What Software Do Electrical Estimators Use?

[fs-toc-omit]What's the big deal with all this new electrical estimating software?

[fs-toc-omit]Contractors and electrical estimators are turning to software to help generate better, more accurate, and cost-effective estimates to help win more work. Getting the numbers right in today’s competitive marketplace is key to building a successful project portfolio.

[fs-toc-omit]So what are the go-to estimating software products that you should be considering when you also want to benefit from what’s on offer? To help you decide, we’re showcasing the four best electrical estimating software systems available, and how ArcSite is leading the pack.

Key Features of Electrical Estimation Software

Whichever electrical estimating tool you opt for, there are some basic features that make the work of putting a proposal together so much simpler.

[fs-toc-omit]Drawing Tools

Does the software have a comprehensive set of drawing tools that you can use to annotate client drawings? This is a key requirement because it means that your estimate can accurately describe exactly what is contained in your proposal.

Sometimes a client’s drawing will be issued with placeholder items that reflect a generic standard. With comprehensive drawing tools that you can customize to fit your offer, you can deliver a much more precise, and accurate estimate.

‍

[fs-toc-omit]Digital Take-Off Tools

Can the software take a set of blueprints, either PDF, or other drawing systems and integrate them, measuring distances for copper runs, for example, or taking markups and commentary from specialist consultants?

[fs-toc-omit]Cost Database

Comprehensive integration with your cost database is essential if you want real-time cost updates as drawings change and plans develop. Your electrical estimating software works better if there’s access to preloaded material and labor costs specific to your business.

‍

[fs-toc-omit]Electrical Estimate Management & Proposal Generation

Will your electrical estimation software allow you to create, organize, and submit bids effectively? 

When things move as fast as they do in the electrical contracting world, you need to keep a lid on things and stay as organized as possible to make sure the right bid hits at the right time for maximum impact.

‍

[fs-toc-omit]Integrations

We all know how effective a positive approach to teamworking can be. It’s the same for software. Nothing is truly standalone these days so an ability to integrate a platform with other tools and services is important.

Integration with measuring tools such as the Bosch and Leica laser measuring devices, or Moasure area capture tool, means you won’t have to physically input data that can be driven directly from your existing equipment.

Plug-in integration with apps such as Quickbooks, for contractors, or Salesforce will provide seamless management flexibility, giving clients options to make payments, deposits, or even finance a project.

‍

[fs-toc-omit]Data Capture

One of the most useful features of any electrical estimating software is the ability to collect site information at any remote location, either on-site, or at a client office, where information can be written up, captured, uploaded and shared to produce rapid results.

Sometimes it can take time to decide whether a job is a viable prospect, but with remote data capture facilities, it will quickly become clear as you survey a prospective job in real-time.

‍

‍

Top 4 Electrical Estimation Software Solutions

So now you know what to look for, how do our top four picks stack up against each other?

ArcSite

ArcSite is well known for its intuitive user interface, which makes it easy to use right off the bat. Contractors often discover that they are able to produce professional, and accurate electrical estimates very quickly.

• The on-site functionality of ArcSite makes it especially popular for remote team working and real-time collaboration delivering:
• Accurate take-offs directly from mobile devices or tablets with no requirement to be office-based or direct-networked.
• Cost estimating capabilities with custom templates to differentiate your business.
• Integration options to transfer data to other project management tools-it is the ultimate shareable software.

ArcSite’s mobile-first approach is ideal for estimators who need flexibility and efficiency in both office and field environments. 

[fs-toc-omit]Electrical Estimating Software Free Trial

It is also incredibly easy to start using straight out of the box, with no specialist knowledge. The intuitive ArcSite interface is designed to be mastered quickly, letting you focus on the job. After checking out costs, you may be interested in ArcSite's electrical estimating software free trial.

[fs-toc-omit]Costs: 

Arcsite has a range of entry-level plans starting at $99/mo. that cost less than your monthly cell phone deal, with add-ons and levels that grow with your business.

Get a demo and a free trial today

Accubid

Accubid has a great reputation as a long-standing software with a focus on detailed electrical estimating and bidding. The software is marketed as the original electrical estimating system.

