Best Remnant Management Software in 2026
Remnant management software tracks leftover slab pieces after fabrication, cataloging dimensions, material type, and photos so you can match them to future jobs or sell them instead of sending them to the landfill. The average fabrication shop has $15,000-$50,000 worth of remnants sitting in their yard at any given time, and most of it goes unused because nobody can find what they need.
TL;DR
- SlabWise combines AI slab nesting with automated remnant tracking and cataloging
- Slabsmith offers the best visual remnant tracking with calibrated photography
- Moraware provides basic remnant tracking integrated with its larger shop management system
- Average fab shop has 200-500 remnant pieces worth $15,000-$50,000
- Well-managed remnants can recover $500-$2,000/month in material that would otherwise be wasted
- Photo cataloging is the single most useful feature - if you can't see it, you won't use it
- Cross-job batching (using remnants from different jobs together) increases utilization by 15-25%
Evaluation Criteria
| Factor | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Cataloging & search | 30% | Photo quality, dimensions, search speed, material data |
| Integration with fabrication | 25% | Auto-cataloging from nesting, CNC compatibility |
| Ease of use | 20% | Adding, finding, and removing remnants |
| Reporting & analytics | 15% | Utilization rates, value tracking, aging reports |
| Pricing | 10% | Cost relative to recovered material value |
1. SlabWise - Best for AI-Driven Remnant Optimization
SlabWise's approach to remnants starts at the nesting stage. The AI slab nesting engine automatically identifies and catalogs remnant pieces as it optimizes layouts, so every usable piece gets tracked without manual data entry.
Pricing: $199/mo (Standard) | $349/mo (Enterprise) Free Trial: 14 days
Key Features
- Auto-Catalog from Nesting: When the AI nesting engine cuts a slab, it automatically catalogs the remaining usable remnant with dimensions, material info, and slab photo.
- Cross-Job Matching: The system checks incoming jobs against available remnants first, suggesting matches that save full-slab purchases.
- Remnant Search: Filter by material, color, minimum dimensions, and thickness to find the right piece in seconds.
- Yield Tracking: See overall slab utilization rates and how much material your remnant program recovers monthly.
Pros
- Remnants auto-cataloged during the nesting process
- AI suggests remnant use before ordering new slabs
- Integrated with quoting (remnant-priced jobs are flagged)
- 10-15% better overall material yield
Cons
- Remnant features tied to the full SlabWise platform
- Photo quality depends on slab scanning setup
- Enterprise tier needed for multi-yard management
Best for: Shops that want remnant management built into their nesting and quoting workflow automatically.
2. Slabsmith - Best for Visual Remnant Cataloging
Slabsmith's calibrated photography system gives you the most accurate visual remnant catalog available. Each remnant is photographed with precise dimensions, so you can virtually lay out a countertop template on the remnant to confirm fit.
Pricing: $3,500-$8,000 (one-time) + annual maintenance Free Trial: In-person demo
Key Features
- Calibrated Photos: Each remnant photographed with dimensional accuracy to 1/8".
- Virtual Layout: Place countertop templates directly on remnant photos to confirm fit and vein alignment.
- Searchable Database: Filter remnants by material, size, color family, and lot number.
- Customer Presentation: Show customers exactly which remnant their countertop will come from.
Pros
- Most accurate visual remnant catalog available
- Customers can see their actual piece before committing
- Reduces natural stone waste significantly
- Vein matching on remnants for multi-piece jobs
Cons
- Expensive upfront investment
- Requires dedicated photography station
- Manual cataloging (no auto-generation from nesting)
- Best for natural stone (less useful for quartz)
Best for: Natural stone fabricators where visual appearance and vein continuity matter to customers.
3. Moraware - Best for Integrated Shop Management
Moraware includes remnant tracking as part of its larger fabrication management platform. It's not the deepest remnant tool, but if you already use Moraware for job management, the integrated tracking avoids another separate system.
Pricing: Included with Moraware platform ($200-$400/mo) Free Trial: Demo available
Key Features
- Inventory Module: Track remnants alongside full slabs in one inventory system.
- Basic Cataloging: Record dimensions, material type, and location for each remnant.
- Job Integration: See available remnants when creating estimates in CounterGo.
- Reporting: Track remnant counts, aging, and utilization within standard Moraware reports.
Pros
- Integrated with the most-used fabrication platform
- No additional software cost
- Remnant data flows into estimating
- Familiar interface for existing Moraware users
Cons
- Basic remnant features compared to dedicated tools
- No photo cataloging
- Limited search and filtering options
- No AI matching or optimization
Best for: Existing Moraware users who want basic remnant tracking without adding another platform.
