Pressure to provide more and more accurate estimates in a short time frame is gradually making electrical contractor business decisions competitive. Electrical estimating software is able to make or break the difference between a profitable job with a bid win and taking a loss to a competitor.
With so many estimating tools to choose from, what capabilities should you focus on when procuring new estimating tools to electricians?
Electrical estimating software has come a long way and is no longer a simple spreadsheet and calculator. The modern solutions provide complex functionality that simplifies workflows, increases accuracy, and works efficiently with other business tools. The knowledge of these core capabilities will help to make a decision in favor of software that will change your estimating process and facilitate business growth.
By assessing electrical estimating software, take into account those solutions which do not require subscriptions and have clear pricing. Others have per-seat license fees, per-seat-support fees, or customer subscriptions which are costly in the long run.
Intuitive Interface: The key to efficiency
The most viable electrical estimating software simply has an interface that can be utilized easily by electricians. Elaborate navigation, gimmicked menus slows the process of estimating and furthermore, the chance of error also increases. Search for software whose programming is simple, straightforward and follows the way electrical contractors think about projects. One-screen data entry, visual navigation and labeling help to save time in mastering and enhance productivity. The interface must enable you to enter quantities and view assembly specifics without using redundant keystroke and clicks. Current-day estimating programs must also provide visual takeoff functionality, so that you can scan to an estimate directly using PDF drawings. This reduces the need of separate takeoff software and results in a non-interrupted workflow of plan review to final estimate.Universal Database: Your Materials Library
The ESP vehicle design uses a healthy materials database which acts as the foundation of any good electrical estimate. The software must contain large catalogs of electrical components, both standard such as conduit and wire, and proprietary such as equipment and fixtures.The highlights of the database capabilities are the following:
- Unrestricted extensibility in having custom products and special items.
- Real-time pricing direct connect with vendors such as NetPricer.
- Labor and installation time so as to compute the exact costs.
- Custom assembly allowing matching of your installation processes.
Integration Functionalities: The linkage Capacity of Workflow
Modern day-electrical estimating software should run no longer in isolation. Seek solutions that can interact with already existing business applications, accounting, project management, and supplier databases.Where integration features are incorporated, the process would become more efficient.
- Dynamic updating of the cost material bases on the supplier catalogs
- Estimates can be synced with project management processes
- Seamless invoicing with account systems connected
- Sharing information among several team members and locations
- Superior Takeoff and Measurement Equipment
- Import more than one page of PDF at a time
- Auto recognize items with self-learning AI
- Measure conduit lengths and length of cable using point-to-point tools
- Change the color according to the type of measurements to be made
- Capturing takeoff estimates in estimates to retrieve them in the future
Advantages of the Newer Electrical Estimating Tools
The resulting Net Balance of the comprehensive electrical estimating software is where the difference is created and ultimately affects the bottom line and competitive standpoint of your business.Better Accuracy and Speed
Manual estimating algorithms are highly vulnerable to errors, as well as omissions and disparate pricing. Modern software removed these problems by performing the calculations automatically, containing large databases of information and standardizing procedures. Professional estimating software has the capability of cutting in half produce 50 to greater efficiency estimating time and enhancing precision. Such speed helps to bid more projects and react on the client requests fast.Improved Workflow, Teamwork, and Communication
Multi-user abilities and Cloud feature, allow more collaborative work on complicated estimates. The team members are able to collaborate on various stages of projects simultaneously, instantly share information and keep version control of the estimating process. The state-of-the-art proposal writers produce professional reports that enhance the reputation of your company to its potential customers.The Right Solution
By assessing electrical estimating software, take into account those solutions which do not require subscriptions and have clear pricing. Others have per-seat license fees, per-seat-support fees, or customer subscriptions which are costly in the long run.
- Our Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software will ensure these concerns are dealt with.
- Now pay once and then pay nothing after that (no recurring fees)
- Unlimited access with license to your entire group
- A complete life-time free updates software and support
- No extra expenses to have takeoffs enabled
- Extensive training / support materials

