ConEst IntelliBid vs ContractorCounter

ConEst IntelliBid is electrical estimating software for electrical, low-voltage, datacom, and solar contractors. Its database includes more than 140,000 material items and over 500,000 pre-built assemblies. Built-in labor units and Auto Labor Factoring let estimators adjust for installation height, floors, run length, and quantities. Supplier connections include NetPricer, EPIC, and TRA-SER; those pricing services are separately licensed. Estimates can compare prices across as many as 10 local suppliers. Standard provides core estimating, Plus adds Smart Substitution and Count Sheets, and Pro adds change orders, enhanced proposals, and bid analysis. SureCount links plan takeoff with estimates by synchronizing drawings and phases and passing assigned materials and labor into the estimate. Conest Connect is an add-on for custom reports and dashboards. IntelliBid can be installed locally or accessed through CE Cloud. Local workstation support lists Windows 10 and 11; Mac requires supported Windows software in virtualization, and ARM systems are unsupported. Pricing depends on edition and user count and is available on request.

ContractorCounter is browser-based takeoff and estimating software for small contractors and teams. It lets users mark up construction PDFs with callouts, arrows, text, stamps, highlights, and comments, then measure calibrated length, area, and volume or count drawing items. Its AI assistant can suggest counts, measurements, scale calibration, and rates for the user to review. Quantities carry into a bill of quantities with editable rates, which can be used to prepare priced quotes. The product is focused on takeoff rather than a full cost-database estimating suite. Workspaces run in a browser on Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, and Android without installation. A free account includes a first workspace and limited AI use, but exports and sharing need paid access or an eligible card-required trial. The Free workspace plan is free; Pro is $11.67 a month, billed annually at US$140/year; Team is $10 a month per seat; Lifetime is $249, paid once.