The AB Estimator goes live on October 21. In the meantime, the current AB Retaining Wall Estimating Tool is available now.
Introducing the New Allan Block Estimator
Estimating a retaining wall, patio wall, or fence project by hand takes time, and every hour spent measuring and calculating is an hour not spent closing your next job. Allan Block developed the AB Estimator to solve exactly that problem, giving you a fast, reliable way to generate accurate material counts for your projects.
Whether you used the old AB Estimating Tool or are brand new, you will find the AB Estimator simplified, streamlined, and built to work faster while covering more ground than ever before.
What It Does
The AB Estimator is a purpose-built calculator for Allan Block projects. It contains every Allan Block product line in a single tool, so you can quickly generate a full materials list for:
Retaining Walls
Large or small, residential or commercial.
Patio Walls
AB patio walls for outdoor living spaces.
Fences & Sound Walls
AB Fence sound and security fences.
- Web-based, so there is no app to install and no spreadsheets or separate calculators to juggle.
- Runs on any device with a browser.
- Projects can be saved and reopened for modifications or final proposals.
- Printing automatically saves a PDF for easy printing or emailing.
Simple or Advanced. Your Choice.
The tool offers both a Basic mode and an Advanced mode, so it adapts to the person using it rather than the other way around.
Someone estimating a straightforward backyard project can move through a quick, guided process, while contractors and estimators working on larger or more complex jobs can dig into the advanced settings for greater control and detail.
Both modes draw from the same accurate underlying calculations, so no matter which one you choose, you can trust the numbers.
Input Your Project Details
Built for the Whole Project Team
This is not a specialty engineering program locked behind a steep learning curve. It is straightforward enough for a homeowner planning a backyard project, while still robust enough for contractors, dealers, and project estimators managing much larger jobs.
That means everyone involved in a project, from the person selling it to the person building it, can work from the same accurate numbers.
Why It Matters for Contractors and Sales Reps
Less time on takeoffs frees up hours to focus on the next bid or the next customer conversation.
Speed
What used to take manual measuring, notepad math, and cross-referencing spec sheets can now be done in a fraction of the time. Everything lives on a single page, and any change you make updates the estimate in real time. No waiting, no re-running calculations, and no flipping between screens.
Accuracy
Precise material counts mean fewer surprise shortages mid-project, less wasted product, and quotes that hold up once the job actually starts.
Global Reach
Available in multiple languages, with both metric and imperial units, making it usable across a wide range of markets and teams.
Enhanced Visuals
As a wall, patio, or fence is entered, a visual representation updates in real time, making it easy to confirm your inputs match what you expect before the estimate is finalized.
Allan Block Focused
Block dimensions are already built in for every product, including the different sizes produced by Allan Block manufacturers. There is no need to look up or manually enter dimensions for each item.
Use the Plan Input to trace your layout. See the wall in 3D.
Layout and 3D, Now Built Right In
The AB Layout Tool has been fully integrated into the AB Estimator, along with a 3D visualization.
Trace a wall layout directly from a PDF or image and feed those precise measurements straight into your estimate. No manual measuring, no switching between separate tools, and no re-entering data.
The integrated 3D view lets you see the project take shape as you build the estimate, making it easier to review and explain a design before it is finalized.
What Else?
The tool also gives you flexibility in how you take your estimate to the next step.
Print-Friendly PDF
Export a clean PDF that is ready to hand off to a client or crew, and easy to print or email.
Editable Excel
Export the full material breakdown to Excel, where pricing can be added or adjusted to fit your own numbers.
Save & Reload
An estimate never has to be finished in one sitting. Save a project and pick up right where you left off as it evolves.
Add project pricing and overages
Output Your Estimate to PDF or Excel formats
The Bottom Line
For contractors, time and accuracy are everything. The AB Estimator cuts the guesswork out of material takeoffs, speeds up the proposal process, and helps teams present professional, trustworthy quotes to every client, whether the project is a small backyard patio wall or a large commercial retaining wall.
Ready to try it? Mark your calendar for October 21, when the AB Estimator goes live.