Access ConQuest helped Midlands-based civil engineering company M Lambe save money and time with their easy-to-use estimating software
Founded in 1983, M Lambe Construction has grown into one of the leading civil engineering firms in the Midlands, ConQuest estimating software has helped with projects ranging from essential infrastructure to new build projects with 700+ homes.
With a focus on earthworks, foundations, highway construction and substructures, M Lambe has won multiple awards and continues to increase its reach to projects across the West and East Midlands.
From confusion with Excel to clarity with Access ConQuest
Before moving to the ConQuest estimating software, M Lambe calculated their bills of quantities on legacy spreadsheets built on Excel. This system was labour-intensive, repetitive and prone to human error.
ConQuest, suited to civil engineering projects with its extensive library of over 10m priced items, including industry-tested constants and outputs for all types of civil work, was implemented across the firm to help streamline the estimating process. ConQuest’s take-off module also allowed the firm to produce its own bill of quantities directly from CAD and PDF files.
Guy Bainbridge, estimating manager at M Lambe, explained how moving from static Excel spreadsheets to ConQuest’s more dynamic system has given the estimating process clarity at M Lambe.
“Having libraries of rates means you can markup materials individually rather than across the job – it gives us ownership and clarity, so we know exactly what we’ve got at every step of the project,” said Guy Bainbridge, estimating manager at M Lambe.
Bid structuring made simple with Access ConQuest
ConQuest’s ease of use and visibility has provided many advantages to M Lambe. With every bill and rate visible across the estimating, management and finance teams, every team member is now accountable for their role within a project.
100% clarity on costs, output, build-ups and resources on ConQuest has provided a myriad of benefits to the costing and bid process that an Excel spreadsheet can’t provide, meaning the M Lambe team can quote with complete confidence.
Guy Bainbridge explained how estimates are built using stored items, working from existing templates and selecting items from ConQuest’s vast library of costed items – from foundations to roofing. He also highlighted how ConQuest is very simple for rework and design changes, saving time and improving client relationships.
“It’s great that we can produce a bill, and then if something goes up at the last minute, we can change our library rate, and that will update on the bill – whereas, in the old days when you had to use Excel, we would have to redo the bill,” added Bainbridge.
Costing projects quickly with Access ConQuest
One of the leading benefits of Access ConQuest is the collaboration and speed enabled by the solution. ConQuest allows users to pull from pre-populated templates, edit historical data from previous projects and section out costings for each team member to work collaboratively on a single project.
M Lambe’s team of estimators can now work leaner and smarter in order to produce – and win – more bids for upcoming schemes in the Midlands. Trainees within the business quickly adapt to ConQuest estimating software and can fill out quotes using stored items or copying existing bills – meaning more time can be spent on value-added work within the estimating team.
Guy Bainbridge explained the benefits of how bids built on ConQuest provide speed and transparency that can’t be achieved on Excel.
Smooth implementation and customer training from The Access Group
At Access Construction, we are proud of both our products and the support we provide to our 1,000+ clients in the construction sector.
M Lambe has been using ConQuest for over 15 years, and we have supported them throughout their journey and growth, including opening a new office in Derby to expand their reach across the East Midlands.
Our training days, customised to the specific needs of each client and user, are “brilliant”, according to Guy Bainbridge, and our helpline support is “always really helpful – whenever we phone, which isn’t often”.
The software itself is simple to implement alongside existing systems. Ben Chambers, IT manager at M Lambe, says the software has given systems at M Lambe “no issues at all” with years of use.
Ready to see Access ConQuest estimating software in action?
Our industry-leading estimating software has helped over 1,000 construction businesses in the UK supercharge their estimating efforts with unbeatable visibility, accuracy and control.
Find out more and book a free demo by clicking here or search “Access ConQuest” online.
Alex Gillham
Digital Content Manager
The Access Group
Tel +44 0845 345 3300
carol.massay@theaccessgroup.com
*please note: this is a commercial profile
