The main AGTEK alternatives for earthwork takeoff are Trimble Business Center, Carlson Takeoff, InSite Elevation Pro, Kubla Cubed, AI tools like Civils.ai and Foreman AI, and outsourced takeoff services. If you need machine control models, the civil desktop tools (AGTEK, Trimble, Carlson, InSite) are the real comparison. If you mainly need bid-stage cut, fill and net from a PDF grading plan, a lower-cost desktop tool or an AI tool may fit a small contractor better.
Disclosure: we make Foreman AI, and it's on this list. We kept the other entries to what each company says on its own site, and we only list prices that are published. Confirm current pricing with each vendor before you buy.
What to decide before you compare
Most "which earthwork software" questions come down to four things:
- Do you need machine control models? If your dozers and excavators run GPS grade control off models you build in-house, you need a tool that exports to your machine control system. That narrows the list fast.
- What do your plans come as? Bid sets for small site work are usually PDFs. CAD files help a lot if you can get them, but you can't count on it.
- How many takeoffs a month? A contractor bidding two grading jobs a month has a different math than one running a dedicated estimator.
- Who does the takeoff? Some tools assume a trained operator. If the owner is doing takeoffs at night, learning curve matters as much as features.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Works from PDF | Machine control export | Platform | Published price (as listed in October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGTEK Gradework | Yes (PDF and CAD) | Yes | Desktop | Not published; contact sales |
| Trimble Business Center | Yes (PDF to CAD objects, contour digitizing) | Yes | Desktop, subscription | Not published on Trimble's site |
| Carlson Takeoff | Yes (on-screen digitizing, PDF auto-trace) | Yes | Desktop (AutoCAD or IntelliCAD) | Not published; contact sales |
| InSite Elevation Pro | Yes (PDF, CAD, drone) | Yes | Desktop | Not on InSite's site; Capterra lists from $3,900/yr flat rate |
| Kubla Cubed | Yes (PDF import, tracing, PDF vector extraction) | Professional edition | Windows desktop | Lite free; Professional $295/yr or $741 perpetual per user |
| Civils.ai | Yes (AI from PDF drawings) | Not listed | Web | Starter $90/mo, Professional $270/mo |
| Foreman AI | Yes (AI from the PDF plan set) | No | Web and phone | Free start; Starter $399/mo, Pro $799/mo |
| Takeoff services | They take your PDF or CAD | Some offer models | None, you get a report | Quoted per job |
The options, one by one
AGTEK Gradework (the baseline)
AGTEK describes Gradework as its complete earthwork takeoff solution. Per its site, it takes PDF and CAD input, runs cut-and-fill and volume analysis by project phase, builds 3D models for machine control with Leica, Topcon and Trimble, processes drone data, and syncs with the field through its Smart products. AGTEK doesn't publish pricing. Its site directs buyers to a local sales rep.
Fits: site contractors running machine control who want takeoff, modeling and field data in one ecosystem.
Trimble Business Center
Trimble Business Center (TBC) is Trimble's survey and civil construction desktop software. Its documentation describes converting PDFs into CAD objects and digitizing contour lines with automatic elevation stepping by contour interval. Trimble sells it by subscription, and its construction subscription is aimed at earthworks professionals who build machine control models, takeoff reports, digitized PDFs and roadway cross sections. Trimble offers a 30-day trial. We couldn't find a published price.
Fits: contractors already on Trimble machine control or survey equipment, or anyone who wants one tool for data prep, takeoff and field models.
Carlson Takeoff
Carlson offers Takeoff OEM, which includes a built-in AutoCAD engine, and Takeoff Suite, which runs on the included IntelliCAD or a separate AutoCAD install. Carlson lists on-screen digitizing from PDF, TIF and JPG files, automatic tracing of PDF linework, and volume reports for cut/fill, subgrade, strata, topsoil removal and replacement, and over-excavation, plus machine control data prep. No price on Carlson's site.
Fits: estimators comfortable in a CAD environment who want detailed subgrade and strata reporting.
InSite Elevation Pro
InSite markets Elevation Pro for earthwork and utility takeoff from PDF, CAD and drone data, with a cut-and-fill contour map and grid for checking quantities, machine control model export (Topcon, Trimble, CAT, Leica and Komatsu are listed) and TrenchVision 3D for utility excavation and backfill. InSite's own site doesn't show prices. Capterra lists a starting price of $3,900 per year, flat rate, and shows 206 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5 as of October 2026.
Fits: site and utility contractors who want a dedicated earthwork program with machine control output, at a lower published entry price than most of the civil suites.
