Excel to Construction Estimate Converter 2026: automatic transfer in 15 minutes
Do you have a work scope list in Excel or Google Sheets but need a professional estimate with GESN rates? Copying data manually to Grand Smeta takes 4 hours, losing items, confusing units of measurement? In 2026, an AI converter automatically transfers data from Excel to an estimate — matches GESN rates, recalculates units, generates the final document.
Key Facts
- Manual copying from Excel to estimating software takes 3-5 hours per project
- Common errors: incorrect units of measurement, lost items, wrong rates
- Excel templates don't contain GESN rates — must be added manually
- Excel macros only work with fixed table formats
- AI converter processes any Excel/Google Sheets format in 15 minutes
Comparison: how to turn Excel into a professional estimate?
| Method | What it is | Pros | Cons | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel template with formulas | Ready-made table with columns: description, unit, quantity, price | Free, simple | No GESN rates, need to know codes manually, no auto unit conversion | Free |
| Manual copying to Grand Smeta | Transfer each item manually | Full control | Slow (3-5 hours), risk of errors, expensive software license | from 5,000 ₽/year |
| Excel export macros | VBA scripts for automation | Speeds up copying | Only works with fixed format, doesn't match rates | from 15,000 ₽ development |
| TimeMaterial AI converter | AI reads Excel/Google Sheets, matches GESN rates, generates estimate | Any table format, auto rate matching, export to your template | Currently only GESN-2020 | 5,000 ₽/month |
How to convert Excel to estimate in 3 steps?
Instead of 4 hours of manual copying — upload your table and get a ready estimate with GESN rates.
Step 1. Upload Excel or Google Sheets
Open @timematerial_bot in Telegram and send: - Excel file (.xlsx, .xls) - Google Sheets link - Table screenshot - Or simply copy text from the table
Table format can be anything. AI automatically determines: - Where work descriptions are - Where volumes and units of measurement are - Which columns are important for the estimate
Example source table in Excel:
| Work description | Volume | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Improved wall plastering | 120 | m2 |
| Armstrong ceiling installation | 85 | m2 |
| Brick partition laying | 12 | m3 |
Step 2. AI matches GESN rates automatically
For each item from your Excel, the bot:
- Analyzes work description ("Improved wall plastering")
- Finds suitable GESN rate from database of 528+ items
- Suggests 2-3 options to choose from with labor costs
- Automatically recalculates units of measurement (if GESN specifies per 100 m2, and you have 120 m2 — applies coefficient 1.2)
Example bot response:
Item: Improved wall plastering 120 m2
Recommended rate:
GESN15-01-015 — Improved plastering
Labor costs: 3.8 man-hours per 100 m2
For your volume (120 m2):
- Labor costs: 4.56 man-hours
- Cement mortar: 17.04 m3
- Plastering mesh: 126 m2
Apply this rate? (Yes / Show other options)
Step 3. Export ready estimate to Excel
After confirming all rates, the system generates a professional estimate:
- In your Excel template (preserves structure and formulas)
- With GESN codes and labor costs
- With automatic work cost calculation
- With breakdown by materials and equipment (if needed)
The estimate is ready to send to the client or tender documentation.
TimeMaterial: automatic Excel to estimate conversion with GESN rates
What else can TimeMaterial do?
The system automates the entire estimate workflow — not just Excel conversion.
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Accept data in any format | Excel, Google Sheets, PDF, screenshots, text work descriptions |
| AI GESN rate matching | Finds needed codes by work description (instead of manual search in 528 items) |
| Auto unit recalculation | Applies coefficients automatically (100 m2 → 120 m2 = 1.2) |
| Labor cost calculation | Calculates man-hours, materials, equipment based on volumes |
| Export to your template | Generates estimate in your Excel format preserving structure |
| Matching history | Remembers your rate preferences to speed up work |
See also
Frequently Asked Questions
Which table formats does the converter support?
Excel (.xlsx, .xls), Google Sheets (by link), CSV, table screenshots, text work lists. AI automatically recognizes structure — no fixed format needed.
Can I use my own estimate template for export?
Yes, upload your estimate sample in Excel. The system will preserve all formulas, styles, sections and fill with GESN data.
How does the bot determine which GESN rate to apply?
AI analyzes work description and context (wall plastering, ceiling installation, laying). If there's ambiguity — will suggest 2-3 options to choose from.
How much time does auto-conversion save?
On average 5+ hours per estimate. Instead of 6 hours of manual work (copying, finding rates, recalculations) — 0.5 hours with AI bot.
Stop wasting 4 hours copying data from Excel to estimating software.
TimeMaterial converts Excel to professional estimate automatically in 2026 — with GESN rates, labor costs and ready format.
Two payment options: - 5,000 ₽/month — subscription, unlimited conversion + all updates - 30,000 ₽ — one-time payment, access for one year + updates
Learn more about features — on TimeMaterial — AI Estimate Automation page.
Article prepared by TimeMaterial team. Updated: 2026-02-17.
Sources: - https://www.remstroycom.net/smeta-skachat-programmu/ - https://general-smeta.ru/zagruzki-2-0/shablony-excel.html - https://assistentus.ru/forma/smeta/ - https://www.planetaexcel.ru/forum/?PAGE_NAME=message&FID=1&TID=82071 - https://remplanner.ru/planner/smeta/ - https://smetadoma.su/stati/sostavlenie-kommercheskoj-smety-v-excel-primer.html
About the service "TimeMaterial — AI-powered estimate automation"
AI system for automatic estimation from any materials: Excel, Google Docs, PDF, text descriptions. Works with GESN (State Elemental Estimate Norms) price catalogs. Saves 5+ hours of estimator's work on each project.
Key Benefits:
- Saving 5+ hours of estimator's work on each project
- Calculation accuracy 95%+ thanks to AI
- Reduction of human errors by a factor of 10
- ROI pays off in 10-15 estimates