Electrical Estimating Software Programs

Electrical contractors have unique needs when it comes to estimating jobs.  The same goes for their peers doing low voltage or teledata work, solar panel installation, security systems, or closed-circuit video. A general estimating system, such as those covered in our top construction estimating & takeoff software comparison guide, will suffice for contractors developing high-level estimates across multiple divisions. However, once the estimator drills down into the specifics of electrical work, they will need a much more specific system. There are about a dozen top-rated estimating software vendors that exist to serve this market. 

Key Requirements for Electrical Estimating

Electrical item database	The system should include a vast database of items (~100,000) typically used by electrical contractors. Generic systems will typically offer far fewer electrical-specific items (and many more non-electrical items), requiring the estimator to create their own database.
Electrical assemblies	Pre-built assemblies will save the estimator a lot of time. The system should offer tens of thousands of assemblies and these assemblies should be customizable by the estimator so that they can define their own modified assemblies.
Degree of difficulty selectors	Electrical-specific solutions will incorporate degree of difficulty selectors so that the estimator can charge different rates for work depending on how difficult they think the job will be. These should be able to be applied at either the job level or the task level.
Electrical-specific pricing service	There are over 100,000 different items to price across numerous distributors in each region. Electrical estimators will find their item cost database to be far more accurate if is integrated to a specific pricing service such as EPIC, NetPricer, or Tra-Ser.
Electrical formulas	Electrical work requires a very different set of formulas than other divisions. An estimating system should calculate runs, voltage drops, loads, fault currents and counts for conduit, boxes and wireways, among other functions.
NEC tables	Electrical systems should build in National Electrical Code (NEC) tables so that the estimating tool can automatically reconfigure requirements when a change is made. For example, a change in cables will require a change in conduits.
Symbol recognition	If the estimator plans to use a digital takeoff system with their estimating software, the system should offer symbol recognition. This feature automatically recognizes electrical plan symbols and matches the symbol to items in the database.
Lighting design	An advanced feature that some estimators may find helpful is the ability to assess lighting requirements based on a room’s dimensions and paint colors. This advanced feature will be valued by design/build contractors.

Related Applications

Some of the leading vendors offer additional applications that complement their estimating tools. Below we detail applications commonly deployed in conjunction with electrical estimating software. 

Time and materials billing	It makes sense for electrical estimates and invoicing to tie together within the system. When contractors are charging on a time and materials basis, the estimate serves as the starting point for tracking these costs throughout the job. As a result, many systems will also offer time and materials billing capabilities.
Project Management	Companies need to manage detailed project schedules, track job costs against their original estimate, and make sure that they properly respond to and track all job documents such as RFIs, submittals, transmittals and change orders. There is a logical point of integration between estimating and project management software.
Bid Management	Bid management applications will allow the electrical contracting company to better organize, track and analyze their bid activity. Functions include historical bid tracking, a bid calendar, and bid document management. This differs from the bid management systems that general contractors or building owners use to solicit bids.