Excel is free. But your time isn't. CivBid imports your ITB PDF, extracts every line item, and prices it from your history — in minutes, not hours. Try it free, no signup required.
Upload a Bid PDF — See It Work →| Feature | Excel / Spreadsheets | CivBid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $0 (Microsoft 365) or free (Google Sheets) | Free (3 bids) / $99/mo Standard / $149/mo Pro |
| Civil-specific? | Generic | Purpose-built for excavation, grading, utilities, paving |
| ITB PDF import | Manual copy-paste | AI extracts every line item automatically |
| Historical pricing memory | Dig through old files | Catalog suggests your past prices by item |
| Bid feed (opportunities) | Check sites manually | ITBs delivered to your inbox |
| Bid number tracking | DIY naming system | Auto-generated bid numbers with year sequence |
| PDF quote output | Build your own template | Professional bid PDF generated automatically |
| Equipment cost calculator | Formula gymnastics | Built-in hourly rate calculator (ownership + operating) |
| Try before you buy | Always free | Upload a bid, see results — no account needed |
| Training required | Some | None |
| Works on mobile | Sort of | Yes |
Every civil bid starts the same way: open the ITB PDF, type 50-200 line items into your spreadsheet. CivBid reads the PDF and does that for you. Every item number, description, quantity, and unit — extracted automatically. You review, adjust pricing, and move on.
In Excel, your historical prices live in last quarter's file buried in a folder. In CivBid, every bid you price builds a catalog. Next time that item shows up, CivBid suggests your last price. Your institutional knowledge — in the software, not your head.
How many times have you opened an old spreadsheet only to find broken formulas, wrong rates, or columns that no longer make sense? CivBid is software — updates happen automatically, calculations always work, nothing breaks.
Start free with 3 bids, then $99/mo. You can see that on our pricing page right now, no demo required. Try it with a real bid before you pay a cent.
If you're bidding 1-2 jobs per month and have time to spare, Excel is fine. If you're bidding 5-10+/month and losing time that should go to project work, CivBid pays for itself in the first bid.
Upload any ITB PDF — we'll extract the line items, pull your catalog pricing, and show you a priced bid ready for review. No credit card. No account. Just your PDF and 5 minutes.
Try It Free →