Is there free electrical estimating software?
Updated · Amperio.ai team
Short answer
Amperio.ai lets you start free and then costs from $49/mo. Truly free, full-featured electrical estimating software is rare. The realistic free options are Excel or Google Sheets templates, limited free tiers of general takeoff tools, and free trials of paid platforms (including Amperio.ai). Free options work for occasional small jobs; once you bid more than 2–3 jobs a week, a paid tool from $49/mo usually pays for itself with one extra win or a few saved hours.
| Option | Cost | Good for | Missing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Sheets / Excel template | $0–$22/mo | Simple service and residential quotes | Takeoff, labor units, price updates |
| Free tier of a general takeoff tool | $0 (limited) | Occasional manual counts on PDFs | Electrical pricing and bid output |
| Free trial of paid software | $0 during trial | Testing real bids before buying | Time-limited |
| Amperio.ai PRO | $49/mo | Regular bidding with AI takeoff | — |
The hidden cost of “free”
At a billed rate of $75–$130/hr for a journeyman’s time (see labor rates), spending 4 extra hours counting devices on a set of plans costs $300–$520 — more than a year of most free-tool savings in a single bid.
Spreadsheet errors are the other hidden cost: a broken formula or an outdated copper price can wipe out the profit on a job.
When free is enough
- You quote fewer than 2–3 jobs per week.
- Jobs are small service calls or simple remodels.
- You do not work from PDF plan sets.
How Amperio.ai handles it
- Start a free trial and run a real bid before paying anything.
- Import your spreadsheet price list in minutes.
- PRO plan at $49/mo includes AI takeoff, catalog and proposals — no setup fee.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free electrical estimating app?
There are free spreadsheet templates and limited free tiers, but no widely used free app with electrical labor units and AI takeoff.
Can I use Excel for electrical estimating?
Yes, for small jobs. See Excel alternatives for when it stops working.
Does Amperio.ai have a free trial?
Yes. You can sign up and test it on a real project; paid plans start at $49/mo.
What is the cheapest electrical estimating software?
Among dedicated electrical tools with AI takeoff, Amperio.ai PRO at $49/mo is one of the lowest-cost options. See pricing.
Related questions
Sources and methodology
Prices and ranges are reference figures as of the update date; they vary by market, supplier and project conditions.