Inside Propeller: How estimators build reality-checked bids (4/6)
Welcome to Part 4 of our Inside Propeller series. Here’s what we’ve covered so far:
- Part 1: A high-level overview of what Propeller can do
- Part 2: How PMs use Propeller to track progress
- Part 3: How site leads keep daily operations on track
In Part 4, we’re looking at estimators—the pros who decide how much dirt needs moving, how much work it’ll take, and the numbers that will keep a job profitable before a single dozer hits the ground.
With Propeller, you’re never stuck guessing or waiting on reports from surveyors. You get direct access to hard data, whenever you need it. Imagine a live 3D model of what’s happening on-site, all applied to one big question: Are we making money on this project?
Create bids that hold up to reality
Win more work with bids that reflect current ground conditions and include proof.
A competitive bid isn’t just the lowest number on the table. Owners want to be sure that your estimate is grounded in reality.
- Cut-fill to design: Validate how much material needs to move before you break ground, then tie labor and equipment estimates to accurate volumes using surface comparisons and volume measurements.
- Cut-fill to survey: Compare progress week over week and gut-check your estimates against actual production metrics.
- Takeoff maps: Color-shaded visuals that make volumes easy for clients to understand at a glance, enhanced by flexible takeoff reporting.
Big wins: Data-backed bids earn trust. When clients see estimates with clear visual backup, you gain instant credibility and a competitive edge.
Understand what your haul routes are costing you
Spot time-wasters before they kill your margins.
Cycle times can make or break a project, and even small efficiency gains can make a big impact.
- DirtMate cycle stats: Track actual haul cycle lengths against your estimates to spot where trucks are slowing down using daily production metrics.
- Live haul routes: See in real time where material is actually moving with machine telematics, and flag bottlenecks before they snowball.
- DIY distance measurements: Quickly check point-to-point haul distances in your 3D map using mobile measurements.
Big wins: No more “back of the napkin” haul route estimates. With live cycle data, you’ll always know whether your trucks are running efficiently.
Refine every estimate with production data
Turn daily reports into future-proof numbers.
With DirtMate sensors mounted on your fleet, Propeller turns machine data into insights you can use to validate and refine future bids.
- Utilization data: Track idle time alongside load and dump counts using the DirtMate Machines tab.
- Smart cycles: Get an honest look at how long your operators take per cycle using daily production KPIs.
- Daily recap email: At the end of each day, see exactly what your crew got done with automated daily emails.
Big wins: Check whether today’s work is profitable and carry that data forward to sharpen your next bid, all with automated data capture.
Keep the field and office in sync
Translate best-laid plans into field-ready tasks.
Estimators aren’t always in the field, but your calculations should end up there.
- Mobile measurements: Create measurements in the office and share them instantly using Propeller Mobile.
- Markup: Highlight changes directly on the map using markup tools.
- Media: Verify ongoing work remotely using media capture and messaging.
Big wins: Package up the exact measurements and instructions your field crew needs without valuable information getting lost in a game of telephone.
TL;DR: Why estimators love Propeller
- Cycle stats reveal when haul routes are costing you
- Confirm whether your bids hold up in the field with volume checks
- Sharpen your future estimates with live production data
- Saved measurements and markups keep crews aligned
Get a competitive advantage with reality-checked bids your clients can understand at a glance. Request a demo today.
