If you’ve ever had to chase quotes the day before pricing is due, or realised too late that you’re missing coverage on key packages, you’re not alone. For estimators, maintaining visibility over quote coverage during tendering is one of the most critical parts of the job to get right.
Tenders are often won or lost on a single quote.
You might have a carefully structured spreadsheet to track packages and responses, colour coded to show where quotes are in, what’s outstanding, and where you’re exposed. If you’re still using email & fileshare, this is very difficult to know – often until it is too late. Even if you’re using E1, you might still find yourself asking the same questions week after week:
- Will we get enough quotes to confidently price this package?
- How are my key trade packages tracking for coverage?
- For the quotes we’ve received, do the subbies have the latest docs?
For most main contractors, answering those questions is harder than it should be.
The problem with trade coverage today
Quote coverage is a real-time, moving target. Estimators need to monitor it continuously throughout the tender stage, from the moment packages go out to the final days before submission. But most main contractors don’t have a centralised or reliable way to track it across the business.
Some teams manage through shared spreadsheets. Others rely on a mix of email, internal calls, and manual follow up. If you’re using E1, you might check the Invites & Responses view, but that only gives you a job level snapshot. There’s no easy way to zoom out and see how coverage is tracking across all trades & packages, all projects, and all estimators.
The result? Blind spots. Gaps can go unnoticed. Risk creeps in. And estimating managers often don’t find out until it’s too late.
Introducing the Quote Coverage Dashboard
Built for estimators and estimating managers, this dashboard is designed to give builders total visibility over quote coverage across all trade packages, across each of your projects, in one place.
Think of it like a live coverage tracker, modelled on the spreadsheets you already use, but automated & embedded in your tender workflow, all with real-time information.
At a glance, you’ll be able to:
- See coverage across all packages: Quickly check how many quotes you’ve got on each trade package, which ones are looking light, and what needs attention.
- Monitor progress over time: Stay across how quote numbers are trending as the tender progresses with no need to chase up each subcontractor or other estimators.
- Spot and act on gaps early: Identify where you’re exposed, and get ahead of it with timely follow up or extra outreach.
Instead of waiting for a weekly catch up or end of tender scramble, you can course correct mid tender and keep your coverage risk under control.
Why this matters
When coverage visibility is low, everything downstream suffers. Risk increases. Pricing confidence drops. And teams lose precious time on follow up admin that could’ve been avoided with a clearer view up front.
But when coverage is visible, truly visible, estimators can focus on what they do best: evaluating scope, assessing pricing, and putting together a competitive, accurate submission. Estimating managers can lead with confidence, knowing where support is needed. And the whole team can move faster with fewer surprises and stronger margins.
We’re excited to bring this tool to life and we’re building it with the workflows of real builders in mind. If you’re someone who’s ever asked “Have we got enough quotes on this?” this one’s for you.
What’s next?
We’ll be sharing more about the Quote Coverage Dashboard in the coming weeks, including a first look at the layout and how it fits into your existing E1 experience.
In the meantime, if you’d like early access or want to help shape how this feature evolves, we’d love to hear from you. Because the future of estimating isn’t just faster. It’s clearer.
