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Let me be honest with you. I have been in the electrical estimating world since 1989. I have seen hundreds of small electrical contractors struggle, lose bids they should have won, and walk away from projects that could have changed their business. And in most cases, the reason had nothing to do with their skills on the job. The problem was how they were estimating.

Small electrical contractors are some of the hardest-working people in the construction industry. You wake up early, you show up, you get the work done. But when it comes to putting together a bid, many of you are still doing things the hard way. You are working off spreadsheets, old paper forms, or gut instincts built up over the years. And while experience matters, it is not enough anymore.

The competition has changed. General contractors expect faster turnaround. Project owners want precise numbers. The margin for error is razor-thin. If your bid is too high, you lose the job. If it is too low, you lose money. Either way, you lose.

That is what this article is about. We are going to walk through the five most common reasons small electrical contractors lose bids, and more importantly, how the right electrical estimating software for small contractors can solve every single one of them. This is not a sales pitch. It is a straight conversation based on decades of experience working with contractors just like you.

About the Author: Steve Griffin is the founder of Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software, formerly known as 1st Choice Electrical Estimating Software (1CEES), established in 1989. With over three decades of hands-on experience in electrical estimating software design, training, and freelance estimating, Steve has helped thousands of electrical contractors across the USA and Canada win more bids, price their work accurately, and build more profitable businesses.

Reason #1: You Are Spending Too Much Time on Each Bid

The Problem

Time is money. That is not just a saying in the electrical contracting world, it is your reality. When you are spending hours manually calculating material quantities, labor units, and overhead on every single bid, you are burning time you do not have. Small shops especially feel this pressure because the estimating is often falling on the owner or the lead electrician, who already has a full plate running jobs.

The result? You either rush through bids and make costly mistakes, or you pass on opportunities because you simply do not have the bandwidth to prepare a proper estimate. Both outcomes hurt your bottom line.

How Software Fixes It

Modern electrical estimating software is built to cut your estimating time dramatically. With Best Bid Next Generation, you get a built-in on-screen takeoff system that lets you count and measure directly from PDF plans on your computer screen. No more printing. No more measuring by hand. No more transferring numbers from paper to spreadsheet.

Our Best Bid Hybrid Pro takes it one step further by combining the takeoff and the estimating inside one single program. You count your materials on the takeoff side, and those numbers transfer directly to the estimating side. What used to take all day can now be done in hours.

Pro Tip: The fastest estimators are not the ones who work harder. They are the ones who have the right system. If your current process requires you to re-enter numbers more than once, that is a sign your workflow needs an upgrade. Check out our starting an estimate guide to see how a streamlined process looks from start to finish.

Reason #2: Your Material Pricing Is Out of Date

The Problem

This one gets contractors in trouble more often than you might think. You built your pricing database two years ago, or you are still referencing an old price list you got from a supplier. Material costs shift constantly. Copper wire alone can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. When your numbers do not reflect today's reality, your bids are either too high or dangerously low.

Winning a low bid only to discover your material costs were 15% off is not a victory. It is a financial loss wrapped in the appearance of success.

How Software Fixes It

Best Bid Hybrid Pro users have access to a strategic partnership with Esmarts' NetPak, giving you direct access to IDEA's Industry Data Warehouse (IDW). This means you get manufacturer product data, third-column market prices, real-time pricing updates, and searchable eCatalogs right inside your estimating environment. You are not guessing at prices anymore. You are working with live, accurate data.

Even for users who do not need live pricing integration, our software is built to make it easy to update and maintain your own material database so your numbers stay current. You should not be manually hunting down prices every time you sit down to bid on a job.

• See Best Bid Hybrid Pro features

• Explore Best Bid Next Generation

• View pricing options

Reason #3: You Are Inconsistent from Bid to Bid

The Problem

Consistency is the foundation of profitable estimating. If every bid you put together looks a little different, uses different formulas, or applies overhead and labor differently depending on who put it together or what mood you were in, you are not running a system. You are guessing.

