A new utility takeoff tool is helping site contractors produce more reliable material estimates and protect profitability on lump-sum bids. InSite Software has released TrenchVision 3D, a utility takeoff capability now included in its Elevation Pro platform.

The tool is designed to help contractors generate more accurate utility quantities, reduce estimating risk, and improve confidence when bidding on underground work.

Excavation depth can significantly affect job costs. Digging a trench twelve feet deep on uneven terrain requires far more time, labor, equipment, and shoring than areas where excavation reaches only three feet. Those deeper sections can quickly drive up costs over the life of a project, making accurate takeoffs critical to maintaining profitability.

Utility takeoffs can also be difficult to verify when plan sheets and subsurface data originate from multiple sources. TrenchVision 3D addresses that challenge by combining those inputs into a single environment with interactive 3D visualization. Estimators can review trench conditions, validate quantities, and identify potential issues earlier in the bid process.

ACCURACY IN UTILITY TAKEOFFS

TrenchVision 3D is integrated into Elevation Pro, InSite Software’s takeoff platform used by contractors estimating earthwork, grading, and underground infrastructure. The platform consolidates PDFs, CAD drawings, survey data, and drone data into a unified takeoff workflow, helping reduce rework and improve consistency across project documents.

“The difference between winning and losing a bid often comes down to speed, accuracy, and confidence in the numbers,” says Steve Warfle, CEO of InSite Software. “Elevation Pro gives estimators a single place to review their data, validate quantities, and prepare bids with greater clarity.”

SOLID-MODELED UTILITY QUANTITIES

TrenchVision 3D uses solid modeling to calculate excavation and backfill quantities for a variety of utility installations, including water main, gas, electric, duct banks, and stormwater systems. The system accounts for changing trench depths common in gravity-based designs and automatically updates quantities as trench conditions change.

The result is a clear 3D representation of excavation, backfill, pipe, and structure dimensions, giving contractors greater visibility into the scope of work during takeoff.

Key capabilities include:

  • Flexible trench configurations – Supports multiple trench shapes and multiple pipes within a single trench.
  • Multi-document alignment – Aligns utility drawings with grading and earthwork plans for improved accuracy.
  • Collision detection – Identifies potential conflicts between utilities before construction begins.
  • Excavation by strata – Calculates excavation quantities by subsurface material that may affect production rates.
  • Clear reporting – Generates reports with graphics that communicate scope and quantities.

“In utility work, even small quantity errors can become costly,” Warfle says. “TrenchVision 3D helps contractors reduce uncertainty and deliver takeoffs that are easier to verify and defend.”

BUILT FOR SITE CONTRACTORS

By combining earthwork takeoff, utility estimating, and multi-source data integration in a single platform, Elevation Pro is designed to provide site contractors with practical tools to prepare accurate bids and manage project risk.

“Our focus is on making takeoff faster, more accurate, and easier to verify,” Warfle adds. “When contractors spend less time fighting software, they can spend more time evaluating projects and building better bids.”

for more information

InSite Software develops takeoff solutions for grading contractors, civil estimators, general contractors, and preconstruction teams. For more, visit www.insitesoftware.com.