4. Remnant Marketplace by StoneConnect - Best for Selling Remnants
StoneConnect takes a different approach by creating a marketplace where fabricators can sell remnants to homeowners, small contractors, and other shops. Instead of just tracking inventory, it turns your remnant yard into a revenue source.
Pricing: Free to list | 5-10% commission on sales Free Trial: Free to start
Key Features
- Online Marketplace: List remnants with photos, dimensions, and pricing for public browsing.
- Local Search: Homeowners and contractors search for remnants by zip code and material.
- Payment Processing: Handle transactions through the platform with buyer protection.
- Inventory Sync: Track what's available and automatically remove sold pieces.
Pros
- Turns waste material into revenue
- No monthly subscription fee
- Reaches customers you'd never find otherwise
- Handles payment and logistics
Cons
- Commission on each sale reduces margins
- Requires photographing and listing each piece
- Pickup logistics can be inconvenient
- Variable demand depending on your market area
Best for: Shops in metro areas with high demand for budget countertop materials.
5. StoneTrak - Best for Yard Management
StoneTrak focuses on the physical organization side of remnant management - knowing where every piece is in your yard and being able to find it quickly.
Pricing: $125-$250/mo Free Trial: 14-day trial
Key Features
- Yard Mapping: Digital map of your storage area with piece locations marked.
- Barcode/QR System: Scan remnants to pull up specs, photos, and location instantly.
- Mobile App: Yard workers find and verify pieces using their phones.
- Location History: Track when pieces were moved and by whom.
Pros
- Best physical location tracking
- Barcode system speeds up finding pieces
- Mobile app useful for yard workers
- Simple interface focused on one thing
Cons
- Limited nesting or optimization features
- No marketplace or sales features
- Doesn't integrate with most fab software
- Basic reporting
Best for: Shops with large remnant yards (500+ pieces) that struggle with physically finding pieces.
6. Fabrication Inventory Pro - Best for Multi-Material Shops
Fabrication Inventory Pro handles remnant tracking across multiple material types - natural stone, quartz, solid surface, porcelain, and sintered stone - with material-specific data fields for each.
Pricing: $175-$300/mo Free Trial: 30-day trial
Key Features
- Material-Specific Fields: Track quartz lot numbers, natural stone vein direction, porcelain caliber, and solid surface color runs.
- Multi-Location: Manage remnants across warehouse, showroom, and job sites.
- Photo Gallery: Multiple photos per remnant (full piece, close-up, edge).
- Aging Reports: Flag remnants that have been sitting for 90, 180, or 365+ days.
Pros
- Handles all countertop material types
- Good aging reports to identify stale inventory
- Multi-location support
- Material-specific tracking fields
Cons
- No AI nesting or optimization
- Learning curve for full feature set
- Mid-range pricing for basic shops
- Limited integration options
Best for: Shops working with 3+ material types that need unified remnant management.
7. Google Sheets + Photos - Best Free DIY Solution
Many smaller shops track remnants using a shared Google Sheet with a linked photo folder. It costs nothing and works - just not as well as dedicated tools.
Pricing: Free Free Trial: N/A
Key Features
- Spreadsheet Tracking: Columns for dimensions, material, color, location, and date added.
- Photo Folder: Google Drive folder with photos linked or named to match spreadsheet rows.
- Search: Use Google Sheets filter and search functions to find pieces.
- Sharing: Multiple team members access the same sheet.
Pros
- Zero cost
- Everyone already knows spreadsheets
- Accessible from any device
- Customizable to your needs
Cons
- Manual data entry for everything
- Photos disconnected from data
- No automation or optimization
- Gets unwieldy past 100 pieces
- No integration with any fabrication tools
Best for: Shops with fewer than 50 remnants that want to start tracking without spending money.
8. Countertop Remnant App - Best Mobile-First Option
This mobile-focused app lets you photograph, measure, and catalog remnants directly from your phone. No desktop required.
Pricing: $49-$99/mo Free Trial: 7-day trial
Key Features
- Phone Camera Cataloging: Take a photo, enter dimensions, and tag the material - all from your phone.
- Quick Search: Filter remnants by size, material, and color on your phone.
- Share Links: Send remnant details to customers or sales staff via text or email.
- Simple Interface: Designed for speed - catalog a piece in under 60 seconds.
