ConEst IntelliBid vs Groundplan

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.

Groundplan is a web-based takeoff and estimating service for construction trades. It counts materials and labour from uploaded PDF, JPG, PNG or TIFF plans using item counts, length measurements, surface-area calculations, formulas and BOQ or worksheet workflows. Its PDF editor includes more than 500 trade symbols, custom symbols, cable and pipe drawings, annotations and PDF export. Estimates can be exported to Excel or sent through integrations including Simpro, Xero, Fergus, QuickBooks, ServiceM8, AroFlo and Ascora. The service targets subcontractors, general contractors and suppliers in electrical, plumbing, landscaping, fire, security, roofing, concrete, HVAC, audio visual and building work. It runs online from any device without installs or updates. Count Assist is an add-on for high-volume electrical, fire and security takeoffs. The paid service has a 7-day trial. The Yearly plan costs 990 NZD a year, billed per seat, with no contracts and concurrent licensing.