cost savings of switching from PDF-and-ruler estimating to takeoff software. Enter your current estimating hours, monthly volume, and rate; the calculator returns hours saved, labor cost savings, payback period, ROI multiple, and the extra bid capacity you could capture by reinvesting the saved hours.
ROI snapshot
Assumptions: all estimates are equal duration; saved hours convert 1:1 to labor cost (or to extra bid capacity); software cost is fully amortized over 12 months. Real-world results vary by bid mix, team size, and how aggressively the time savings are captured.
Saved hours × loaded rate − software cost.
Hours saved per estimate is the current time per estimate times the time-saved percentage. Multiply by estimates per month times 12 to get annual hours saved.
Labor cost saved is annual hours saved × hourly rate. Subtract the annual software cost to get the net savings. Payback period in months is software cost ÷ (annual labor savings ÷ 12). ROI multiple is net savings ÷ software cost.
The extra bid capacity assumes the saved hours are reinvested into more estimates at the new (faster) per-estimate time. If you produce 20 estimates/month at 6 hours each, save 50%, and reinvest, you can produce roughly 240 more estimates per year on the same labor budget. For contractors competing on bid volume, this is often the bigger lever than direct cost savings.
Frequently asked
How much time does takeoff software actually save?
40-65% of the time spent on geometric measurement and quantity entry, in our customer interviews and Vertigraph's own published case studies. The biggest gains come on repetitive geometries (slabs, footings, walls, takeoffs by trade). The smallest gains are on bids that are mostly schedule writing and pricing, where measurement is a small slice.
What hourly rate should I use?
Use the fully-loaded cost of whoever does estimating — salary plus benefits, taxes, software, and overhead. $60-90/hr is typical for an experienced commercial estimator. $40-60/hr for a junior estimator or assistant.
Is the payback period realistic?
For a typical small commercial estimator (20 estimates/month at $75/hr), BidScreen XL pays back in less than a month at 50% time savings. SiteWorx/OS pays back faster for earthwork-heavy bids. The honest answer depends on your bid volume — the calculator does the arithmetic for whichever numbers you enter.
What if I reinvest saved hours into more bids instead of cutting cost?
The 'extra bids per year' output captures this. If each bid currently takes 6 hours and the new tools cut that to 3 hours, the 720 hours saved per year become roughly 240 additional bids at 3 hours each. Higher win rate (more bids → more wins) often beats the direct labor savings on its own.
Does this include training time?
No. BidScreen XL and SiteWorx/OS both come with onboarding training and video tutorials. Plan for a ramp-up period of a few estimates before time savings stabilize; the first month's ROI is typically muted by ramp-up, with full projected savings landing from month two onward.
The 14-day trial pays back the ROI math in real time.
The numbers on this page are projections. Install BidScreen XL or SiteWorx/OS for a free 14-day trial, run one real estimate, and time yourself. The honest answer for your bid mix shows up after two or three real estimates.