Vertigraph

The year 2024 has so far been interesting for the construction industry. Despite the financing challenges and fluctuating costs of material and labor due to economic shifts, experts anticipate a boost in construction for 2024. Contractors must prioritize precision, mitigate the risk of expensive mistakes and develop competitive bids to stay ahead in this evolving environment.

Given this situation, the value of tried and tested solutions cannot be overvalued, and this is where Vertigraph shines. Thousands of contractors have used the company’s takeoff and estimating software to become more efficient and increase profit margin.

“We have been in business for more than three decades now, and since the very beginning, our products have enabled us to achieve recognition in the industry. We never fail to meet and exceed customer expectations by adding substantial operational and strategic value,” says Erich Schoenkopf, president at Vertigraph.

Specialized Solutions for Diverse Needs

One of Vertigraph’s key offerings is BidScreen XL. It allows users to conduct takeoff directly within Microsoft Excel, leveraging Excel’s calculation capabilities. The solution simplifies measuring items from plans and applying calculations to determine actual quantities. Pricing estimation also becomes straightforward with this tool. Unlike other solutions that often require switching between different programs, BidScreen XL facilitates direct takeoff within Excel, making it a preferred choice among general and subcontractors.

“In the past, construction workers had to use multiple programs to measure and estimate the cost of materials needed for a project, which was slow and prone to mistakes. BidScreen XL fixes this by letting them do everything in one program. They can, consequently, save time and make their estimates more accurate,” says Schoenkopf.

SiteWorx/OS is a key addition to the company’s arsenal—a cost-effective and adaptable cut-and-fill program crafted to cater to general and excavation contractors. This program stands out for its extensive features, including machine control capability, which boosts its usefulness across a range of construction tasks. Notably, it pioneered onscreen takeoff for site excavation, distinguishing it from competitors.

Even with advanced features and functionalities, SiteWorx/OS comes at a fraction of the cost compared to existing products in the market.

The user-friendly interface and efficient design make it a preferred choice for those seeking a cost-effective solution to manage site excavation and related construction activities.

User-Centric Design and Exceptional Support

Vertigraph’s focus on continuous improvement keeps its software at the leading edge. It utilizes customer feedback to deliver updates roughly every 18 months. This ensures contractors have access to the newest tools and features, empowering them to handle projects with confidence and efficiency.

The company distinguishes itself in the construction takeoff software space through its dedication to user experience and outstanding customer support. It prioritizes clear and intuitive software design to accommodate the varied technical skill sets of contractors. The interface is clean and uncluttered, using familiar design elements to minimize the learning curve for new users.

Simultaneously, Vertigraph’s personalized customer support guarantees a smooth implementation process and continued operational success. A dedicated team of support specialists is always available to answer questions, resolve issues and provide guidance.

The Team, the True Performance Architects

Vertigraph’s commitment to innovation is supported by a team of experienced professionals who seek opportunities to serve customers, strive to achieve excellence and refuse to succumb to pressure.

Take the company’s lead, MIT educated, developer Ken Bailey, as an instance. For the past 32 years, he has been handling all research, development and product releases. Another key team member, Kim Border has been with Vertigraph for nearly 25 years, successfully managing support and administrative functions for the company.

As the founder, Schoenkopf has spearheaded the company’s sales efforts. With years of experience as a CPA and CFO for public companies, he brings a solid foundation in business, particularly in estimating. This skillset, along with his deep understanding of finances, has been instrumental in securing new clients by ensuring accurate project cost estimates.

Transparency and Educational Resources

Transparency is a key pillar of Vertigraph’s philosophy. Its website is a treasure trove of valuable information, including comprehensive software descriptions, downloadable trial versions and a wealth of educational resources. Explainer videos, user guides and in-depth tutorials equip potential customers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. This open and honest approach builds trust and positions the company as a reliable partner in the construction takeoff process.

Its capabilities are highlighted through its success story with The Hanover Company. Initially seeking digitizing software, The Hanover Company adopted BidScreen XL, impressed by its intuitive interface for single-sheet plan estimates with numerous line items. Vertigraph’s seamless integration with Excel and automatic updates across the estimate eliminated manual data handling and errors.

“A feature that has impressed us is its intuitive user interface. Given our frequent in-house conceptual estimating based on single-sheet plans, which can result in estimates with up to 2000 line items, Vertigraph’s solution has proven to be invaluable. It seamlessly integrates with our Excel-based estimates, facilitating efficient takeoffs and assumptions,” says Mike Wright, VP of preconstruction and estimating at The Hanover Company.

“Given our frequent in-house conceptual estimating based on single-sheet plans, which can result in estimates with up to 2000 line items, Vertigraph’s solution has proven to be invaluable”

The Hanover Company particularly values Vertigraph’s efficiency during the fast-paced conceptual stage and thez exceptional customer support provided by Border and Schoenkopf. This combination has allowed The Hanover Company to bring projects to fruition quickly and effectively.

This is just one example. Vertigraph has been able to script numerous instances of client success over the years by staying true to its values of user-friendliness, affordability, seamless integration with existing workflows and exceptional customer support.

Vertigraph’s priority is to continue refining and upgrading its products based on technological advancements, competition and customer needs. The company aims to maintain and improve its current offerings over the next six months instead of introducing new solutions to the market. This fits in perfectly with its philosophy of focusing on proven and reliable methods to yield the best results for its clients today and in the future.

Vertigraph also provides its software to many leading Universities under Vertigraph’s Educational Program where the software is used in the takeoff and estimating coursework.