# What Claude (Anthropic) with web search answered for estimating software (trades) on 2026-09-07

## In short

On 2026-09-07, Claude (Anthropic) with web search was asked "best estimating software for trades". It named 11 brands, in this order: Jobber, Grow, Housecall Pro, ServiceTitan, Joist, STACK.

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Question | best estimating software for trades |
| Asked on | 2026-09-07 |
| Engine | Claude (Anthropic) with web search |
| Model | claude-opus-5 |
| Brands named | 11 |
| Sources cited | 11 |
| Audience | trades |
| Coverage | Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-07 |

Page: https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/estimating-software-trades-2026-09-07
Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.

## The answer, as recorded

Asked on 2026-09-07 through Claude (Anthropic) with web search (model claude-opus-5).

> "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:
> 
> **If you quote on-site / service & repair work**
> 
> 1. **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))
> 2. **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))
> 3. **ServiceTitan** - only worth it past ~$2M revenue or 10+ techs. The good/better/bes

## Brands named, in the order the engine gave

| Position | Brand | How it was named |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jobber | mentioned |
| 2 | Grow | mentioned |
| 3 | Housecall Pro | mentioned |
| 4 | ServiceTitan | mentioned |
| 5 | Joist | mentioned |
| 6 | STACK | mentioned |
| 7 | Buildxact | recommended |
| 8 | Foundation Group | mentioned |
| 9 | Knowify | mentioned |
| 10 | Clear Estimates | mentioned |
| 11 | PlanSwift | mentioned |

## Sources the engine cited

- https://www.getjobber.com/comparison/jobber-vs-housecall-pro/ (other)
- https://beancount.io/blog/2026/07/16/jobber-vs-housecall-pro-vs-servicetitan-field-service-software-guide (other)
- https://www.fieldpulse.com/resources/blog/housecall-pro-vs-jobber (other)
- https://kaamcam.com/blog/servicetitan-pricing-vs-alternatives-2026 (other)
- https://ustechautomations.com/resources/blog/automate-7-best-estimating-software-for-electrical-contractors-2026 (other)
- https://www.capterra.com/p/147181/STACK-Takeoff/ (review)
- https://www.selecthub.com/takeoff-software/stack-vs-buildxact/ (other)
- https://buildern.com/resources/blog/construction-estimating-software-for-small-business/ (other)
- https://gobridgit.com/blog/construction-estimating-software/ (other)
- https://struvia.co/blog/best-construction-estimating-software-small-contractors (other)
- https://constructionbids.ai/blog/best-construction-estimating-software-small-contractors-2026 (other)

The question page: https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/estimating-software/trades

Answer Watch records what one AI answer engine said on one date, nothing more. Each page names the engine and the model, carries the date the question was asked, and lists the brands that appeared in the answer in the order the engine gave them, with the sources it cited. It is a measurement, not a ranking, not a recommendation and not a claim about the world. Brands that did not appear in an answer are not named on any public page. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.