Construction estimating software for the UK

Short answer

Construction estimating software for the UK prices work in GBP with VAT applied per line at 20%, 5% or zero, accounts for CIS deductions on subcontract labour, and holds retention against practical completion. WinkScope builds estimates from a rate library based on UK merchant pricing, produces a client-facing quote and an internal cost build-up from the same data, and converts the accepted figure into a job budget that actual costs are tracked against.

Estimating software written for the US market prices in dollars, applies sales tax and treats subcontractors as a single line. UK work needs pounds, VAT at more than one rate, CIS deductions on labour and retention held back to practical completion. WinkScope does those as defaults, not workarounds.

Two documents, one build-up

The internal cost sheet shows labour hours, material cost and margin. The client sees the version you choose. Both come from the same numbers, so they cannot drift apart.

Measured work

Price in metres, square metres and lineal metres with waste percentages applied per material, rather than converting from imperial takeoffs.

Subcontract packages

Price subcontract packages separately, record quoted vs allowed, and see the difference land on job margin rather than discovering it at final account.

Preliminaries and overhead

Carry prelims, scaffolding, welfare and skips as their own section so they are recovered on the job rather than absorbed into your overhead.

Budget vs actual

Once the job is live, purchase invoices, labour hours and variations post against the estimate so you can see margin moving while there is still time to react.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import my existing rates?

Yes — bring a price list in by CSV with column mapping, or build it up as you quote. Rates can be updated in bulk when merchant pricing moves.

Does it handle mixed VAT rates on one job?

It does. Rate is set per line, so a reduced-rate conversion with standard-rate additional works totals correctly on the quote and the invoice.

How does retention work?

Set a retention percentage on the job. Each application holds it back, with release at practical completion and after the defects period tracked separately.

Is this suitable for domestic refurb as well as new build?

Yes. Most WinkScope users in the UK are doing extensions, refurbishment and fit-out rather than volume new build.

Summary

Construction estimating software for the UK prices work in GBP with VAT applied per line at 20%, 5% or zero, accounts for CIS deductions on subcontract labour, and holds retention against practical completion. WinkScope builds estimates from a rate library based on UK merchant pricing, produces a client-facing quote and an internal cost build-up from the same data, and converts the accepted figure into a job budget that actual costs are tracked against. WinkScope subscriptions are charged in USD worldwide. Local currency here is how you price your own jobs inside WinkScope — quotes, invoices, price book and reports all render in it.