The simple solution for companies and contractors
Cubit Estimating Standard
Fast, Accurate Construction Take-Off and Estimating Software
Cubit Estimating Standard combines on-screen take-off and estimating into one easy workspace, helping builders, estimators and quantity surveyors produce accurate Bills of Quantities up to 60% faster. Import your PDF or CAD drawings, measure directly on screen, and build your estimate as you go — without switching between tools or spreadsheets.
What is Cubit Estimating Standard?
Cubit Estimating Standard is a construction estimating and take-off tool designed for contractors who want to measure digital plans quickly and generate accurate estimates without complex software.
It lets you:
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- Import PDF, CAD or image plans
- Measure lengths, areas and volumes on-screen
- Auto-calculate quantities
- Build your estimate in real time
- Export professional BOQs, tenders and reports
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By linking take-off directly to estimating, Cubit removes rework, reduces errors, and speeds up your entire tendering process.
Who is Cubit Designed For?
Cubit Estimating Standard is ideal for:
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-
- Builders and developers
- Estimators and QS professionals
- Subcontractors doing regular plan take-off
- Construction companies needing accurate BOQs
- Anyone replacing manual measurement or spreadsheets
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Whether you’re measuring a small extension or a multi-level commercial build, Cubit helps you work faster and more accurately.
Testimonial (QS Professional):
“I have used several different types of building software for estimating over the years and I personally find Cubit to be the best. The on-screen take off is excellent and the system has fantastic functionality for estimating.
We can provide our customers and our staff with marked up drawings indicating the works that are included in our contract and it enables us to easily quantify and monitor any variations. Cubit also has an excellent export to Excel function (including formulas) which we have found invaluable.”
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Webinars
INTRODUCTION TO CUBIT ESTIMATING
This Webinar introduces the potential user to the main features in Cubit Estimating.
Tuesday 11:00am GMT
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Key Features of Cubit Estimating Standard:
- On-Screen Take-Off (PDF, CAD & images)
Easily measure walls, areas, slabs, lengths and volumes directly from your digital drawings — no CAD experience required - Live Linking Between Take-Off & Estimate
Every measurement is connected to your items and rates, so your BOQ updates automatically when plans change. - Simple, Intuitive Interface
Designed for construction professionals, not CAD technicians. Learn in hours, not weeks.
- Professional Estimates & Reports
Export to Excel, PDF, BC3, or produce branded BOQs and tender documents. - Import Any Plan Format
Supports PDF, DWG, DXF, TIFF, PNG, JPG and more. - Built for Ireland and UK Construction
Use Cubit for SMM7, NRM, or custom estimating structures. Tailor templates and item libraries for your workflow.
2D Takeoff Software
Quickly and accurately measure from PDF, CAD or Image files.
Get a serious boost to your productivity using our leading takeoff software.
Measure from
- scanned,
- PDF or
- CAD drawings
using simple but powerful takeoff tools – all without using CAD software.
We’d think Cubit Estimating Standard is twelve times faster, but you wouldn’t believe us. So we’ll just say it’s faster and that you should try Cubit yourself.
3D Visualisation
See your takeoff come to life.
By tracing directly over your imported plans, quantity takeoffs are performed with pinpoint accuracy. See any element of your takeoff from any angle in 3D, and use this as a cross-referencing tool to make sure you don’t miss taking off any items, or to check all your openings.
Templates / Price Lists
Build up template jobs and price lists to save you even more time.
Collect pricing information and save them as template price lists (or even import supplier price lists) to control how your company prices jobs, ensuring accuracy and maximising profitability.
Go even further by creating template jobs that collate all your common trades and items, making it easier to start your next estimate, time and time again.
Variations Management
Customer wants to vary an item post-estimate? No worries!
This unique and comprehensive feature allows you to apply and mark variations as proposed, submitted, approved, or rejected; and have your estimate automatically updated. Its responsiveness allows you to validate and cross-reference at any stage, giving you accuracy and peace of mind.
