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Counterly vs AimBolt
AimBolt is an outsourced, countertop-only takeoff service: you send plans, and its team returns an Excel scope sheet and marked-up plans in 3 business days as standard, for $600 or $900 per project or $4,500 a month for 8 takeoffs. Counterly is software your own estimator runs: it returns a first-pass takeoff with a slab nesting estimate and a priced quote in minutes, which your estimator reviews before bidding. Choose AimBolt to hand off the estimator work; choose Counterly to keep it in-house and bid the same day.
How do AimBolt and Counterly compare?
Published by Counterly. AimBolt details are from aimbolt.com, checked October 26, 2026; confirm current terms with AimBolt.
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| Question | AimBolt | Counterly |
|---|---|---|
| Who prepares the takeoff? | AimBolt’s team, AI-assisted with senior estimator review | Your estimator, reviewing Counterly’s AI first pass |
| What comes back? | Square feet by material, edge and splash linear feet, cutouts and marked-up plans; the $900 tier adds slab yield, a seam summary, waste factors and a clarifications list | Pieces, square feet, finished edge, backsplash, cutouts, unit types, a slab nesting estimate and a priced quote |
| How long does it take? | 3 business days standard; rush offered; 2-day turnaround on Bid Desk | Minutes of processing, then your estimator’s review |
| What does it cost? | $600 Basic Scope or $900 Estimator’s Package per project; Bid Desk $4,500 a month for 8 takeoffs | Tailored to shop volume |
| What format is the output? | Excel scope sheet and marked-up plans; white-label available | Quote PDF, XLSX/CSV takeoff spreadsheet and PDF cut sheets |
| What happens on a revision? | Fixes for its own mistakes are free; Bid Desk includes addenda | Upload the revised drawings and review the affected results |
| Is there software to learn? | No; AimBolt advertises no software, hardware or licensing costs | Yes, a web app your estimator uses |
Sources: services and pricing, how it works, for fabricators and terms and conditions, checked October 26, 2026.
What does AimBolt include at each price?
AimBolt lists three options for countertop work. Basic Scope ($600 per project) covers square footage by material, edge and splash linear footage, cutouts and marked-up plans. The Estimator’s Package ($900 per project) adds a slab yield and seam summary, waste factors and a clarifications list. Bid Desk ($4,500 a month) covers 8 takeoffs with a 2-day turnaround and includes addenda.
AimBolt describes its process as AI-assisted with review by a senior estimator, and it offers white-label output for shops that send the takeoff on under their own name.
How long does AimBolt take, and what do its terms cover?
Standard turnaround is 3 business days, with rush service offered. AimBolt revises its own mistakes at no charge. Its terms and conditions state that the client is responsible for checking the takeoff, and they do not include a turnaround guarantee.
Counterly does not guarantee a result either: it returns a first pass in minutes and your estimator confirms it. The practical difference is where the waiting happens. With a service, the bid waits in the provider’s queue; with software, it waits only for your own review.
Where is AimBolt the better choice?
- You have no estimator, or your estimator is fully booked, and you want the takeoff done by someone else.
- You want a senior estimator’s sign-off and a written clarifications list with each job.
- You need white-label output to pass on under your own name.
- You want a seam summary prepared for you; Counterly leaves seam decisions to your estimator.
- Your bid volume is steady at around 8 jobs a month and a fixed monthly fee with addenda included suits your budgeting.
- You would rather not learn or maintain software.
Where is Counterly the better choice?
- You want to bid the day plans arrive rather than wait 2-3 business days.
- You want a slab nesting estimate with slab count, yield and waste on every job, not only at a higher tier.
- You want the quote priced from your own price list in the same tool as the takeoff.
- Addenda and plan revisions are frequent, and you want to rerun them in-house.
- You want the same checks and output format on every job, with your own estimator reviewing before the bid.
- You bid often enough that per-project fees add up.
Is AimBolt’s slab yield summary the same as slab nesting?
Not necessarily. AimBolt’s Estimator’s Package lists a slab yield and seam summary; its site does not describe a nesting layout. Counterly arranges the countertop pieces on the slab dimensions you choose (standard, jumbo, super jumbo or custom) and reports slab count, yield and waste.
Neither is a production cutting file. Ask AimBolt for a sample Estimator’s Package and compare it with a Counterly nest on the same job before relying on either for a material order. How Counterly’s nesting estimate works.
What does each cost per month?
At AimBolt’s published prices, 4 jobs a month cost $2,400 at Basic Scope or $3,600 at the Estimator’s Package; 10 jobs cost $6,000 or $9,000. Bid Desk is $4,500 a month for 8 takeoffs, about $563 each when all 8 are used. Add rush fees where you need them, and your own review time in every case.
Counterly's pricing is tailored to your shop's volume. Contact us to discuss your job mix and get pricing for your shop. Book a demo to compare on your job mix, or see the takeoff cost guide.
What does Counterly not do that AimBolt does?
Counterly does not do the takeoff for you. Your estimator reviews and corrects the first pass, makes the seam decisions and writes any clarifications. Counterly does not read DWG, DXF or Revit files, export machine files or replace field templating.
Can a shop use both?
Frequently asked questions
What are the alternatives to AimBolt?
Other outsourced takeoff services such as Advance Estimating (hourly, multi-trade) and I Takeoff Pro (hourly, quantities only), a freelance estimator, an in-house estimator, or takeoff software such as Counterly, which your own estimator runs and reviews the same day.
How long does AimBolt take for a countertop takeoff?
AimBolt lists 3 business days as standard, with rush service offered, and a 2-day turnaround on its Bid Desk plan (checked October 26, 2026). Its terms do not include a turnaround guarantee.
How much does AimBolt charge?
AimBolt publishes $600 per project for Basic Scope, $900 per project for the Estimator’s Package and $4,500 a month for Bid Desk, which covers 8 takeoffs (checked October 26, 2026).
Does AimBolt do slab nesting?
AimBolt’s site does not describe a nesting layout. Its $900 Estimator’s Package includes a slab yield and seam summary. Counterly includes a slab nesting estimate with slab count, yield and waste on every job.
Is Counterly an alternative to AimBolt?
Yes, for shops that want to keep the takeoff in-house. Counterly is software your estimator runs; AimBolt is a service that does the takeoff for you. The choice is between paying for someone else’s estimator time and turnaround, or reviewing a first pass yourself the same day.
Do I still need to check an AimBolt or Counterly takeoff?
Yes. AimBolt’s terms make the client responsible for checking the takeoff, and Counterly’s output is a first pass your estimator confirms before the bid.
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