Computer aided estimating gets expensive very quickly.
It's more than the price of the software -- it's the time you must spend/ invest to get up to speed -- and the time you must expend to keep your cost experience up to date.
I'd recommend cruising through the previous postings here at the forum -- and other no cost electrician/contractor forums on the web.
Here and there, spread sheets have been posted.
Most of the value of computer aided estimating can be achieved using such simple templates.
They knock out most of the usual stuff -- the minor materials -- so that you can dial in on light fixtures, feeders, panels and such.
Your pricing MUST reflect your shop. At this time, many, many electrical contractors are going out of business. This is the backside of a super boom. It can't be stopped.
Be very wary of taking on new GC's -- at this time such players are VERY likely to be in trouble -- and are all too likely to be behind on payments to their prior electrician -- hence their interest in giving you the business.
The killer for commercial electricians is their dependence upon GC solvency. It's something they can't control. When the GC goes under -- without paying his bills, of course, the electrician is forced to wait upon a mechanics lien -- and court judgement.
The combination of lost business and timely payment can easily be too much.
Collecting on the lien may come too late.
