{"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": "2026-10-02T22:02:10Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/estimating-software-trades-2026-10-02", "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": "ServiceTitan", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Simpro", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Buildxact", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Foundation", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Clear Estimates", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Contractor Foreman", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "STACK", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "PlanSwift", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Accubid", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Trimble AutoBid", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "FastEST", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 14, "brand": "B2W Estimate", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 15, "brand": "HeavyBid", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 16, "brand": "Commercial GCs", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://constructioncoverage.com/estimating-software", "domain": "constructioncoverage.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://softwareconnect.com/roundups/best-construction-estimating-software/", "domain": "softwareconnect.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.selecthub.com/c/construction-estimating-software/", "domain": "selecthub.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://estimatorsuite.com/reviews/buildxact/", "domain": "estimatorsuite.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.selecthub.com/construction-estimating-software/clear-estimates-vs-buildxact/", "domain": "selecthub.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.rivetops.io/jobber-vs-housecall-pro", "domain": "rivetops.io", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://plumbercalc.com/best-plumbing-software", "domain": "plumbercalc.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.simprogroup.com/blog/best-hvac-estimating-app", "domain": "simprogroup.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/construction-estimating-software/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}], "answer_text": "\"Best\" splits hard along two lines: **service trades** (you quote jobs at the kitchen table, then dispatch techs) vs. **construction/remodel trades** (you take off plans and build a line-item bid). Here's what I'd actually name, in order:\n\n## If you're a service trade (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, roofing)\n\n1. **Jobber** - My default for 1-10 person shops. Cleanest estimate builder of the bunch, genuinely usable from a phone in the driveway, and the quote→job→invoice→payment chain just works. ~$39/mo solo up to ~$599/mo for 15 users. Start here unless you have a specific reason not to.\n2. **Housecall Pro** - Pick this over Jobber if you sell options. Its good/better/best proposal tool and automated follow-up on open estimates are better than Jobber's, and that's real money on replacement work (HVAC changeouts, panel upgrades, repipes). From ~$79/mo.\n3. **ServiceTitan** - Only once you're past ~10 techs and $3M+. Enormously capable, enormously expensive and heavy. Below that size it's a tax, not a tool.\n4. **Simpro** - Worth a look if you do a mix of service calls *and* project work with real materials procurement; it handles that hybrid better than Jobber/HCP.\n\n## If you're a reside", "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"}}