Inconsistency leads to missed items, forgotten costs, and bids that do not accurately reflect what a project truly requires. Over time, this inconsistency erodes your profit margins and makes it nearly impossible to learn from past bids.

How Software Fixes It

A good electrical estimating program forces consistency by design. Every estimate you build follows the same structure, applies the same labor units, and accounts for the same cost categories. When you finish a bid in Best Bid, you know exactly what went into it because the system walks you through every component.

Our software is also built with electrical terminology that estimators actually understand. The screens are logical, the workflow makes sense, and the process is the same every single time. That consistency means you can review past bids, compare them to actual costs, and get smarter with every project you complete.

You can also explore our comprehensive list of Best Bid features to see just how thorough the system is.

Real Talk: If you ever had two estimators in your shop put together a bid on the same project and got two very different numbers, that is an inconsistency problem. Software solves this by standardizing the entire process. Everyone follows the same system every time.

Reason #4: You Do Not Know How to Structure a Competitive Bid

The Problem

Knowing how to do electrical work and knowing how to estimate electrical work are two very different skill sets. A lot of small contractors got into the business through the field. They learned how to wire panels, pull conduit, and troubleshoot systems. But nobody sat them down and taught them how to put together a professional, competitive bid.

As a result, many contractors either underprice because they lack confidence or overprice because they are padding numbers to feel safe. Neither approach leads to sustainable growth.

How Software Fixes It

This is where Best Bid goes beyond just being software. We also run the Best Bid Online School for Electrical Estimating. Our school teaches you the actual art and science of electrical estimating. You will learn how to do takeoffs, how to structure your estimates, how to price projects accurately, and how to build bids that are both competitive and profitable.

We offer several training plan levels:

• Basic Plan - Perfect for contractors just starting to learn estimating

• Company Plan - Designed for teams that want everyone estimating at the same level

• Master Estimating Certificate Plan - For those who want to reach an advanced, professional level

 We have been teaching electrical contractors how to estimate since 1989. The combination of practical software and real training is something very few companies in this industry offer. You can also find free resources on our YouTube channel, where we post tutorials and walkthroughs to help you learn at your own pace.

Reason #5: You Are Wasting Time on Drawings and Panel Schedules

The Problem

Estimating is not just about counting materials. For many small contractors, it also involves creating or marking up drawings, putting together panel schedules, and producing professional documentation to go along with the bid. When you are doing all of this manually or with the wrong tools, you are eating up hours that should be going toward winning more work.

Panel schedules, especially, are time sinks for a lot of contractors. Creating a professional-looking panel schedule by hand or in a basic spreadsheet takes time and rarely looks clean enough to impress a GC or project owner.

How Software Fixes It

Best Bid offers tools specifically built to solve these problems. Our Panel Scheduler is a simple, dedicated software tool that lets you create professional panel schedules quickly and cleanly. It is the kind of polished documentation that makes your business look sharp and serious.

For drawings, we offer Accura CADD PDF Draw, a powerful AutoCAD-like tool built specifically for working with PDF drawings. Nothing else on the market works quite like it. You can create, modify, and annotate electrical drawings with precision, without the steep learning curve or high cost of traditional CAD software.

And if you simply do not have the time or staff to handle estimating and drafting in-house, our Freelance Estimating and Drafting service is there to step in. When you run out of time and do not want to pass up the next project, let us do it for you.

Bonus: The Hidden Cost of Doing Nothing

A lot of small contractors read articles like this and think, "That all makes sense, but I have been getting by okay." And that might be true. But "getting by" is not the same as growing. It is not the same as winning the bids you deserve to win, building the reputation your work has earned, or running a business that gives you real financial security.

The contractors who invest in the right tools and the right training consistently outperform those who do not. It is not about having the fanciest software. It is about having a system that makes you faster, more accurate, more consistent, and more professional than the competition.

We have been helping electrical contractors build that system since 1989. We have seen what works. And we know the difference it makes.

