Previously I used to use Candy. I loved it but it had a super steep learning curve. It took ages to get used to and I think I was probably only using it for 10% of what it could do. The project controls stuff was pretty impressive but I never got to apply it on a job properly

So (please prove me wrong), all estimating software is fundamentally built around 3 core features: 1. Take-off tools. Every business needs one of these, the two main ones are planswift and Bluebeam. I love Bluebeam but a lot of people hate it. Its just he one I'm used to 2. Managing cost/productivity/quantity databases- ie storing labor, plant, material, subcontractor rates 3. Preparing prices - combining quantities with rates etc. For most contractors, all you need is a quantity take off tool and excel. There are trade specific tools, but they often just have more data and are tailored towards trade specific workflows And AI just adds intelligence to this process. Ie can convert bid documents into requirements, or automatically extract quantities from drawings I did a breakdown in this video. If you like + comment it helps the algorithm!

Most contractors chase private projects but government agencies spend billions every year on: • Renovations & retrofits • Roads & infrastructure repairs • School & public facility upgrades • Maintenance contracts • Emergency restoration work The advantage? Long-term, stable, recession-resistant projects. You don’t need to be a big company. Just have: - Proper business registration - Compliance documents - Vendor registration - Strong capability statement Small and mid-sized contractors win daily when positioned right. Want predictable, recurring revenue? Government contracting is a game changer. Comment “BUILD” and I’ll show you how to start.

I'm keen to hear who everybody is, and what their goals are I assume you already know who I am. But if you don't I'm Tim. I worked for 8 years for big contractors on road, rail, renewable energy projects. I've always worked for head-contractors. I recently worked for some smaller contractors as a consultant when I left my job doing estimating and contract management. It was good, but I found it hard to see a path to scale (other than just starting a contracting business myself) So I instead decided to build software, and found that that's 100x harder than I thought and a very easy way to lose money

As an Electrical Engineering graduate who has found herself working more on the commercial side of projects, I sometimes find myself in that grey area between engineering and Quantity Surveying. Over time my role has leaned more into claims, variations, and cost tracking, which naturally pulls me closer to the Quantity Surveying space. While the experience has been invaluable, it also raises an important question about intentionally closing the knowledge gap. At some point, you realise that you cannot remain in the middle forever. You need to choose a direction, deepen your knowledge, and specialise so you can confidently claim your position in that field. I am curious to hear from engineers who transitioned into Quantity Surveying or commercial management roles. What did you do to strengthen your QS, contracts, or commercial management knowledge? Which courses, certifications, or resources helped you bridge the gap between engineering and the commercial side of construction? I would really appreciate learning from your journey. #QuantitySurveying #ConstructionContracts #EngineeringCareers #CommercialManagement