Forma for Preconstruction Product details
Centralised document management
Distribute the latest drawings and models with robust version controls and keep estimating teams in sync from one trusted source with Forma Data Management.
2D takeoff
Perform linear, count or area takeoff with multiple quantity outputs and use custom formulas to generate complex quantities. For additional time savings, leverage symbol detection for bulk counts, and easily move takeoffs across drawing versions.
3D takeoff
Access quantities directly from BIM models for increased time savings and visualise projects in 3D to better understand design intent and project complexities.
Aggregated inventory
Break down silos with an integrated 2D and 3D quantification inventory. Aggregated 2D and 3D quantities can be rolled up by classification, takeoff type, document and location. Streamlined navigation improves efficiency in the quantity audit workflow, while in-line editing capabilities accelerate data updates.
Carbon accounting
Track embodied carbon and better understand its impact on your project. Embed basic embodied carbon information into your takeoff to visualise the environmental impact of your project across various milestones. This feature is in beta and is available to all Forma Takeoff users.
Snapshots and robust comparison
Snapshots help preserve essential information, including sheets and models along with associated takeoffs and inventory at a given moment in time. Compare existing snapshots to the active takeoff in progress. The comparison is done both visually, by overlapping takeoffs, as well as in the inventory panel.
Cloud-based estimating
Keep teams aligned and data accurate with centralised document management, robust version control and cloud-based estimating. Share, organise and collaborate in real time to help reduce errors and improve efficiency when creating and managing estimates anytime, anywhere with a secure, cloud-based solution.
Connected takeoff quantities
Link 2D and 3D takeoff quantities directly to estimates for faster, more accurate pricing. As documents and takeoff evolve, stay connected to takeoff quantities and quickly update your estimates without manually tracking changes.
Cost calculations
Price line items by calculating all direct and indirect costs – materials, labour, equipment and more, all in one place. The detailed cost view allows you to adjust information directly within the estimate sheet, while formulas enable fine-tuning of waste factors, rounding and productivity for greater accuracy.
Centralised cost library
A customisable, account-level cost library centralises pricing, including labour rates, equipment costs and material pricing, so teams always work from accurate, up‑to‑date information as market conditions change. Create crews by combining labour and equipment for consistent and reliable estimating across every project.
Cost mark-ups
Easily apply cost mark-ups to calculate the total project cost, accounting for general conditions, overhead, indirect costs and reserves. Cost mark-ups give teams a clearer view of true project expenses by layering in factors that can affect profitability.
Structured data organisation
Sort and organise estimating data by key attributes and use search, filters and groupings to drill down for detailed insights. Generate and save estimating reports for better team visibility and to create winning proposals.
Online bid board
Keep all your bids organised and streamlined. Get a real-time look at where each bid stands at every stage. View all bid invites across your entire office or division from one place. Track project files, job walks, due dates and more. Know what needs to be done, who’s responsible for it and when it’s due.
Bid calendar
Keep everyone in the loop with one shared team calendar that's synced to all your devices to stay on top of important due dates.
Automated bid tracking
Group the same jobs from different GCs together for easier tracking. Access all your GC company contacts from your bid board to view who works where, see what they do and access their contact info. Avoid manual bid consolidation by forwarding bids from any source, automatically populating your bid board.
Find additional GCs bidding
Automatically discover more GCs (other than those that have already invited you) that are offering the projects you want to win.
Plan Room
Discover new jobs across North America posted publicly by GCs in BuildingConnected and add them directly to your bid board to start bidding. Find new work with access to publicly posted projects. Filter opportunities, view details, join bids and track everything in your bid board.
Analytics and reports
Get the answers you need to win the work you want. Check win rates, track team performance and see how your business is doing so that you can make informed business decisions with a full suite of bid analytics tools.
Custom qualification
Personalise TradeTapp with custom questionnaires, internal limits, financial ratio calculations and approval workflows. With project-specific assessments, enter the details for each project to identify specific risks and where additional mitigation tactics are needed.
Optimised organisation
Automate invitations, follow-ups and renewal requests to sub-contractors and easily organise information as soon as you receive it. Improve internal collaboration by centralising reviews and communicating qualification statuses.
Vendor management
Discover and invite qualified subs from a growing network of partners to reduce risk and help ensure that you are working with the best. Tap into the largest crowdsourced network to qualify sub-contractors for the right jobs. Compare financial health and expand your partnerships with an ever-growing pool of vetted trades.
Risk-mitigation recommendations
Protect your bottom line with automated risk analysis and mitigation tips that are customised for your subs and projects. Advanced risk profiles enable a streamlined process and offer financial benchmarking, key metric calculations, capacity recommendations and safety performance history.
BuildingConnected + TradeTapp
Automatically sync TradeTapp qualification data into BuildingConnected Pro to ensure that you invite the right subs. Search by status when bidding, keep estimators working in one place, and even start the prequalification process directly from your BuildingConnected account.
Cost Management integration
Access supplier qualification and risk profile data directly within Cost Management in Forma Build without switching between systems.
Organised project data
Teams know exactly where to go for specs, sheets, drawings and models. Project information is organised in one place, so everyone works from the same source across teams and disciplines. Forma Data Management supports consistent access to project data throughout the project lifecycle.
Reviews and approvals
Clear, repeatable processes simplify reviews. Teams collect feedback and sign-off on drawings, models and other project data through structured review workflows tied to specific versions. Reviews can be set to start automatically when files are shared or updated, reducing manual work and keeping approvals traceable.
Version control
Project information changes throughout delivery, and differences need to be clear. Version control and visual comparisons make it easy to see updates across drawings, models and other project files, helping the project move forward without guessing or overlooking critical changes.
Connected project workflows
Drawings, sheets, models and files are often needed to answer questions during project execution. Connect project data directly to RFIs, issues, cost and field workflows, so discussions and decisions are based on the right information.
Desktop to cloud collaboration
Connect desktop design tools to a centralised project workspace to keep files accessible and up to date. Work in familiar authoring environments while project data is managed in the cloud, supporting smoother file access, version tracking and continuity between desktop and connected workflows.
Controlled project data sharing
Preserve control, context and clarity as project data is shared across phases and stakeholders. Data stays connected, up to date and organised as it moves between teams, with capabilities such as Bridge supporting controlled sharing across projects and hubs.
Included products
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