{"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": "2026-10-24T23:51:18Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/estimating-software-trades-2026-10-24", "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": "Buildxact", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Clear Estimates", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "STACK", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Contractor Foreman", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "PlanSwift", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Bluebeam", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "ProEst", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Procore", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "RSMeans", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Projul", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://constructioncoverage.com/estimating-software", "domain": "constructioncoverage.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://projul.com/blog/estimating-construction-software/", "domain": "projul.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.fuzen.io/posts/servicetitan-vs-housecall-pro-vs-jobber-vs-fuzen-plumbing-software-2026", "domain": "fuzen.io", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.servicetitan.com/housecall-pro-vs-jobber-vs-servicetitan", "domain": "servicetitan.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://capterra.com/p/24826/Clear-Estimates/pricing/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/p/173135/buildXACT/pricing/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://go.clearestimates.com/vs-buildxact", "domain": "go.clearestimates.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/cost-estimating-software-comparison/", "domain": "softwareadvice.com", "source_type": "review"}], "answer_text": "\"Trades\" splits into two pretty different buying decisions, so here's how I'd rank it depending on which side you're on.\n\n## If you do service work (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, garage doors)\n\n**1. Jobber - my default pick for 1-10 techs.** $49-$349/mo. Line-item quotes with optional add-on tiers the customer approves online (good/better/best upsells), and quoting flows straight into scheduling and invoicing. Cheapest credible 3-year cost of the big three (~$18-37K for 10 techs).\n\n**2. Housecall Pro - if you're growing past ~5 techs.** $49-$549+/mo. Slightly stronger estimate presentation and consumer-facing polish than Jobber; the sweet spot is 5-25 techs.\n\n**3. ServiceTitan - only if you're genuinely big.** Rated best-in-class on estimating and invoicing, but it's $398+/user/mo and runs $143K+ over three years for 10 techs. Don't buy this as a 3-truck shop.\n\n## If you do construction/remodeling and bid off plans\n\n**4. Buildxact - best for residential builders working from architectural drawings.** From ~$199/mo. On-screen takeoff from PDFs plus live supplier pricing, so takeoff → estimate → quote is one motion.\n\n**5. Clear Estimates - best cheap option for remodelers with no plans", "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"}}