Electrical estimators estimate all the expenses needed to complete an electrical project, including the total cost of materials, labor, and equipment. An extreme level of accuracy is required to run this project because minor mistakes can result in underbidding, which might lead to a loss in profit or overbidding. To overcome such queries, software solutions came into view to make this task more efficient and accurate. We’ll overview of the top software that electrical estimators can opt for for better flow of the project.
Why Electrical Estimators Need Specialized Software
Electrical estimating projects require comprehensive knowledge and precise calculations, specialized software helps the electrical estimators to fulfill the particular tasks accurately by minimizing the errors. It involves the interpretation of numerous aspects like varying material costs, labor costs, wiring, and circuit breakers based on type and size of the projects.
The calculation of these variables manually is time-consuming and unreliable, using electrical estimating software to bring reliable and refined estimation. Compliance with codes such as the National Electrical Code( NEC ) further complicates the process, estimators must validate their tenders considering the material and adjustment to follow the safety standards and prevent costly rework and delays.
Top Electrical Estimating Software Solutions
IntelliBid by Conest
IntelliBid is an electrical estimating software for electrical contractors specially mapped out to deal with difficulties that arise during the preparation of bids for commercial projects. It makes the project clearer and concise by leading the electrical work entirely.
- Custom Job Assemblies: This allows the contractors to design a detailed draft of all the project requirements. These assemblies can be reused for another project with the same outlines, thus saving time and ensuring consistency.
- Detailed Takeoff and Bid tracking: This electrical software helps calculate the required quantity of all the materials with the cost estimation, ensuring the streamlined flow project with the reduction of errors.
- NEC Compliance Tools: The notable advantage it provides is the automatic regulation and checking for code adherence, reducing the risk of rework and penalties.
IntelliBid is the best approach for commercial projects as the discussed perspectives are the demand of these projects. Further, it helps the contractors to appear competitive by providing accurate and reliable bids.
Electrical Bid Manager ( EBM )
It is a versatile electrical estimating tool for electrical contractors specialized for handling projects of any required size. Whether the project is a small residential or large commercial job, helps the contractors in creating the bids.
- Real-time pricing updates: The standard issue in the electrical market is the fluctuation of prices. It assists the estimators in designing the project according to the accurate and current prices thus reducing the error seen by outdated pricing.
- Integrated Digital takeoffs: This software directly regulates material quantity calculation according to the project’s plan.
- QuickBooks Integration: QuickBooks validates expenses with the accounting system to manage finances and invoices conveniently. Resulting in a simplified bid process and the tracking of project costs.
TurboBid
TurboBid is a convenient electrical estimating software for residential and commercial electrical projects due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
- Material takeoff: It estimates the project materials accurately according to the requirements to reduce errors and waste. It helps the estimators design the bid, labor, and material distribution effectively by creating the proposal and resources.
This electrical software is ideal for startups and small businesses, especially for the smaller contractors intending to improve their estimating skills. TurboBid mobile support maximizes the output and response rate by letting the users create estimates on the go.
Countfire
It is a better option for contractors who want to ensure the smooth running of the work. It mainly focuses on counting electrical components and executing takeoffs. It saves the estimators time by automating the repetitive tasks and improving precision.
- Automated Symbol Counting: It scans and counts the symbols across numerous PDF drawings, speeds up the labor and material takeoffs leading to the accurate and error-free calculation of project requirements.
- PDF Plan Integration: Based on this kind of integration, the estimating process is simplified further by uploading and working from project plans.
Countfire is the most suitable guidance for automation-driven solutions, especially for large-scale projects.
McCormick Electrical Estimating
McCormick Electrical Estimating software is an effective tool specialized for helping estimators to streamline their electrical estimation process for projects of all sizes. It eases the tasks such as material takeoffs, labor calculations, cost analysis, and creating correct bids.
- Real-time Collaboration: The option of cloud access, allows the contractors to work in estimates irrespective of location. It offers good integration with accounting tools, interpretation of project costs, and tracking from the start to the end of the project.
