Since 1980, Ensign’s ductwork estimating software has been the UK’s only dedicated system, helping contractors calculate material, shop and site labour costs up to 80% faster than spreadsheets.

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THE PROBLEM
Manual ductwork estimating in spreadsheets is slow, error-prone, and risky for contractors. Every duct size, length, fitting, damper and door has to be entered by hand, which leads to duplication and missed items. Spreadsheets can’t apply DW144, DW154, TR19, or fire-rated specifications, so compliance is never guaranteed. Margins in ductwork are already tight, and even small errors in material or labour costs can turn a profitable project into a loss. Updating rates or revising an estimate also takes hours, slowing down tenders and putting contractors behind faster competitors.
THE SOLUTION
Ensign Ductwork Estimating software replaces spreadsheets with a purpose-built digital system that understands how ductwork is really priced. It calculates material, site installation, and shop manufacturing costs automatically, applying DW144, TR19, or Fire-Rated specifications where required to keep every estimate compliant.
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Contractors get labour and material breakdowns for better buying, plus powerful profit management tools to protect margins. Tender summaries and schedules of rates are produced instantly, eliminating rekeying and reducing estimating time by up to 80%. With a bespoke database set to your company’s rates, cloud access, and regular updates, Ensign gives ductwork contractors total accuracy, faster tenders, and confidence in every bid.

“Ensign is estimating made easy. It’s pretty much point-and-click. A first-class product with first-class support.”
Dan Shone,
Commercial Estimator
Cut ductwork estimating time by up to 80% compared with spreadsheets. Material, labour, and manufacturing costs are calculated automatically, so you can focus on winning work instead of rekeying data.
Powerful profit management tools and detailed labour and material breakdowns give you full visibility. Contractors negotiate better deals with suppliers and keep control of tight margins.
With compliant estimates built on DW144, TR19, and Fire-Rated specifications, plus tender-ready summaries and schedules of rates, bids are faster, more accurate, and more competitive.
Import your take-off from a PDF and generate a fully priced, profitable ductwork estimate.
Generate essential reports like tender profit summaries, material summaries, and schedules of rates, complete with your branding, all at the click of a button.
Create professional tender summaries, quantified schedules of rates, and buying reports in minutes. With Ensign, 93% of users say they’ve increased profitability, thanks to faster estimating and greater control of margins.
KEY FEATURES
Established in 1980 and now on version 65.1, Ensign is the UK’s only dedicated ductwork estimating platform — trusted by over 1,000 contractors and rated 4.9/5★ on Google.
Automatically calculate material, site installation, and shop manufacturing costs, with DW144, DW154, and Fire-Rated specifications applied where required. Every estimate reflects the true cost of delivering ductwork projects, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and consistency from the start.
Your system is tailored to your business, with databases built around your own or our industry average labour times, supplier rates, and working methods for complete accuracy.
Import quantities directly from Ensign Take-off or upload Bills of Quantities (BoQs) in minutes, avoiding manual rekeying and spreadsheet duplication.
Track overheads, labour, materials and profit margins in real time. Ensign gives contractors visibility and control — with 93% of users reporting improved profitability.
Access your estimating system securely from the office, site, or home. One-to-one training, webinars, continuous updates, and a UK-based support team keep contractors working at full speed.
TESTIMONIALS
From small firms to national contractors, ductwork estimators explain how Ensign has cut estimating time, improved accuracy, and helped them win more profitable work.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is ductwork estimating software?
Ductwork estimating software calculates material, labour, and shop costs for projects. Ensign Ductwork Estimating is the UK’s only dedicated ductwork platform, replacing spreadsheets with faster, accurate, and compliant workflows.
How does it save time on ductwork estimating?
Contractors cut estimating time by up to 80% compared with spreadsheets. Material, labour, and shop costs are calculated automatically, producing tender-ready reports in minutes.
Can it calculate shop manufacturing costs as well as site installation?
Ensign Ductwork Estimating calculates material, installation, and fabrication costs, providing a full view of project expenses.
Does it produce professional tender reports?
