From Pen & Paper to $2.1M ROI: Vye Construction’s Estimating Link Success.
Vye Construction transformed their estimating process using heavy construction estimating software, Estimating Link and Field Link, saving 381 hours annually, achieving a 42% profit margin on key projects, and adding $500K in new revenue. Learn how a hands-on construction manager moved from pen and paper to a data-driven, cloud-based estimating system that accelerated bids and company growth.
From Shovel to Software: A New Era of Estimating Precision
Thomas McCrae, Construction Manager, Project Manager, and Estimator at Vye Construction & Paving, began his career in the trenches—literally. He worked his way up from laborer to equipment operator, foreman, and superintendent before stepping into the estimator’s chair.
Without formal training in project management or estimating, Thomas relied on notebooks and a calculator for bids—triple-checking every number late into the night. Accuracy was a guessing game, and time was never on his side.
“I wasn’t using spreadsheets—just notebooks and a calculator. I’d triple and quadruple check every number. Estimating Link gave me confidence and time back in my day.” – Thomas McCrae, Vye Construction
🎥 Watch Thomas share his story on video →
About Vye Construction
Founded in Atlantic Canada, Vye Construction & Paving provides civil, site prep, and paving services across residential, commercial, and municipal projects. With its own quarry, asphalt plant, and a growing team of 78 employees, Vye specializes in full-scope infrastructure and earthworks construction.
The Challenge: Manual Construction Estimating and Communication Bottlenecks
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Manual Estimating: 12 + hours in the field + 3 more at night, juggling bids, management, and training.
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Inefficient Communication: Endless phone calls from the field for clarifications.
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Hidden Costs: Toilets & dumpsters were eating into profits because they weren’t captured in bids.
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Missed Opportunities: Limited visibility made it impossible to confidently chase larger projects.
Vye needed an estimating and field-tracking solution that was accurate, intuitive, and built by people who understand construction from the ground up.
The Solution: Heavy Construction Estimating Software Built by Contractors, for Contractors
Within days of purchasing Estimating Link, Thomas was bidding inside the system—and winning. Onboarding took less than three days, followed by Field Link integration for daily job-cost visibility.
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Quick Onboarding: “I was up and running within three days of paying for the software.”
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Unmatched Support: “The support is second to none. I never feel stuck because I know I’ll get an answer.”
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Seamless Integration: Only three clicks to send a project from Estimating Link to Field Link.
“I came from a shovel, not a degree. Estimating Link made my job easy — and the support made me confident.” – Thomas McCrae
Impact & Results: Measurable ROI, Accuracy, and Team Confidence
With Estimating Link and Field Link, Vye Construction achieved transformative results—financially, operationally, and culturally. From faster bids to larger projects and improved collaboration, the numbers speak for themselves.
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New Revenue Stream: A new Landscaping Division launched within four months—adding approximately $500K in annual revenue.
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42% Workforce Growth: The team expanded from 55 to 78 employees in under a year, fueled by greater estimating efficiency and confidence.
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20× Larger Projects: Grew from bidding $400K jobs to confidently pursuing $8–10M projects.
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Higher Profit Margins: Achieved a 42% margin on a $3.8M subdivision and secured a $1.9M fast-turnaround project within 24 hours using Estimating Link.
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Time & Cost Savings: 381 hours returned to operations (≈ $28.6K in labor value) plus $48.6K annual savings by capturing indirect costs that were previously missed.
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Confidence in Every Bid: Every direct and indirect cost is accurately captured—reducing risk and ensuring profitability.
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Streamlined Communication: Field Link gives foremen full visibility into how jobs were bid, cutting phone calls and confusion.
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Data-Driven Decisions: Real-time profit and loss tracking allows mid-project adjustments, preventing costly surprises at year-end.
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Empowered Teams: Transparency across estimating and field operations strengthened trust, accountability, and alignment.
“Without Estimating Link, that $1.9 million job wouldn’t have happened. There just wasn’t time to get it done by hand.” – Thomas McCrae
“Field Link gives our foremen a better understanding of where time should be allocated. It’s transparent, efficient, and eliminates stress.” – Thomas McCrae
The Human Element: Customer Support That Sets TCLI Apart
What impressed Thomas most was The Construction Link’s culture of accessibility and care:
“I’ve called in and the CEO herself answered the phone. That blew me away. It’s a small-company feel where everyone genuinely cares about your success.” – Thomas McCrae
That human touch made Thomas a true advocate—he even demoed the software for a subcontractor still using spreadsheets. In just 12 minutes, he built a change order that normally took 3.5 hours—instantly proving the value of Estimating Link.
Looking Ahead: Bigger Jobs, Stronger Margins
Armed with data-driven insights and field clarity, Vye Construction is bidding confidently on multi-million-dollar subdivisions, balancing growth with precision, and protecting profits on every project.
“Book a demo. Buy the software. You’ll never regret it.” – Thomas McCrae
Key Takeaways
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Industry: Civil & Sitework Construction
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Software Used: Estimating Link + Field Link
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Annual Impact: $2.14M in verified ROI
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Workforce Growth: +42% in one year
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Change Order Speed: 17× faster (3.5 hrs → 12 min)
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Biggest Win: $1.9M fast-turnaround job completed in 24 hours
Watch the Full Interview
Hear directly from Thomas McCrae on how Vye Construction saved 381 hours and added $500K in new revenue using Estimating Link.
Ready to Streamline Your Estimating Process?
Discover why leading contractors choose Estimating Link for civil construction estimating, accurate bidding, and seamless field tracking with Field Link.
Whether you’re a solo estimator or managing multiple crews, our cloud-based construction software helps you:
- ✅ Improve accuracy by capturing every cost and scope detail.
- ✅ Save time with automated calculations and reusable templates.
- ✅ Win more bids through faster, data-driven estimating.
Join 1,000+ contractors contractors who save hours on every bid with Estimating Link.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rated 4.9 out of 5 by 51 users on Software Advice
FAQ
How much time did Vye Construction save using Estimating Link?
381 hours per year.
What ROI did Vye Construction achieve?
$2.14 million in verified ROI.
How fast was onboarding?
Bidding in less than three days.
What was their biggest project win?
A $1.9 million project completed within 24 hours.
What software tools were used?
Estimating Link and Field Link.
