Built for carpenters, foremen & estimators.

Construction.
Stupid Simple.

Free estimating, layout, and takeoff tools for commercial construction. Practical training and Field Notes, built around the work.

Built by James Ferrentino, a working commercial carpenter and estimator.

ONE OF BIDSIMP’S FREE TOOLSACT Ceiling CalculatorTurn ceiling dimensions into a material list.
Actual calculator output for a fictional 1,256 square-foot ceiling: panels, grid and wall molding, with 10% waste.

A fictional example: 1,256 SF, 160 LF perimeter, 2′ × 2′ panels, 10% waste.

Construction Judgment from the Field to the Business

A self-guided construction course built around the decisions that shape the work, the job, and the business.

  • 8 Modules
  • Field Decisions
  • Self-Guided
  • Final Assessment
  • Certificate of Completion

$9.99One-time purchase

Explore the Course

THE COURSE AT A GLANCE

8 self-guided
modules

  • Field Decisions
  • Optional Thinking Exercises
  • Final Assessment
  • Certificate of Completion

WORK

From the plans to the material list.

BLUEPRINT TAKEOFF

Take the work
off the plans.

Measure walls, ceilings, and blocking directly from your plans. Turn takeoffs into material quantities and Projects.

Framing · Drywall · Insulation
ACT · Drywall Grid · Blocking

Open Blueprint Takeoff

Open a PDF. Measure the work. Get the output.

Blueprint Takeoff showing highlighted walls and ceiling areas on a commercial floor plan, with measured quantities in the right panel

From blueprint to material list

TAKEOFFMeasure directly from the plan
PROJECTSend takeoffs into your project
MATERIAL LISTGenerate supplier-ready quantities

SIX TRADES. SAME PRACTICAL APPROACH.

Know what to order.

Use each calculator on its own, or bring your takeoffs together in Projects.

2 / FIELD LESSONS

BidSimp Field Lessons

Expand your knowledge. Read in order, pass short checks, complete three practice rounds, then unlock the final quiz and a shareable completion badge.

Paperback cover of Welcome to Construction, Apprentice by James Ferrentino.

A book by James Ferrentino

Welcome to Construction, Apprentice

Real jobsite stories and practical advice for the next generation of construction professionals.

Explore the Book

3 / FIELD NOTES

Lessons from the work.

These Field Notes are where I share the lessons, shortcuts, and judgment I've picked up from building, pricing, and managing real construction jobs.

BidSimp Field Notes podcast cover PODCASTBIDSIMP FIELD NOTES · EPISODE 9 How Do You Know When You're Ready for the Next Step in Construction? Listen to Episode 9 of the BidSimp Field Notes podcast, built from the matching written Field Note. Listen to the podcast

4 / TOOL REVIEWS

Tools that earned a spot in my bag.

Field-used reviews of tools I actually work with, including what I like, what I don't, and where each one makes sense on a real job.

See All Tool Reviews

5 / TRAINING + ARCADE

Learn it. Then beat your score.

Practice real construction skills without the pressure, then switch over to arcade rules when you want the clock, the streak, and the leaderboard.

PROJECTSTakeoffs, materials, and pricing in one job BidSimp Projects page showing takeoffs, combined materials, and a price buildup for an office renovation

6 / PROJECTS

Keep the takeoff together.

Build the estimate one calculator at a time, combine the material lists, and carry the job into pricing when you are ready.

7 / LAYOUT

See the layout before you mark the wall.

Center the room, compare border cuts, choose your runner direction, and get a visual starting layout instead of trying to picture it in your head.

MORE TOOLS

Layout, Field & Pricing Tools

Specialized helpers for drawing, layout, field capture and price buildup.

TRAINING

Training Tools

Build speed, accuracy and construction problem-solving skills.

ARCADE

BidSimp Arcade

Construction skills. Arcade rules. Chase the high score.

LEARN

Lessons

Learn the method, then work through it step by step.

CHECKLISTS

Takeoff Checklists

Explore All Resources
Built to stay open while you estimate. Blueprints on one screen. BidSimp on the other.

EXPLORE BIDSIMP

Everything in one place.

Construction estimating, layout, field and training tools built for quick answers. Choose what you need and get back to the work. No account required.

Browse Field Notes More lessons from real construction work
Help make BidSimp better.Something missing, confusing, or just plain wrong? Tell us.