Pros
- Fastest way to catalog remnants
- No special equipment needed
- Easy to use for yard workers
- Low price point
Cons
- Limited reporting and analytics
- No nesting or optimization
- Photo quality limited by phone camera
- Basic feature set
Best for: Small shops wanting the fastest possible remnant cataloging with minimal setup.
Comparison Table
| Software | Price | Photo Catalog | AI/Nesting | Marketplace | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SlabWise | $199/mo | Yes (auto) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Slabsmith | $3,500+ | Yes (calibrated) | No | No | No |
| Moraware | Included | No | No | No | Limited |
| StoneConnect | Commission | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| StoneTrak | $125/mo | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Fab Inventory Pro | $175/mo | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Google Sheets | Free | Manual | No | No | Yes |
| Remnant App | $49/mo | Yes (phone) | No | No | Yes |
Remnant Management Best Practices
Catalog Every Piece Over 4 Square Feet
Anything under 4 sq ft is rarely usable for countertops (though backsplash pieces can be smaller). Set a clear threshold and catalog everything above it.
Photograph Immediately After Cutting
The window between cutting and forgetting is short. Make photographing remnants part of the CNC operator's standard process - not something done "when we get to it."
Track Aging and Set Disposal Thresholds
Remnants sitting for 12+ months are likely never getting used. Set a policy: after 12 months, price remnants at 30-50% of material cost for quick sale. After 18 months, consider disposal to free space.
Use Remnants for Internal Samples and Displays
Turn slow-moving remnants into showroom samples, display pieces, or employee countertop projects. This recovers some value while clearing yard space.
Price Remnant Jobs Differently
When you can use a remnant instead of a full slab, pass some savings to the customer (this speeds up the sale) while keeping the margin improvement. A common split: customer saves 20-30%, you save the rest.
FAQ
How much are my remnants worth?
The typical fabrication shop has $15,000-$50,000 in remnant inventory. Natural stone remnants are worth $20-$80/sq ft depending on the material. Quartz remnants range from $15-$50/sq ft.
What percentage of fabrication becomes remnants?
Industry average material waste is 25-35% of each slab. With AI nesting (like SlabWise), that drops to 15-25%. Not all waste is usable remnants - some pieces are too small or oddly shaped.
How do I sell remnants to homeowners?
The most effective channels are: your own showroom (for walk-in customers), marketplace platforms (StoneConnect), local classifieds (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace), and partnerships with small contractors who do bathroom vanities.
What's the minimum useful remnant size?
For countertops: roughly 4 sq ft (e.g., 24" x 24"). For bathroom vanities: 2-3 sq ft. For backsplashes: 1-2 sq ft. For fireplace surrounds: 3-4 sq ft.
How do I organize my remnant yard?
Group by material type first, then by color family. Use a simple labeling system (barcode, QR code, or numbered tags) that links to your digital catalog. Keep the most-used materials at the front.
Can AI help manage remnants?
Yes. AI nesting software like SlabWise automatically identifies and catalogs usable remnants during the cutting process. It also checks incoming jobs against available remnants before recommending new slab purchases.
How often should I audit my remnant inventory?
Full physical audit quarterly. Spot checks monthly. Digital catalog updates should happen in real-time as pieces are cut, used, or disposed of.
Should I charge customers less for remnant countertops?
Most shops offer a 15-30% discount for remnant jobs. This makes the remnant attractive to price-sensitive customers while still being profitable - you already paid for the material from the original job.
How do I track remnant ROI?
Track: (1) number of remnants used per month, (2) material value recovered, (3) new slab purchases avoided, and (4) revenue from sold remnants. Compare this to the cost of your remnant management system.
What's cross-job batching?
Combining remnant pieces from multiple previous jobs to fulfill a new order. For example, using a granite remnant from Job A for the main countertop and a matching remnant from Job B for the island. This requires good cataloging and lot/batch tracking.
Stop Wasting Material Sitting in Your Yard
SlabWise's AI nesting engine automatically catalogs remnants as it optimizes your slab layouts, then suggests remnant matches for incoming jobs. Shops using SlabWise report 10-15% better material yield and recover $500-$2,000/month in remnant value. Try it free for 14 days.
Start Your Free SlabWise Trial →
Sources
- Stone World Magazine - Material Waste and Recovery Benchmark 2025
- Marble Institute of America - Best Practices for Stone Remnant Management
- National Stone Institute - Industry Waste Statistics
- Slabsmith - Published Remnant Tracking Case Studies
- Countertop Fabricators Alliance - Remnant Utilization Survey
- U.S. EPA - Construction Material Waste Data
- Kitchen & Bath Business - Remnant Sales Market Analysis