In plumbing, an estimate can make or break a job. Bid too high, and you lose the work. Bid too low, and you eat into your margins.
So how do you handle bids and estimates? Well, if you’re juggling multiple crews, service calls, and a growing number of projects on your plate, outdated spreadsheets just won’t cut it. You need software.
It’s time to upgrade to plumbing bidding and estimating software, which gives you a faster, more reliable way to price out jobs.
This guide walks through the signs it’s time to upgrade, what features to look for, and the best plumbing bidding software plumbers are using today to stay competitive.
When do you need plumbing estimating software?
If you’re a solo operator handling only a few calls a week, managing a simple spreadsheet might be enough for you. But as soon as you start scaling, it’s probably wise to start considering software.
Here are some signs your business is “big enough” to benefit from plumbing bidding software:
- You’re handling more than a few jobs a week.
With multiple bids going out at once, tracking costs and labor in a spreadsheet gets messy and disorganized fast. - You have a growing team.
Estimating software helps standardize pricing and ensures every technician is quoting consistently across the board. - You’re bidding competitively on much larger projects.
Commercial jobs and large residential remodels demand precise numbers and polished proposals if you want to win the bid.
- You’re spending too much time on bids and estimates.
If estimating eats up hours of your day, software can handle the calculations for you. You’ll be freed up to focus on completing jobs and growing the business. - Your margins keep slipping.
Bad estimates turn into surprise costs down the line. Software helps you price jobs accurately and protect your profit.
What to look for in plumbing bidding software
While there are plenty of generic business estimating platforms out there, you’ll benefit from software specifically designed for your needs as a plumbing contractor.
Here are some of the most important features to look for in plumbing software:
An accurate cost databases
Good plumbing estimating software comes with built-in cost databases for common materials, fixtures, and labor rates, updated regularly so you’re not working off outdated numbers. Some platforms also let you customize your own database, giving you the flexibility to reflect the exact costs you see in your market.
Customizable templates
First impressions matter. Professional bid templates help you create polished proposals quickly, while still allowing you to tailor details for each job.
Instead of reinventing the wheel with every estimate, you’ll save time and send out proposals that look consistent and credible.
Integration with other tools
If you already use other software for things like accounting, project management, or permitting, make sure any plumbing estimating and bidding software you invest in is compatible with those tools. Trust us — it’ll save you hours on manually entering data.
Mobile app
Plumbing work happens in the field, not behind a desk. Mobile-friendly estimating software lets your techs build or adjust estimates on-site. This helps keep jobs moving and cuts down on back-and-forth with the office. Make sure you vet the app, too — there’s nothing worse than a buggy mobile app.
Reporting and analytics
Beyond crafting bids, software gives you insight into your business. It’ll help you track job costs, margins, and win rates — which ultimately helps you identify what’s working, where you’re losing money, and how you can tighten up your operations.
Trade-specific features
Generic estimating software can only take you so far. Platforms built specifically for plumbing include assemblies, fixture pricing, and labor units unique to plumbing work, so your estimates are based in reality, not generic construction averages.
5 best plumbing estimating software
With so many software platforms on the market, busy plumbing contractors rarely have time to research every option.
We’ve pulled together five of the best plumbing estimating software options out there, each with its own strengths depending on how big your business is, what you can spend, and how you like to run jobs.
1. ServiceTitan
ServiceTitan is an all-in-one field service management platform that includes robust estimating features. It’s designed for contractors who want more than just estimating — think scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and customer management.
Best for: Growing plumbing businesses looking for a full-service operations platform
Key features:
- Mobile-friendly quoting directly from the field
- Flat-rate pricing with customizable service menus
- Seamless QuickBooks integration
Pros and cons:
2. STACK
STACK is a cloud-based takeoff and estimating platform popular among plumbing contractors who handle both residential and commercial jobs.
Best for: Mid-sized to large plumbing contractors bidding on a variety of project sizes.
Key features:
- Digital takeoffs for precise material calculations
- Pre-built plumbing assemblies to speed up estimates
- Integrates with project management software for a smoother workflow
Pros and cons:
3. FastPIPE
FastPIPE is a specialized estimating solution built specifically for mechanical and plumbing contractors. This commercial plumbing estimating software is made to handle large-scale projects with precision.
Best for: Mid-to-large contractors focused on commercial or industrial plumbing projects
Key features:
- Detailed material and labor cost databases
- Integration with CAD and takeoff software
- Advanced reporting capabilities
Pros and cons:
4. FieldPulse
FieldPulse is a cloud-based business management app designed for smaller contractors who want to streamline operations affordably.
Best for: Small plumbing businesses ready to move beyond spreadsheets but not yet at enterprise scale.
Key features:
- Estimate and invoice creation in minutes
- Scheduling and dispatching tools
- Customer CRM built into the platform
Pros and cons:
5. ProEst by AutoDesk
ProEst is a powerful construction estimating platform used across multiple trades, including plumbing. Its cloud-based system is designed for companies that want robust estimating with collaboration features.
Best for: Larger plumbing contractors regularly bidding on commercial projects
Key features:
- Built-in cost database with plumbing-specific assemblies
- Centralized bid management for teams
- Real-time access from anywhere
Pros and cons:
How to seamlessly implement plumbing estimating software
Adopting new software doesn’t have to throw your business off track.
With a little planning, you can make the transition smooth for both the office and the field.
Here are a few steps that help:
- Start small
Test the software on only one or two projects before rolling it out to everyone in your company. This way, you can work out the kinks without overwhelming your team. - Train your team
Give staff and techs hands-on training so they feel confident using the system. The easier it is for them to adopt, the faster you’ll see results. - Integrate with existing systems
Integrate the software with your accounting or project management tools to cut out duplicate data entry and keep everything in sync. - Leverage templates
Use built-in estimating templates to standardize proposals, save time, and ensure your bids look sharp and professional. - Track results
Measure how much time you save, how accurate your bids become, and whether your margins improve. This helps prove ROI and refine your process
Keep your business flowing
Winning plumbing jobs comes down to speed and accuracy. If you’re still relying on spreadsheets or handwritten notes once your business starts scaling, you’re setting yourself up for missed bids and lost profit.
Plumbing bidding and estimating software takes the guesswork out of pricing, helps your team stay consistent, and frees up time you can put back into growing the business. Try a couple of options, see what fits, and choose the one that makes bidding feel less like a chore and more like a growth tool.
And if permits are another bottleneck in your operations, we can help there too. Book a demo with one of our permitting experts and see how PermitFlow can keep your projects moving from bid to build.
