5 Must-Have Plumbing Estimating Software Features To Help You Win More Bids

Before starting any successful construction plumbing project, creating an accurate estimate with the right plumbing estimating software is essential. Precise estimates help account for:

• Increasing material costs
• Labor challenges and rising labor costs
• Job-specific plumbing requirements

Many plumbing estimators are investing in plumbing estimating software to build more winning bids.

The best estimating software for plumbing contractors offers a variety of features designed to:

• Enhance estimate accuracy and increase bid volume
• Reduce errors
• Increase profitability

Whether you’re estimating government projects or large commercial installations, the right software solution can transform how you bid on projects. Below, we’ll explore the critical capabilities that separate industry-leading platforms from basic calculators.

Key Takeaways

• Plumbing-specific databases provide real-time access to accurate material pricing for pipes, fittings, valves and fixtures
• Digital takeoff tools integrated with estimating platforms reduce takeoff time by up to 80% while improving accuracy
• Cloud-based solutions enable estimators to access projects from any device, anywhere, with automatic updates and unlimited storage
• Change order management features streamline approvals with digital signatures and version control to reduce project delays
• Software integrations eliminate duplicate data entry by syncing estimates with accounting software and project management platforms

Essential Features That Separate Basic From Advanced Plumbing Estimating Tools

Basic programs handle simple calculations, but professional-grade plumbing estimating software delivers specialized capabilities that directly impact your win rate and bottom line.

The following five features represent the core functionality that plumbing contractors should prioritize when evaluating software options.

1. Plumbing-Specific Assemblies

For plumbing contractors, material costs regularly change, and staying on top of accurate material pricing is key to long-term success and building strong relationships with vendors.

Plumbing estimating software should provide an up-to-date, trade-specific database of plumbing materials, including:

• Pipes
• Fittings
• Valves
• Fixtures
• And more

The real-time access offered by some estimating software ensures that contractors are able to review accurate material costs.

This helps them avoid underpricing or overpricing their plumbing jobs to maintain their expected profitability and build strong, competitive bids.

Ultimately, by having access to a trade-specific database during the estimating process, contractors can quickly adjust their estimates as material prices change, allowing them to remain competitive while protecting their profit margins.

2. Integrated Takeoff

Digital takeoff tools are a game-changer for plumbing contractors because they can complete detailed takeoffs in a fraction of the time.

Digital takeoff allows contractors to:

1. Import their project plans
2. Set units of measurements and define layers (ex. walls, floors, etc.)
3. Point and click where they want the items and assemblies, and the software will automatically count quantities and measurements
4. Apply rates from the trade-specific databases
5. Generate a detailed breakdown with precise material quantities and costs for their project

Some plumbing estimation software offers built-in material takeoff capabilities, which means plumbing estimators can perform accurate takeoffs and create detailed estimates from the same screen.

Plumbing estimators can maximize their productivity in the bidding process because they can precisely measure project plans and automatically calculate trade-specific materials to complete plumbing estimates in a fraction of the time.

3. Cloud-Based Access

With cloud-based plumbing estimating software, estimators gain access to a secure online portal — giving them the freedom to sign in on any device from anywhere.

Conversely, on-premise estimating software only allows estimators to review their estimates on select device(s) where the program is installed.

Oftentimes, cloud-based estimating software provides ample storage so plumbing professionals can easily review past estimates and adjust accordingly for future projects.

Additionally, cloud-based estimating software normally includes automatic updates that regularly improve functionality and security.

Many plumbing estimating software solutions have shifted toward a cloud-based focus because of their users’ needs to access real-time data from multiple devices. It’s important plumbing estimators ask potential plumbing estimating software vendors if their software runs on the cloud.

4. Change Order Management and Visibility

Plumbing contracting commonly involves Change orders, whether due to unforeseen site conditions or changes requested by the client.

Estimating software that includes change order management helps contractors handle these adjustments more effectively by providing them with:

• A centralized platform for estimators and stakeholders to collaborate on change orders and review key documentation
• Real-time updates that reflect across the entire change order for all end users
• Digital signatures to get fast, clear approval from supervisors and stakeholders
• Version control to track changes and prevent miscommunication

Each of these features ensures plumbing contractors can quickly address change orders to reduce project delays. It also helps them improve communication and build trust with stakeholders.

5. Syncing With Other Software

Efficient operations often rely on multiple software systems that are capable of sharing data with each other. The best estimating tools integrate seamlessly with other platforms, such as accounting software or project management tools.

These integrations ensure that once an estimate is approved, it can automatically flow into other parts of the business, eliminating the need for duplicate data entry.