Did You Know? Best Bid software comes with an unlimited license, free technical support, lifetime software updates, and a one-time fee. You own the software. There are no annual renewal fees, no per-seat charges, and no surprise costs. We also offer buy now, pay later financing options, so budget is never a barrier to getting started. What Makes Best Bid Different From Every Other Option Out There

There is no shortage of estimating software on the market. We know that. But most of it was not built by people who actually understand the electrical industry from the inside. Most of it is expensive, complicated, and requires weeks of training before you can use it productively. And after all that, you are still on your own when you have a question.

Here is what you get with Best Bid:

• Built-in on-screen takeoff included with your software

• Unlimited license, no extra seats, no extra fees

• Lifetime software updates at no additional cost

• Free technical support from people who know the product

• A one-time fee so you own the software outright

• Software designed with electrical terminology that makes sense to estimators

• An online school to actually teach you how to estimate

• Freelance estimating services for when you need backup

We are not just a software company. We are a full estimating solution. Software, training, support, freelance backup, and drafting tools all under one roof. No other company in this space does that.

You can read more about our story and our commitment to electrical contractors on our About Us page. We started this business because we saw a need for simple, practical, affordable software built specifically for the people doing electrical work every day. That mission has not changed.

5 Practical Tips to Start Winning More Bids Right Now

Tip 1: Schedule a Walkthrough Before You Commit

Before you invest in any estimating software, make sure it actually works for you. We offer a free software walkthrough so you can see exactly how Best Bid works in a real estimating scenario. No pressure, no obligation.

Tip 2: Stop Using Spreadsheets for Complex Bids

Spreadsheets are fine for simple residential quotes. But for anything with multiple phases, large material lists, or custom labor calculations, a spreadsheet is a liability. The risk of formula errors, missed rows, and version confusion is too high. Make the switch to purpose-built electrical estimating software and eliminate that risk.

Tip 3, Learn While You Work

You do not have to stop bidding jobs to improve your estimating. Our online school is built for working contractors. You learn at your own pace, on your schedule, with content that applies directly to the bids you are working on right now.

Tip 4: Explore Free Resources First

Not sure where to start? We offer a free electrical estimating consultation and a growing help library. You can also browse our blog for articles that tackle real estimating challenges. And our FAQ page answers the most common questions we hear from new and experienced estimators alike.

Tip 5: Do Not Pass Up Work Because You Are Overwhelmed

If your pipeline is full and a new opportunity comes in that you just do not have the bandwidth to bid on, do not walk away. That is what our freelance estimating service is for. We step in, put together a professional estimate, and you stay competitive without stretching your team past its limits.

Final Thoughts: The Right Tools Change Everything

The electrical contractors who are consistently winning bids, growing their business, and building real profitability are not working harder than you. They are working smarter. They have a system. They have the right tools. They know their numbers.

You can have all of that, too. It starts with making the decision to stop letting outdated processes hold you back.

We are not just better. We are the best. And we are ready to prove it to you. Whether you are a solo electrician doing residential work or a growing contractor tackling commercial projects, we have the right solution at the right price. Explore our full product lineup, check out our pricing page, or contact us today to talk to a real person about what you need.

You have worked too hard to keep losing bids you should be winning. Let Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software help you change that.

Connect With Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software

We are active across all major platforms. Follow us, watch our tutorials, and stay connected:

• Website: bestbidestimating.com

• YouTube: Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software on YouTube

• Facebook: facebook.com/BestBidestimating

• LinkedIn: Best Bid on LinkedIn

• Phone: 1-800-941-7028

In the electrical contracting industry, winning profitable projects often comes down to one thing: the quality of your estimate. A bid that is too high can cost you the job. A bid that is too low can cost you your profits. Between labor calculations, material pricing, takeoffs, and project timelines, electrical contractors face increasing pressure to produce accurate bids quickly while remaining competitive.

For many contractors, estimating is one of the most stressful parts of running a business. Miss a few fixtures, forget a feeder, underestimate labor hours, or rely on outdated pricing, and a profitable project can quickly become a financial burden.

