Recent analysis performed by Active Estimating has uncovered key opportunities for cost savings and workflow enhancements through deep dives into historical board usage data. Leveraging data-driven intelligence, the company examined activity across estimating boards to pinpoint inefficiencies, highlight top-performing patterns, and provide meaningful benchmarks that estimating teams can act upon immediately.

Insights from Historical Board Activity

Over 500 unique estimating boards were reviewed for performance metrics, categorized by industry type, estimating intensity, and duration. Boards with the highest estimating volume revealed common traits, including tight coordination timelines, clear scope breakdowns, and consistent update frequency. These markers are now being used to establish internal standards for efficient estimating.

Boards that underperformed often showed signs of redundancy, fragmented item categories, and significant lags between updates. The identification of these inefficiencies opens doors to optimization without increasing resource allocation—offering a strategic advantage to companies using a data-informed approach to estimating management.

Top Areas for Cost Savings

• Reduction in Change Orders: Boards with tighter estimating workflows had fewer costly change orders during construction, which translated into immediate cost savings.
• Improved Bid Accuracy: Teams following historical performance models consistently submitted more accurate bids, reducing the risk of overbidding or scope gaps.
• Time Savings: Templates derived from high-performing boards decreased estimating time by up to 30% on average.

Board Efficiency Benchmarks

The study defined several benchmarks for efficiency. These include:

• Average of 4-6 active estimators per board for optimal collaboration
• Board lifespan of 3–4 weeks for preconstruction projects
• Use of predefined cost codes resulting in faster quote generation

These benchmarks are now being embedded into company best practices, offering new estimating teams a roadmap for success and helping seasoned teams recalibrate their processes using proven data insights.

Strategic Implementation & Forward Vision

The outcome of this comprehensive review isn’t limited to reporting. Actionable dashboards and internal guideline documents are now being deployed to ensure all future boards align with the most efficient historical examples. Additionally, ongoing monitoring of board usage will help ensure that these standards evolve with real-world results, sustaining long-term efficiency improvements across the organization.

Conclusion

By focusing on real-world performance metrics rather than hypothetical models, Active Estimating has set a precedent for how historical data can be used to inform smarter, faster, and more cost-effective estimating. As estimating complexity increases, data-driven intelligence becomes not just useful—but essential—for firms seeking to stay competitive in today’s demanding construction landscape.

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