For plumbing contractors, this means that once the estimate is finalized, it can be directly transferred into the accounting system. From there, contractors can sync important data to give them a comprehensive view of a project’s finances.

Integration with project management software gives plumbing estimators access to important project details — such as labor hours and material deliveries — to address change orders and keep projects on track.

Create Competitive Plumbing Bids With McCormick

For plumbing contractors, having the right estimating features is essential to help them:

• Win more jobs
• Create more accurate bids
• Maximize profitability
• Grow their plumbing companies by taking on larger opportunities

Investing in leading plumbing estimating software — like McCormick — ensures you receive the features you need to make informed decisions for long-term success.

For more information about McCormick’s powerful software solution that can improve your project timelines, speak to a specialist today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Plumbing Estimating Software Features

How Does Plumbing Estimating Software Handle Labor Unit Calculations?

Purpose-built plumbing estimating software pairs every item in its database with a preloaded labor unit. When you add a material to your takeoff, the software calculates the installation time automatically.

McCormick comes preloaded with labor units based on national averages. It also gives plumbing contractors the option to apply MCAA or PHCC labor tables, so your estimates line up with the productivity standards your crews are already working to. It works whether you’re bidding union, prevailing wage or merit shop jobs.

Connecting to recognized industry standards also gives you verified, defensible numbers to back up your labor estimates — which matters on competitive bids where every hour counts.

What Should I Look for in a Plumbing Estimating Database?

When it comes to plumbing estimating, the database makes or breaks the tool. A generic catalog of construction materials isn’t going to cut it for plumbing work. 

You want a database built around the way plumbing systems are installed in the field — not one that makes you shoehorn generic items into every bid. Here’s what to look for:

• Trade specificity — The database should include actual plumbing materials like ProPress fittings, CPVC, PEX, Uponor, sanitary fittings and fixture packages. You should not have to manually adjust generic items for every single bid
• Prebuilt assemblies — A good database includes assemblies: groups of items that reflect actual installation steps, like a bathroom rough-in
• Pricing connectivity — The database should link to live supplier pricing or let you import your own vendor rates. This keeps your costs current without manual updates
• Customizability — You should be able to add, edit and organize items to match how your company bids, without needing IT support or a software upgrade
• Labor units included — Each item should carry a labor unit. That way, your material counts automatically generate estimated installation hours. A materials-only database leaves labor down to guesswork

When you find a database that covers all five of these, you’ve got the foundation for accurate, repeatable plumbing bids.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Plumbing Estimating Software?

Most contractors are productive within a few days and fully comfortable within two to four weeks. That timeline has a lot to do with the quality of training and support behind the software, though. 

One-on-one onboarding, a database already built for your trade and fast access to support when you hit a question mid-bid make all the difference. They turn a frustrating transition into a smooth one. 

McCormick includes one-on-one training for every customer. It also provides U.S.-based, in-house support with average response times under 10 minutes. For contractors switching platforms, this support structure is often the deciding factor.

Can Plumbing Estimating Software Connect With My Accounting Software?

Yes, it can. This connection tends to be more valuable than most contractors expect when they’re first shopping for software. 

When your estimating software connects to your accounting system, your approved bid becomes the financial baseline for that job. Depending on the integration, information from the estimate can flow directly into job cost reports — so your accounting team is working from the actual bid numbers, not re-keying figures from a PDF.

McCormick supports connections with several accounting platforms, including:

• QuickBooks
• Autodesk
• Kahua

However, the best integration is with FOUNDATION® construction accounting software, which is an in-house product partnership. For contractors already using FOUNDATION®, this creates a clean, end-to-end connection from bid to invoice. Everything stays in sync from the moment you win the job.

Is Cloud-Based Plumbing Estimating Software More Secure Than On-Premise?

For most plumbing contractors, the short answer is yes. On-premise software stores your data on local office hardware, which means your entire estimate history is at risk from hardware failures, ransomware, or physical theft. Cloud-based software addresses this differently:

• Automatic backups run continuously — Your data is protected without requiring anyone to remember to back things up
• Redundant servers mean extra safety — A single hardware failure will not take down your access or ruin your data
• Automatic software updates include the latest security patches — This keeps you from running outdated software with known vulnerabilities
• No sensitive data is left on local devices — This reduces your risk if a laptop is lost or stolen on a jobsite

McCormick Hosted runs on modern cloud infrastructure with automatic backups and always-current software. This means your job history stays protected, and your team is always working on the latest, most secure version of the platform.