Top 10 Best Heavy Civil Estimating Software of 2026

HCSS HeavyBid is the industry-leading estimating and bidding software tailored for heavy civil construction, including highways, bridges, earthwork, and underground utilities. It provides end-to-end bid management, from digital takeoff and cost databases to subcontractor invites and real-time bid analysis. With robust integrations to accounting, project management, and field tools, it enables accurate, competitive bidding at scale for complex projects.

AGTEK e4click Summit is a powerful heavy civil estimating software designed for earthwork takeoff, quantity surveying, and cost estimation from CAD, PDF, and point cloud files. It excels in creating precise 3D surface models to calculate cut/fill volumes, production rates, and bid items with high accuracy. The tool integrates seamlessly with GPS machine control systems like Trimble and Topcon, bridging office estimating with field execution for heavy civil projects such as highways, site development, and infrastructure.

InSite Elevation Pro is a specialized earthwork takeoff and estimating software designed for heavy civil construction projects. It enables users to import survey data, PDFs, and CAD files to build precise 3D terrain models and calculate cut/fill volumes, mass haul diagrams, and production rates. The tool stands out for its focus on accurate quantity takeoff and optimization for large-scale site grading and excavation tasks.

Carlson Takeoff is a desktop-based software solution from Carlson Software designed specifically for heavy civil estimating, enabling precise quantity takeoffs for earthwork, underground utilities, paving, and structures from CAD, PDF, and survey data. It excels in generating 3D surface models for accurate cut/fill volumes, material calculations, and bid item assignments with production rates. The tool integrates seamlessly with Carlson's Civil Suite for design-to-estimate workflows, supporting detailed reporting and export to bidding platforms.

PlanSwift is a digital takeoff and estimating software designed for construction professionals, enabling quick quantity extraction from PDF plans, blueprints, and CAD files using point-and-click tools. It supports customizable assemblies for rapid cost estimating across various trades, including heavy civil projects like earthwork, paving, and utilities. While versatile for 2D takeoffs, it requires manual assembly setup for complex civil calculations rather than native 3D modeling.

Bluebeam Revu is a powerful PDF markup and collaboration tool designed for the AEC industry, featuring advanced quantity takeoff and measurement capabilities from 2D plans. It supports heavy civil estimating through customizable measurement tools, quantity logging, and exportable data for cost calculations, though it lacks native 3D modeling or earthwork volume computations. Ideal for plan review and initial takeoffs, it integrates with estimating software but serves as a supporting rather than standalone solution.

STACK (stackct.com) is a cloud-based takeoff and estimating platform designed for construction professionals, including heavy civil projects like earthwork, site preparation, and infrastructure. It enables fast digital measurements directly from PDF plans, assembly-based estimating, and bid generation with real-time collaboration. While strong in 2D takeoffs and cost databases, it integrates with tools like Excel for more complex heavy civil volume calculations.

ProEst is a cloud-based construction estimating platform designed for digital takeoff, cost database management, and bid preparation across various trades. For heavy civil estimating, it provides customizable assemblies for earthwork, sitework, paving, and utilities, along with tools for quantity takeoff from PDFs and CAD files. While versatile for general contractors, it supports heavy civil workflows through real-time cost updates and integration with project management software like Procore.

Sage Estimating is a comprehensive construction cost estimating software tailored for detailed bid preparation, including heavy civil projects like earthwork, paving, utilities, and infrastructure. It features extensive pre-built databases with thousands of civil-specific items and assemblies, supporting digital takeoffs, real-time cost modeling, and what-if scenario analysis. The tool integrates seamlessly with Sage accounting and project management solutions for end-to-end workflow efficiency.

CostX by Exactal is a versatile takeoff and estimating software designed for construction projects, including heavy civil works like earthmoving, roads, and infrastructure. It excels in 2D and 3D quantity takeoffs from CAD, PDF, and BIM models, with built-in tools for volume calculations and earthworks analysis. The platform links takeoffs directly to a dynamic bill of quantities and cost database, enabling efficient bid preparation and scenario modeling.