6 Red Flags to Watch for in Electrical Estimating Software

Electrical estimating software is a significant investment — from the costs of purchasing the software to the time it takes to set up and train your staff. Finding the right solution for your operations is crucial to your long-term success.

But it’s not easy. Many providers make themselves sound perfect but fall short when faced with basic electrical estimating challenges. So, what red flags should you keep in mind during your search?

1. Separate Programs for Takeoff and Estimating

Solutions that force you to use one tool for takeoff and another for estimating expect you to export, import or copy and paste between systems, creating a time-consuming, error-prone process.

Not only does this create delays, but it increases the chances of inconsistencies between what’s counted and what’s priced, leading to inaccurate bids, rework and lost job opportunities.

Electrical estimators need a seamless, connected solution where quantities flow directly into the estimate without manual steps or data loss. Software that combines takeoff and estimating:

• Ensures consistency between project scope and pricing
• Speeds up the bidding process
• Helps you stay competitive

If you rely on multiple tools to build a bid, it’s not streamlining your workflow — it’s introducing risks that lead to lost bids or significant cost overruns.

2. Unresponsive Support and Poor Implementation

If the software provider can’t clearly explain their customer support and implementation processes or if they don’t have dedicated support and implementation teams, consider that a big red flag.

Electrical estimating software isn’t something you just install, set up and figure out on your own — especially if it’s replacing legacy tools or scaling to your workflow.

Poor implementation means slower adoption, frustrated teams and lost time during critical bidding windows. And if you’re left waiting days for support or sifting through online forums to fix an issue, that downtime may cost you jobs.

Before you purchase electrical estimating software, ask about:

• Implementation and ongoing training opportunities
• Response times
• The size of the support team, if it’s an in-house, U.S.-based team and if they’re product experts or just a general help desk

Look for vendors that offer hands-on, personalized implementation, live support and support teams who actually understand electrical estimating.

If you’re investing in new software, it’s crucial to make sure the service team can support your success long after the sale.

3. Software That’s Limited to On-Premises

 On-premises systems often come with hidden costs — from hardware requirements and additional IT maintenance to limited accessibility and clunky updates.

Also, your team gets tied to specific devices or office locations with on-premises software, making remote work, field access and collaboration nearly impossible. In fast-paced bidding environments, the rigidity of on-premises software puts you at a competitive disadvantage.

Modern electrical estimators need cloud-hosted solutions that allow them to:

• Work from anywhere
• Collaborate in real-time
• Easily meet growing project demands

Cloud platforms also ensure you’re always on the latest version of the software without the need for manual updates or extended downtime.

If a provider isn’t offering a secure, cloud-based option, or they’re vague about their hosting setup, it’s a sign the software may be outdated.

In today’s electrical bidding landscape, if your team can’t access estimating data from anywhere, you’ll fall behind the competition.

4. Software on the Side

Before choosing electrical estimating software, research the company behind the product. If the provider has only been around a few years, or if software is just a side project in a much larger business, that’s a red flag.

When software isn’t the company’s core focus, it often means:

• Slower development cycles
• Limited support
• Less attention to customer feedback

Leaving you stuck with outdated features, clunky integrations or long wait times for help. If the parent company shifts priorities, the software could be shut down entirely, leaving you scrambling to meet your business’ needs.

You’re not just investing in electrical estimating software — you’re investing in the team that supports, maintains and improves it over time.

5. Poor Reputation

Look for a vendor with a proven track record, a clear focus on construction tech and a strong reputation in the electrical space.

 Ask how often they release updates, how they handle customer feedback and how much of their resources go toward updating and improving the software.

You should also look at software reviews to determine the company’s reputation and common complaints or areas of praise.

And remember, reliable software companies are constantly evolving — pushing out new features, staying ahead of electrical code changes and adapting to the real-world needs of estimators.

If the company isn’t focused on maintaining leading electrical estimating software that meets your needs now and going forward, you should look elsewhere.

6. Lack of Electric-Specific Database

If the software doesn’t come with a pre-built, electrical-specific database, that’s a major red flag — and a sign it wasn’t truly built with electrical estimators in mind.

Generic or empty databases force you to spend countless hours manually building out material lists, labor units and assemblies from scratch. That not only delays your bidding but also opens the door to inconsistencies and costly errors.

Look for software that includes a robust electrical database out of the box, complete with up-to-date materials, labor units and common assemblies. It should also be customizable, so you can fine-tune it to match your workflow and project-specific requirements.

We Built McCormick to Address These Red Flags

For more than 40 years, McCormick has been adapting to meet the needs of electrical estimators. We don’t just build software; we also pay attention to the needs and wants of clients and potential customers. We are aware of what doesn’t work, and we listen to client feedback to actively establish features to combat concerns.

McCormick offers:  

• All-in-one takeoff and estimating software that’s built to handle the complexities and nuances of electrical work
• Personalized 1:1 implementation to ensure you and your team know how to use the software from day one
• Leading US-based support with average response times of less than 10 minutes
• Customizable electrical-specific databases with everything you need to build winning bids
• A cloud-based option so it’s accessible from anywhere with internet connection

For more information about McCormick, speak with a specialist.