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Features
Explore the complete range of features that make Sterling the most advanced Cost and Carbon Estimating solution for the construction industry. This page provides a detailed breakdown of functionality across each Sterling module, highlighting how every tool works together to deliver accuracy, transparency, and sustainability. From Estimating and Forecasting to Bid Packages, Life Cycle, Report Writer, and Integrations, Sterling empowers project teams to manage cost and carbon seamlessly throughout the entire project lifecycle, from concept through to completion.
Sterling Core provides the foundation for accurate, resource-based cost and carbon estimating. Built for speed, precision, and collaboration, it allows estimators and project teams to work within consistent structures and standards. With integrated cost and carbon data, customisable views, and dynamic editing tools, Sterling Core simplifies the most complex estimating tasks while maintaining transparency and traceability across every project stage.
| Estimating |
| Core |
| Project Dashboard with standard reporting metrics |
| Create unlimited Projects |
| Customise your views, including columns selection, across Sterling |
| Dynamic Filters |
| Carbon is integrated with Cost |
| Carbon calculation aligned with PAS2080 |
| Undo during edit mode, by the sequence you choose |
| Spell Check and Grammarly |
| Drag & Drop between application modes and browsers |
| Unlimited number of snapshots for back up and re-use either within or creating a new project |
| User defined Resources structures |
| User defined Work Break down Structures |
| Multi-user |
| Consistent user interface & functions |
| Cost Plan |
| Pricing and quantifying at all levels of the structure for cost planning |
| Column Based Estimating |
| Rate build ups with resources |
| Unlimited resources in a rate build up |
| Complex Resources are N-Tiers unlimited levels of complexity |
| Manual Take-off (Dim Sheets) |
| Quantities linked to any level of the hierarchy |
| Ability to bring together Manual dimensions, 2D & 3D together in one item |
| Links to specifications, Design features, installation guides, assumptions |
| Multiple Note and description fields |
| Fast Cost Plan Generation & editing, rapid pricing |
| Importing a BoQ/Schedule of Work/Client Breakdown Structure |
| Resource Manager |
| Resources by groups, total quantities and cost |
| Viewing all associated Cost Plan Items linked to a resource |
| Global Adjustments to resources |
| Finalisation |
| 12 mark-up categories across 2 mark-up stage gates |
| Take-off |
| 2D Take-off |
| Import and manage 2D Drawing Files (.pdf, .dwg, .dgn, .dwf) |
| Set a per measurement or global scale |
| Ability to handle multiple scales within the same drawing |
| Split one PDF Bundle into its relevant sections/drawings |
| Customisable annotation styles |
| Shape recognition and validation |
| 3D Take-off |
| Import and manage 3D Models (.rvt, .nwd, .ifc) |
| Sorting and grouping by selected attributes |
| Direct mapping to cost plan |
| Creation of a take off team grouping the take off into a breakdown structure |
| Grouping take off and appending additional take off attributes |
| Automatic extraction of all parameters and quantities |
| See objects linked to Cost Items in the Cost Plan 3D Viewer |
| Revisioning |
| 2D and 3D version control |
| 2D Realignment of take off to the new drawings |
| Re-Measuring the new items and updating existing to creating new |
| Automatic recognition of any changes |
| Report on quantity, cost and carbon impacts |
| Libraries |
| N-Tiered Structure unlimited levels |
| Resources Libraries for Labour, Plant, Material, Subcontract and Other Costs |
| Link EPDs and assign carbon data in line with PAS2080 |
| Complex Resources Create a Library of grouped resources |
| Cost Items Curate a library of fully loaded Cost Items |
| Work Packages Create a Work Packages Library for your portfolio |
| Delivery Partners Invite and manage Delivery Partners on your Portfolio |
| Breakdown Structures CESMM4, HMM, ICMS, NRM 1 & 2, RMM & 2, SMM7, US WBS, Uniclass 2015 |
| Breakdown Structures Create your own Custom Library |
| Included Sterling Libraries |
| 10,000+ Cost Items |
| 25,000+ Resources with EPDs and Carbon Data |
| 8,500+ Complex Resources |
Sterling Bid Packages streamlines how estimators and delivery partners collaborate during procurement. From creating work package libraries and issuing enquiries to comparing and finalising returned bids, every step happens inside one integrated environment. The Delivery Partner Portal allows subcontractors to price directly in Sterling with full visibility of scope, drawings, and assumptions, while estimators can compare, adjust, and select preferred bidders with confidence.
