RSMeans data, from Gordian (formerly Costworks) is a construction and estimation software offering acquired by the Gordian Group in 2014. It includes cost books and construction project estimating software tools.
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On-Screen Takeoff®
Score 7.3 out of 10
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On-Screen Takeoff is a construction takeoff and estimating solution. It is intended to streamline takeoff, RFI, and bidding processes.
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Pricing
RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
On-Screen Takeoff®
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
On-Screen Takeoff®
Free Trial
No
Yes
Free/Freemium Version
No
No
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
No
No
Entry-level Setup Fee
No setup fee
No setup fee
Additional Details
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On-Screen Takeoff® pricing varies based on licensing options and specific business needs. The annual subscription plans are designed to scale with project and team size.
Available Subscription Options:
•On-Screen Takeoff
•On-Screen Takeoff with Takeoff Boost™
•On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid®
•On-Screen Takeoff with Takeoff Boost and Quick Bid
Each subscription is customized to match the subscriber's workflow requirements. A 14-day free trial is available.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
On-Screen Takeoff®
Features
RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
On-Screen Takeoff®
Estimating
Comparison of Estimating features of Product A and Product B
Again, CostWorks is very good at developing models of standard industry facilities/buildings, and it does this very accurately and efficiently. It is not a software that I would use to develop a very detailed line-item cost estimate that would possibly need several revisions to it over the course of the estimate deliverable cycle. And it would not be one I would use where the estimate needs to be broken down into phases or areas of construction. It just doesn't have these capabilities, and maybe it shouldn't. However, it is an excellent resource for running along side other estimating softwares in that its database of line-items is one of immense depth and as I stated before, I use it all the time in conjunction with my other client-specified softwares so that I can find line-items that those softwares just do not contain.
CostWorks is very good at generating quick and valid estimates for standardized facilities such as office buildings, schools, etc. It allows you to validate other cost estimates at the UniFormat level when doing an estimate validation.
CostWorks' database of detailed line-items is a very resourceful asset when it comes to finding a very specific line-item. Sometimes, when using Success or MII, I will have CostWorks open on the other screen so I can find an item that the other softwares just don't have and build it into the other software from the CostWorks entry.
CostWorks does a very good job of generating reports that are both well-developed and have enough detail at the summary level to be able to sit with a client or a project manager and have them follow along and understand without being overwhelmed with detail and numbers.
How documents are uploaded to the program. On-Screen Takeoff will locate the files from whatever path you originally save it to. Therefore, if you move the location of the document, OST will not be able to open your project until the path is redirected.
Taking off curved shapes.
If you could apply a unit cost to a quantity, it would eliminate the need to export takeoff to Excel.
It would be nice to be able to apply a different scale to the same page i.e. if there are two different details on a drawing at two different scales, I have to duplicate the sheet and make sure I make each sheet scale to the specific detail on the sheet.
It provides invaluable communication, organization, and flexibility to generate a project overview both visually and by the numbers. In addition to the overview it makes getting into the project details easy and quick, so our takeoff is accurate and correct every time
On Screen Takeoff is a valuable tool for what it does. Across the board it can keep track of the critical data and corresponding values without extra legwork. While powerful, it is prone to user error, and the problem can compound quickly if not realized up front. Overall a great project tool, but not without limitations
I have had very few issues with the software which is probably the first sign that there is a good customer support team, since I am sure they are working and fixing problems for everyone when they get a report from somewhere. The few times I have had to reach out to support they have been knowledgeable and on top of helping me quickly get my issues resolved.
Implementation was as simple as setting up the program and creating databases. Everything else was already in use and this was a supplement to the final organization of the system
OST is still the most efficient and quick way of doing 2D takeoff. The software mentioned above all have their positives and negatives and they all have things which are far superior to OST. But OST really takes the cake when it comes to usability and a simple and useful interface. It's just so easy to create a condition on the fly and start taking something off. When it comes to actual 2D takeoff, OST is by far the easiest and most efficient way of getting the work done.
The main benefit for using this software is that our estimating takeoff productivity has gone way up from where it was before allowing us to compile bids and estimates in a quicker and more accurate way.
The ease of use has allowed us to reduce the time and investment we have had to put into training new hires on the software.
