{"question": "best estimating software for trades", "category": "estimating-software", "category_name": "estimating software", "audience": "trades", "audience_name": "trades", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-09-07T00:24:10Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/estimating-software-trades-2026-09-07", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/estimating-software/trades", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Jobber", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Housecall Pro", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "FieldPulse", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "ServiceTitan", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Joist", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "STACK", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Buildxact", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Foundation", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Knowify", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Clear Estimates", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "PlanSwift", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.getjobber.com/comparison/jobber-vs-housecall-pro/", "domain": "getjobber.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://beancount.io/blog/2026/07/16/jobber-vs-housecall-pro-vs-servicetitan-field-service-software-guide", "domain": "beancount.io", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.fieldpulse.com/resources/blog/housecall-pro-vs-jobber", "domain": "fieldpulse.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://kaamcam.com/blog/servicetitan-pricing-vs-alternatives-2026", "domain": "kaamcam.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://ustechautomations.com/resources/blog/automate-7-best-estimating-software-for-electrical-contractors-2026", "domain": "ustechautomations.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/p/147181/STACK-Takeoff/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.selecthub.com/takeoff-software/stack-vs-buildxact/", "domain": "selecthub.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://buildern.com/resources/blog/construction-estimating-software-for-small-business/", "domain": "buildern.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://gobridgit.com/blog/construction-estimating-software/", "domain": "gobridgit.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://struvia.co/blog/best-construction-estimating-software-small-contractors", "domain": "struvia.co", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://constructionbids.ai/blog/best-construction-estimating-software-small-contractors-2026", "domain": "constructionbids.ai", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "\"Trades\" splits into two very different tools, so here's the short version first: if you quote at the customer's house (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping), you want field-service software with quoting built in. If you bid off plans and drawings, you want takeoff-based estimating. My picks in order:\n\n**If you quote on-site / service & repair work**\n\n1. **Jobber** - my default for 1-10 techs. Itemized quotes with optional add-ons, client approval in a self-serve portal, and quote→job→invoice in one flow. Core ~$49/mo up to Grow ~$349/mo, and it's the fastest of the three to actually get running. ([Jobber comparison](https://www.getjobber.com/comparison/jobber-vs-housecall-pro/), [Beancount comparison](https://beancount.io/blog/2026/07/16/jobber-vs-housecall-pro-vs-servicetitan-field-service-software-guide))\n2. **Housecall Pro** - pick this over Jobber at roughly 4-10 techs; the Pipeline board for chasing unaccepted estimates is genuinely better, and pricing is comparable (~$65-$169/mo for 1-5 techs). ([FieldPulse comparison](https://www.fieldpulse.com/resources/blog/housecall-pro-vs-jobber))\n3. **ServiceTitan** - only worth it past ~$2M revenue or 10+ techs. The good/better/bes", "answer_truncated": true, "measurement": "One answer from one engine on one date. Not a ranking and not a claim about the world; brands the engine did not name are not recorded.", "limitation": "Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.", "alerts": {"name": "Answer Watch Pro", "price_usd": 79, "period": "month", "gets": "daily change alerts for up to 5 brands in what one AI answer engine says, history, CSV export. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included", "url": "https://bikoosh.com/answers"}}