How much does electrical estimating software cost?
It depends on the pricing model: most products charge per estimator per month or per year, some still sell a license with yearly maintenance, and some charge per project. Add the costs that don't show on the price page: price and labor-unit databases, setup and training time, extra seats, and limits on projects or plan sheets. Always ask for the total for your team, not the per-seat price.
The most common model today: a monthly or annual price for each estimator who logs in. Annual billing is usually cheaper per month but locks you in for the year.
License plus yearly maintenance
Older desktop estimating programs are often sold as a license, then a yearly fee for updates and support. The first year costs the most.
Per project or one-time
Some tools charge per job, which suits a shop that bids a few jobs a month or wants to try a tool on one real tender first.
Quote after a demo
Many vendors don't publish prices. Expect a sales call, and ask for the total for your number of estimators, not the per-seat price alone.
Costs that don't show on the price page
Labor-unit and material price databases. Some programs charge for them separately, and the estimate is only as good as the prices in it.
Setup and training. The hours it takes your estimator to get productive are a real cost, especially in a busy bidding season.
Seats. A price per user grows when a second estimator or a project manager needs access.
Limits. Caps on projects, plan sheets or pages, and what happens when you hit them: an overage bill, a pack you buy, or a wait.
Contracts. Whether you can cancel monthly, or are committed for a year.
Getting your data out. Whether your estimates and price files export in a format you can use elsewhere.
What Bidprobe costs
Per company, plus applicable taxes. One free bid check on every new account, no card required.
First single jobUS$124.50 · CA$174.50Half price, one-time. Takeoff of up to 10 plan sheets.
Single jobUS$249 · CA$349One-time: 1 project, 2 re-reviews, takeoff of up to 20 plan sheets.
ReviewUS$99/mo · CA$139/mo1 seat, 8 new projects a month, bid review only (no takeoff).
SoloUS$149/mo · CA$209/mo1 seat, 8 new projects a month, 25 takeoff plan sheets a month.
TeamUS$399/mo · CA$559/mo3 seats, 20 new projects a month, 70 takeoff plan sheets a month.
BusinessUS$899/mo · CA$1,259/mo10 seats, 50 new projects a month, 160 takeoff plan sheets a month.
Questions estimators ask
How much does Bidprobe cost?
Every new account gets one free bid check, no card required. A single job is US$249 (CA$349) one-time, and a company's first single job is half price (US$124.50, or CA$174.50 in Canada). Plans are per company: Review US$99 (CA$139) a month, Solo US$149 (CA$209) a month, Team US$399 (CA$559) a month, Business US$899 (CA$1,259) a month. Prices are plus applicable taxes.
Is there a cheaper option if I already have estimating software?
Yes. Bidprobe's Review plan is US$99 (CA$139) a month for the full bid review with no takeoff, for shops that already price their jobs in another program. Upload your own estimate and the bid check reviews it too.
Can I try it before paying?
Yes. One free bid check on every new account, no card required. After that, the first single job is half price and includes a takeoff of up to 10 plan sheets.
Do I get billed for overages?
No. On Bidprobe, plan allowances reset monthly and there is no automatic overage billing. Solo includes 8 new projects and 25 takeoff plan sheets a month; if you run out, buy a prepaid pack that lasts 12 months, or wait for the reset.
Try it on a real tender first.
One free bid check on every new account, no card required.