QS Plus vs WinQS – Which is the Best Software for Preparing Cost Estimates, Bills of Quantities and Valuations?

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QS Plus and WinQS are both widely used software for construction cost estimating and quantity surveying. In this review, we are going to compare the two programs and outline their differences and capabilities. Both programs are developed by reputable software companies based in South Africa, and the client base includes international customers. The main features of each estimating software is outlined in the comparison table below:

Features	QS Plus	WinQS
Modules	Cost Plan/ Estimating Bill Production [Module is also capable of Tender Analysis and Elemental Cost Analysis] Valuations [ Module is also capable of Payment Certificates] Final Account	Cost Plan/Estimating Bill Production Tender Analysis Cost Analysis [cost per m2 based on Estimator defined groupings] Valuations Cost Report Payments
Cost Estimates	QS Plus has a specialized, well structured, comprehensive and clearly defined Elemental Estimate module.	WinQS uses a general bill structure that requires build up effort, but you can build any type of estimate.
	QS Plus has three pre-installed Estimating Guides – ASAQS, RICS and CSI Uniformat.	No pre-installed Estimating Guides
	Link Cost Estimate to Bill Items	Link Cost Estimate to Bill Items
	Auto Rate Build up	Auto Rate Build up
	Edit Rate Build up	Edit Rate Build up
	Insert Rates Directly	Insert Rates Directly
	Convert Elemental Cost Estimate to BOQ	Automatically Generate BOQ from Cost Estimate as you work
	Enter Measurements on Screen: QS Plus is powered by DimensionX on-screen take off technology.	Enter Measurements on Screen: WinQS is powered by DimensionX on-screen take off technology.
	Edit Item Descriptions	Edit Item Descriptions
		Forced automatic global back up of WinQS projects every week.
Bills of Quantities	ASAQS, SMM7, POMI, CSI Masterformat and CPWD DSR Libraries.	ASAQS and JBCC-2004 Preliminaries Library
	DimensionX Take off screen	DimensionX Take off screen
	Convert Elemental Estimate to BOQ	Automatically Generate BOQ from Linked Cost Estimate
	Automatically take off dimensions from AutoCAD 2D & 3D drawings.	Automatically take off dimensions from AutoCAD 2D & 3D drawings.
		Automatically Generate BOQ from AutoCAD 3D drawings
	Take off dimensions from Revit Drawings with DimensionX.
		Forced automatic global back up of WinQS projects every week.
	Measurement Groups and Linking Associated Items	Measurement Groups and Linking Associated Items
		Bill Audit – Record Keeping of All Bill Entries & Changes.
		Apply a Set of Rates to Existing and New Project.
		Forced automatic global back up of WinQS projects every week.
	Link Bill Items to Elemental Estimate / Cost Plan	Link Bill Items to Cost Estimate / Cost Plan
	Customize Bill Layout.	Customize Bill Layout. Hide Bills, Items and Dimensions
	Preview Dimension Sheet by Selected Parameters.	Preview Dimension Sheet by Selected Parameters.
	Import Bills and Bill Items from Another Project ( Including Dimensions and Rates)	Copy Bills, Items and Dimensions from Another Project.
	Create Bills Based on Locations, Sections and Groups	Create Bills Based on Locations, Sections and Groups
	Insert Bill Items From Library	Add Items From Library
	View Bill as Elemental Cost Plan	Cost Analysis – Project Groupings in Cost Per Area
	Preview Bills	Preview Bills
	Convert Bills to Blank Bills in Excel Format
	Convert Priced Bills to PDF
Valuations	Prepare Monthly Valuations	Prepare Monthly Valuations
	Valuations Based on Assigned Percentage, Budget Allocation and Individual Items (valued by percentage, quantity and/or amount to date)	Valuations Based on Trades, Programme of Work Activities, Elements, Groups or Estimator defined groupings.
	Calculate Progress Payments by Percentage, Quantity or Item Value.	Calculate Progress Payments by Percentage, Quantity or Item Value.
	FREEZE Contract Bill Data to Allow Ongoing Final Account Measurements.	LOCK and SAVE Contract Bill (Quantities and Rates) on Activating Valuations Module to Allow Ongoing Final Account Measurements.
	Certificates Report, Recovery Statements	Certificates Report, Recovery Statements
	Process Subcontractor Bills (e.g. Package Bills)
Final Account	Enter Measurements and Re-measurements Including Prices.
	Final Account Linked to BOQ
	View Final Account in Elemental Estimate Format
	DimensionX Take off screen
	Print Final Account as Bill of Remeasurements or Schedule of Additions and Omissions.
Software Installation	Can only be used on your computer. Commercial Version is licensed to a computer. Minimum System Requirements – Windows 7 Professional / Business	Can be used on any computer. Commercial Version is licensed to a USB Dongle and Key. Minimum System Requirements – Windows 7
Developers	New Dimension Technology (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town: Tel: +27 11 787 5960 Johannesburg: Tel: +27 11 789 4878	ACE Solutions CC, Craighall, Johannesburg: Tel: +27 11 787 5960 Tel: +27 11 789 4878

Free Trial Downloads	Trial Version >> Get It	Demo Version >> Get It Educational Version
Price

Be rest assured that any of these two cost estimating programs will do the job because they are widely used by Professional Quantity Surveyors, Construction Cost Engineers, Building Cost Surveyors, Government Departments (Building & Infrastructure Development), Oil/Energy Companies, Mining Corporations and even Property Developers.

WinQS and QS Plus Software in South African College/University Syllabus

University of Cape Town – UCT

Department of Construction Economics & Management:

As part of their practicals in Measurement & Design Appraisal, UCT students undergoing the Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies undergraduate programme are required to take off measurements, prepare documentation and complete the project using WinQS or QSPlus computer programs. The project in this case is usually a small-scale commercial building.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology – CPUT

Department of Construction Management & Quantity Surveying:

As part of their assessment tests, CPUT students studying Quantity Surveying are not only required to measure and prepare documentation for building, electrical, mechanical and civil engineering work, but they are also required to demonstrate their competence in using WinQS estimating software to take off quantities and compile documentation.

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Elemental Method of Estimating – Advantages and Disadvantages [Building Construction] » Estimation QS on April 20, 2017 at 7:38 am
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[…] are not shown above. If you are preparing your estimate using computer estimating software like QSPlus, you should be able to drill down (click through) to the component details. As an example, the […]