What it is
Cubit Estimating brings construction takeoff and estimating together, with estimates updating as measurements are made. It supports takeoff from PDF, DWG and DXF CAD, IFC BIM, and standard image files. The Enterprise edition adds IFC BIM-based quantity extraction, volume calculation, revision management, and Shared Job Access for simultaneous team work with controls for assigned trades. Users can produce bills of quantities, trade breakdowns, and cost analyses in PDF or Excel, then customize and brand reports. Integrations include Xero, Microsoft Excel, MudShark, BuilderTREND, Cubit Select, and LiveCosts. The optional AI Estimating add-on automates repetitive takeoff work and is available with any edition. Buildsoft offers Windows installation and managed cloud access; it states cloud infrastructure maximum uptime of 99.95%. The cloud-hosted option states that it uses encryption, firewalls, and regular backups. Pricing starts at 167 AUD/user/mo (annual), with a 14-day trial. Subscriptions have a minimum 12-month term, and every subscription includes Australian-based technical support.
Who it suits. Cubit Estimating is aimed at estimators, quantity surveyors, builders, and contractors, including teams handling complex multi-trade projects. It may suit teams that need takeoff, estimating, and reports in a connected workflow.
Good
- Combines takeoff and estimating in one view
- Supports PDF, CAD, BIM, and image takeoff
- Generates branded reports in PDF or Excel
- Enterprise supports simultaneous shared estimating
- 14-day trial includes Enterprise and AI module
Watch for
- No free plan
- Subscriptions require a minimum 12-month term
- Enterprise BIM and shared access are edition-specific
Verdict
Cubit Estimating connects measurement work with estimates, reports, and listed accounting and construction integrations. Check which edition fits your BIM, collaboration, and cloud needs, and note the minimum subscription term.
Plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Billed |
|---|---|---|
| AI Estimating | A$20 a month | per user; +GST; early-adopter price |
| AI Estimating add-on | A$20 a month | Per user, per month; early adopter price for a limited time. |
| Cubit Estimating Standard | A$170 a year | Annual subscription, billed annually. |
| Cubit Estimating Standard | A$170 a month | annual subscription, billed annually; +GST per user |
| Cubit Estimating Professional | A$226 a month | annual subscription, billed annually; +GST per user |
| Cubit Estimating Professional | A$226 a year | Annual subscription, billed annually. |
| Cubit Estimating Enterprise | A$255 a year | Annual subscription, billed annually. |
| Cubit Estimating Enterprise | A$255 a month | annual subscription, billed annually; +GST per user |
From Cubit Estimating's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026. Every plan
What the maker publishes
- AI takeoff
- Its AI Estimating add-on automates repetitive takeoff tasks. source
- AI tools
- The AI Estimating add-on automates repetitive parts of the takeoff workflow and is available with any edition. source
- API listing
- GetApp lists an API feature with a 1.0 score from one review, while no public SDK documentation is shown there. source
- BIM
- The Enterprise edition supports IFC BIM-based takeoff, quantity extraction, volume calculation, and revision management. source
- BIM estimating
- Enterprise can import IFC models, extract quantities, calculate volumes and manage BIM revisions. source
- Cloud availability
- Cubit Estimating Cloud provides managed cloud access to the software from any location with an internet connection. source
- Cloud deployment
- Buildsoft offers a fully managed cloud-hosted version alongside the desktop application. source
- Cloud security
- Cloud setup documentation states secure passwords, mandatory authenticator-based two-factor authentication, browser or Remote Desktop access and user management. source
- Cloud uptime
- Buildsoft states that its cloud infrastructure has maximum uptime of 99.95%. source
- Collaboration
- Enterprise includes Shared Job Access for simultaneous team work on an estimate, with controls for assigned trades. source
- Company identity
- LinkedIn lists Buildsoft as a privately held software company headquartered in Campbelltown, Sydney, New South Wales, with 11–50 employees. source
- Documentation depth
- The Help Center lists 189 how-to articles, 25 installation articles and 52 cloud guides. source
- Founded
- G2's Buildsoft seller profile states the company was founded in 1985. source
- Headquarters
- Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia source
- Input formats
- Supported takeoff inputs include PDF, DWG, DXF, IFC BIM and image files. source
- Installation and hosting
- Installation documentation covers standalone, client/server and terminal-server configurations, with local databases and PostgreSQL. source
- Integrations
- The product integrates with Xero, Microsoft Excel, MudShark, BuilderTREND, Cubit Select, and LiveCosts. source
- Integrations
- Buildsoft lists Cubit Select, Microsoft Excel, MudShark, Xero, BuilderTREND and LiveCosts integrations. source
Review
Cubit Estimating brings construction takeoff and estimating together, updating estimates as measurements are made. It is best suited to estimators, quantity surveyors, builders, and contractors handling multi-trade work. Its connected workflow and broad takeoff support are compelling, but the 12-month commitment and edition-dependent features make plan selection important.
Overview
Cubit combines digital takeoff with estimating in one working view, so quantities and estimates stay connected as measurement work progresses. It accepts PDF, DWG and DXF CAD, IFC BIM, and standard image files. That range suits projects using a mix of drawing types; teams needing BIM-based quantities, volumes, and revision management must choose Enterprise.