As a pioneering estimating software, Accubid set the standard for all those that came after.

Today it features:

• Real-time cost analysis.
• Detailed assemblies.
• Built-in electrical materials database.
• Comprehensive cost tracking.

Integration with accounting software is included, along with access to a database that includes more than a million building services products, brochures, spec sheets and images.

[fs-toc-omit]Costs: 

Initial costs for the basic offer start at around $3,000 with an annual subscription for maintenance and data updates.

‍

Trimble Estimation

Trimble has acquired several estimation platforms, including a package formerly from McCormick, and is popular with smaller to mid-size organizations that specialize in commercial estimating and high-voltage and industrial projects.

Trimble is popularly used in electrical contracting for advanced estimation and digital takeoffs.

It features:

• Cloud-based collaboration. 
• Extensive materials and labor database. 
• Thousands of pre-built assemblies. 
• Integration with CAD files.

Its detailed, customizable reports are easy to use when sharing information across teams, but there is a steep learning curve with this software that can make roll-out time-consuming.

[fs-toc-omit]Costs: 

Trimble starts at $999 for a single-user annual subscription, which might be prohibitive for smaller contracting outfits.

‍

ConEst IntelliBid

ConEst Intellibid is well known for its depth in electrical estimating and is rated particularly useful for complex commercial projects.

Its developers claim Intellibid:

• Has one of the largest modern industry-smart databases of any electrical estimating software.
• Contains some 135,000 electrical and low-voltage material items and more than 500,000 pre-built assembly kits.
• Pre-built electrical database integrates named catalogue items from suppliers such as Caddy and Schneider Electric.
• Provides numerous project templates, and customizable labor rates.

With a high level of detail and precise focus, the Intellibid platform is a great set-up for large-scale projects. However, be prepared to set aside time for training, and for your team to get up to speed.

[fs-toc-omit]Costs: 

This is a top-of-the-range, totally comprehensive big bucks offer that would suit a medium to large business with the pocketbook to match. The investment would likely have a decent payoff over the longer term serving a broad team.

‍

How to Choose the Right Software for Electrical Estimation

No one knows your business better than you do. You know what your clients want, and you try to match and exceed their expectations every day. Any software that you might use for putting estimates together has to work for you, and your customers.

The main factors that you need to consider are:

[fs-toc-omit]Job Scope

If you specialize in smaller domestic jobs your software needs will be different from a contractor that mainly carries out commercial work. Bigger projects, such as local authority or infrastructure frameworks, will need software that can cope with the demands of multiple stakeholder involvement.

[fs-toc-omit]Integration Needs

From measuring and surveying site conditions to issuing change orders and final accounts, it is important to consider how well the software works with other tools in the project workflow.

[fs-toc-omit]Ease of Use

Whether you are an independent contractor, or looking to upskill an entire corporate team, the importance of a user-friendly interface is critical, especially for teams working in-field.

[fs-toc-omit]Try Before You Buy

The best way to work out whether electrical estimating software will give you the wins you are looking for is to try it out. If the software provider cannot give you enough time to trial a product, then it will be hard to properly see the impact it could have on your business.

Free trials aren’t really free because they cost you time, but you can usually tell an effective software solution is a good fit fairly quickly. Share a free demo with your team and collate as much feedback as possible before making the decision to invest.

‍

Get Onboard With What Electrical Estimators Are Using

Electrical estimating software has changed the game over the past decade, and more recent platforms have made the accuracy and efficiency enjoyed by the big players, accessible for all. The playing field still has its difficult areas, but with the right software on your team, you should be able to tap into a winning streak.

Check out the software for yourself, and see if it works for you, and aligns with the needs of your business. If your work is mostly office and drawing-based, you may need a different offer from a contractor who is always working out of their vehicle.

At the end of the day, it’s the accuracy that counts. Consistently getting the numbers right can have a significant effect on the overall, long-term profitability of your business activities.

Check out ArcSite’s free trial offer today.

‍

Also learn more about electrical takeoff software and how Mr. Sparky has used it for its 150 franchises to save time delivering changes, expediting permits and getting new work started quickly.

‍