Kubla Cubed
Kubla Cubed is Windows desktop software from Kubla Software. Its compare page lists PDF, image and CAD import, manual tracing from site plans, extracting data from PDF vectors, on-screen cut and fill statistics and interactive 3D in both editions. The free Lite edition allows commercial use, according to Kubla. Professional adds reports and spreadsheets, volume regions, cross sections and export to CAD, BIM and machine control.
Kubla's prices page lists Professional at $295 per user per year (subscription) or $741 per user (perpetual, updates for the purchased version only), as listed in October 2026.
Fits: small contractors who want real cut/fill software on a tight budget and don't mind a Windows desktop workflow. Lite is a no-cost way to learn the method.
Civils.ai
Civils.ai is an AI takeoff platform focused on groundworks, landscaping and geotechnical work. Per its site, you upload PDF drawings, describe in plain English what you need measured, and get annotated results you can download as Excel or PDF. It also offers free calculators for cut and fill, concrete, rebar and haulage. Its pricing page lists Starter at $90/month (10 takeoffs a month) and Professional at $270/month (30 takeoffs a month), with custom Enterprise pricing, as listed in October 2026.
Fits: groundworks and civil estimators who want AI-assisted takeoffs priced by volume of takeoffs.
Foreman AI (us)
Foreman AI works from the PDF plan set. For earthwork, you trace existing and proposed contours on the grading sheet (the tool auto-steps by contour interval) and spot grades, or ask the AI to work the grading plan. You get cut CY, fill CY, net import or export, a color heat map, a 3D view, a PDF cut/fill report and CSV export. Volumes are bank yards. Dig tools carry a swell factor for truck yards, and you apply shrink for compacted fill. Flat-bottom digs like basements, pits and ponds go by area times depth, and area and linear tools cover stripping, paving, silt fence, curb and trench. See the earthwork takeoff page for details.
The difference from the earthwork-only tools: the AI reads every sheet and spec in the set, so you can ask about the geotech's shrink factor or the pavement section on the detail sheet and get an answer citing the sheet. Quantities then flow into budget lines and proposals. The pricing page lists a free start with AI credits on a real plan set (no card), then Starter at $399/month and Pro at $799/month.
What it does not do: build machine control models. If you need those, pick one of the civil tools above.
Fits: small excavation and site contractors, and GCs who self-perform sitework, who bid from PDFs and want cut/fill plus the rest of the estimate in one place.
Outsourced takeoff services
Many estimating firms and freelancers will take your grading plan and return cut/fill volumes, often with a report and sometimes machine control models. Pricing is quoted per job and depends on site size and turnaround. You get expert work without learning software, but you wait in their queue and you have to trust (or check) their inputs.
Fits: contractors who bid earthwork occasionally, or who need a model for a one-off job.
Which one fits a small excavation contractor?
| If you... | Look at |
|---|---|
| Run GPS machine control and build your own models | AGTEK, Trimble Business Center, Carlson, InSite |
| Want cut/fill software for the lowest published cost | Kubla Cubed (Lite free, Professional $295/yr) |
| Want AI-assisted takeoffs priced by takeoff count | Civils.ai |
| Bid from PDFs and want earthwork plus the rest of the estimate | Foreman AI |
| Bid earthwork a few times a year | A takeoff service, or a free tier to learn on |
Whatever you choose, the method underneath is the same: existing surface, proposed surface, difference, then shrink and swell. If you want to check any tool's output by hand, our grid and cross-section worked examples show every step, and how AI cut and fill works covers the checks that apply to every tool.
Try the PDF route on your next bid
If you're bidding from PDFs and don't need machine control models, run your next grading plan through Foreman AI and compare it to your current number. Upload a plan set and try it free.
FAQ
How much does AGTEK cost?
AGTEK doesn't publish pricing on its website. Its site directs buyers to contact a local sales representative for pricing and licensing options.
Is there free cut and fill software?
Kubla Cubed Lite is free, including commercial use, according to Kubla Software. It includes PDF import, tracing, cut/fill statistics and 3D views; reports and machine control export require the Professional edition. Foreman AI offers a free start with AI credits on a real plan set.
What's the cheapest earthwork takeoff software?
Among the tools here with published prices, Kubla Cubed Professional at $295 per user per year is the lowest paid option, as listed in October 2026. Prices change, so confirm on each vendor's site.
Can I do earthwork takeoff without CAD files?
Yes. AGTEK, Trimble Business Center, Carlson, InSite and Kubla Cubed all list PDF input, and AI tools like Civils.ai and Foreman AI work from PDF drawings directly.