{"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": "2026-10-17T21:53:52Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/estimating-software-trades-2026-10-17", "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": "STACK", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "PlanSwift", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Buildxact", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Knowify", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "trade-specific", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "TurboBid", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "FastPIPE", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "FastPIPE / FastDUCT", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "WenDuct/WenPipe", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 14, "brand": "Trimble AutoBid", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 15, "brand": "Trimble AutoBid Mechanical", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 16, "brand": "HCSS HeavyBid", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 17, "brand": "HeavyBid", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 18, "brand": "Projul", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://constructioncoverage.com/estimating-software", "domain": "constructioncoverage.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://projul.com/blog/best-construction-estimating-software", "domain": "projul.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"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://fieldservicesoftware.io/comparisons/servicetitan-competitors/", "domain": "fieldservicesoftware.io", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.g2.com/compare/buildxact-vs-knowify", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.followupcrm.com/blog/knowify-vs-buildertrend", "domain": "followupcrm.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/resources/6-of-the-best-electrical-estimating-software-apps/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com.au/directory/31012/hvac-estimating/software?page=2", "domain": "capterra.com.au", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "\"Trades\" covers two pretty different workflows - service/repair quoting (HVAC, plumbing, electrical service calls) and bid-and-build estimating off plans (remodels, new construction, commercial sub work). Here's what I'd actually name, roughly in the order I'd suggest looking:\n\n**If you quote in the field / run service calls**\n\n1. **Jobber** - the best default for a small-to-mid trade business. Quoting, scheduling, invoicing, online payments, and a client portal where customers approve quotes themselves. Roughly $25-$249/mo depending on tier and crew size, no implementation fee. Fastest to actually get running.\n2. **Housecall Pro** - the direct rival, strongest if you want consumer-facing booking and automated review requests built in. Starts around $59/mo for one user, ~$299/mo for up to eight. Aimed squarely at HVAC/plumbing.\n3. **ServiceTitan** - only once you're a large operation with multiple crews and a call center. Deepest feature set, but sales-quoted pricing (no public numbers) and a heavy implementation. Overkill below ~15-20 techs.\n\n**If you estimate off plans and takeoffs**\n\n4. **STACK** - my pick for cloud takeoff across most trades. AI autocount, easy collaboration, w", "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"}}