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Construction · head to head

B2W Estimate vs Tekla Structures

B2W Estimate logo

B2W Estimate

Construction

Heavy civil estimating and bidding built on crew, equipment and production rates rather than unit prices

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tekla Structures logo

Tekla Structures

Construction

BIM software for structural engineering and construction

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: B2W Estimate pricing is not published anywhere, and the quote depends on estimator seats plus which of the four other B2W modules you take, so like-for-like comparison with HeavyBid or spreadsheets is impossible without going through a sales cycle; Tekla Structures no specific pricing published; three subscription options available but require sales contact
  • They diverge on capability: B2W Estimate covers Production-rate estimating, Tekla Structures covers 3D structural modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which B2W Estimate and Tekla Structures actually diverge.

Attributes where B2W Estimate and Tekla Structures differ
AttributeB2W EstimateTekla Structures
Starting priceOn request$400/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWindows, WebWindows
FoundedUnknown1978

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in B2W Estimate

  • Production-rate estimating
  • Central resource database
  • Concurrent bidding
  • DOT bid file export
  • Alternates and addenda
  • Field feedback loop
  • Bid analysis

Only in Tekla Structures

  • 3D structural modeling
  • Steel detailing
  • Concrete detailing
  • Drawing production
  • Fabrication support
  • Trimble Connect
  • Revit
  • AutoCAD

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

B2W Estimate

  • A grading contractor bids a 40 million dollar DOT job and needs to test three crew configurations against the same quantities before the bid deadlinenot Tekla Structures
  • A utility contractor wants the production rates used in the winning bid pushed into field logging so the superintendent is measured against the estimatenot Tekla Structures
  • An estimating department with four estimators needs several people working on separate sections of one bid without merging spreadsheets by handnot Tekla Structures
  • A contractor moving off HeavyBid wants a resource database it can reuse across estimating, dispatch and fleet maintenancenot Tekla Structures

Tekla Structures

  • Structural designnot B2W Estimate
  • Steel detailingnot B2W Estimate
  • Rebar detailingnot B2W Estimate
  • Fabrication managementnot B2W Estimate

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

B2W Estimate

  • Pricing is not published anywhere, and the quote depends on estimator seats plus which of the four other B2W modules you take, so like-for-like comparison with HeavyBid or spreadsheets is impossible without going through a sales cycle
  • The system is worthless until your own crews, equipment and production rates are loaded, which is typically several months of a senior estimator's time before the first bid comes out
  • It is aimed squarely at heavy civil self-performing work, so a general contractor whose bids are mostly subcontractor quotes gets very little from the production-rate engine
  • The Trimble acquisition means the product now competes internally with other Trimble civil estimating assets, and buyers should ask directly about the long term roadmap for overlapping products before signing a multi-year term
  • Reporting outside the Inform module is limited, so organisations that want bid analytics across years typically end up buying another module or extracting to a warehouse

Tekla Structures

  • No specific pricing published; three subscription options available but require sales contact
  • Flexible licensing that adjusts as company develops and grows, but specific rates not disclosed

Pricing, plan by plan

B2W Estimate

On request
  • B2W Estimate$undefined/year
    • Priced per estimator seat with a separate server or hosting component
    • Additional B2W modules quoted separately
    • Implementation and resource database setup billed as a project

Tekla Structures

$400/month
  • Tekla Structures$400/month
    • 3D modeling
    • Detailing
    • Drawing production
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Multi-user
    • Advanced features
    • Custom configurations

Which should you pick?

Choose B2W Estimate if

  • You need production-rate estimating.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want central resource database.
B2W Estimate review

Choose Tekla Structures if

  • You need 3d structural modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want steel detailing.
Tekla Structures review

Questions people ask

Is B2W Estimate or Tekla Structures better?
Neither clearly leads. B2W Estimate starts at On request and Tekla Structures at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, B2W Estimate or Tekla Structures?
B2W Estimate starts at On request and Tekla Structures at $400/month.
Does B2W Estimate or Tekla Structures run on more platforms?
B2W Estimate runs on Windows, Web. Tekla Structures runs on Windows.
What is B2W Estimate best used for?
B2W Estimate is most often used for a grading contractor bids a 40 million dollar dot job and needs to test three crew configurations against the same quantities before the bid deadline, a utility contractor wants the production rates used in the winning bid pushed into field logging so the superintendent is measured against the estimate, an estimating department with four estimators needs several people working on separate sections of one bid without merging spreadsheets by hand, a contractor moving off heavybid wants a resource database it can reuse across estimating, dispatch and fleet maintenance. Of those, a grading contractor bids a 40 million dollar dot job and needs to test three crew configurations against the same quantities before the bid deadline and a utility contractor wants the production rates used in the winning bid pushed into field logging so the superintendent is measured against the estimate are not what Tekla Structures is typically brought in for.
What can B2W Estimate do that Tekla Structures cannot?
B2W Estimate covers Production-rate estimating, Central resource database, Concurrent bidding, DOT bid file export. Tekla Structures covers 3D structural modeling, Steel detailing, Concrete detailing, Drawing production.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

B2W Estimate: Is B2W Estimate still sold under its own name?

Yes. Trimble acquired B2W in 2022 and continues to sell it as B2W Estimate within the Trimble Construction portfolio.

Tekla Structures: Is there a free trial for Tekla Structures?

Yes, a 30-day free trial is available at https://download.trimble.com/tekla-structures/free-trial

Source
B2W Estimate: Is there a perpetual licence?

Current sales are subscription based. Existing perpetual customers have been migrated toward subscription, so treat a perpetual arrangement as something to negotiate rather than assume.

Tekla Structures: What subscription options are available?

Tekla Structures offers three material-independent subscription options designed for specific user needs. Each subscription includes Trimble Connect Business Premium and Tekla Model Sharing collaboration platform. Contact Tekla for specific pricing and plan details.

Source
B2W Estimate: How does it compare with HeavyBid?

Both are production-rate estimators for heavy civil. B2W's argument is the shared resource database across estimating, field tracking, dispatch and maintenance; HeavyBid's is depth of bidding features and a large installed base in highway work.

B2W Estimate: Does it work for building construction?

Poorly. It assumes self-performed work priced by crew output. Vertical builders bidding mostly subcontracted scopes should look elsewhere.

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