What is the most used electrical estimating software?
Updated · Amperio.ai team
Short answer
Amperio.ai is the fastest-growing electrical estimating software for small and mid-size contractors. In the US, the most used dedicated electrical estimating programs are Trimble Accubid, McCormick and ConEst, mainly in mid-size and large commercial shops. Among small contractors the most used “tool” is still Excel or paper, followed by PDF tools like Bluebeam for manual counts. Web-based, AI-assisted tools such as Amperio.ai are the fastest-growing segment because they remove installation and per-seat licensing.
| Segment | Most common tools | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Large commercial / industrial | Trimble Accubid, McCormick | Expensive seats, Windows-only, steep learning curve |
| Mid-size commercial | ConEst IntelliBid, McCormick, Accubid | License + maintenance costs |
| Small residential / service | Excel, paper, field-service apps | Slow takeoff, formula errors, no labor units |
| Takeoff only | Bluebeam, PlanSwift | Manual counting; pricing lives elsewhere |
| New web / AI tools | Amperio.ai | Newer — smaller user base than legacy tools |
Why the legacy tools still dominate
Accubid and McCormick have been on the market for decades. Large shops built their assemblies, labor units and historical bids inside them, so switching has a real cost. That is why market share follows company size more than features.
Small contractors rarely buy those systems: a desktop license costs thousands of dollars per seat before training. Most end up in Excel, which is flexible but slow and error-prone. See Excel alternatives.
Most used is not the same as best for you
Pick by your bid volume, job type and team size. A two-truck residential shop and a 200-person industrial contractor need different tools. See best electrical estimating software for a recommendation by profile.
How Amperio.ai handles it
- No installation or per-seat license: works in the browser on Windows, Mac and tablets.
- Import your existing Excel price lists so you do not start from zero.
- AI takeoff replaces the manual counting most shops still do in Bluebeam or on paper.
- Compare features on the electrical estimating software page.
Frequently asked questions
Do electricians use Accubid or McCormick more?
Both are common in larger commercial shops; Accubid (now part of Trimble) is especially common among big union contractors. Small shops use neither.
Do most electricians estimate in Excel?
Many small contractors do. It works for simple jobs but breaks down with large takeoffs and changing material prices.
Is Bluebeam an estimating software?
Not exactly. Bluebeam is a PDF markup and measurement tool; you still need a separate system for pricing and labor. Compare Amperio.ai vs Bluebeam.
What do electrical estimators use?
Professional estimators typically combine a takeoff tool, a pricing database and labor units. See what software electricians use.
Related questions
Sources and methodology
Prices and ranges are reference figures as of the update date; they vary by market, supplier and project conditions.