Best Electrical Contractor Software (2026): Service vs. Construction

Electrical contracting is fundamentally different from plumbing or HVAC.

A plumber fixes a leak. An HVAC tech fixes a fan. But an electrician? You are dealing with invisible hazards, calculating loads, managing complex “assemblies” (where “one outlet” equals five distinct inventory parts), and navigating life-or-death safety protocols like Lockout/Tagout (LOTO).

Furthermore, the industry is split in two.

1. Service Electricians: Changing panels, installing EV chargers, and troubleshooting residential outages. Speed, dispatching, and sales are king.
2. Construction Electricians: Wiring new hospitals, commercial fit-outs, and running conduit for weeks. Project management, takeoffs, and progress billing are king.

If you buy the wrong software, you will fail. A “Service” tool like Housecall Pro cannot handle the complexity of a commercial takeoff. A “Construction” tool like Simpro is too slow for a 1-hour service call.

This guide is your blueprint. We have analyzed the market leaders to help you choose the right tool for your specific business model—whether you are a “Resi-Service” shop or a “Commercial Heavy” outfit.

Quick Definitions

Takeoff: The process of counting symbols (outlets, switches) on a blueprint to estimate materials.
Assembly: A single line item on an invoice (e.g., “Install Duplex Receptacle”) that is linked to multiple backend inventory parts (Box + Device + Plate + Wire Nuts + Pigtails).
LOTO (Lockout/Tagout): A mandatory safety procedure to ensure circuits are de-energized before work begins. Modern software digitizes this log.
NEC (National Electrical Code): The standard for safe electrical installation. Your software’s forms should be built with NEC compliance in mind.
BOM (Bill of Materials): The comprehensive list of every screw, wire nut, and breaker needed for a job.

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The “Great Divide”: Service vs. Construction

Before you look at features, you must define your business model. This is the single most important decision factor.

1. The Residential Service Model

• The Job: “Mrs. Jones’ power is out,” or “Install a Tesla Wall Connector.”
• Duration: 2 hours to 1 day.
• The Need: You need dispatching, Flat Rate Pricebooks, visual sales tools (Good-Better-Best), and instant credit card processing.
• The Best Tools: ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro, Jobber.

2. The Commercial Construction Model

• The Job: “Wire the new wing of the High School.”
• Duration: 3 months to 2 years.
• The Need: You need Estimating/Takeoffs, AIA Billing (Progress Billing), Retainage tracking, and Change Order management.
• The Best Tools: Simpro, Knowify, Foundation.

Warning: Do not try to use Jobber for a $500,000 commercial project. It cannot handle the billing complexity. Do not try to use Simpro for a $200 outlet change. It is too click-heavy.

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Software	Best For	Starting Price	Action
Jobber ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5)	🚀 Best Overall Small to Med Business	$19 / month	Try Free Read Review
Workiz ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)	📞 Best for Dispatch Locksmith & Garage	$29 / month	Try Free Read Review
Housecall Pro ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.6/5)	🎨 Best for Visuals Residential Sales	$49 / month	Visit Site Read Review
ServiceTitan ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)	🏢 Best for Enterprise Commercial & Heavy Service	Custom Quote	Get Demo Read Review
FieldPulse ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)	📱 Best Mobile App Easy to Use	$59 / month	Visit Site Read Review
RepairShopr ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.4/5)	💻 Best for Repair Shops IT & Electronics	Custom Quote	Visit Site Read Review
Simpro ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.4/5)	🏗️ Best for Projects Construction & Security	Custom Quote	Get Demo Read Review
Service Fusion ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.3/5)	🎧 Best for VoIP Mid-Market Service	Custom Quote	Get Demo Read Review
FieldEdge ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5)	🔄 Best for QB Desktop Legacy Sync Users	Custom Quote	Visit Site Read Review
Successware ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5)	📊 Best for Accounting Plumbing & HVAC	Custom Quote	Visit Site Read Review
Zoho Field Service ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.1/5)	💰 Best Budget Zoho Users	$15 / month	Visit Site Read Review
Thryv ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.0/5)	📢 Best for Marketing All-in-One CRM	Custom Quote	Visit Site Read Review
RazorSync ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.9/5)	⚡ Simple Service Field Service Basics	Custom Quote	Visit Site Read Review

✅ Verified Data: Checks on Jan 29, 2026 via vendor portals.
Source: Pricing Index
(DOI/Dataset).

