ProEst
by Autodesk (ProEst) · Construction
Cloud-based construction cost estimating, digital takeoff and bid-day management software.
- Works with
- QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, Acumatica, Autodesk Build, Procore
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Company size
- Small business, Mid-market
- Pricing
- Quote-based
Overview
ProEst is a cloud-based estimating platform for construction general contractors, subcontractors and preconstruction teams. It brings cost estimating, 2D digital takeoff, and bid-day analysis into a single system, converting drawings and specifications into material, labor and equipment costs so estimators can build more accurate, competitive bids.
The platform combines on-screen digital takeoff from scanned or digital blueprints with a built-in cost database (including the ProEst Costbook, a regionalized dataset of over 23,000 cost lines), custom assemblies, and formula-based calculations. It also includes CRM-style tracking of prospects and bid opportunities, standardized proposal templates, and reporting for benchmarking win rates and estimate accuracy by project, client or estimator.
Autodesk announced its intent to acquire ProEst in December 2021, planning to integrate it into Autodesk Construction Cloud to connect estimating with downstream preconstruction and project management workflows. ProEst continues to be sold and supported as part of Autodesk's construction portfolio, alongside Autodesk Build and Autodesk Takeoff.
Screenshots & demo
Demo video from the vendor's YouTube channel.
Features & capabilities
Digital Takeoff
On-screen quantity takeoff from drawings and plans.
- On-screen digital takeoff from scanned or digital blueprints
- Electronic takeoff tools (linear, area, count measurements)
- Automatic cost calculation directly from takeoff quantities
- Support for multiple drawing formats and scaled plans
Cost Estimating
Core estimate building on a centralized cost database.
- Built-in cost database with material, labor and equipment pricing
- ProEst Costbook: 23,000+ lines of regionalized cost data
- Custom assemblies and formula-based calculations
- Item editing, filtering and markup automation
- Trade-specific estimating support (e.g. plumbing, electrical)
Bid Management & Proposals
Managing the bid pipeline and producing client-facing documents.
- Prospect and client tracking dashboard
- Bid opportunity prioritization and close-rate tracking
- Standardized and custom proposal templates
- Bid-day comparison and analysis
Reporting & Benchmarking
Analytics on estimate accuracy and team performance.
- Labor reports, estimate summaries and material lists
- Benchmarking by project type, client or estimator
- Historical data analysis for estimate reliability
- Custom report generation
Collaboration & Access
Cloud-based access for distributed estimating teams.
- Cloud collaboration with real-time shared estimates
- Remote access to estimating data across devices
- Role-based access for estimators and project managers
Connectivity & Integration
Open API and prebuilt connectors to construction and accounting systems.
- Open API for custom integrations
- Prebuilt connectors to accounting and ERP platforms
- Integration with project management and BIM tools
- Data sync with business intelligence tools (e.g. Power BI)
Common use cases
- Converting drawings and specifications into a material, labor and equipment cost estimate
- Performing on-screen digital takeoff to cut manual quantity-survey time
- Standardizing and speeding up proposal generation for competitive bids
- Benchmarking win rates and estimate accuracy across estimators and project types
- Transferring budgeted costs from an estimate into QuickBooks or Sage Intacct for invoicing
- Connecting preconstruction estimates to Autodesk Build for downstream cost management
- Giving distributed preconstruction teams real-time access to shared estimates
Strengths & considerations
Strengths
- Combines digital takeoff, cost database and bid-day analysis in one cloud platform rather than separate point tools
- Backed by Autodesk and positioned to connect estimating directly into Autodesk Construction Cloud (Autodesk Build)
- Ships with the ProEst Costbook, a large regionalized pre-built cost database, reducing setup effort for new estimators
ERP integrations
Generates budgeted costs in ProEst and transfers them to QuickBooks Online or Enterprise to avoid re-entering data for invoicing
One-click integration; data entered once and synced both ways to reduce manual re-entry errors
Part of Autodesk Construction Cloud's estimating-to-cost-management workflow
Pricing
Pricing is not publicly listed on Autodesk's site; sold as an annual subscription, typically scoped by number of users. Get an independent shortlist with pricing guidance below.
Technical & security
- Hosting
- SaaS
Alternatives to ProEst in Construction
ProEst — frequently asked questions
Does ProEst integrate with QuickBooks or Sage Intacct?
Yes. ProEst has a prebuilt connector to QuickBooks Online and Enterprise for transferring budgeted costs into accounting, and a one-click bi-directional integration with Sage Intacct.
Is ProEst part of Autodesk?
Yes. Autodesk announced its acquisition of ProEst in December 2021 and has integrated it into Autodesk Construction Cloud alongside Autodesk Build and Autodesk Takeoff.
How much does ProEst cost?
Autodesk does not publish list pricing for ProEst; it is sold as an annual subscription and quoted based on company needs. Third-party pricing trackers have cited starting prices around $5,000 per year, but you should contact Autodesk/ProEst sales for a current quote.
Who uses ProEst?
ProEst is aimed at general contractors, subcontractors and preconstruction teams that need to produce estimates and digital takeoffs and manage the bid process, most commonly at small and mid-market construction firms.
Evaluating Construction?
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