Estimating Software vs Excel
Spreadsheets can create quotes, but they don’t fix the quoting process
Many shops still rely on Excel or job costing spreadsheets to price work.
Tempus Tools replaces manual quoting workflows with a system designed for speed, consistency, and real-world fabrication processes.
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Can an Excel template handle modern quoting workflows?
Many shops use manufacturing quote templates, RFQ spreadsheets, or job costing spreadsheets to price work.
But these spreadsheets rely on manual inputs, disconnected files, and formulas that don’t adapt to real part geometry — making quoting slower, harder to maintain, and inconsistent across jobs.
Tempus Tools replaces these manual steps with a system designed for how fabrication shops actually quote:
Working from an RFQ or Excel template?
Import drawings and generate quotes directly from part geometry
Manually calculating cutting time and materials?
Machine rates and material rules apply automatically
Managing multiple spreadsheets and versions?
One system keeps quotes consistent across your team
Rebuilding quotes for repeat work?
Part libraries let you re-quote instantly
Creating documents after quoting?
Generate work orders and job details automatically.
Tempus Tools
vs
Excel spreadsheets
Key differences
Features
Excel spreadsheets / templates
Drawing import (CAD + PDF)
Import drawings and convert to usable geometry
No native drawing processing
Geometry-based quoting
Automatically detects profiles and features for pricing
Manual interpretation of drawings
Laser cutting cost calculation
Cutting time and material costs calculated automatically
Manual formulas and estimates
Secondary process pricing
Formula-based pricing for folding, welding, coating, etc.
Manual calculations or separate sheets
Machine rate & material rules
Configure once and apply automatically across all quotes
Must be built and maintained in formulas
Part libraries (repeat quoting)
Save and reuse parts for instant re-quoting
Copy old spreadsheets or rebuild quotes
Production documents
Generate work orders, labels, and job details
Not built-in (manual creation required)
Web store / online quoting
Customer-facing quoting and ordering built-in
Not supported
End-to-end workflow
Drawing → quote → production in one system
Disconnected tools and manual handoffs
Consistent pricing across team
Standardized rules applied automatically
Varies by estimator and spreadsheet version
Speed of quoting
Quotes generated quickly from drawings
Slower, manual process
Error reduction
Automated calculations reduce manual mistakes
Higher risk from manual inputs and formulas
Setup & maintenance
Configure once, minimal ongoing maintenance
Ongoing spreadsheet updates and fixes
Cost structure
Predictable subscription pricing
Lower upfront cost, higher time and error cost
Best fit
Shops that want fast, reliable quoting from drawings
Basic or early-stage quoting workflows
What sets Tempus Tools apart
Built to replace scattered spreadsheets, not add to them
Most shops rely on multiple spreadsheets, emails, and manual steps to build a single quote. Tempus Tools brings everything into one system so quoting is faster and easier to manage.
Quote directly from drawings
Spreadsheets require manual interpretation of drawings and data entry. Tempus Tools reads CAD files and PDFs directly, using real geometry to generate accurate quotes.
Consistent pricing without fragile formulas
Spreadsheet pricing depends on formulas that are hard to maintain and easy to break. Tempus Tools uses structured pricing rules so every quote follows the same logic.
Faster repeat quoting
Reusing old spreadsheets often means digging through files and rebuilding quotes. Tempus Tools stores part data so repeat jobs can be quoted instantly.
From quote to production in one workflow
Spreadsheets stop at pricing, requiring additional tools for production. Tempus Tools generates production-ready documents so work can move forward without rework.
Where Excel spreadsheets might be a better fit
Excel is often used when:
Quoting is handled infrequently or as a side task
Estimates are created using basic, manual calculations
There’s no need for speed, consistency, or repeatability
The team is willing to manage and maintain their own formulas and templates over time
Spreadsheets are often the starting point for quoting, but they quickly become limiting as jobs, customers, and expectations grow.
Tempus Tools is built for shops that want a more reliable, scalable way to quote without relying on manual processes.
Why fabrication shops
choose Tempus Tools
over Excel spreadsheets
Quote directly from drawings instead of manual inputs
Consistent pricing using structured rules (not fragile formulas)
Faster quotes without rebuilding spreadsheets every time
Re-quote repeat work instantly with part libraries
Move from quote to production without disconnected tools
Tempus Tools vs.
Excel pricing
Tempus Tools
Plans starting at
$75/mo
or $900/year*
Tempus Tools offers simple, transparent pricing designed for laser cutting and fabrication shops that want to get started quickly without added complexity.
Includes:
- Geometry-based quoting from CAD files and PDFs
- Structured pricing rules for machine rates, materials, and processes
- Secondary process pricing (folding, welding, coating, etc.)
- Part libraries for repeat quoting
- Production documents (work orders, labels, job details)
- Built-in web store for customer quoting and ordering
- Integrations with QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Google Drive
- Free onboarding, training, and support
Local currency pricing is available inside the app for international customers.
Excel spreadsheets
Included in Microsoft 365 (~$6–$22/user/month), but not built for quoting
Excel is commonly used for quoting because it’s already part of most business software subscriptions. However, spreadsheet-based quoting typically involves:
- Manual data entry and formula maintenance
- Time spent interpreting drawings and calculating estimates
- Inconsistent pricing across estimators or templates
- Rework when updating or correcting quotes
- Higher risk of errors that impact margins or production
While Excel is widely available, it’s not designed for manufacturing quoting, and often introduces hidden costs in time, inconsistency, and missed opportunities.
What fabrication teams say about Tempus Tools
“Since implementing Tempus Tools, we’ve found it is much more accurate, reliable, and fast. Instead of two people quoting full time, we can now have one person do a better job in a quarter of the time.”
Olivier S.
,
MSG Industries
“I like that my laser machine operator and I can get an accurate idea of material usage, time, labour, and other relevant data for each job – and it greatly reduces the risk of human error, because Tempus Tools is a rules-based program.”
Frank M.
Owner
,
Rolleston Sheetmetal
Final verdict:
Tempus Tools
vs
Excel spreadsheets
Both Excel and Tempus Tools can be used to create manufacturing quotes. The difference is how those quotes are built. Excel relies on manual templates, formulas, and estimator input — which can work early on, but becomes harder to manage as quoting volume and complexity increase.
Tempus Tools is built specifically for fabrication and laser cutting shops, providing a structured system where quotes are generated from drawings, pricing rules are applied automatically, and production outputs are created without additional steps.
If your current process involves:
- Building quotes manually in spreadsheets
- Interpreting drawings and calculating costs by hand
- Managing multiple templates and versions
- Reworking data between quoting and production
Tempus Tools provides a faster, more consistent way to move from drawing to quote.
Ready to move beyond spreadsheet quoting?
Quoting with Excel spreadsheets is doable, but it’s slow, manual, and hard to scale. Tempus Tools helps fabrication shops quote faster, apply consistent pricing, and move from drawing to production without relying on manual processes.
Quote directly from CAD files and PDFs
Apply machine rates and pricing rules automatically
Reuse parts and generate production-ready documents
