Pricing electrical jobs in spreadsheets or mentally calculating labor by hand is how many electrical contractors get started, but this process is time consuming and can leave profit on the table. Between fluctuating material prices, tight deadlines, and growing competition, contractors need a reliable, accurate, and efficient process at every stage of a project, including estimating.
The solution is electrical estimating software.
Electrical estimating software automates and streamlines the process of creating bids, helping you calculate material, labor, and overhead costs faster and more precisely.
This guide covers:
- When your business is ready to adopt electrical estimating software
- What features to look for in software
- The best electrical estimating and bidding tools on the market
- How to roll out electrical estimating software successfully
How to know when your business is “big enough” for electrical estimating software
If you’re used to operating a business with basic spreadsheets or with mental math, you’re not alone — many successful electrical contractors start their business this way.
Here are a few signs it’s time to upgrade to electrical estimating and bidding software:
- You’re managing multiple quotes each week
Once you’re handling three or more active bids, manually tracking each one becomes a hassle. - Your bids are inconsistent
Different team members may calculate bids differently, which can lead to confusion across your organization. - You’re missing deadlines
Clients expect quick turnarounds. A slow estimating process can cost you contracts. - You’re expanding into new trades or markets
Solar and EV charger installations involve new material and labor variables that can complicate pricing, especially if you cover multiple jurisdictions.
Adding electrical estimating software to your business isn’t just about the size of your company. It’s mainly about the processes and operations of your business. Faster, more accurate estimates means more projects won and fewer costly mistakes.
Features to look for in electrical estimating software
Not all estimating tools are built the same. The best choice for your business depends on your business model, budget, and time size. But there are certain features that are essential:
- Ease of use
The interface should be intuitive, allowing you to build estimates quickly. - Cloud-based access
Remote access lets your or your team work from anywhere, which is increasingly important for contractors in the field. - Integration capabilities
Look for software that syncs with your existing systems such as QuickBooks, Proctor, or your permit management software to prevent duplicate work or information. - Real-time material pricing
Automatically updated supplier databases help ensure your bids reflect current market prices, not outdated spreadsheets with old information. - Scalability
Whether you’re a one-person shop or a growing team, your software should be able to scale with you. - Customer support
Reliable onboarding and training resources can make all the differences in tool adoption.
Generic estimating software vs. trade-specific tools
Generic estimating platforms can seem appealing at first as they’re often cheaper. However, they lack the built-in electrical databases, NEC references, and labor unit libraries that electrical contractors rely on daily.
By contrast, electrical bidding and estimating software is designed specifically for electrical work.
It includes:
- Preconfigured assemblies (conduit runs, wiring configurations, fixtures, panels)
- Built-in labor tables
- Automatic calculations aligned with industry standards
7 best electrical estimating software options
1. ServiceTitan Electrical
Best for: Service-based electricians and home service contractors
ServiceTitan Electrical goes beyond estimating—it helps you manage the full customer journey. From the first call to project completion, everything happens in one platform. It’s especially valuable for home service electricians offering repair, maintenance, and small installation work.
The downside is that ServiceTitan is less focused on complex, large-scale project estimating and more suited for service workflows.
Key features:
- Estimating, invoicing, scheduling, and CRM integration
- Mobile app for field teams
- Financing and payment options built-in
2. Trimble Accubid Anywhere
Best for: Large commercial or multi-trade contractors
Trimble Accubid Anywhere is one of the most advanced estimating solutions available. It’s tailor-made for professional electrical and multi-trade contractors who need precision and flexibility. The software supports digital takeoff, multi-user access, and highly detailed bid creation, all backed by Trimble’s trusted electrical database.
The downside? It’s a premium product with a steep learning curve and a higher price point. This is why this tool is best suited for more established contractors or large teams with in-house estimators.
Key features:
- NEC-compliant assemblies and labor databases
- Cloud-based access and real-time collaboration
- Integration with Trimble Connect, AutoCAD, and supplier pricing databases
3. SimPRO
Best for: Electrical and solar contractors managing full-service operations
SimPRO combines electrical estimating with comprehensive workflow management, making it ideal for businesses that want a single solution from quote to invoice. It’s especially strong for solar and EV installation contractors managing ongoing service or maintenance work.
