Quick answer: Start with the workflow your fireproofing team needs:
- Fireproofing-specific tools: BuzzBID FireShield and The EDGE.
- Configurable desktop takeoff and estimating: On-Screen Takeoff with Quick Bid, or PlanSwift.
- Cloud takeoff and estimating: STACK.
- PDF measurement with a separate estimating system: Bluebeam Revu.
Disclosure: BuzzBID publishes this comparison, sells one of the products reviewed, and ranks BuzzBID FireShield first for the commercial structural-fireproofing audience addressed here. The ranking is an editorial assessment, not an independent laboratory test. Product information and public pricing were reviewed on September 4, 2026. Buyers should confirm current features, pricing, implementation requirements, and contract terms directly with each vendor.
The best fireproofing estimating software depends on your bids, specified systems, and cost data. Decide whether takeoff and pricing should stay in one application. Then test each shortlisted product on the same plan set. Record the setup work, manual corrections, and outside tools it needs.
What Fireproofing Estimators Need From Software
Structural fireproofing estimates can involve sprayed fire-resistive materials, intumescent fire-resistive materials, and other specified protective systems. UL's guidance for passive fire protection of structural steelwork explains that sprayed and intumescent fire-resistive materials are used to help structural steel maintain integrity for a specified period under fire conditions. The applicable listed design, manufacturer data, project specifications, substrate geometry, required rating, and installation conditions all matter. Software can organize and calculate inputs, but it does not replace review by qualified estimators, manufacturers, inspectors, or design professionals.
For software evaluation, focus on capabilities that can be demonstrated on the contractor's actual work:
- Drawing takeoff: measuring and organizing beams, columns, decks, joists, areas, lengths, and counts from the plan set.
- Fireproofing data: associating quantities with applicable systems, products, listed designs, ratings, thicknesses, heated perimeters, or other required project inputs.
- Estimating logic: applying the contractor's material, labor, equipment, waste, production, overhead, and markup assumptions.
- Reviewability: tracing every estimated quantity back to the drawing and revising it when addenda or specifications change.
- Outputs: producing estimate reports, proposals, spray information, or exports that fit the contractor's workflow.
Do not assume that a product supports a particular manufacturer, listed design, or calculation merely because it serves the fireproofing trade. Ask the vendor to demonstrate the exact systems and reporting requirements used by your company.
How We Ranked These Fireproofing Estimating Options
This ranking is written for commercial contractors estimating structural fireproofing. We considered published evidence of fireproofing-specific functionality, the connection between takeoff and pricing, workflow fit, pricing visibility, and the amount of customization or separate software likely to be required. A higher ranking does not mean that one product is universally better for every contractor.
BuzzBID's commercial interest is disclosed at the top of the article. Vendor descriptions below link to official product or support pages wherever practical. Marketing claims made by a vendor are described as vendor claims, not as independently verified results.
The 6 Best Fireproofing Estimating Software Options in 2026
1. BuzzBID FireShield: Our Pick for an Integrated Fireproofing Workflow
BuzzBID FireShield is the first-ranked option for the audience of this article because BuzzBID designed and markets it specifically for fireproofing estimators. According to the BuzzBID pricing and feature page, FireShield includes the capabilities in BuzzBID Advanced plus ClickONCE structural-member detection, UL fire-test integration, board-foot and bag-quantity calculations, heated-perimeter and flute-fill calculations, spray-report tools, and support for cementitious, intumescent, and spray-foam workflows.
BuzzBID currently lists FireShield at $300 per month or $2,450 per year. The published price includes software updates, support, and training. BuzzBID also states that monthly and annual options do not require a long-term contract. Buyers should confirm the configuration needed for dedicated or shared licensing and single-user or multi-user databases.
BuzzBID Advanced received the 2025 AWCI Excellence in Construction Innovation Award. That award supports the statement that AWCI recognized the broader BuzzBID platform; it should not be read as an independent accuracy test or an endorsement of every FireShield feature.
Best fit: Commercial fireproofing contractors seeking fireproofing-specific calculations and estimating in the same application as takeoff.
Evaluate carefully: Run a demonstration using your own structural plans, specifications, listed designs, materials, and reporting requirements. Confirm how legacy cost data and existing estimates would be migrated.
