Construction Materials Estimator
User Guide

Measure plans, estimate material quantities and prepare clearer cost inputs before you commit to a construction budget.

BETA LIVE Plan measurement Material quantities Cost tracker inputs
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Overview

What this estimator is for

Purpose

Use the Construction Materials Estimator when you need to turn drawings or known quantities into a clearer material-cost input. It is designed for early budgeting, quoting preparation and cost-control workflows.

Measure Upload a drawing, set the scale, then measure lengths and areas directly from the plan.
Estimate Convert measured quantities into material line items with wastage, rates and estimated costs.
Track Use the estimated costs as cleaner inputs for Construction Cost Tracker.
Step 1

Open the estimator and sign in

Access

Open the beta tool and complete the sign-in and security check if prompted. This keeps your estimating workflow available in the browser session.

  • Use a valid email address for Magic Link sign-in.
  • Wait for the security check to finish before starting a quote.
  • Select Start Guide if this is your first time using the estimator.
If you do not have a plan ready, use the guided demo or enter quantities manually.
Step 2

Upload a plan and calibrate scale

Calibration

Upload a PDF or image plan, then calibrate the drawing using a known dimension. Accurate calibration is the key step before measuring any length or area.

  • Click Calibrate.
  • Click two points on a known dimension line.
  • Enter the real length in millimetres.
  • Apply the scale before measuring quantities.
Example: If the plan shows a 1500 mm dimension line, click both ends of that line and enter 1500.
Step 3

Measure length, area or item count

Measurement

Choose the measurement mode that matches the material you are pricing. Length works for timber, framing, skirting, fencing or linear items. Area works for plasterboard, cladding, flooring, paint, insulation and similar items.

  • Use length measurement for line-based materials.
  • Use area measurement for surface-based materials.
  • Use manual quantity entry for items counted by each, pack or set.
  • Review confirmed records before adding the material line.
Step 4

Build the material-cost estimate

Estimate

Select the material category and item, then review the suggested unit, rate, wastage allowance and calculated estimated cost. Adjust the quantity or rate if your supplier quote is more accurate.

  • Check the measurement unit before accepting a line item.
  • Use wastage for cut loss, breakage or ordering buffers.
  • Keep supplier-specific prices separate from early budget assumptions.
  • Add each confirmed material to the estimate list.
For early feasibility, treat the result as an estimated cost input. For procurement, confirm rates and quantities with suppliers or a qualified professional.
Step 5

Export and use the result in Cost Tracker

Output

Review the material list, remove any duplicated rows, then export or copy the estimated costs into your construction budget workflow.

  • Use the total estimated cost as a budget line or category input.
  • Move detailed line items into Construction Cost Tracker when you need budget vs actual monitoring.
  • Keep notes about the source of rates and the date of the estimate.
Recommended workflow: measure in Construction Materials Estimator, then track budget, committed cost and actual cost in Construction Cost Tracker.
Tips

Use the estimate carefully

Quality control
  • Always calibrate from a clearly labelled dimension, not from a guessed page scale.
  • Measure the same item type consistently across the whole plan.
  • Keep GST, freight, labour and subcontractor margins separate unless your rate already includes them.
  • For live projects, verify quantities and rates with a builder, supplier or quantity surveyor before relying on them.

Disclaimer: This guide and tool provide preliminary planning information only. They are not quantity-surveying, pricing, financial, legal, building-consent or professional advice.