More Features
● ALL FEATURES ○ SOME FEATURES – NOT INCLUDED
| CUBIT ESTIMATING STANDARD | CUBIT ESTIMATING PRO | CUBIT ESTIMATING ENTERPRISE | |
| Estimating | |||
| Integrated Estimating | ● | ● | ● |
| Calculation Sheets | ● | ● | ● |
| Rate Sheets | ● | ● | ● |
| Price Lists | ● | ● | ● |
| Job Manager | ● | ● | ● |
| Job Update | ● | ● | ● |
| Note Taking | ● | ● | ● |
| Workflow Management | ● | ● | ● |
| Cell, Job and Price List Referencing | ○ | ● | ● |
| Code Grouping Column | ○ | ● | ● |
| Live Grouped Views | ○ | ● | ● |
| Quantity Multipliers | – | ● | ● |
| Rel Column | – | ● | ● |
| Job Merge | – | ● | ● |
| Job Options Management | – | ● | ● |
| Takeoff | |||
| On Screen Takeoff | ● | ● | ● |
| Auto Select Takeoff Tool | ● | ● | ● |
| Import PDF, CAD, BIM, Image Files | ● | ● | ● |
| BIM Takeoff Module | – | – | ● |
| BIM Inspection Tools | – | – | ● |
| 3D Visualisation | ● | ● | ● |
| Job Revisions | ● | ● | ● |
| Detailed Opening Takeoff | ● | ● | ● |
| Variations Management | ● | ● | ● |
| View, track, and manage changes | ● | ● | ● |
| Job Collaboration | |||
| Shared Job Access (multiple users editing one job) | – | – | ● |
| User Identification | – | – | ● |
| Read Only Access | – | ● | ● |
| Job Refresh (immediately sync new changes by other users) | – | ● | ● |
| Reporting | |||
| Standard Reports | ● | ● | ● |
| Parametric / Customisable Reporting | ● | ● | ● |
| Custom Report Builder | – | ● | ● |
| Bill of Quantities | – | ● | ● |
| Integrations | |||
| Cubit Select | – | ● | ● |
| Microsoft Excel | ● | ● | ● |
| Global / Offsider | ● | ● | ● |
| MudShark | ● | ● | ● |
| Cordell Direct | ● | ● | ● |
| Xero | ● | ● | ● |
| BuilderTREND | ● | ● | ● |
Cubit vs traditional spreadsheet estimating:
| Feature | Cubit Estimating Standard | Spreadsheets (Excel) |
|---|---|---|
| Plan take-off | Yes, from PDF/CAD | No |
| Automatic quantity linking | Yes | Manual |
| BOQ creation | Built-in | Manual formatting |
| Error reduction | High | Dependent on formula accuracy |
| Speed | Fast | Slow for complex jobs |
Why contractors trust Cubit
- Used by thousands of estimators globally
- Built specifically for construction workflows
- Supported locally in the UK by BSS Software
- Proven time savings in real-world projects
Case Study: Time savings for a residential builder
A small residential builder in the UK reduced estimating time from 5 hours to 90 minutes per project using Cubit Estimating Standard. Because take-off and estimating are connected, revisions took minutes instead of hours, helping them submit tenders faster and win more work.
Experience the benefits for yourself with a free trial.
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Cubit Estimating Standard FAQs
People chose Cubit for its ease of use. Because it is easy to learn and its professional support system behind the software.
The main difference between Standard and Pro is BOQ production. This is only available in Pro and above. There are other small differences as well.
Quantity take-off software is a digital tool that allows contractors to measure lengths, areas and volumes directly from digital drawings (PDF, CAD, scanned plans). It automatically calculates quantities for use in estimates, tenders, and Bills of Quantities, replacing manual scale rulers and spreadsheets.
Cubit integrates take-off + estimating in one workflow, so measurements update automatically inside your estimate. You can view plans in 2D or link measurements directly to rate-buildups, reducing rework and ensuring every change is reflected instantly.
Cubit lets you import plans in PDF, CAD or image format. You measure shapes on-screen using tools for walls, areas, slabs, footings and more. As you measure, Cubit generates quantities that feed directly into your estimate, so your BOQ stays live, accurate and connected to the drawings.
Cubit is ideal for:
Builders
Estimators
Quantity Surveyors
Subcontractors doing regular take-off from drawings
Anyone producing Bills of Quantities or competitive tenders
Most users report saving between 40–66% of their estimating time because Cubit removes repeat entry, manual measuring, and spreadsheet calculations.
Cubit supports PDF, CAD (DWG, DXF), TIFF, PNG, JPG, and other common image formats.
Yes. Because take-off is directly linked to your estimate, any plan change or adjustment updates existing quantities automatically. This reduces the risk of duplicated measurements, missing items, and spreadsheet mistakes.
1. Import your PDF or CAD drawings.
2. Create a new job and open the take-off view.
3. Draw measurements (walls, areas, linear items).
4. Cubit calculates quantities instantly.
5. Add items and rates to build your estimate.
6. Export your BOQ or tender directly from Cubit.
Our Products
Cubit Estimating Standard
Allows you to perform your quantity takeoff directly inside your estimate.
Key Features
- 2D Takeoff
- 3D Visualisation
- Templates / Price lists
- Variations Management
- and more
Cubit Estimating Pro
The power and flexibility expected from building estimating software.
Key Features
- 2D Takeoff
- BoQ Production
- Job Revisions
- Tender Analysis
- and more
Cubit Estimating Enterprise
This licence allows you to import and takeoff quantities from IFC models.
Key Features
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IFC BIM Takeoff
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Multiuser collaboration
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BIM Revisions
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BOQ Production
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Tender analyses
Cubit Select
Innovative, online platform designed to compare suppliers and contractors.
Key Features
- Trade packages invitations
- Multiple quotes
- Document Management
- Online Bid Submission
- and more
Mudshark Eartworks
Easily and accurately performing takeoff for earthworks.
Key Features
- Rapid Takeoff
- 3D Models
- Multiple Boring
- Cross Sections
- Material Re-Use
Buildsoft Global
1000's of users working in commercial, industrial and housing sectors.
Key Features
- 4 Level Estimating
- Progress claims
- Bills of Quantities
- Variations Management
- and more
News and Insights
Cubit Select Update – Enhancements for Invitation and Supplier Management
A new update for Cubit Select is now live with enhancements for invitation and supplier management. Known Issue It can sometimes be slow when adding a quote to a large trade package. The developers are currently investigating this issue and will provide a fix as soon...
Priorities for construction businesses in 2023
In 2023, construction businesses are likely to have several priorities to stay competitive and successful. Here are some key priorities for construction businesses in 2023: Digital transformation: Digital transformation will continue to be a top priority for many...
Cubit and MudShark Training Quarter 2 – 2023
See below our training dates for quarter 2 of 2023. These courses may be used towards CPD hours. Note: There will also be a new Advanced MudShark course dates TBC. If you have any questions or would like to book a date, please contact stephen@bsssoftware.com More...
We understand estimating construction projects can be
complex and tiring. We’re here to make it much easier.