This is where modern Electrical Bidding Software becomes a game-changer.

At Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software, we have spent decades helping contractors improve the way they estimate electrical projects. Since the early days of 1st Choice Electrical Estimating Software (1CEES), our mission has remained the same: to provide practical tools that help contractors estimate faster, estimate more accurately, and win more profitable work.

Today, many contractors are searching for an electrical bidding program that does more than generate numbers. They want software that simplifies their workflow, teaches better estimating practices, and supports long-term business growth.

In this guide, we will explore the most important features every contractor should look for when choosing electrical bidding software and how the right solution can transform the way electrical estimates are created.

The Story of a Contractor Who Was Losing Profits

Several years ago, an electrical contractor contacted our team after losing money on multiple projects.

He was experienced in the field. His installations were excellent. His customers were happy.

The problem wasn't electrical work.

The problem was estimating.

He was still performing many calculations manually. Material counts were tracked on paper. Takeoffs were completed using printed plans and highlighters. Every estimate required hours of repetitive work.

As project volume increased, mistakes became more common.

Missed quantities. Incorrect labor factors. Outdated material pricing.

The result was predictable.

Projects that appeared profitable on paper became difficult to complete within budget.

After implementing a professional electrical bidding program and learning structured estimating techniques, the contractor transformed his estimating process. Instead of rushing through bids, he developed a repeatable system that improved accuracy and confidence.

His story is not unique.

Many electrical contractors face the same challenge every day.

The good news is that the right software can eliminate many of these problems.

Why Electrical Bidding Software Matters More Than Ever

Competition in the electrical industry continues to increase.

Contractors are expected to:

Submit bids faster

Provide detailed proposals

Control labor costs

Manage material pricing changes

Remain competitive without sacrificing profits

Using spreadsheets or manual estimating methods can create unnecessary risk.

Modern electrical bidding software helps contractors:

Improve estimate accuracy

Reduce bid preparation time

Standardize estimating procedures

Minimize costly mistakes

Increase profitability

The best systems combine estimating, takeoff, training, and practical workflow solutions into one streamlined process.

Feature #1: Built-In On-Screen Takeoff

One of the most valuable features in any electrical bidding program is built-in on-screen takeoff functionality.

Traditional estimating often required contractors to:

Print plans

Use colored markers

Manually count devices

Transfer quantities into estimates

This process consumed valuable time and increased the likelihood of errors.

Modern systems like Best Bid integrate on-screen takeoff directly into the estimating workflow.

Contractors can perform takeoffs directly from digital PDF plans while reducing paperwork and increasing efficiency.

Learn more about Best Bid's estimating solutions at:

Bestbidestimating For contractors looking for advanced takeoff capabilities, Best Bid Hybrid Pro combines estimating and takeoff into a single workflow.

Best Bide Hybrid-Pro Estimator Software

Feature #2: Easy-to-Learn Interface

Many estimating systems are powerful but difficult to learn.

A common complaint among contractors is that software feels like it was designed by programmers rather than estimators.

At Best Bid, our software design philosophy has always focused on simplicity.

The goal is to create estimating software using electrical terminology that electricians and estimators already understand.

The best electrical bidding software should allow users to:

Navigate quickly

Create estimates with minimal keystrokes

Learn the system without weeks of training

Focus on estimating rather than software complexity

A simple interface increases productivity and encourages team adoption.

Feature #3: Accurate Labor Calculations

Labor is often one of the largest cost components in an electrical estimate.

Even small labor errors can significantly impact profitability.

Effective electrical bidding software should help contractors:

Calculate labor consistently

Track productivity assumptions

Apply labor units accurately

Compare project scenarios

Accurate labor calculations allow contractors to create bids based on real-world expectations instead of guesswork.

Feature #4: Integrated Electrical Estimating and Takeoff

One of the biggest advancements in electrical estimating software has been the integration of takeoff and estimating functions.

Traditionally, contractors completed takeoffs separately and then manually transferred counts into estimating systems.

This duplication consumed time and increased opportunities for mistakes.