2. The EDGE: Established Fireproofing-Specific Takeoff and Estimating
The EDGE fireproofing product page describes a dedicated commercial fireproofing workflow for cementitious, fiber, and intumescent systems. Its published capabilities include UL design data, board-foot calculations, AISC steel shapes with W/D and heated-perimeter data, manufacturer-specific products, and color-coded spray charts. The EDGE also provides takeoff, material, labor, and estimate functions in one product.
The EDGE uses the Smart Labor name for functionality that can adjust labor calculations based on configured variables. The vendor's public fireproofing materials support the existence of fireproofing-specific databases and calculations, but the exact behavior and included data should be verified in a demonstration and contract documentation.
Foundation Software announced its acquisition of Estimating Edge in January 2022. The EDGE does not display a standard fireproofing subscription price on the product page reviewed for this article, so buyers should request a written quote covering licensing, implementation, training, support, data conversion, and renewal terms.
Best fit: Established specialty contractors that want a fireproofing-specific database and are comfortable with a vendor-quoted buying process.
Evaluate carefully: Confirm deployment requirements, collaboration options, database ownership, export formats, and the scope of any implementation or conversion services.
3. On-Screen Takeoff With Quick Bid: Familiar Configurable Desktop Workflow
On-Screen Takeoff provides digital measurement, takeoff organization, overlays, and configurable trade workflows. Quick Bid provides estimating functions for labor, materials, change orders, cost calculations, and reporting. Used together, they remain a relevant option for contractors that already have trained users, takeoff conditions, and Quick Bid databases aligned with their internal estimating process.
ConstructConnect documents a move to named sign-ins for On-Screen Takeoff subscription users. Its On-Screen Takeoff sign-in guidance, checked October 5, 2026, says this change does not alter the subscription tier or price. Confirm the login method, product version, and license terms for both On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid in your quote.
ConstructConnect says OST pricing varies by licensing options and business needs rather than posting one standard price. Buyers should request a written, itemized quote for On-Screen Takeoff, Quick Bid, any AI or cloud add-ons, implementation, training, support, and renewal terms.
Best fit: Contractors with significant existing investments in OST takeoff files, Quick Bid databases, trained estimators, or connected ConstructConnect workflows.
Evaluate carefully: Confirm the current licensing path for both products, version compatibility, data migration, remote-access needs, and whether newer automation features apply to the proposed configuration.
4. PlanSwift: Customizable Desktop Takeoff and Estimating
PlanSwift is Windows desktop software for takeoff and estimating. It measures areas, lengths, counts, and volumes. It also supports custom assemblies, formulas, labor and material pricing, reports, and Excel connections.
Ask PlanSwift to demonstrate your fireproofing workflow. Confirm which data and calculations are included and which your team must build and maintain.
PlanSwift currently lists Essential at $2,000 per year for one seat and $1,500 per seat for two or more seats. Core is listed at $3,000 per year for one seat and $2,500 per seat for two or more seats. Essential includes Auto Count, Auto Scale, and Auto Bookmark. Core adds Auto Takeoff. PlanSwift says its AI results provide a first pass that users must review and verify before using in an estimate.
Best fit: Contractors that want a configurable desktop system and are prepared to build or maintain their own fireproofing items, assemblies, formulas, and cost information.
Evaluate carefully: Price the configuration work and confirm whether a fireproofing starter pack or supported third-party plugin is available for your specific systems. Verify the ongoing responsibility for maintaining labor, material, listed-design, and thickness data.
5. STACK: Cloud-Based Takeoff and Estimating
STACK Takeoff & Estimate is a browser-based platform with takeoff, estimates, proposals, items, assemblies, collaboration, and optional integrations. Its cloud delivery may suit distributed teams that want named-user access without managing a traditional desktop installation.
On October 5, 2026, STACK’s pricing page listed Premium at US$299 and Pro at US$349 per user per month, billed annually. Premium includes AI Takeoffs and STACK IQ. Aerial Image Takeoff and ERP connectors are listed as add-ons.
Ask STACK to demonstrate your fireproofing requirements. Check thickness selection, listed-design mapping, material data, and any setup work your team would need.
Best fit: Teams prioritizing browser access, collaboration, and a broad takeoff and estimating platform, while retaining responsibility for fireproofing-specific configuration and review.
Evaluate carefully: Ask STACK to demonstrate your structural-member workflow and identify which fireproofing data, assemblies, and calculations are included versus customer-created. Obtain pricing for every required AI feature and integration.
