How to Estimate Construction Costs with PlanEsti
From signup to your first professional estimate in minutes. Here's how PlanEsti transforms your estimation workflow.
4 Simple Steps to Accurate Estimates
PlanEsti makes construction estimation simple, fast, and accurate. Here's how it works.
Create Your Account
Sign up in seconds with your email. No credit card required — it's completely free. Get instant access to all calculators and features.
Create a Project
Add your project details — name, client, location, and budget. All your estimates, documents, and invoices will be organized within this project.
Run Calculations
Use our 13+ specialized calculators for concrete, steel, masonry, MEP, and more. Input dimensions, select materials, and get instant quantities and costs.
Generate Reports
Export professional BOQs, material schedules, and cost reports in PDF or Excel. Create invoices directly from your estimates and track payments.
A Closer Look at Each Step
Let's walk through the PlanEsti workflow in more detail.
Create Your Account
Getting started with PlanEsti takes less than a minute. Sign up with your email address and choose a password — that's it. No credit card required — it's completely free.
Once you're in, you'll land on your dashboard where you can see your projects, recent calculations, and quick stats. The interface is designed to be intuitive — even if you've never used estimation software before.
- Free access to all features
- No credit card required
- Instant access to all calculators
- Works on any device
Create a Project
Every estimate in PlanEsti lives within a project. Create a project by adding basic details like the project name, client information, location, and estimated budget.
Projects keep all your work organized. Every calculation, document, invoice, and note is tied to its project, so you can always find what you need. You can also invite team members to collaborate on specific projects.
- Organize by client or location
- Track project budgets
- Set milestones and deadlines
- Upload project documents
Run Calculations
This is where the magic happens. Choose from 13+ specialized calculators designed for different construction trades:
- Structural: Concrete, Steel BBS, Masonry, Structural Steel
- Finishing: Surface & Finishes, Interior, Roofing
- MEP: Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Insulation
- Site Works: Excavation, Landscaping, Waterproofing
Input your dimensions and specifications, and the calculator instantly computes material quantities and costs. All calculations are saved within your project and can be edited anytime.
Generate Reports & Invoices
Transform your calculations into professional deliverables with one click:
- Bill of Quantities: Auto-generated from all calculations
- Material Schedules: Consolidated material lists for procurement
- Cost Reports: Detailed cost breakdowns by trade or element
- Professional Invoices: Create invoices from estimates
Export in PDF or Excel format. Track invoice payments and send reminders — all from the same platform.
13+ Specialized Calculators
Purpose-built estimation tools for every construction trade.
Concrete Calculator
Volume, materials, and cost for any concrete element.
Masonry Estimator
Bricks, blocks, mortar, and plastering materials.
Steel BBS
Bar bending schedules with weight calculations.
MEP Calculator
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC estimation.
Roofing Calculator
Tiles, sheets, insulation, and waterproofing.
+8 More Calculators
Explore all our estimation tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about getting started with PlanEsti.
No. PlanEsti is a web-based platform that works in any modern browser. Just sign up and start using it — no downloads, no installations, no IT setup required.
Yes! PlanEsti is completely free to use. Sign up and get instant access to all calculators, project management tools, and reporting features. No credit card required.
You can manually create projects and add calculations. For bulk data import, contact our support team — we're happy to help migrate your existing data.
Yes. We use industry-standard encryption and security practices. Your data is backed up regularly and only you (and team members you invite) can access your projects.
Absolutely. Invite team members to your workspace, share specific projects, and collaborate in real-time. Role-based permissions let you control who can view, edit, or approve calculations.
Ready to Get Started?
Join thousands of construction professionals who trust PlanEsti. Start using it today — completely free. No credit card required.
John D. from New York
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