Best Plumbing Estimating Software in 2026
Independent comparison of the top plumbing estimating software tools for plumbers and plumbing contractors. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - both up sharply from 2025, reshaping the value pick for plumbing crews.
Last updated: July 2026
Quick Comparison: At a Glance
| Feature | Projul | Stack Construction | Buildxact | JobTread | Clear Estimates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $399 | $183 | $169 | $199 | $59 |
| Overall Rating | |||||
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Core Features | |||||
| Estimating | |||||
| Digital Takeoff | — | ||||
| Scheduling | — | — | |||
| Project Mgmt | — | — | |||
| Business Tools | |||||
| CRM | — | — | — | ||
| QuickBooks | |||||
| Reporting | |||||
| Proposals | |||||
| Advanced | |||||
| Mobile App | — | ||||
| Inventory | — | — | — | — | |
| BIM | — | — | — | — | |
← Scroll to compare →
Pricing verified as of July 2026. Features based on vendor documentation.
Projul
Flat-rate pricing — no per-user fees at any tier, even the base plan
Try Projul Free →Stack Construction
Count outlets, measure roof squares, and calculate materials straight from PDF blueprints
Try STACK Free →Buildxact
Foundation plan now includes unlimited users and digital takeoffs - no more per-user pricing
Try Buildxact Free →JobTread
All features included at one price - no tiered plans or feature gating
Try JobTread Free →Clear Estimates
Starts at $59/mo annual - the cheapest paid option with no per-user nonsense
Try Clear Estimates Free →Pricing verified as of July 2026. Prices may vary.
Which Plumbing Estimating Software Is Right for You?
Not every contractor needs the same tool. Here's our honest take based on your situation.
Solo plumber doing residential service and repair
→ Clear Estimates ($59/mo flat)
Starts at $59/mo annual. Fast estimates from pre-built plumbing templates.
Plumbing crew with 3–10 techs doing new construction and remodels
→ Projul ($399/mo flat)
Flat-rate pricing, QuickBooks sync, and mobile access for on-site estimates.
Plumbing contractor doing commercial projects with blueprint takeoffs
→ Stack Construction ($183/mo)
Digital takeoff from PDFs handles pipe runs, fixture counts, and material lists.
Plumbing contractor managing 5–15 jobs with budget tracking needs
→ Buildxact ($169/mo flat)
$199/mo Foundation with unlimited users and digital takeoffs. Add Pro at $399/mo for job costing and scheduling.
Not sure? Take our 5-question quiz — we'll match you to the right tool.
Total Cost Reality Check: What You'll Actually Pay
Monthly prices hide the real cost. Here's the annual total by team size.
| Software | 1 Tech | 3 Techs | 5 Techs | 10 Techs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projul | $4,788/yr | $4,788/yr | $4,788/yr | $4,788/yr |
| JobTread | $2,388/yr | $2,868/yr | $3,348/yr | $4,548/yr |
| Clear Estimates | $708/yr | $708/yr | $708/yr | $708/yr |
| Stack Construction | $2,999/yr | $6,597/yr | $10,995/yr | $21,990/yr |
| Buildxact | $2,030/yr | $2,030/yr | $2,030/yr | $2,030/yr |
Annual costs calculated from vendor pricing as of July 2026. Prices may vary.
Our Honest Recommendation
Go with Projul
Built for trade contractors like plumbers. Flat-rate pricing and QuickBooks sync are hard to beat for crews.
If budget is tight and you only need estimating, Clear Estimates does that starting at $59/mo annual.
Detailed Reviews: What We Found
Projul is our top pick. Here's why — and how the others compare.
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
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.
Stack Construction
STACK scores 4.6/5 — the best digital takeoff tool for commercial roofing, electrical, and HVAC contractors who bid from PDF blueprints.
Price
$183
/user/mo
Best For
HVAC, General
Free Trial
14 days
Bottom Line: The best digital takeoff tool we've tested. But starting at $2,999/yr for a single user ($250/mo), it's only worth it if takeoffs are your bottleneck. Teams of 3+ get volume pricing at $2,199/user/yr. Pair it with Projul or JobTread for scheduling.
Buildxact
Simple estimating and job management — ready in under an hour
Price
$169
/mo flat
Best For
HVAC, General
Free Trial
14 days
Bottom Line: Still the fastest setup we've tested, but the 2026 pricing overhaul (Foundation $169/mo annual vs old $49/mo) ends its run as the budget pick. Now competes with Projul on value. Best for residential contractors who want AI estimating and digital takeoffs in one platform.
JobTread
Estimating, project management, and accounting — one tool, one price
Price
$199
/user/mo
Best For
General, HVAC
Free Trial
No
Bottom Line: No longer the flat-rate bargain it was - 2026 pricing ($199/mo + $20/user) makes it pricier than Projul for teams over 8. But built-in accounting, the new takeoff module, and QB Online sync keep it competitive for crews who want one tool. Solo operators should compare against Clear Estimates.
Clear Estimates
The cheapest estimating software that actually works - starts at $59/mo annual
Price
$59
/mo flat
Best For
HVAC, Small Crew
Free Trial
30 days
Bottom Line: Perfect for solo contractors who just need to crank out estimates fast and cheap. If you want scheduling or job management, spend more on JobTread or Projul instead.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Download our Excel template — built for plumbing contractors. Free.
Browse Other Trades
HVAC
Independent comparison of the top HVAC estimating software tools. Tested by our editorial team for accuracy, speed, and HVAC-specific features. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - both up sharply from 2025, reshaping the value pick for HVAC crews.
Electrical
Independent comparison of the top electrical estimating software tools for electricians and electrical contractors. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - both up sharply from 2025, changing the value calculus for electrical contractors.
Roofing
Independent comparison of the top roofing estimating software tools for roofers and roofing contractors. July 2026 pricing update: PlanSwift raised its annual subscription to $2,000/yr per user, and Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing - reshaping the value pick for roofers.
Landscaping
Independent comparison of the top landscaping estimating software tools for landscapers and lawn care businesses. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing (scheduling now requires Pro at $399/mo) and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - reshaping the value pick for landscaping crews.
General Contractor
Independent comparison of the top construction estimating software for general contractors and builders. July 2026 pricing update: JobTread shifted from flat-rate to $199/mo base plus $20/user, and Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing - changing the value calculus for GCs of every size.
Small Contractor
Affordable estimating software picks for solo operators and small crews (1–10 people). Flat-rate pricing, easy setup, no bloat. July 2026 pricing update: JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user and Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing - Clear Estimates at $59/mo annual is now the clear budget pick.
Free Construction Estimating
The top free and low-cost construction estimating software options. Find tools with free trials, freemium plans, and budget-friendly picks. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact now offers a free Go plan (5 AI credits) alongside $199/mo Foundation, and Clear Estimates starts at $59/mo annual - the cheapest paid option remains accessible for tight budgets.
Painting
Independent comparison of estimating software for painting contractors and painting companies. Tools that handle paint takeoff, material pricing, and crew bids. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing (scheduling now requires Pro at $399/mo) and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - reshaping the value pick for painting crews.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can plumbing estimating software integrate with QuickBooks?
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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 →