From Crisis to Continuity: How Trotco Electric Rebuilt Their Estimating Operation with PataBid Quantify

Overview

Trotco Electric Inc. is a Manitoba-based electrical contractor with nearly two decades in the industry. Founded by owner Brian Trottier, the company has built its reputation on straightforward values — quality work, face-to-face relationships, and a long-term approach to every partnership they enter. When Brian first encountered PataBid at an industry function, it was that same instinct for trust and fit that drew him in. He liked the people, he liked the product, and he wanted to learn more.

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What followed put that trust to the test in ways no one could have anticipated.

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Challenge

For Brian, the thing that keeps him up at night isn't project complexity or tight margins — it's dependency. When your estimating operation runs through one or two people, the entire company's pipeline rests on their knowledge, their process, and their data. Checks and balances aren't a nice-to-have; they're everything. That fear became reality when Trotco's lead estimator passed away unexpectedly. In an instant, the company was faced with a knowledge gap that threatened their ability to keep bidding work. Critical data hadn't been fully saved or stored, and they needed to get a brand new estimator up and running — fast.

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Solution

PataBid's team stepped up immediately. Through a combination of in-person support, online training sessions, and consistent availability whenever Trotco called, the team helped Brian and his new estimator, Dallas, get their footing quickly.

The cloud-based nature of Quantify proved its value in a very real way — accessible from anywhere, not dependent on a single machine or a hardware dongle, and structured in a way that allowed Dallas to learn the platform and build competency rapidly.

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Within six weeks, Dallas had progressed from brand new to performing at a senior estimator level. Brian attributes that to Dallas's aptitude and drive — but also directly to the platform and the support behind it. The relationship with PataBid also aligned with how Trotco approaches their own business. Every call was answered. Support was offered both in person and online. For Brian, that kind of responsiveness isn't a small thing — it's the foundation of how he believes business should be done.

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Outcome

• Rebuilt estimating operations following the unexpected loss of their lead estimator

• New estimator reached senior-level proficiency in just six weeks on the Quantify platform

• Zero data loss going forward, with cloud-based storage ensuring estimating history and data is always accessible and never siloed to one person

• Consistent, responsive support — in person, online, and by phone — every step of the way

• Long-term confidence in the platform, with no intention of switching — because when you find the right fit, you stick with it

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