The Best Bid Hybrid Pro was designed to solve this problem.

Counts and measurements collected during takeoff can be transferred directly into the estimating side of the software.

This integrated workflow helps contractors:

Save time

Improve accuracy

Reduce duplicate data entry

Create estimates faster

Explore Hybrid Pro features:

Hybrid Pro Estimator Features

Feature #5: Unlimited Licensing

Many software companies charge recurring fees or additional licensing costs.

As businesses grow, software expenses can increase dramatically.

One advantage offered by Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software is an unlimited license structure.

Every Best Bid software package includes:

Unlimited License

Free Technical Support

Lifetime Software Updates

One-Time Fee Ownership

This approach helps contractors control costs while maintaining access to powerful estimating tools.

Feature #6: Free Technical Support

Software support becomes critical when deadlines are approaching.

Contractors do not want to spend hours waiting for assistance when a bid is due tomorrow.

Quality support should be viewed as part of the software investment.

At Best Bid, free technical support is included because we understand the realities of estimating deadlines.

When evaluating electrical bidding software, contractors should ask:

Is support included?

Are support fees extra?

How accessible is assistance?

Reliable support can save valuable time and reduce frustration.

Feature #7: Lifetime Software Updates

Technology changes quickly.

Estimating software should continue improving after purchase.

One important consideration when selecting an electrical bidding program is update availability.

Contractors should evaluate:

Update frequency

Additional costs

Long-term support commitment

Best Bid includes lifetime software updates, helping customers maintain access to ongoing improvements.

Feature #8: Professional Training Resources

Even the best software can only reach its full potential when users understand proper estimating techniques.

This is why training is often overlooked but incredibly important.

Many contractors enter estimating from field experience.

While they understand installation, they may not have received formal estimating education.

Best Bid addresses this challenge through the Online School for Electrical Estimating.

Training includes:

Performing takeoffs

Structuring estimates

Understanding project pricing

Developing estimating confidence

Explore training options:

https://bestbidestimating.com/electrical-estimating-class-basic-plan/

https://bestbidestimating.com/electrical-estimating-class-company-plan/

https://bestbidestimating.com/electrical-estimating-master-estimating-certificate-plan/

Feature #9: Flexible Solutions for Different Contractors

Every contractor has unique needs.

Some focus on residential projects.

Others specialize in commercial construction.

Some operate as freelance estimators.

The best software should support multiple workflows.

For residential estimating:

Electrical Residential Estimator

For freelance estimating services:

Freelance Estimating

For contractors seeking a comprehensive estimating platform:

Best Bid Next Generation

Feature #10: Practical Affordability

Price matters.

However, focusing only on software cost can be misleading.

Contractors should evaluate overall value.

Questions to consider include:

How much time will the software save?

How many estimating errors will it prevent?

How quickly can it pay for itself?

A single profitable project may recover the investment many times over.

Learn more:

Electrical Estimating Software Pricing Worth The Cost

Pricing

Additional Tools That Improve Estimating Productivity

Successful estimating often requires more than a single software package.

Best Bid provides additional solutions designed to improve workflow efficiency.

Accura CADD PDF Draw

Accura CADD PDF Draw allows users to create and modify PDF drawings with precision.

It provides a practical drafting solution for contractors who need drawing capabilities without excessive complexity.

Learn more:

Accura-CADD PDF draw Software

Panel Scheduler

Professional panel schedules improve project documentation and organization.

Best Bid Panel Scheduler provides a simple way to create professional panel schedules.

Panel scheduler

General Tips for Better Electrical Estimating

Whether you are using software or traditional methods, the following practices can improve estimating accuracy.

Always Review Plans Multiple Times

The first review identifies major project components.

The second review often reveals details missed during the initial pass.

Develop Consistent Estimating Procedures

Consistency improves accuracy.

Use the same process for every estimate to reduce mistakes.

Avoid Guessing Labor

Use documented labor calculations whenever possible.

Keep Learning

Estimating is a skill that improves with education and practice.

