About
PlanSwift is a leading takeoff and estimating software designed specifically for the construction industry. It streamlines the entire estimating workflow with an intuitive point-and-click interface that lets users measure areas, lengths, volumes, and perimeters directly on digital plans in seconds. Once a takeoff is complete, users simply drag and drop pre-configured material and labor assemblies onto their measurements, and PlanSwift instantly computes all associated costs, waste factors, and labor hours—removing guesswork from the bidding process. The platform is highly customizable by trade, supporting general contractors, concrete, drywall, electrical, flooring, framing, HVAC, insulation, landscape, masonry, painting, and plumbing professionals. Custom assemblies can be built to match a company's specific materials, pricing, and labor rates, ensuring every estimate reflects real-world conditions. PlanSwift integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Excel, allowing users to export takeoffs and estimates directly into their existing spreadsheets or use the built-in reports for a polished deliverable. Internal calculations for materials, waste, and labor are performed automatically as the takeoff is created, so nothing gets missed. The software is suited for contractors of all sizes who want to bid more jobs, win more profitable work, and grow their business with greater confidence and accuracy.
Key Features
- Point & Click Takeoff: Measure areas, lengths, volumes, and perimeters directly on digital plans with a simple click—color-coded items are automatically counted for instant accuracy.
- Drag & Drop Assemblies: Apply pre-configured material, waste, and labor assemblies to takeoff items with a drag-and-drop action, triggering automatic cost calculations on the spot.
- Excel Export & Built-in Reports: Export takeoffs and estimates directly to Microsoft Excel or use PlanSwift's built-in reporting tools to share polished, professional deliverables with clients.
- Automatic Labor & Material Calculations: Material quantities, waste factors, and labor hours are calculated in real time as you build the takeoff—no manual math required.
- Trade-Specific Customization: Fully customizable for over a dozen trades including concrete, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and more, with the ability to create custom assemblies tailored to your workflow.
Use Cases
- A general contractor uses PlanSwift to digitize plan blueprints and produce complete project estimates in hours instead of days, enabling the team to bid on more jobs simultaneously.
- An electrical subcontractor builds custom assemblies for conduit, wire, and labor, then drags them onto point-and-click takeoff measurements to generate itemized quotes for commercial projects.
- A concrete contractor measures footings, slabs, and walls directly on uploaded PDFs and instantly calculates rebar, membrane materials, and pour labor costs for accurate subcontractor bids.
- A flooring company tracks square footage across complex room layouts using PlanSwift's area tools, then exports the final material and labor breakdown to Excel for client proposals.
- A small painting business creates trade-specific assemblies for paint, primer, and labor rates by surface type, allowing faster and more consistent estimates across residential and commercial jobs.
Pros
- Dramatically reduces estimating time: The point-and-click interface and drag-and-drop assemblies replace hours of manual calculation, letting contractors complete estimates in a fraction of the usual time.
- Highly accurate cost projections: Automatic calculations for materials, waste, and labor minimize human error, giving contractors confidence that every bid is precise and profitable.
- Excel compatibility: Seamless export to existing Excel templates means teams don't need to overhaul their workflow—PlanSwift slots into familiar processes.
- Supports a wide range of trades: Works across 10+ construction specialties with trade-specific customization, making it suitable for both general contractors and specialty subcontractors.
Cons
- Paid-only after trial: PlanSwift requires a paid license after the free trial period, which may be a barrier for very small contractors or solo estimators on tight budgets.
- Primarily desktop-focused: The software is largely designed as a desktop application, which may limit flexibility for teams needing full cloud-based or mobile access in the field.
- Learning curve for complex assemblies: While the basic takeoff workflow is intuitive, setting up detailed custom assemblies for labor and materials can take time initially.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PlanSwift used for?
PlanSwift is used by construction professionals to perform digital takeoffs—measuring areas, lengths, and volumes from project plans—and to generate fast, accurate cost estimates including materials, waste, and labor.
Which trades does PlanSwift support?
PlanSwift supports general contractors, concrete, drywall, electrical, flooring, framing, HVAC, insulation, landscape, masonry, painting, plumbing, and more. Each trade can be customized with its own assemblies and cost data.
Does PlanSwift integrate with Excel?
Yes. PlanSwift is fully Excel compatible. You can export your takeoffs and estimates directly into your existing Excel templates or use the software's built-in reports.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, PlanSwift offers a free trial so contractors can test the software on their own projects before committing to a paid license.
How does the drag-and-drop assembly feature work?
Users create pre-configured assemblies that bundle materials, waste percentages, and labor costs. Once a takeoff measurement is placed on a plan, you drag the relevant assembly onto it and PlanSwift instantly calculates all associated costs and quantities.
