The current construction market demands not only rapid estimating capabilities but also insight-driven strategies that align with long-term business objectives. Active Estimating demonstrates how leveraging data-driven intelligence transforms traditional estimating into a strategic advantage for contractors and developers alike.

From Bid Counts to Strategic Indicators

Rather than treating estimating as a one-off task, Active Estimating helps teams use bid volumes, win rates, and market responses as long-term indicators. For example, projects are no longer assessed simply by value; they’re now evaluated by profitability predictions, staffing efficiency, and long-term pipeline implications. The result is not just estimating — it's organizational forecasting built into every proposal.

Key Insights Driving Strategic Shifts

• Consistent Growth in Bidding Activity: Over 2023–Q1 2024, monthly board activity climbed steadily, peaking in Q1 with 303 boards — a 29% increase year-over-year.
• Higher Board-to-Award Conversions: Award rates rose in tandem with bid submissions, indicating higher targeting accuracy and estimation relevance.
• Trend Identification: Certain divisions, such as 092000 (Plaster and Gypsum Board), show dominant demand signals, while others like 093000 (Tile) saw a decline — suggesting realignment opportunities in service offerings.

Data-Driven Intelligence Enhances Forecasting

Beyond project-specific estimating, broader patterns in board counts by month, total labor hours, and geographic frequency help businesses allocate crews, predict material demand, and even schedule equipment investments. These aren’t just metrics — they are leading indicators of market behavior that, when interpreted correctly, can align company vision with real-time opportunities.

Geographic Opportunity Analysis

• California remains dominant — accounting for nearly 60% of boards in the dataset, affirming it as the strategic center of drywall estimating activity.
• Rising participation in Arizona and Texas suggests growth markets where firms can consider expanding field operations.

Division-Specific Performance: Labor and Materials

Top labor hours and estimating activity were recorded in Divisions 092000 and 095000 (Ceilings), reflecting industry-wide consistency in project scopes. These insights are crucial when aligning workforce hiring strategies and vendor negotiations, ensuring companies invest resources in the most active verticals.

Strategic Use of Monthly Board Trends

By treating monthly estimating activity like a business development funnel, companies can understand not only how busy they are — but how efficient they are at converting that activity into awarded work. A notable example was the January 2024 spike in board creation, which corresponded with an increased success rate in awarded bids by March.

Conclusion: Estimating as a Strategic Tool

The evolving nature of drywall and construction estimating is no longer reactive. With the support of platforms like Active Estimating, firms can use data from past estimates to improve future profitability, operational alignment, and long-term strategic resilience.

Contact Information:
Active Estimating
508 2nd Street, Suite 208
Davis
California
95616

Rich Schoener
richard@activeestimating.com
(877) 982-2848
https://www.activeestimating.com/drywall-estimating-software

Original Source:
https://www.activeestimating.com/media-room