It is an ideal approach for contractors leading multiple projects by offering detailed reporting tools and effective management of project timelines and budgets.
Electric Ease
This cloud-based electrical estimating software is the best option for contractors who want a transparent and efficient way to create estimates. It helps the contractors to survey the material takeoffs, labor costs, and project timelines.
- Real-time Collaboration: This feature mainly makes it worthwhile software for contractors to develop the estimate.
- Remote access: The other beneficial feature is to collaborate estimates from anywhere.
It is a flexible estimating solution for small to medium-sized businesses for simpler project management.
EES Data
It provides full guidance of tools, including comprehensive material databases and labor rate tracking, offering estimates and bids. It guides the contractors from estimating to purchasing the material for the project.
- Real-time price updates: EES data provides the most current data to the estimator during cost calculation.
- Reporting capabilities: It allows the contractors to access their performance and take data-driven decisions.
This electrical estimating software is suited for larger-scale electrical businesses leading multiple, high-budget projects.
Best Bid Electrical Estimating
Best Bid Electrical Estimating is prioritized for its efforts on speed and simplicity. It helps the contractors avoid vast and costly mistakes by simplifying the estimating method. It efficiently manages the material takeoffs, labor calculations, and detailed bid estimation.
The Best Bid Hybrid version provides a mixture of manual and auto control, offering the solution for contractors who want to prioritize hands-on involvement in their estimating method.
It is the best choice for small and medium-sized businesses, even those who are new to electrical estimating software.
What to Look for in the Electrical Estimating Software
The best electrical estimating software selection depends on the particular business requirements.
- Access your business needs: First of all, check your project scale and the working team size. As the larger projects require more advanced tools like automated takeoffs of material and labor costs, bid generation and compliance regulation.
- Integration Capabilities: Confirms that the software integrates directly with the existing system, significantly with accounting tools like QuickBooks. It limits manual entry and error, and simplifies the tracking of project costs by accompanying the financial data with estimates.
- User Interface: The key aspect of the software is a simple outlook that facilitates the client. Always select the user-oriented software that allows the easy navigation of the project.
- Material and labor takeoffs Tools: Choose the tools that save time, minimize the errors, and estimate the quantities accurately.
- Proposal Generation: Opt for the electrical software that automatically speeds up the bidding process by creating the proposal.
- Real-time Pricing Updates: Select the tools that provide the current and real-time pricing reducing the risks of mistakes.
- Compliance Tools: To verify that the estimates follow the safety standards, look for the software that is built with NEC features. It reduces the risks of penalties and project delays.
Benefits of Estimating Software for Electrical Work
Every electrical software has its features, making it the best option for each type of project. The software helps the contractors by improving the speed and quality of their estimates. 
- Increased Accuracy: Manual cost calculation results in errors. The automated system provided by the software minimizes these errors by correctly providing data, avoiding underestimation and overestimation.
- Better project management: It allows the contractors to manage the project efficiently by tracking the progress, budgets, and resource collaboration. Cloud-based platforms further facilitate the contractors.
- Time Savings: Automated calculation of material and labor costs and bid generation saves the time significantly for larger projects. It provides flexibility to contractors who want to run multiple projects simultaneously.
- Enhanced Bid Competitiveness: The contractors competitiveness is increased by the fast and accurate estimation, helping them to submit competitive bids and modify them according to the client’s interest. It maximizes the chances of winning
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right electrical estimating software is essential for enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and overall project management. With various options available, from TurboBid for smaller contractors to IntelliBid and McCormick for larger, more complex projects, it’s crucial to select a solution that aligns with your specific business needs.
At Total Scope Estimating, we specialize in providing comprehensive electrical estimating services that incorporate the best software solutions tailored to your project. Our team is committed to delivering accurate, timely estimates that help you win more bids and complete projects efficiently. Let Total Scope Estimating be your go-to partner for all your electrical estimating needs.