Continuous learning can significantly improve bid quality.

Leverage Technology

Technology should reduce repetitive work and improve decision-making.

The right electrical bidding software allows estimators to spend less time counting and more time analyzing project profitability.

Why Experience Matters in Electrical Estimating Software

The electrical industry has changed dramatically over the past three decades.

However, one thing remains constant.

Contractors need reliable estimating tools built around real-world electrical work.

First Choice Electrical Estimating Software (1CEES) was established in 1991 and has spent decades helping contractors improve estimating performance.

From the original Budget Estimator to today's Best Bid product line, the focus has always been on practical solutions designed specifically for electrical contractors.

That experience continues to shape every software product, training course, and support service we provide.

A Complete Estimating Solution

Many software providers simply sell a program.

Best Bid offers a complete estimating ecosystem that includes:

Electrical Estimating Software

On-Screen Takeoff Solutions

Electrical Estimating Training

Freelance Estimating Services

Drafting Services

Panel Scheduling Tools

Educational Resources

Helpful resources include: Blog Videos Video Library Books Free Trial Free Consultation

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right Electrical Bidding Software can have a lasting impact on your business.

The ideal electrical bidding program should help you estimate faster, improve accuracy, reduce costly mistakes, and increase profitability.

Look for solutions that offer:

Built-in On-Screen Takeoff

Integrated Estimating Tools

Easy-to-Learn Workflows

Accurate Labor Calculations

Training Resources

Free Technical Support

Lifetime Updates

Flexible Pricing

At Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software, we believe estimating should be simple, practical, and profitable. Our mission is to help electrical contractors estimate better, bid smarter, and grow stronger.

We're not just better-We're the best!

To learn more, visit:

Website: https://bestbidestimating.com/

Schedule a Walkthrough Contact Us Follow Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software on social media:

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Accurate and competitive estimates are essential in any market. Successful electrical contractors have one thing in common: they are constantly searching for estimating tools that increase efficiency and decrease costs. One of the most important and time-consuming challenges for any estimator is transferring counts and measurements from a set of drawings into the estimate.

This is exactly why electrical takeoff software has become one of the most important tools in the electrical industry today.

For years, electrical contractors estimated projects using paper plans, rulers, handwritten notes, and calculators. Although this method worked for many years, the industry has changed dramatically. PDF drawings, online plan rooms, electronic blueprint sharing, and digital workflows are now becoming standard throughout the United States and Canada.

At Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software, we recognized this shift many years ago. Our goal has always been simple: provide practical estimating solutions designed specifically for electrical contractors. We are not just software developers. We are all things estimating.

Since the beginning of 1st Choice Electrical Estimating Software (1CEES), we have focused on creating estimating tools that simplify the estimating process while helping contractors become more competitive and profitable.

Today, contractors are no longer asking whether they should move to digital takeoff technology. The real question is:

“What should contractors look for in electrical takeoff software?”

The answer starts with speed, simplicity, accuracy, and real-world estimating functionality.

The Problem With Traditional Paper Estimating

Make no mistake,  paper estimating will be phased out. Don’t be left behind.

Conventional paper plans are becoming outdated just like the old methods of manual estimating. The cost to print hard copies of standard D-size drawings can run up to $5.50 per page, making digital estimating a much smarter solution for modern contractors.

Paper estimating also creates additional problems:

Lost drawings

Duplicate counts

Slow manual measurements

Difficult revisions

Storage issues

Estimating fatigue

Increased human error

Electrical contractors need a faster and more accurate way to estimate projects.

That is where Digi Count Takeoff Pro Electrical Takeoff Software changes everything.

The Rise of Digital Takeoff Technology

Digital takeoff technology allows electrical contractors to perform takeoffs directly from their computer screens. Instead of printing paper plans, contractors can import PDF drawings and count or measure directly from the software.

At Best Bid, we developed Digi Count Takeoff Pro specifically for the electrical contractor.

The Digi Count Takeoff Pro is not generic estimating software adapted for electrical work. It was designed especially for electrical estimating and takeoffs.

