5 min read
Construction Bidding and Proposal Software for Subcontractors
A good proposal wins jobs that a quick text message number never will. General contractors compare several subs on every package, and the bid that is clear, itemized and on time usually gets the call. TradeBid is construction proposal software built for that moment. It turns your plans into a line-item bid you can edit, then exports a branded PDF proposal you can send the same day.
Construction bidding software built for subcontractors
Construction bidding comes down to sending accurate construction bids quickly. TradeBid's construction bidding software covers the bid itself: plans in, itemized bid out, branded PDF sent.
Why subcontractors lose bids on paperwork, not price
Most small subcontractors are good at the work and short on office time. Bids get built at night in a spreadsheet or a Word template, copied from the last job, with the old address still in the footer. That costs you in three ways:
- Slow turnaround. If the GC needs numbers by Friday and you send them Monday, you aren't in the running.
- Unclear scope. A lump-sum number with no line items invites "what's included?" calls and change-order fights later.
- Unprofessional look. A proposal with mismatched fonts and no logo makes a solid company look small.
Construction proposal software fixes all three by giving you a consistent, itemized format that you only need to review and adjust.
How TradeBid builds a proposal
- Upload the plans. Use a PDF plan set, a scanned page or a phone photo. You can also type out the scope if there are no drawings.
- Pick your trade. TradeBid supports electrical, plumbing, HVAC, concrete, roofing, framing, drywall, painting, siding and more.
- Review the draft bid. You get line items for materials, labor and scope. Change quantities, unit prices, markup, inclusions and exclusions. Nothing goes out until you approve it.
- Export a branded PDF. Your logo, company info, line items, totals, terms and a signature block, ready for the GC or homeowner.
- Track it. The dashboard keeps your recent bids in one place, so following up is easy.
What a strong construction proposal includes
Whatever tool you use, every subcontractor proposal should include:
- Your company name, license number, contact info and logo
- Project name, address, and plan set date or revision
- An itemized scope of work organized by area or system
- Clear inclusions and exclusions, such as permits, patching or after-hours work
- Pricing by line item or by section, with a clear total
- Allowances and alternates if the bid documents ask for them
- Payment terms, how long the price is valid, and schedule assumptions
- A place for the customer to sign and accept
TradeBid's PDF layout already covers these sections, so you only fill in what's specific to the job. For more on structure, see our guides to bid proposal format for contractors and what to include in a contractor bid.
Proposal software vs. templates
A free Word or Excel template is better than nothing, and we wrote a contractor bid template you can use. But templates don't count anything for you. You still have to measure the plans, do the math and retype the line items. Proposal software starts from the plans, so the quantities and line items are drafted before you open the file. If you send more than a few bids a month, the time you save adds up quickly. Read the full comparison in construction bid template vs. estimating software.
Built for subcontractors, not just general contractors
Many proposal and estimating platforms are designed for general contractors managing dozens of trades. That's useful if you run a 50-person preconstruction team. It's a lot of setup if you're a four-person electrical shop. TradeBid focuses on the subcontractor workflow: one trade, one plan set, one clear proposal.
Pricing
- Apprentice: $149/mo or $1,490/yr, up to 5 bids a month, no takeoffs
- Journeyman: $300/mo or $3,000/yr, unlimited bids, includes takeoffs
- Master: $850/mo or $8,500/yr, adds materials and invoicing
- Single bid: $100 for one proposal, no subscription
Annual plans save about 17%. Try TradeBid free for 7 days: every plan starts with a free trial that includes 3 bids and 1 takeoff. A card is required at checkout. See pricing or view a sample bid.
FAQ
What is construction proposal software? It's software that helps contractors create itemized, professional bids and proposals from project plans, instead of building each one by hand in a spreadsheet or document.
Can I edit the proposal before I send it? Yes. Every TradeBid bid is a draft. You can change any line item, price, note or term before you export the PDF.
Can I add my logo? Yes. The PDF proposal uses your logo and company details.
Does TradeBid work for residential and commercial jobs? Yes. Subcontractors use it for both. See estimating a residential job from plans and estimating a commercial job from plans.
Can I try TradeBid free? Yes. Try TradeBid free for 7 days, with 3 bids and 1 takeoff included. A card is required at checkout ("Start for $0.00"), and you won't be charged if you cancel before the trial ends. After the trial, plans start at $149/mo, or you can buy a single bid for $100.
How fast can I send a proposal? Most of the time goes into your own review. The draft is ready shortly after you upload the plans, so sending a bid the same day is realistic. See how to send a contractor bid the same day.