{"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": "2026-10-22T22:58:37Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/estimating-software-trades-2026-10-22", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/estimating-software/trades", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Jobber", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "ServiceTitan", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Housecall Pro", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "STACK", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "PlanSwift", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "FastPIPE", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "FastPIPE / FastDUCT", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "trade-specific", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Knowify", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Buildxact", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Simpro", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "PataBid Quantify", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 14, "brand": "Togal.AI", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://getjobber.com/academy/servicetitan-competitors/", "domain": "getjobber.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.servicetitan.com/comparison/servicetitan-vs-housecall-pro", "domain": "servicetitan.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://fieldservicesoftware.io/comparisons/servicetitan-competitors/", "domain": "fieldservicesoftware.io", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.getonecrew.com/post/housecall-pro-alternative", "domain": "getonecrew.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://constructioncoverage.com/estimating-software", "domain": "constructioncoverage.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://dupple.com/learn/best-construction-estimating-software", "domain": "dupple.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/compare/47528-157661/FastPIPE-vs-Esticom", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/p/135791/Knowify/reviews/68498/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.g2.com/compare/buildxact-vs-knowify", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/p/173135/buildXACT/reviews/Capterra_1288665/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.g2.com/compare/buildxact-vs-simpro", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.in/directory/31535/electrical-estimating/software?page=4", "domain": "capterra.in", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "\"Trades\" splits into two different software markets, so here's how I'd order it depending on which side you're on.\n\n## If you quote jobs at the kitchen table (residential service: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing)\n\n1. **Jobber** - my default recommendation for most small trade shops. Line-item quotes with optional add-ons the customer approves online, and it rolls into scheduling and invoicing so the quote becomes the job becomes the bill. Core $39/mo, Connect $119/mo, Grow $199/mo - cheap enough to just try. ([getjobber.com](https://getjobber.com/academy/servicetitan-competitors/))\n2. **ServiceTitan** - the right answer once you're running 10+ techs and want \"Good / Better / Best\" option-based estimates with photos, pricebook-driven upsells, and follow-up on unsold estimates. It genuinely raises average ticket. Downside: no public pricing, reported minimums roughly $125-$398/mo plus a real implementation effort. ([servicetitan.com](https://www.servicetitan.com/comparison/servicetitan-vs-housecall-pro), [fieldservicesoftware.io](https://fieldservicesoftware.io/comparisons/servicetitan-competitors/))\n3. **Housecall Pro** - pick this if simplicity matters more than power. From $59", "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"}}