Users can produce bills of quantities, trade breakdowns, and cost analyses in PDF or Excel, then customize and brand those reports. Integrations with Xero, Microsoft Excel, MudShark, BuilderTREND, Cubit Select, and LiveCosts connect the estimating workflow to accounting and construction tools.
Key features
Takeoff and estimating
Estimates update as measurements are made, which keeps quantity work and costing in the same workflow rather than treating them as separate steps. The optional AI Estimating add-on automates repetitive parts of takeoff and can be added to any edition. Its scope is repetitive workflow tasks, not a replacement for choosing the right edition or reviewing estimates.
BIM and team workflows
Enterprise adds IFC BIM-based takeoff, quantity extraction, volume calculation, and revision management. It also includes Shared Job Access, allowing simultaneous work on an estimate with controls for assigned trades. These features make Enterprise the relevant option for teams coordinating complex BIM or multi-trade jobs; they offer less reason to pay more if work is individual and drawing-based.
Cloud, support, and reporting
Cubit Estimating Cloud provides managed access from any location with an internet connection. Buildsoft states maximum cloud infrastructure uptime of 99.95%; the cloud-hosted option uses encryption, firewalls, and regular backups. Every subscription includes Australian-based technical support, and training is offered. Those provisions support distributed teams, though cloud pricing is tailored to team size and usage.
Pricing
Cubit Estimating is paid, has no free plan, and offers a 14-day free trial. Standard, Professional, and Enterprise subscriptions each require a minimum 12-month term; longer terms are available. The trial includes Enterprise features and the AI Estimating module, giving prospective buyers a chance to assess the higher-tier workflow before committing.
- Standard: 170.00 AUD per year, billed annually, starting from, with a minimum 12-month term. It is the entry edition for buyers who need core takeoff and estimating without Enterprise BIM and shared-job features.
- Professional: 226.00 AUD per year, billed annually, starting from, with a minimum 12-month term. It is the middle edition, but the edition-specific inclusions are not defined here, so buyers should confirm which capabilities justify the step up.
- Enterprise: 255.00 AUD per year, billed annually, starting from, with a minimum 12-month term. It suits teams that need IFC BIM workflows, revision management, or simultaneous shared estimates with trade controls.
- AI Estimating add-on: 20.00 AUD per month per user, an early adopter price for a limited time. It is available with any edition for teams that want automation for repetitive takeoff work.
- Cubit Estimating Cloud: custom pricing, tailored to team size and usage. Choose it for managed cloud access rather than a standard priced subscription.
The pricing note gives a starting point of 167 AUD/user/mo (annual), while the individual edition prices are presented as annual amounts. The minimum term makes Cubit a considered commitment rather than a short project subscription.
Platforms
The installation guide supports Windows desktop use, and the cloud-hosted option provides access from any location with an internet connection. Buyers should distinguish that managed cloud access from a native desktop platform: Windows is the supported installed operating system.
Who it's for
Cubit is a strong fit for estimators, quantity surveyors, builders, and contractors who want takeoff, estimating, and reporting connected, particularly on complex multi-trade projects. Enterprise is the practical choice when IFC BIM quantity work or concurrent estimating matters. A solo estimator with straightforward drawing-based work may have little use for those premium collaboration capabilities and should weigh the annual commitment carefully.
Pros and cons
- Pro: Measurements update estimates in the same view, keeping takeoff and costing connected.
- Pro: PDF, CAD, IFC BIM, and image-file takeoff accommodate varied drawing formats.
- Pro: Customizable PDF and Excel reports cover quantities, trade breakdowns, and cost analysis, while integrations include Xero and Excel.
- Pro: Enterprise supports shared estimate work with assigned-trade controls, useful for coordinated teams.
- Con: BIM and simultaneous shared-job features are Enterprise-only, so teams needing them must choose the top edition.
- Con: Subscriptions require at least 12 months, which is a meaningful commitment for buyers with occasional estimating needs.
- Con: Cloud pricing is custom, making it harder to compare directly against the stated edition prices.
Alternatives
For a broader shortlist, see Construction estimating software and Construction takeoff software.
- OpenConstructionERP is the alternative to consider if a free, self-hosted platform is the priority.
- Buildxact is worth considering for a free plan with complimentary credits, AI estimating, professional proposals, and Home Depot material ordering.
- eTakeoff suits Windows users looking for a free viewer or a separately priced takeoff product.
- SharpeSoft Estimator offers custom pricing and is designed to scale from one user to thousands.
- Trimble Viewpoint Vista is an alternative for buyers considering cloud-hosted or on-premises deployments.
- Bidwright is a free alternative with desktop and Docker self-host options.
- InEight is an alternative with month-to-month plans for individuals or small teams.
- PlanSwift is a Windows alternative with a 14-day trial that includes PlanSwift Core and AI tools.
Verdict
Choose Cubit Estimating if you want takeoff and estimating to stay connected, with detailed reports and a path to BIM and shared team workflows in Enterprise. Its strongest case is for contractors and estimating teams managing varied formats and multi-trade work. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan, a shorter commitment, or a clearly priced cloud option.