Brody Miears Brody Miears

Built Estimator Update Log

v1.1.x Updates

Built Estimator is actively developed with frequent stability, reliability, and workflow improvements based on real-world estimating use.

This update log highlights recent releases and explains how changes affect day-to-day work inside the software.

Newest releases appear at the top.

v1.1.6 (Current)

Project import & data reliability

  • Improved reliability when opening saved and exported project files

  • Fixed edge cases where imported line items could fail to populate correctly

  • Strengthened data normalization to ensure older and newer project formats load consistently

  • Improved handling of partial, mixed, or legacy project data

Workflow & stability

  • Reduced chances of incomplete or corrupted project states

  • Minor performance improvements when loading larger estimates

  • Internal cleanup and stability refinements

v1.1.x Updates

Built Estimator is actively developed with frequent stability, reliability, and workflow improvements based on real-world estimating use.

This update log highlights recent releases and explains how changes affect day-to-day work inside the software.

Newest releases appear at the top.

v1.1.6 (Current)

Project import & data reliability

  • Improved reliability when opening saved and exported project files

  • Fixed edge cases where imported line items could fail to populate correctly

  • Strengthened data normalization to ensure older and newer project formats load consistently

  • Improved handling of partial, mixed, or legacy project data

Workflow & stability

  • Reduced chances of incomplete or corrupted project states

  • Minor performance improvements when loading larger estimates

  • Internal cleanup and stability refinements

v1.1.5

Catalog & productivity improvements

  • Improved catalog item normalization during project loading

  • Fixed issues where hours-per-unit values were not persisting correctly

  • Improved compatibility between legacy catalog items and newer rate-based catalog items

Reliability

  • Reduced calculation inconsistencies across mixed projects

  • Improved predictability when reopening saved estimates

v1.1.4

Rates & calculation logic

  • Improved project-level and global rate fallback logic

  • Reduced inconsistencies when switching between project-specific and default rates

  • Minor internal data handling refinements to support future features

v1.1.3

Stability foundations

  • Improved stability when saving and reopening projects

  • Improved handling of imported project data

  • Minor UI and data persistence refinements

Licensing, Activation & Device Changes

Built Estimator is sold as a lifetime license, not a subscription. Once activated, the software continues to function offline with no recurring fees or required online accounts.

The licensing system exists solely to prevent abuse, not to interfere with legitimate use.

Deactivate License Button β€” What It’s For

Built Estimator includes a Deactivate License option to support normal device changes.

You should use deactivation when:

  • Moving to a new computer

  • Switching between Windows and macOS

  • Reinstalling your operating system

  • Preparing to move to future platforms when available

How Deactivation Works

  • Each license is intended for one active device at a time

  • Deactivating frees your license from the current machine

  • The same license can then be activated on another device

What Deactivation Does Not Do

  • It does not cancel or downgrade your license

  • It does not delete projects or catalogs

  • It does not require contacting support

  • It does not restrict offline use

Data Migration & Moving to a New Device

Built Estimator stores all projects, catalogs, and settings locally on your computer. This design keeps your data private, fast, and fully usable offline, but it also means data does not automatically sync between devices.

When Migrating to a New Computer

If you are moving Built Estimator to a different device, you must export your data from the old system before deactivating or retiring it.

This may include:

  • Project exports (estimates you want to keep)

  • Full catalog exports (materials, labor, productivity, and rates)

  • Any custom templates or saved configurations

After installing Built Estimator on the new device, these exports can be imported to restore your data.

Important to Understand

  • Deactivating a license does not transfer data

  • Projects and catalogs that are not exported will remain only on the original system

  • Data not exported cannot be recovered once the original device is wiped, replaced, or unavailable

Why Built Estimator Works This Way

Built Estimator is intentionally offline-first and does not rely on cloud storage, accounts, or subscriptions.

This approach provides:

  • Full ownership of your estimating data

  • No required internet connection

  • No forced syncing or server dependency

The tradeoff is that you control when and how data is moved, similar to traditional professional desktop software.

Recommended Before Deactivation or Device Changes

Before deactivating your license or switching devices, we recommend:

  1. Export all projects you want to keep

  2. Export your full catalog

  3. Save exports to a secure location (external drive, USB, or backup)

Once completed, you can safely deactivate the license, activate it on the new device, and import your data.

Ongoing Development

Built Estimator continues to receive updates focused on:

  • Stability and data safety

  • Estimating accuracy

  • Real-world contractor workflows

  • Long-term reliability without subscriptions

This log reflects visible improvements, while many releases also include internal refinements that improve consistency and performance over time.

Read More