5 min read

Free Estimate Generator for Contractors

Most "free estimate generators" are really just forms. You type every line item yourself, and the tool adds up the column and puts a logo on top. That helps a little, but the slow part of estimating isn't the formatting. It's reading the plans, counting, measuring and pricing every line.

TradeBid works differently. You upload your plans, pick your trade, and TradeBid generates an itemized draft estimate for you to review and edit. Then it exports a branded PDF proposal. Try TradeBid free for 7 days: 3 bids and 1 takeoff included. Click Start for $0.00 to begin. A card is required at checkout, and the trial is meant for running real jobs, not just a demo.

How the free trial works

  • 7 days free. Start for $0.00.
  • 3 bids and 1 takeoff included. Use them on real jobs you're bidding this week.
  • Card required at checkout. We ask for a card up front so the trial can roll into a plan if you keep using it. Cancel before the 7 days are up if it's not for you.
  • After the trial, choose Apprentice ($149/mo, up to 5 bids a month, no takeoffs), Journeyman ($300/mo), Master ($850/mo), or pay $100 for a single bid. Annual plans save about 17%.
  • **** It's a free trial, and we'd rather be upfront about that.

What the estimate generator creates

  1. Upload plans. Use a PDF plan set, a scan or a phone photo, or type out the scope if you don't have drawings.
  2. Pick a trade: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, concrete, roofing, framing, drywall, painting, siding and more.
  3. Get a line-item draft covering materials, labor and scope. Every quantity, unit price and note is editable.
  4. Review it. You're the estimator. Check the quantities against the plans, adjust to your prices, and add your markup.
  5. Export a branded PDF with your logo, terms, inclusions, exclusions and a signature block.

Want to see the output first? Look at a sample bid.

Free estimate creator vs. free estimate template

If you only send a couple of estimates a month, a free template may be all you need. We offer a free construction bid template and a bid sheet template in Excel, Word and PDF, with no signup.

Use a template when:

  • You bid rarely
  • The jobs are small and simple
  • You already know the quantities

Use an estimate generator when:

  • You bid every week
  • You work from plan sets, not just a walk-through
  • You lose jobs because your bids go out late
  • You want every proposal to look the same and look professional

What makes a good contractor estimate

Whatever tool you use, a strong estimate has:

  • Your company info, license number and logo
  • Project name, address and plan revision
  • An itemized scope grouped by area or system
  • Clear inclusions and exclusions
  • Labor figured with your real production rates
  • Overhead and profit. Know the difference between markup and margin.
  • Payment terms, how long the price is valid, and a signature line

Read more in what to include in a contractor bid and the difference between an estimate and a bid.

Who uses TradeBid

TradeBid is built for subcontractors and small trade contractors. Typical users are electricians, plumbers, HVAC installers, concrete and flatwork crews, roofers, framers, drywall and paint contractors, and siding installers. They bid to general contractors and sometimes directly to owners. If you run a small crew and do your own estimating at night, the trial is a quick way to find out whether a draft from your plans saves you time.

Getting the most out of your 3 free bids

  1. Use a job you already bid. Compare TradeBid's draft with what you actually sent. That's the fairest test.
  2. Use a job you're bidding now. See if you can get it out the same day. See how to send a contractor bid the same day.
  3. Try a different job type. For example, use one residential job and one commercial job.
  4. Use your 1 takeoff on your largest plan set to see how much measuring time it saves.

Is free estimating software worth it?

Free estimating software and spreadsheets are fine for occasional bids. If estimating takes up your nights, add up the hours you spend each month and what that time is worth. That's the real cost of "free." We break down the math in how much construction estimating software costs.

Start for $0.00: 7 days free, 3 bids and 1 takeoff, card required.

FAQ

Is TradeBid a free estimate generator? TradeBid is free for 7 days, with 3 bids and 1 takeoff included. After the trial it's a paid plan starting at $149/mo, or $100 for a single bid.

Do I need a credit card for the free trial? Yes. A card is required at checkout ("Start for $0.00"). Cancel before the 7 days end if you don't want to continue.

What's included in the free trial? 3 bids and 1 takeoff, with the editable line-item bid and the branded PDF export.

Is there a free estimate creator without a card? Our free construction bid template needs no signup or card. You fill it in yourself.

Which trades can generate estimates? Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, concrete, roofing, framing, drywall, painting, siding and more. See the trade pages.

Can I edit the generated estimate? Yes. Every line is a draft you control. Nothing is sent until you approve it.

Does it work on a Mac or tablet? Yes. It runs in the browser on Mac, Windows and iPad. See estimating software for Mac.

Start for $0.00