A cost estimator tool is a software application or online platform designed to calculate the estimated cost of a project, product, or service based on various input parameters. They typically require users to input details such as materials, labor costs, equipment expenses, overhead, and other relevant factors.

These tools can vary in complexity, ranging from simple calculators to sophisticated software programs that incorporate advanced algorithms and databases to provide more accurate estimates. The goal of using a cost estimator tool is to help businesses and individuals plan and budget effectively for their projects, ensuring that they have a realistic understanding of the financial resources required.

At a minimum, an estimate should contain the following elements:

• Your company’s contact information
• Your client’s contact information
• Date the estimate was prepared
• Item names, quantities, and price for each material required to execute a project (you can include labor in the price or as a separate line item)
• Subtotal, taxes, fees, and the total
• A place for both parties to sign and date the estimate once approved

If you want to add a competitive edge to your estimate, we recommend including:

• Your company’s logo to add an extra dose of professionalism
• Inspirational images to help clients visualize what they’re getting
• Dreamy descriptions of items to show how you plan to use them
• Terms and conditions that include any important information your client should be privy to before signing
• A payment schedule so your client knows when to expect an invoice

Sign up for a free trial of Houzz Pro’s estimate program to create an estimate that includes all of these elements and more!

When looking for an estimate tool that suits your needs, be sure to consider the following features:

• Cloud-based: A cloud-based estimate program will help keep your estimates organized in the cloud so any team member, contractor or client can access them when they need to. It also ensures you only ever have one version of an estimate floating around to create a single source of truth.
• Integrations: The estimation solution you choose should integrate with your other business tools so you don’t have to overhaul the way you work completely. Integrations with Gmail, Zoom and accounting software like QuickBooks Online are some important integrations to look for as you’ll commonly be using these tools to send and communicate your estimates, then align them with your business finances.
• All-In-One Tools: Estimation and costing software is most useful for busy Pros when it has other features that help optimize the entire project workflow. For example, if you use one tool to create your estimates and another to create invoices, you’ll be spending a lot of time entering the same data twice, which could hold you back from taking on more projects. Be sure to look for tools that can tackle takeoffs, estimates, invoices, change orders, and more so you can achieve maximum business efficiency.

P.S. Houzz Pro’s project cost estimation software checks all of the boxes on this wishlist. Try a demo to see for yourself.

With a subscription to Houzz Pro’s estimation and costing software, you also get access to these project winning tools that help your business stand out from the competition:

• Proposals
• Mood boards
• 3D floor planner
• CRM

You can find more information about what features are included with each of our plans here.

When you subscribe to Houzz Pro’s [feature], you gain premium access to our support team. That means you get an exclusive phone number that directs you to an onshore team member and you get pushed to the top of the queue.

You also get personalized on-demand onboarding support, showing you how to properly use the specific features you want, when you want, to help get your business up and running with Houzz Pro. We also have a wide variety of help articles available in our Help Center and in-depth how-to videos on our YouTube channel.