With digital takeoff technology, contractors can:

Count devices directly from PDF drawings

Measure conduit runs from point A to point B

Organize takeoffs using color-coded tags

Zoom and pan through plans

Rotate drawings for improved visibility

Save takeoffs electronically for future review

This process saves time, reduces mistakes, and increases productivity.

Paperless estimating is not the future; it is the present.

What Contractors Should Look For in Electrical Takeoff Software

Not all electrical takeoff software is the same. Many systems are expensive, difficult to learn, and filled with unnecessary complexity. Contractors need estimating tools that actually make their jobs easier.

At Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software, our software design is based on uncomplicated screens and electrical terminology that estimators understand.

The goal is to reduce estimating time while increasing estimating accuracy.

Here are some of the most important things contractors should look for.

Built-In On-Screen Takeoff

One of the biggest advantages of modern estimating software is built-in on-screen takeoff capability.

The Best Bid Hybrid Pro Electrical Estimating Software combines the power of estimating software with the convenience of digital takeoff technology.

This one-of-a-kind software reduces many of the steps once required to perform an accurate estimate.

The Best Bid Hybrid allows contractors to:

Import PDF drawings directly into the software

Perform takeoffs from the computer screen

Count and measure quickly

Automatically transfer quantities into the estimate

Eliminate the need for paper plans

This combination of takeoff and estimating software helps contractors estimate faster than ever before.

Automatic Quantity Transfer

One of the most time-consuming parts of electrical estimating is transferring quantities manually from takeoff sheets into the estimate.

The Best Bid Hybrid eliminates this problem.

The software automatically transfers counts and measurements directly into the estimating side of the program.

This saves an incredible amount of time while reducing manual entry mistakes.

Contractors can:

Count devices

Measure conduit

Create assemblies

Transfer quantities automatically

without repeating the same work multiple times.

Auto Count Technology

The Digi Count Takeoff Pro / Auto Count feature is one of the newest on-screen takeoff technologies on the market today.

The Auto Count symbol recognition software searches the drawing for specific symbols and automatically counts them for the estimator.

This dramatically improves efficiency on large projects.

Instead of manually counting hundreds of devices, contractors can let the software assist with the process while they focus on reviewing the project.

The Digi Count Takeoff Pro / Auto Count is available with the Best Bid Hybrid system.

Unlimited Flexibility

Every contractor estimates differently. Some companies specialize in commercial work while others focus on residential, industrial, service work, or low voltage systems.

That is why flexibility is extremely important.

The Best Bid Hybrid allows contractors to:

Create unlimited groups

Customize tags and lines

Build custom assemblies

Edit database items

Create new product groups

Modify dropdown menus

Store custom labor units

This flexibility allows estimators to build systems that fit the way they already work.

Built for Electrical Contractors

Many estimating systems are designed by programmers who have never estimated electrical projects.

That creates software that feels confusing and disconnected from real-world estimating.

Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software was designed around electrical terminology and actual estimating workflows.

The software includes:

Lighting assemblies

Switch assemblies

Receptacle assemblies

Stub-ups

Branches

Fire alarm

Site work

Feeders

The goal is to allow contractors to estimate projects with minimal keystrokes and maximum efficiency.

Labor Tracking and Labor Reports

Successful estimating is not just about material pricing. Labor management is one of the most important parts of any profitable estimate.

The Best Bid Hybrid includes:

Labor reports

Labor difficulty adjustments

Crew Designer tools

Labor burden calculations

Man-hour worksheets

Contractors can review labor summarized by:

item

assembly

phase

project section

This helps contractors understand exactly where labor hours are being spent.

Audit Trail Protection

Mistakes during estimating can become very expensive.

That is why the visible audit trail inside the Best Bid software is so valuable.

Contractors can review:

worksheets

request for quotes

labor reports

material breakdowns

estimate summaries

at any time during the estimating process.

This improves accuracy while helping contractors avoid costly errors before bids are submitted.

