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EstimatorSuite

Stop Guessing. Start Bidding with the Right Estimating Software.

67% of contractors still use Excel or paper for estimates. We tested 9 estimating tools with real job data so you don't have to. Here are the ones worth your money.

9 Software Tested
Updated Monthly
Independent Reviews
HVACElectricalPlumbingRoofingTake the 30-Second Quiz

Our Top Pick

Our #1 PickBest overall for trade contractors
#1 PickBest for HVAC
4.8

Projul

Estimating, scheduling, and invoicing for trade contractors — flat-rate, no per-user fees

Price

$399

/mo flat

Best For

HVAC, Plumbing

Free Trial

14 days

Flat-rate pricing — no per-user fees at any tier, even the base plan
Your tech can pull up estimates on his phone at the job site, even offline
Core+ plan syncs with QuickBooks Online automatically — no double entry
Core plan ($399/mo) doesn't include QuickBooks sync, change orders, or job costing — you need Core+ ($599/mo) for those
Annual billing only, no month-to-month option — $4,788 minimum commitment

Bottom Line: Our top pick for trade crews with 2–10 techs — but factor in the Core+ plan at $599/mo if you need QuickBooks sync or job costing. The flat-rate model still saves money vs. per-user tools. Skip it if you need digital takeoffs.

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Affiliate Disclosure: EstimatorSuite may earn a commission when you click links on this page and purchase a paid plan. This never affects our editorial independence, ratings, or rankings — we test every product ourselves before publishing. See our full affiliate disclosure.

Find the Best Tool for Your Trade

Different trades need different features. Pick yours.

All 9 Tools We Reviewed

Every tool we tested, ranked by score. Click for the full review.

Popular Comparisons

Projul vs Stack Construction

Projul wins for small trade crews who need scheduling + estimating in one tool. STACK wins for commercial contractors who live inside blueprints.

Projul vs JobTread

Both offer flat-rate pricing under $400/mo. Projul has QuickBooks sync; JobTread has built-in accounting. Pick based on whether you want to keep QuickBooks.

Stack Construction vs PlanSwift

STACK is cloud-based and built for teams. PlanSwift is desktop-only but costs less per year. Choose STACK for collaboration; PlanSwift for solo takeoff work.

Buildxact vs Clear Estimates

Buildxact Foundation adds estimating and takeoffs at $199/mo (scheduling needs Pro at $399/mo). Clear Estimates is estimating-only at $59/mo annual but simpler. Pick Buildxact if you need the whole workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best construction estimating software for small contractors?

For contractors with 1–10 employees, Clear Estimates ($59/mo annual) and Jobber ($69/mo) are the top picks. Both are easy to learn, include estimating templates, and won't break the bank. Clear Estimates is best if you only need estimating. Jobber is better if you also need scheduling and dispatch for your crew.

How much does construction estimating software cost?

Prices range from $59/month (Clear Estimates annual) to $500+/month (Procore). Most tools for small contractors cost $59-$400/month. Watch out for per-user pricing - if you have 5 techs, a $50/user tool costs $250/month. Flat-rate tools like Buildxact Foundation ($199/mo, unlimited users) and Stack Construction offer better value for growing crews.

Is there free construction estimating software?

Fully free estimating software is rare. Most tools offer a 14-day free trial instead. Jobber and Houzz Pro both have free trials you can test with real jobs. Some tools like Contractor Foreman include a basic plan, but the useful features start at the paid tier. We recommend using the free trial to build 2–3 real estimates before you decide.

Do I need estimating software, or is Excel good enough?

Excel works fine if you do fewer than 5 estimates a week. But if you're bidding on 10+ jobs a month, estimating software pays for itself. In our testing, building an estimate in dedicated software took 11 minutes vs. 47 minutes in Excel. That's 3 extra bids you can send out every day. Plus, the software catches math errors and keeps your material prices current.

How do I choose the right estimating software for my trade?

Start with your trade and crew size. HVAC and plumbing contractors need dispatch and mobile access. Roofers need measurement and takeoff tools. Electricians need fast material counts. Then check: does it integrate with QuickBooks? Is there a mobile app? Can your techs use it on the job site? Our trade-specific guides break this down for each specialty.

Free Resources for Contractors

Construction Calculators

Free calculators for roof, concrete, foundation, tile, and 40+ trades. No sign-up, 2026 prices.

Cost Guides

Real 2026 pricing for 20+ home projects. National averages, regional adjustments, and contractor red flags.

Estimating Tools

Quick estimate tools for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roofing jobs.

Estimate Templates

Free Excel templates for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing estimates.

Pricing Research

Independent pricing data from 200+ contractors. No vendor spin.

Open Source Calculators

All 42 construction calculators open-sourced under MIT. React components and pure functions on GitHub.

Marcus Webb

Lead Reviewer & Construction Tech Analyst

Marcus spent 8 years working with general contractors and trade businesses before focusing on construction technology. He has personally tested 30+ estimating and project management tools with real project data.

About Marcus →
IndependentHands-On TestingReader-Supported

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