What to Consider When Integrating Digital Estimating into your Business

Digital estimating has been a part of the electrical industry for several decades, beginning with early systems in the 1980s that ran on Microsoft DOS. From these early foundations, electrical estimating software evolved through the 1990s and early 2000s into database-driven Windows applications, offering thousands of items and assemblies to help electrical estimators learn how to bid electrical work faster and more accurately.

In recent years, digital estimating has somewhat stagnated. The availability of technology in construction has dramatically increased with the advent of Virtual Design Construction (VDC) and other project management technologies becoming the focus of the construction sector. This has led to a lack of focus on the front end of the construction business. However, innovation has started to reach estimating recently, with new platforms being released that allow for a fully digital estimating process that is applicable to small and large contractors alike.

The first key step in implementing a fully digital estimating process is identifying the key stakeholders involved. Resistance to change is natural—especially among experienced estimators—largely due to a lack of trust in unfamiliar tools or processes. No estimator wants to be the “test case” for a new platform, particularly when even small errors can dramatically impact a project’s profitability. For contractors looking to improve how they bid electrical work, building confidence in new estimating systems is essential.

Securing buy-in from estimators and contractors is crucial to the success of any software deployment. Depending on the size of your team, it may be worthwhile to bring in a subject matter expert with hands-on experience in electrical estimating software and digital workflows. Embedding this expert within the estimating group helps ease the transition, resolve bugs, and address challenges in real-time—while working on actual projects. This approach ensures a smoother rollout and builds trust in the new system from day one.

The next step is ergonomics. Properly laying out the digital estimating workstation is absolutely critical to the success of digital estimation. Digital estimating software typically does not require much from a computer. A simple modern business laptop will be more than capable of running any locally installed estimating software. If a cloud based estimating software is used, it gets even easier on the local machine requirements. The key requirement is to have a computer that can handle a 4K UHD screen. Any laptop purchased in the last five years should be capable of handling this output. Even a modern Google Chromebook can typically handle this these days when using cloud-based software.

When setting up a workstation for digital estimation, the key requirement is screen size. While technically a Chromebook or laptop can run estimating software, they do not offer the contractor or estimator the appropriate screen size to estimate with. This is typically the most often overlooked aspect of digital estimating. For a simple comparison, a standard ANSI D page size is 22×34 inches whereas a standard 15” laptop screen is roughly 8×14 inches in size. This means that when trying to view a construction drawing on a laptop the estimator would typically only be able to see a small portion of the overall drawing. This makes estimating very difficult for complex projects as it’s very easy to lose the overall perspective of the drawing. When working on takeoff in a complex electrical room, it would not be possible for an estimator or contractor to see key notes written in the bottom left of the drawing on a laptop screen. It would also be easy to miss the specifications written in the top right of the drawing using a small screen size. Therefore, it is essential that a large screen is used for digital estimation. The minimum recommended screen size would be 48 inches (diagonal). At the common 16:9 ratio of todays screens, this would give dimensions of approximately 24×42 inches. This essentially allows a common ANSI D sized drawing to be viewed on the screen in 1:1 scale with no zooming, panning or manipulation. Using the minimum 4K UHD screen also means that all text and information will be fully readable to the human eye just as a regular drawing would be.

Once the appropriate primary screen has been set up, it may be desirable to add one or two additional monitors to support electrical estimating software or mechanical estimating software workflows. One effective recommendation is to set up a 27-inch monitor in portrait mode beside the main screen. This allows estimators to display project specifications, shop drawings, or tender documents side-by-side with their digital takeoff tools—ensuring that all critical estimating information is clearly visible and easily accessible while preparing to bid electrical work.

With your screen layout optimized, there are a few other often-overlooked hardware items that can significantly improve performance. The keyboard and mouse you choose for your contractor bidding software setup can directly impact estimator speed and accuracy. Accessories developed for the computer gaming industry—such as programmable mice—can boost productivity when using modern digital estimating software. For example, a gaming mouse with customizable buttons allows estimators to assign key actions like adding items or assemblies to a single click, speeding up repetitive estimating tasks. Depending on the estimating platform being used, items, assemblies, or commonly used tools can be “hot-keyed” for even faster access—reducing time spent navigating menus and improving overall workflow efficiency.

Once your hardware is up and running, the next major consideration is which electrical estimating software or contractor bidding software to use. There are two main categories of estimating platforms available today:

• Locally installed on the estimator’s computer

• Cloud-based solutions

  
  

Each option has pros and cons. Locally installed estimating software can be used without internet access, making it suitable for remote jobsite trailers or rural areas. However, this comes with increased risk—especially if backups are not properly managed. Estimating data stored on a laptop or desktop is vulnerable to theft, hardware failure, or ransomware attacks. Losing access to this data can result in the loss of years of bidding history, cost tracking, and key company knowledge.

Cloud-based electrical estimating software like PataBid Quantify requires an internet connection but offers significant advantages. No local installation or maintenance is needed, and updates are handled automatically by the provider. As connectivity becomes more reliable—even in remote locations with services like Starlink—cloud-based estimating is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for contractors looking to scale.

Key advantages of cloud-based estimating platforms include:

• Always up-to-date software maintained by the host

• Centralized database of items and assemblies with full customization options

• Built-in multi-user collaboration for estimators and decision-makers

• Secure estimating access from anywhere with a stable internet connection

  
  

For contractors exploring how to bid electrical work more efficiently, selecting the right combination of hardware and digital estimating software is critical. Making the switch to cloud-based contractor bidding software ensures your team stays connected, productive, and competitive—no matter where they are.

One more pro tip to consider when using digital estimating software: the estimator is no longer limited by traditional “standard page sizes.” This is especially valuable on larger projects where building layouts are split across multiple drawing sections. In these cases, it’s easy to lose track of where one section connects to another—leading to over- or underestimating material quantities. By using open-source tools like Inkscape or GIMP, segmented PDFs can be stitched together into one large, seamless drawing. While unprintable, this combined file is ideal for viewing on a large screen during a digital takeoff. It gives the estimator a complete view of the entire project and speeds up processes like feeder or piping takeoff, eliminating the need to switch between pages.

For contractors looking to improve how to bid electrical work, strategies like these—paired with the right electrical estimating software—can make a major impact on speed and accuracy.

Setting up a digital estimating process doesn’t require a huge investment, but it does require thoughtful planning and team buy-in. Once in place, the benefits of using contractor bidding software are significant. Estimates become more consistent, traceable, and higher in quality, giving your team a stronger foundation for successful bids.

Check out our free resources on digital estimating or learn more about the powerful digital estimating tools built into Quantify electrical estimating software. Start building a smarter estimating strategy for your contracting business today.