Best Free Estimating Software (2026): 11 Tools for Trades

Estimates win or lose work. A clear, branded estimate that arrives the same day says you're organised; a scribbled number in a text says you might be hard to work with. The good news is that you don't need a big software package to look professional.

This list covers free estimate makers, invoicing apps with free quotes and contractor platforms you can trial. Once a job is won, my guides to invoicing correctly as a sole trader and building an invoice template clients act on quickly pick up where the estimate leaves off.

Free estimating software compared at a glance

Each tool, the kind of estimating it's built for and whether its own site shows a free plan, a trial or neither. The list is alphabetical and in no particular order.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Clear Estimates	Remodelling estimates	Room by room remodel estimates	Trial only
Contractor+	Contractor app	Estimates from a phone on site	Yes
Estimate Rocket	Contractor platform	Estimates through to scheduling	Trial only
Handoff	AI estimating	Drafting estimates with AI	Trial only
Invoice Ninja	Quotes and invoices	Quotes that convert to invoices	Yes
Invoice Simple	Estimate maker	One-off estimates in minutes	Yes
Jobber	Field service	Home service teams	Trial only
Square Invoices	Estimates and invoices	Businesses already using Square	Yes
STACK	Takeoff and estimating	Measuring from plans online	Yes
Wave	Invoices and books	Estimates plus bookkeeping	Yes
Zoho Invoice	Quotes and invoices	Professional quotes on a free plan	Yes

Free estimating tools for contractors and service businesses

Clear Estimates

Best for: Remodelers who want ready-made templates and parts lists to build detailed kitchen and bath estimates quickly.

Contractor+

Best for: Small contractors who want to write an estimate on site, get it signed and turn it into a job from one app.

Estimate Rocket

Best for: Growing trade businesses that want estimates, scheduling and job costing in one system once quoting gets busy.

Handoff

Best for: Residential builders and remodelers who want AI to draft a detailed estimate from a description of the job.

Invoice Ninja

Best for: Sole traders who want quotes that turn into invoices with a click and a client portal, on a forever free plan.

Invoice Simple

Best for: Handypeople who send a few estimates a month and want a clean, branded document without setting up a system.

Jobber

Best for: Cleaning, lawn care and HVAC companies that want quotes, online booking, scheduling and invoicing for a small crew.

Square Invoices

Best for: Businesses already taking cards with Square who want estimates and invoices in the same dashboard.

STACK

Best for: Subcontractors who measure quantities from digital plans and want takeoffs feeding straight into their estimates.

Wave

Best for: US and Canadian businesses who want estimates, invoices and simple bookkeeping together in one free account.

Zoho Invoice

Best for: Small businesses that want branded quotes, client approvals and invoices on a free plan with room to grow.

Estimate maker, invoicing app or contractor platform?

• Estimate makers create a one-off branded estimate in minutes. Ideal for a few jobs a month.
• Invoicing apps with quotes turn an accepted estimate into an invoice with a click and track which ones are settled.
• Contractor platforms add templates, takeoffs from plans, job scheduling and team apps for growing businesses.

What every estimate should include

1. Your business name, contact details and the date.
2. A clear description of the work, broken into items or stages.
3. What's not included, such as materials the customer supplies or work by other trades.
4. How long the estimate is valid for and what could change it.
5. How the customer accepts it, ideally with an online signature.

Estimates and the law in the UK

Section 50 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, published on legislation.gov.uk, says anything said or written to a consumer about the trader or the service is treated as part of the contract if the consumer takes it into account when deciding to go ahead. So what's in your estimate matters: be specific about what's included, what isn't and what could change the final total once work starts.

Estimating faster without guessing

Build your common jobs into templates with standard items, then adjust each estimate rather than starting from scratch. Keep notes on how long each type of job really took and compare them with what you estimated. After a few months you'll quote faster and with far fewer surprises.

Following up an estimate without being pushy

Many jobs are lost simply because nobody followed up. Most estimating apps show when a customer has opened an estimate, so send a short, friendly message a couple of days later asking if they've any questions. If the job's on hold, ask when it'd be a good time to check in again and add a reminder. It's polite, it's helpful and it wins more work than a lower number ever will.

Do you make estimating software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My advice on choosing free estimating software

If you send a handful of estimates a month, start with a free invoicing app that includes quotes. You'll get branded estimates, online acceptance and invoices from one place. Move to a contractor platform when you need plan takeoffs, job scheduling or a team in the field, and use the free trial on a real job before you commit.

Whatever you pick, send estimates the same day if you can. Speed wins more jobs than a perfect layout.

Frequently asked questions

Is there free estimating software for contractors?

Yes. Several invoicing apps have free plans that include estimates, and some contractor apps have free plans or free trials. Plan takeoff tools may offer a free account with limits.

What's the difference between an estimate and a quote?

An estimate is an informed guess that can change; a quote is usually a fixed offer. Say clearly which one you're giving and what could change it.

Can I turn an estimate into an invoice?

Most invoicing apps on this list convert an accepted estimate into an invoice with a click, so you don't type the job twice.

Do estimates need a customer signature?

It's good practice. Online acceptance gives you a record of what the customer agreed to before work started.

Is what I write in an estimate legally binding?

In the UK, section 50 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says what you say or write about a service can be treated as part of the contract if the customer relies on it. Be precise.