6. Bluebeam Revu: Measurement and PDF Workflow With Separate Estimating
Bluebeam Revu is not a fireproofing estimating database. It is a widely configurable PDF measurement, markup, comparison, and collaboration product that can support takeoff when a contractor prefers to keep pricing in Excel or another estimating system. Bluebeam's Core plan includes perimeter, count, angle, and volume measurements. Complete adds Dynamic Fill, advanced reporting, and Quantity Link with Microsoft Excel.
Bluebeam currently lists Basics at $260, Core at $330, and Complete at $440 per user per year. Max is listed at an introductory $590 per user per year. For fireproofing use, Core or Complete may provide the relevant measurement tools, but the contractor must create and maintain the fireproofing classification, listed-design, thickness, production, waste, and pricing logic outside Bluebeam or through customized markup data and spreadsheets.
Best fit: Contractors wanting strong PDF measurement and review tools while intentionally keeping the estimate in Excel or another established cost system.
Evaluate carefully: Confirm which measurements, custom columns, reports, and Excel links are required. Treat Bluebeam as a component of the estimating workflow, not as a fireproofing-specific estimating database.
Fireproofing Software Comparison
| Product | Published workflow | Published pricing (review dates below) | Primary evaluation question |
|---|---|---|---|
| BuzzBID FireShield | Integrated fireproofing takeoff, calculations, estimating, and reports | $300 monthly or $2,450 annually | Does it support your exact systems, listed designs, reports, and data-migration needs? |
| The EDGE | Fireproofing-specific takeoff and estimating with UL, steel, manufacturer, and spray-chart data | Contact vendor | What is included in the database, implementation, deployment, and renewal quote? |
| On-Screen Takeoff + Quick Bid | Configurable takeoff paired with estimating and cost databases | Contact vendor | How will current OST and Quick Bid licensing, compatibility, and migration affect your workflow? |
| PlanSwift | Configurable Windows takeoff and estimating with AI-assisted first-pass tools | Essential $2,000/year; Core $3,000/year for one seat | How much fireproofing-specific setup and data maintenance will your team own? |
| STACK | Cloud takeoff and estimating; AI Takeoffs in paid plans, with selected integrations and aerial takeoff priced separately | Premium US$299/user/month; Pro US$349/user/month, billed annually (checked October 5, 2026) | Which fireproofing data and AI functions are included, configured, or separately priced? |
| Bluebeam Revu | PDF measurement, markup, review, and Excel-connected takeoff support | Basics $260; Core $330; Complete $440 per user/year | Which external system will supply fireproofing logic, cost data, and final estimating? |
Prices were reviewed on September 4, 2026, except STACK pricing, which was checked on October 5, 2026. Taxes, setup, training, add-ons, integrations, and contract terms can change the total. Confirm current prices with each vendor.
Why Beam AI Is Not in This Fireproofing Ranking
Beam AI is a legitimate AI takeoff and estimating platform with do-it-yourself, done-for-you, and enterprise offerings. Its public pricing page currently lists DIY service for HVAC, plumbing, and steel and broader done-for-you service priced by trade and volume. The official materials reviewed for this article did not specifically identify structural fireproofing as a supported trade or document fireproofing-specific listed-design and thickness workflows.
For that reason, Beam AI is not ranked as a confirmed fireproofing estimating option here. A fireproofing contractor may still ask Beam AI to demonstrate the required scope. If the vendor supports it, obtain written documentation of deliverables, review procedures, turnaround, corrections, pricing, data handling, and responsibility for interpreting plans and specifications.
How to Evaluate Fireproofing Estimating Software
Use the same representative bid for each demonstration. Include plans with multiple structural-member types, applicable specifications, addenda, and more than one protective system if that reflects your work. Ask each vendor to complete or demonstrate the following:
- Import the complete drawing set and establish scale.
- Identify and measure the relevant structural members and surfaces.
- Associate takeoff with the required systems, ratings, listed designs, and thickness inputs.
- Calculate quantities using your chosen products and project assumptions.
- Apply your labor, equipment, waste, productivity, overhead, and markup logic.
- Revise the takeoff after a representative addendum.
- Produce the estimate, proposal, and field or inspection reports your team uses.
- Export the data in a usable format and explain how backups, access, and ownership work.