Contractors can instantly generate tender summaries, quantified schedules of rates, and buying reports that are accurate, professional, and client-ready.
How secure is ductwork project data?
Data is secured with permission-based controls, ensuring only authorised users can view or edit estimates.
How much does Ensign Ductwork Estimating cost?
Licences are scaled to your business needs, with additional licences available from £85 per month. This flexibility makes it easy to expand as your team grows.
How does it help contractors meet tender deadlines?
Ensign Ductwork Estimating cuts estimating time by up to 80%, letting contractors prepare complete, compliant duct estimates in hours instead of days and submit tenders on time without errors.
Why is Ensign Ductwork Estimating different from other systems?
Unlike generic tools, Ensign Ductwork Estimating is designed for ventilation contractors. It applies DW144, TR19, and fire-rated specifications automatically, delivering accurate and compliant estimates every time.
Does Ensign Ductwork Estimating eliminate spreadsheet errors?
Ensign Ductwork Estimating eliminates duplication, missed items, and formula errors common in spreadsheets, ensuring estimates are accurate and consistent.
Does it provide labour and material breakdowns?
The software automatically produces labour and material breakdowns, helping contractors optimise purchasing and negotiate better supplier rates.
Is it suitable for both small and large ductwork firms?
Whether you’re a small business producing a few estimates or a large firm managing hundreds of tenders, Ensign Ductwork Estimating scales to suit your needs.
Is training provided for new users?
Contractors get one-to-one training, webinars, and tailored onboarding to get teams up and running fast.
Is Ensign recognised by UK trade bodies like ADCAS?
Ensign is a member of ADCAS, demonstrating our commitment to the ductwork industry and ensuring the software meets contractors’ real needs.
Does it work for both commercial and industrial ductwork projects?
Ensign Ductwork Estimating scales from small jobs to large commercial, plantroom, riser, and industrial projects, delivering accurate material, labour, and shop cost estimates every time.
Who uses Ensign Ductwork Estimating?
Ensign Ductwork Estimating is used by over 1,000 UK contractors, from small firms handling a few tenders to large businesses managing major commercial and industrial ductwork projects.
Can it apply DW144, DW154, TR19, and Fire-Rated standards?
The software applies DW144 for steel, DW154 for plastic, TR19 for access doors, and Fire-Rated specs, ensuring every estimate follows the correct standards.
Can I import data from Ensign Ductwork Take-off software?
Ductwork quantities flow directly from Ensign Ductwork Take-off or can be imported from external Bills of Quantities (BoQs).
Is Ensign Ductwork Estimating cloud-based?
Yes, Ensign Ductwork Estimating is fully cloud-based, providing secure access to projects from the office, site, or home.
What support is included with?
All support is UK-based and in-house, with calls answered in under 3 rings. Contractors value the fast, personal assistance that keeps projects on track.
Can it handle revisions to ductwork drawings or specifications?
Built-in Revision Management lets you upload updated drawings or specs, compare changes, and keep all ductwork estimates accurate as designs evolve.
What is the best ductwork estimating software in the UK?
Ensign Ductwork Estimating is the UK’s leading ductwork estimating software. It calculates materials, labour, and shop costs accurately, applies DW144, DW154, TR19, and Fire-Rated compliance, and integrates take-offs and reporting for faster, more profitable tenders.
AWARD-WINNING
Ensign is the only dedicated ductwork estimating software in the UK. Trusted by over 1,000 contractors, rated 4.9/5★ on Google, and continuously developed since 1980, it is multi award-winning and protected by 3 patents. With 97% of users saving time and 95% reporting they win more work, Ensign is proven to deliver results.
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With Ensign, ductwork contractors calculate materials, labour, site installation, and shop manufacturing costs automatically. The software applies DW144, TR19, and fire-rated specifications where needed, ensuring every estimate is accurate, compliant, and fabrication-ready. Tender summaries, schedules of rates, and buying reports are produced instantly, helping contractors save up to 80% of estimating time, eliminate costly spreadsheet errors, and protect tight margins.