Electrical Estimating Software Programs

Last updated April 19, 2012 - 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 electric work, they will need a much more specific system to ensure they've chosen the best electrical installation software for their needs. There are about a dozen top-rated estimating software vendors that exist to serve this market. Shoppers should closely scrutinize vendors offering free electrical estimator software. 

Key Requirements for Electrical Estimating

Item database	Electrical bidding programs should include a vast database of items (~100,000) typically used by contractors. Generic systems will typically offer far fewer electricity-specific items (and many more not relevant items), requiring the estimator to create their own database.
Assemblies	Pre-built assemblies will save the low voltage estimator a lot of time. The electrical contracting software should offer tens of thousands of assemblies and these assemblies should be customizable so the user can define their own modified assemblies.
Degree of difficulty selectors	Industry-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. This electrical estimating guide should be able to be applied at either the job level or the task level.
Electrical-specific pricing service	There are more than 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.
Formulas	Electricity-related work requires a very different set of formulas than other divisions. An estimates technology tool should calculate runs, voltage drops, loads, fault currents and counts for conduit, boxes and wireways, among other functions.
NEC tables	Systems should build in National Electrical Code (NEC) tables that automatically reconfigure the job to meet 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 electrical estimating tools, the system should offer symbol recognition. This feature automatically recognizes electric work plan symbols and matches the symbol to items in the database.
Lighting design	The best electricians software vendors offer apps with 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

As those in the industry know, electrical installation planning and estimating is no simple task. Leading vendors offer additional applications when the basic offering isn't enough. Below we detail applications commonly deployed in conjunction with commercial or residential electrical estimating software. The best electrical estimating software will offer at least one of these. Shoppers should evaluate vendors side by side - be that Accubid vs ConEst, Accubid vs Vision or any other offerings.

Time and materials billing	It makes sense for 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 costing and project management solutions.
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 electrical estimating app differs from the bid management systems that general contractors or building owners use to solicit bids.

Recent Events in the Industry

The electricity-focused tech solutions market is a very competitive space. This is great news for electricians because electrical estimating software companies are constantly strategizing ways to improve their systems and grow market share, which is good news for prospective buyers. Below are recent news items from four of the most active vendors in the industry companies.

• McCormick. This leading estimates technology provider recently upgraded its flagship WIN 6000 product to allow user access beyond a Local Area Network. The WIN 6000 Platinum Version uses a concurrent user system via a Wide Area Network that provides access to multiple offices and administrators. This customizable software for electricians allows estimators to update and compare pricing across suppliers, run audits and manage several electrical takeoff software windows simultaneously. McCormick executives call it their best estimate electrical software yet.

• Accubid Systems. The economic recession escalated market consolidation across all construction sectors, including in technology solutions. Publicly-traded Trimble acquired Accubid in April as part of a move to broaden its building information modeling capabilities. The transaction allows Accubid developers to supplement their deep trade knowledge with Trimble’s rich field solutions experience. Together, contractors will find well-rounded affordable electrical estimating software that prepares them for success in the increasingly complex construction world.

• Vision InfoSoft. Vision InfoSoft earlier this year rolled out several upgrades to its Electrical Bid Manager Plus and Pro offerings. Designers added an Advanced Substitution feature that enables users to quickly complete global replacements to previously entered conduit, wire or cable takeoff entries. Other added features to the electrical contractor software include improvements to job and takeoff exporting, Change Order templates and database capabilities. Vision InfoSoft says the result is the best electrical software industrial or residential companies can buy.

• ConEst IntelliBid. ConEst described its latest electrical pricing software - IntelliBid v7 - as the future of project management efficiency. Called “the most significant product release in the company’s 22-year history,” the solution runs on a Microsoft SQL Server database and offers tools for automating design, takeoff and labor calculations. Electrical construction estimating software users will experience faster and more accurate takeoff with access to IntelliBid’s database of more than 120,000 material items and 500,000 prebuilt installation assembly options. Users will be equipped with the best electricians contracting information in town.