| Bid Packages |
| Work Packages - Create a Work Packages Library for your portfolio |
| Enquiries - Send enquiries to your Delivery Partners (Bidders) |
| Delivery Partner Portal - Delivery Partners build-up their quotes within Sterling |
| Delivery Partner Portal - Enable consistency of returned quotes produced within Sterling |
| Delivery Partner Portal - No licensing barriers for Delivery Partners |
| Delivery Partner Portal - Quote on Cost and Carbon |
| Delivery Partner Portal - Ability to map drawings, models and specifications to the package |
| Delivery Partner Portal - The bidder will have visibility on how the project was measured, comment and advise |
| Delivery Partner Portal - Ability for the bidder to advise on additional resources required within their bid |
| Delivery Partner Portal - Notes and qualifications |
| Delivery Partner Portal - Ability to upload your resources and rates |
| Delivery Partner Portal - Ability to price at any level of the structure, element, unit rate, or resources + Production Hrs/unit |
| Delivery Partner Portal - Ability to price at resource level |
| Comparison - Compare returned quotes side-by-side with confidence |
| Comparison - Plug any missed elements into the subcontractor’s bid for labour, plant, material etc. |
| Comparison - Spreading of adjustments |
| Comparison - Plug missing rates with lowest, average, highest or manual values |
| Comparison - Artificial Commercial Bidders for lowest, average and highest values |
| Comparison - Mapping the subcontractor’s prelims to your section or spreading them across the rates |
| Comparison - Final Adjustments (for Preferred Bidder) |
| Comparison - Automatically apply the rates of your Preferred Bidder to your Cost Plan |
Sterling Forecasting connects estimating and programming in one intelligent workflow. By dynamically linking cost and carbon data to your project programme, it delivers live visibility of financial and environmental performance. Estimators can forecast cost and carbon across labour, plant, materials, and subcontractors, while project planners can use familiar tools such as Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project to drive resource histograms, critical path analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
| Forecasting |
| Create your own project plan |
| Time Line Estimate - Pricing your indirects/prelims with two way impact between the plan and estimate |
| Create a time line Estimate for all labour, plant, material, subcontract, indirects etc |
| Dynamic linking of cost plan quantities to programme tasks |
| Splitting Quantities by activity by % or value |
| Dynamic linking of cost plan resources for cost & carbon to programme tasks |
| View your subcontractors requirements within the programme |
| Predict call off periods |
| Automatic programme cost loading updates with new model versions |
| Import and export from Oracle Primavera |
| Import and export from MS Project |
| Critical Path Method (CPM) programme view |
| Identify the cost impact associated change process between the plan & estimate |
| Agree on the impact and distribution of cost & carbon |
Sterling Life Cycle extends cost and carbon estimating beyond construction to cover the full life of an asset. Using CROME methodology and aligned to NRM3, ICMS, and RICS Whole Life Carbon standards, it brings together planned and reactive maintenance, renewals, operations, and end-of-life impacts. This enables users to compare life cycle options, apply mark-ups, and make informed, data-led decisions from concept to completion and beyond.
| Life Cycle |
| CROME Assignment Methodology |
| Includes both planned and reactive maintenance |
| Aligned to RICS WLC Assessment |
| Aligned to NRM3 & ICMS |
| For Cost and Carbon |
| Full Project Life Cycle Support: From concept to contract execution |
| Informed Decision-making: Compare multiple life cycle options |
| Finalisation - Apply mark-ups across the life of the asset |
Sterling integrates seamlessly with leading industry platforms to connect data and eliminate duplication. Through direct integrations with Autodesk Construction Cloud, Procore, Microsoft SharePoint, and Power BI, users can manage drawings, cost data, and reports effortlessly. Environmental integrations with EC3 and 2050 Materials enable live access to verified embodied carbon data, ensuring every estimate reflects the latest, most accurate information available.
| Integrations |
| Building Transparency EC3 (Environmental Data) |
| 2050 Materials (Environmental Data) |
| Autodesk Construction Cloud - Docs |
| Autodesk Construction Cloud - Cost |
| Procore Docs |
| MS SharePoint |
| MS PowerBI & Project |
Sterling Report Writer empowers users to produce tailored reports with precision and consistency. Whether generating simple summaries or portfolio-wide analyses, reports can be created using built-in templates or fully customised layouts. With support for multiple output formats including PDF, Word, Excel, and HTML, it ensures stakeholders receive clear, structured, and professional documentation aligned with your organisation’s standards.
| Report Writer |
| Produce your own custom reports using Report Writer |
| Use a selection of pre-defined sample reports |
| Produce custom report templates for use across projects and portfolios |
| Export reports to multiple formats, including .pdf, .html, .docx, and .xlsx |
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