Smaller teams might find this solution a little more feature-heavy than necessary, and setting it up can take a bit of time.
Key features:
- End-to-end business management (estimating, job costing, scheduling, inventory)
- Cloud-based, accessible on desktop and mobile
- Integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, and Procore
4. TurboBid
Best for: Small to mid-sized electrical contractors
TurboBid is affordable, trade-specific, and designed for contractors without IT departments. Its straightforward interface lets you create detailed professional proposals quickly.
The downside is that this tool is desktop-based, which means limited collaboration capabilities on the go.
Key features:
- Built-in electrical assemblies and NEC labor units
- Material price updates and proposal generation
- Customizable templates for residential and commercial bids
5. McCormic Systems (WinEST / McCormic Electrical Estimating)
Best for: Mid-sized to large contractors seeking robust, proven tools
McCormick Systems has a long-standing reputation in the construction industry. Its powerful takeoff tools and customizable features make it a strong choice for contractors who handle high-volume commercial projects.
The interface can feel dated compared to newer cloud-based competitors, but the functionality remains top-tier.
Key features:
- Pre-loaded electrical databases
- Integration with other common tools like QuickBooks, Sage, and project management software
- Local support and training resources
6. ConEst IntelliBid
Best for: Established electrical contractors and design-build firms
IntelliBid offers some of the most precise and comprehensive estimating features on the market. It’s built for accuracy, making it a top choice for firms bidding on complex or high-value projects.
IntelliBid is primarily desktop-oriented, which makes it less mobile-friendly than other competitors on the market.
Key features:
- Digital takeoff tools and pre-built electrical databases
- Integrated bid management and proposal generation
- Detailed reporting for project analysis
7. STACK Estimating
Best for: Multi-trade contractors and growing electrical businesses
STACK is a versatile, modern platform perfect for contractors expanding into new services such as solar installation or EV charging. Its cloud-first design allows teams to collaborate in real time on takeoffs and bids.
While this is a powerful tool, it does require major customization to achieve the depth of electrical databases that can be found in more trade-specific tools like TurboBid or McCormick.
Key features:
- Cloud-based takeoff and estimating
- Collaboration tools for distributed teams
- Works across multiple trades (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, solar)
How to implement electrical estimating software into your business
The success of any new tool depends on how you introduce it to your team. If you’re looking for a successful rollout of a new software, here are a few steps we suggest:
- Start with a pilot project. Choose a few small bids or workflows to test processes and identify any issues before sharing it with the rest of the team.
- Integrate existing systems. See how you can connect your existing software tools to your new estimating software to eliminate any duplicate work.
- Standardize templates. Create reusable estimating templates and assemblies for consistency across bids.
- Train your team. Dedicate time to onboarding and refreshers. Many providers offer webinars or online academies.
- Track ROI. After a few months, measure how estimating speed, accuracy, and win rates have improved. The data will often show the software paying for itself in weeks.
The power of precision in electrical estimating
Accurate estimating is the backbone of every profitable electrical business. No matter what you’re bidding on, precision matters. Electrical estimating software helps you deliver fast, reliable numbers that give you an edge over your competition.
As your business grows, manual methods can’t keep pace. The best estimating tools automate calculations, update pricing in real time, and help you generate faster, more competitive bids.
But accuracy in estimating is just one piece of the puzzle. Once projects are won, permit management becomes the next bottleneck.
Amid unclear local regulations, complicated submissions requirements, and coordination across multiple trades, permitting can quickly eat into your team’s bandwidth. That’s where permit management software makes a difference — by centralizing every permit, approval, and inspection in one easy-to-track system.
PermitFlow is the leading AI-powered permitting platform built specifically for construction and trades professionals, automating everything from application prep to city submissions and follow-ups. With PermitFlow, your permits move faster, your team stays organized, and your projects start on time, every time.
Talk to one of our experts today to learn how PermitFlow can simplify your permitting process and help your electrical business scale with confidence.