Why Simplicity Matters

One of the biggest problems with many estimating programs is unnecessary complexity.

Contractors do not want software that requires months of training just to create an estimate.

At Best Bid, our goal has always been different.

We wanted to create:

simple estimating software

practical estimating workflows

easy-to-understand screens

faster estimating methods

Many estimating systems are slow, expensive, and time-consuming.

We believed there had to be a better way.

That belief led to the development of the Best Bid Electrical Estimating & On-Screen Takeoff Solutions.

More Than Just Software

At Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software, we do more than simply provide software.

We provide complete estimating solutions.

Our services include:

Electrical estimating software

On-screen takeoff software

Freelance estimating

Drafting services

Online estimating classes

Estimating mentoring

Technical support

We help contractors estimate projects better and become more confident with their electrical numbers.

The Online School for Electrical Estimating

Many contractors understand electrical installation but struggle with estimating.

That is why we created the Best Bid Online School for Electrical Estimating.

We teach contractors:

How to perform takeoffs

How to structure estimates

How to price projects accurately

How to estimate more efficiently

This hands-on training helps electrical contractors improve their estimating process and become more competitive in the marketplace.

Accura CADD PDF Draw

Modern estimating often requires contractors to review, modify, or create PDF drawings.

That is why we also offer Accura CADD PDF Draw.

This powerful drafting solution allows contractors to:

Create PDF drawings

Modify existing plans

Produce as-built drawings

Create drawings from scratch

It is another example of how Best Bid continues developing practical solutions for electrical contractors.

One-Time Ownership Matters

One issue many contractors dislike today is ongoing subscription fees.

At Best Bid, we believe contractors should own their software.

All Best Bid software includes:

Unlimited license

Free technical support

Lifetime software updates

One-time fee ownership

Our goal is to provide affordable software accessible to the average electrical contractor without hidden costs.

Built Around Real Experience

Our company history goes back to the early days of electrical estimating software.

First Choice Electrical Estimating Software (1CEES) was established in 1991 with the launch of the First Choice Budget Estimator.

As contractor needs evolved, we introduced:

Commercial estimating systems

Residential estimating software

Electrical bidding programs

Digital takeoff technology

Hybrid estimating software

Each new development was based on real contractor feedback and real-world estimating experience.

Today, the Best Bid Hybrid Pro represents the evolution of electrical estimating software by combining estimating and on-screen takeoff into one complete solution.

The Future of Electrical Estimating

The electrical estimating industry continues moving toward:

Digital plans

On-screen takeoffs

Real-time pricing

Automated workflows

Paperless estimating

Contractors who embrace digital estimating tools today will be better positioned for future growth.

The future of electrical estimating is already here.

The Best Bid Hybrid Pro and Digi Count Takeoff Pro were built to help contractors stay competitive in that future.

Why Contractors Across the US and Canada Choose Best Bid

Electrical contractors choose Best Bid because we understand estimating.

We understand:

deadlines

labor challenges

pricing pressure

takeoff frustrations

bidding competition

Our software was built to simplify the estimating process while improving speed and accuracy.

Most importantly, our mission extends beyond software.

We continue helping electrical contractors every day through:

estimating support

online education

software training

mentoring

freelance estimating services

We believe estimating should not feel overwhelming.

We believe contractors deserve estimating software that actually works for them.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right electrical takeoff software can completely change the way your company estimates projects.

The right software should:

Reduce estimating time

Improve estimate accuracy

Eliminate repetitive work

Simplify takeoffs

Improve organization

Increase profitability

At Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software, we continue building estimating solutions designed specifically for electrical contractors.

Whether you need:

Electrical estimating software

Digital takeoff technology

Online estimating training

Freelance estimating services

PDF drafting tools

We can help you estimate or estimate better.

We’re not just better, we’re the best!

Learn more here:

Website: Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software

Best Bid Hybrid Pro Digi Count Takeoff Pro

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Powerful contractor software for electrical estimating, bidding, takeoff & project pricing with one-time purchase options.