Record the corrections and manual steps. A short demonstration on a clean sheet may not reveal how the system handles incomplete details, conflicting notes, poor scans, unusual members, multiple scales, or revised specifications.
How Do You Estimate a Fireproofing Job?
A qualified estimator typically reviews the drawings and specifications, identifies the protected members and systems, determines the applicable project requirements, performs takeoff, calculates material and labor quantities, accounts for equipment and project conditions, and prepares a proposal with assumptions and exclusions. The exact process varies by system, manufacturer, listed design, substrate, required rating, installation method, site conditions, and contractor practice.
Software can reduce repetitive measurement and calculation work, but it should not make unreviewed code, engineering, product-selection, or compliance decisions. Verify current listed designs and manufacturer requirements from authoritative sources. Have qualified personnel review scope, scale, quantities, specifications, addenda, exclusions, and pricing before submitting a bid.
When an Existing System May Still Be the Right Choice
Replacing estimating software has a real cost. Staying with The EDGE, On-Screen Takeoff with Quick Bid, PlanSwift, STACK, or Bluebeam may be reasonable when the current system reliably produces reviewable estimates and the value of existing databases, templates, integrations, and trained users exceeds the expected benefit of changing.
Before switching, inventory the information that must move, including items, assemblies, labor rates, material prices, production assumptions, customer-specific conditions, completed estimates, reports, and user permissions. Run the old and new systems in parallel on representative work until the team understands material differences in output.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does fireproofing estimating software cost?
Fireproofing software costs vary by product, user count, and contract. BuzzBID lists FireShield at $300 per month or $2,450 per year. Use the comparison table above for other published examples. Ask each vendor for the total first-year and renewal cost, including setup, training, add-ons, integrations, and data conversion.
Do fireproofing estimating products include UL design data?
BuzzBID and The EDGE publish fireproofing features involving UL design information. Do not assume that every design, product, thickness rule, or revision is included or automatically updated. Ask the vendor to demonstrate the exact designs used by your company and explain the source, update process, and estimator-review responsibility. General platforms such as PlanSwift, STACK, and Bluebeam may require customer-created data or a separate authoritative reference.
Can software determine the correct fireproofing thickness automatically?
Some fireproofing-specific products can calculate thickness after users select or map the required inputs. The result is only as reliable as the selected design, product data, member geometry, rating, and project information. Confirm the current listed design and manufacturer requirements, and have a qualified person review the result.
Does fireproofing estimating software integrate with accounting systems?
Integration varies by vendor, product tier, accounting platform, and implementation. Do not rely on a general statement that “most products integrate.” Ask each vendor to identify the exact supported connection, data direction, fields transferred, synchronization method, additional fee, and responsibility for resolving errors. A CSV or Excel export is not the same as a live accounting integration.
Which fireproofing estimating software is most accurate?
No product has established universal accuracy across all fireproofing plans, systems, and estimate types through a common independent benchmark reviewed for this article. Accuracy depends on drawing quality, scope interpretation, configuration, source data, and estimator review. Test shortlisted products on the same completed bid and compare quantities, corrections, omissions, calculation logic, and final cost.
The Bottom Line
BuzzBID FireShield is our first choice for commercial structural-fireproofing teams that want takeoff and estimating in one application. The EDGE also publishes fireproofing-specific tools. Existing OST and Quick Bid users should weigh the cost of moving their data and workflows.
PlanSwift offers desktop customization. STACK offers browser access. Bluebeam Revu can handle measurement while another system handles pricing.
The ranking should narrow the field, not replace due diligence. Ask each vendor to work through the same representative bid, verify current pricing and licensing in writing, and document the manual corrections and external systems required before making a purchase decision.
Contact the BuzzBID team to arrange a FireShield demonstration using a plan set representative of your work.
Competitor and trademark disclosure: BuzzBID is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Estimating Edge, Foundation Software, ConstructConnect, On Center Software, PlanSwift, STACK Construction Technologies, Bluebeam, Beam AI, UL Solutions, or their respective affiliates. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners and are used solely for identification and comparative discussion. Competitor descriptions and public pricing are based on vendor information reviewed on September 4, 2026 and may change. This article is general informational and marketing content, not legal, engineering, code-compliance, accounting, or estimating advice.
Update note: The On-Screen Takeoff sign-in summary and STACK pricing and plan details were checked on October 5, 2026.
