Blogs | General | Groundplan

Spreadsheets vs Estimating Software: When It's Time to Switch

Still estimating in Excel? Compare spreadsheets with estimating software and find out when it makes sense to upgrade your process.

Brad Halcrow

July 17, 2026

General

Episode 5: How Groundplan brings remote teams together

Despite the distance, he remains the central point of contact for all things estimating, project management and documentation.

Brad Halcrow

July 3, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 4: Getting the Project Manager onboard

In episode 4 of our 5-Part series we asked Brent how he’s incorporating the project manager into the process so that the above walkthroughs from site can be clearly documented back to the office and vice versa.

Brad Halcrow

July 1, 2026

Case Studies

Construction Quotes That Win More Jobs: Templates, Tips and Best Practices

This guide covers what a winning construction quoting template includes, how to choose the right format for the job and how to price without undercutting yourself.

Brad Halcrow

June 30, 2026

General

Episode 3: Documentation for the builder

In this episode, Brent walks us through the process for tracking changes on site and how it benefits all future trades.

Brad Halcrow

June 29, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 2: From Tendering to Walk Through Stage

In episode 2, Brent reveals how he manages project revisions to help project managers understand the project’s history.

Brad Halcrow

June 26, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 1: Keeping Your Projects Organised

In this five-part series, Brent Drew from Modern Vision Contractors has been generous enough to show us exactly how he estimates projects 1000 km's from head office.

Brad Halcrow

June 25, 2026

Case Studies

Markup vs Margin: The Guide Every Contractor Needs to Read

Markup is what you add to cost, but margin is the amount you keep in terms of revenue. The gap between them can lead to the annual profit quietly disappearing.

Brad Halcrow

June 10, 2026

General

The Complete Guide to Electrical Estimating: Best Practices for Sparkies

In this guide, we cover the best ways to estimate electrical jobs accurately in the Australian market.

Brad Halcrow

June 4, 2026

General

Become a Groundplan Superuser!

Join our Trainer for a FREE 5 part Groundplan training series to speed up your takeoff process and become a Groundplan superuser.

Groundplan

August 12, 2020

Training

The Apprentice Dilemma: How to Retain Talent in the Trades Industry

Hiring apprentices is a smart move for any trade business, but keeping them on board after investing in their training is crucial. By focusing on retention, you can really get the most out of your investment and avoid the headache - and costs - of losing a skilled apprentice.

Natalie Bogdanski

September 3, 2024

General

How to Craft a Winning Construction Bid

To boost your chances of crafting a winning construction bid, it's essential to plan meticulously, know the project inside and out, and implement systems that ensure accurate estimates.

Natalie Bogdanski

August 14, 2024

General

Essential Financial Skills Every Trade Business Owner Should Master

Financial management is crucial for ensuring that your business remains profitable and sustainable. Here are essential financial skills every trade business owner should master.

Natalie Bogdanski

July 3, 2024

General

6 Essential Work-Life Balance Tips for Trades Industry Workers to Avoid Burnout

Finding that sweet spot between work and play is crucial to avoid burnout and keep businesses thriving. Here are some effective tips for people working in the trades industry to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Natalie Bogdanski

June 5, 2024

General

What’s the Difference Between the Residential vs. Commercial Plumbing Quoting Process?

Accurate plumbing quotes are the backbone of any commercial or residential plumbing gig. But when it comes to residential and commercial plumbing quotes, both processes are very different.

Natalie Bogdanski

May 23, 2024

General

Exactly How Does Switching from Paper Takeoffs to Software Save Me Time?

Switching to takeoff software can seem daunting, especially if you’re already winning jobs or don’t consider yourself a very “techy” type of person. But the rewards are sure to outweigh any qualms you may have about going digital.

Natalie Bogdanski

April 24, 2024

General

Six Significant Updates That Will Improve Your Groundplan Workflow

We’ve been rolling out features at an increasing pace recently. Here are some highlights including Curves for Lengths & Areas and Count Labelling.

Brad Halcrow

October 19, 2023

General

March Groundplan Updates & New Features

The development team at Groundplan has been busy doing what they do best: improving the usability and performance of the software.

Brad Halcrow

March 30, 2023

General

The Groundplan Ascora Webinar Recording Has Been Released

Watch as Groundplan's Trade Expert Craig Pearman and Ascora's founder, Courtney Smith demonstrate the power of the seamless workflow from initial takeoff to final invoice.

Brad Halcrow

March 16, 2023

General

Episode 5: How Groundplan brings remote teams together

Despite the distance, he remains the central point of contact for all things estimating, project management and documentation.

Brad Halcrow

July 3, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 4: Getting the Project Manager onboard

Brad Halcrow

July 1, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 3: Documentation for the builder

In this episode, Brent walks us through the process for tracking changes on site and how it benefits all future trades.

Brad Halcrow

June 29, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 2: From Tendering to Walk Through Stage

In episode 2, Brent reveals how he manages project revisions to help project managers understand the project’s history.

Brad Halcrow

June 26, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 1: Keeping Your Projects Organised

In this five-part series, Brent Drew from Modern Vision Contractors has been generous enough to show us exactly how he estimates projects 1000 km's from head office.

Brad Halcrow

June 25, 2026

Case Studies

When day spills into night, something’s gotta give

Building a serious electrical business and spending time with the family can potentially conflict, until you put the right infrastructure in place.

Brad Halcrow

May 29, 2026

Case Studies

How J-Tech Systems Supercharged Estimating and Quoting

Scaling a business in the trades isn’t just about winning more projects—it’s about smart decisions & smart systems. Enter Groundplan & Simpro.

Brad Halcrow

May 18, 2026

Case Studies

Profit Visibility: The Key to Keeping Cool

The end of a project should be cause for celebration. Instead, one significant question often remains unanswered even after all those weeks of physical labor: "Did I actually make money on this job?"

Brad Halcrow

March 31, 2026

Case Studies

The Ultimate Toolkit for an Electrical Business to Thrive

No integration is more popular than our connection to Simpro. But how does it actually benefit your workflow?

Spreadsheets vs Estimating Software: When It's Time to Switch

Still estimating in Excel? Compare spreadsheets with estimating software and find out when it makes sense to upgrade your process.

Brad Halcrow

July 17, 2026

General

Construction Quotes That Win More Jobs: Templates, Tips and Best Practices

This guide covers what a winning construction quoting template includes, how to choose the right format for the job and how to price without undercutting yourself.

Brad Halcrow

June 30, 2026

General

Markup vs Margin: The Guide Every Contractor Needs to Read

Markup is what you add to cost, but margin is the amount you keep in terms of revenue. The gap between them can lead to the annual profit quietly disappearing.

Brad Halcrow

June 10, 2026

General

The Complete Guide to Electrical Estimating: Best Practices for Sparkies

In this guide, we cover the best ways to estimate electrical jobs accurately in the Australian market.

Brad Halcrow

June 4, 2026

General

Two Big Improvements to the Groundplan Fergus Integration

Thanks to an API update by Fergus, we’re able to bring some significant improvements to the Groundplan Fergus integration.

Brad Halcrow

March 9, 2026

General

The New Plan Editor - Everything In Its Right Place

We want everyone to enjoy the new editor's benefits. On 23 June, everyone will be switched to the new editor by default.

Brad Halcrow

June 10, 2025

General

Bridge Communication Between the Office and the Field with Comments

As your project progresses, even as it is nearing completion, Groundplan allows your staff on-site to leave comments on specific locations of the plan.

Brad Halcrow

April 14, 2025

General