Construction Estimating Software
Construction Estimating Software vs RSMeans (Gordian)
The industry-standard construction cost database. Provides unit costs for materials and labor across every trade and region. Used by large GCs and estimating departments to price bids against historical data.
RSMeans (Gordian)
$3,000–5,000/year
Construction Estimating Software
Free during early access
Feature comparison
| Feature | Construction Estimating Software | RSMeans (Gordian) |
|---|---|---|
| Material takeoff calculators | Built-in trade-specific calculators for concrete, drywall, flooring, rebar, retaining walls | No calculators — cost data only, you do the takeoff elsewhere |
| Multi-trade project estimates | Combine all trades in one project | Cost data per line item — you assemble the estimate yourself |
| Mobile access | Full functionality on phone — estimate from the jobsite | Desktop-focused — limited mobile experience |
| Try before you buy | All calculators free, no signup | No free tier — annual contract required |
| Price | Free during early access | $3,000–5,000/year |
Why switch from RSMeans (Gordian)?
Cost data library, not an estimating tool — you still do your own takeoffs manually. Enterprise pricing for a product most small contractors use twice a week. No mobile access worth using.
- Paying thousands per year for cost data but still assembling estimates manually
- Need a tool that does the takeoff AND the costing, not just a price list
- Want to estimate from the field, not from a desktop at the office
Try the RSMeans (Gordian) alternative
Free during early access. No credit card required.