{"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": "2026-10-07T22:42:17Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/estimating-software-trades-2026-10-07", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/estimating-software/trades", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Jobber", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Housecall Pro", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "ServiceTitan", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "FieldPulse", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Clear Estimates", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Buildxact", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "STACK", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "PlanSwift", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Contractor Foreman", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "HCSS HeavyBid", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "HeavyBid", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://constructioncoverage.com/estimating-software", "domain": "constructioncoverage.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.softwareadvice.com/ca/construction/cost-estimating-software-comparison/", "domain": "softwareadvice.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.g2.com/compare/housecall-pro-vs-servicetitan", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.softwareadvice.com/ca/construction/plumbing-estimating-software-comparison/", "domain": "softwareadvice.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://capterra.com/resources/construction-estimating-software-pricing-report/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://projul.com/blog/best-construction-estimating-software", "domain": "projul.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "\"Trades\" splits into two different software markets, so here's how I'd actually name them - field service trades first (plumbing/HVAC/electrical, quoting on site), then plan-based trades (takeoff from drawings).\n\n## If you quote jobs on site (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, handyman)\n\n1. **Jobber** - my default recommendation for small crews. ~$29/mo entry, genuinely good mobile app, and the quote → job → invoice → payment flow is one continuous thing instead of four tools. Best balance of price and capability for 1-10 people.\n2. **Housecall Pro** - ~$59/mo. Very close to Jobber; pick it if ease of onboarding matters most, since reviewers consistently flag that new hires pick it up fast. Strong consumer-facing booking and payments.\n3. **ServiceTitan** - the serious option once you're 15+ techs with dispatchers. Best-in-class job costing and reporting, good-better-best presentation for selling replacements. Expensive and heavy; overkill below roughly 10 techs.\n4. **FieldPulse** - the value pick. Cheaper than ServiceTitan with more depth than Jobber, worth a look if you're in that awkward middle size.\n\n## If you estimate from plans (remodeling, GC, specialty sub)\n\n5. **Clear Estimates** ", "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"}}