Disclosure: We may earn commissions. Learn more & Methodology.

Best for Residential Service (The “Service” Stack)

If your trucks are rolling to homes to fix problems, these are your top contenders.

1. ServiceTitan: The Gold Standard

Best For: Enterprise (5+ Trucks), Inventory-Heavy Shops, Aggressive Sales.

ServiceTitan is the dominant force in residential service. For electricians, it solves the biggest headache: Inventory Assemblies.

• The Killer Feature: Integrated Supplier Catalogs.
  ServiceTitan integrates directly with major suppliers like Wesco, Graybar, and CED. You can pull their live catalogs into your pricebook. If copper wire prices spike, your pricebook can update automatically to protect your margins.
• Pricebook Pro:
  It comes with a pre-built electrical pricebook. You don’t have to type in “200 Amp Panel Upgrade.” It’s already there, with pictures, descriptions, and estimated labor hours.
• Safety First:
  You can enforce “Triggered Forms.” The technician cannot see the job details until they complete and sign a “Job Safety Hazard Assessment” or LOTO form on the iPad.
• Deep Dive: Read our full ServiceTitan review and compare it against Simpro for electrical.

2. Housecall Pro: The Visual Seller

Best For: Sales-Focused Shops ($1M – $5M Revenue), EV Charger Installers.

Housecall Pro shines when you need to explain complex electrical concepts to a homeowner.

• The Killer Feature: Sales Proposal Tool. Electrical work is invisible. Customers don’t know what a “Breaker” is. Housecall Pro allows you to build “Good-Better-Best” options visually.
  • Example: EV Charger Install.
  • Option A: Standard Install (NEMA 14-50 Outlet) – $600.
  • Option B: Hardwire Install (Faster Charging) – $900.
  • Option C: Hardwire + Whole Home Surge Protection – $1,400.
  • Result: Customers pick Option B or C, increasing your average ticket.
• Deep Dive: Read our full Housecall Pro review.

3. Jobber: The Operator

Best For: Small Business (1-5 Trucks), Owner-Operators.

Jobber is lightweight, fast, and beautiful. It lacks the complex “Assemblies” logic of ServiceTitan, but for a small shop, that complexity is often a burden.

• The Killer Feature: Quote-to-Job Workflow.
  You can create a quote on your phone, have the customer approve it online, convert it to a job, and dispatch it in seconds.
• Organization:
  Jobber is excellent for recurring maintenance, such as “Annual Generator Service.” It automatically reminds you to schedule the visit via memberships and service agreements.
• Deep Dive: Read our full Jobber review.

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Best for Commercial & Projects (The “Build” Stack)

If you live in blueprints and Gantt charts, look here.

1. Simpro: The Hybrid Master

Best For: Commercial Contractors, Fire & Security, Hybrid Shops (Service + Construction).

Simpro is one of the few platforms that handles both service work and long-term projects well.

• The Killer Feature: Project Management.
  Simpro handles “Retainage” (holding back 10% of the bill until completion) and “Progress Billing” (billing 30% after rough-in).
• Takeoffs:
  While not a dedicated takeoff tool (like PlanSwift), Simpro allows you to import estimates and track actual vs. estimated labor hours in real-time.
• Supplier Integration:
  Like ServiceTitan, Simpro integrates with electrical wholesalers to automate Purchase Orders.
• Deep Dive: Read our full Simpro review.

2. FieldEdge: The Desktop Loyalist

Best For: Shops locked into QuickBooks Desktop.

If your accounting relies on QuickBooks Desktop and you refuse to switch, FieldEdge offers the best “Live Sync.”

• Deep Dive: Read our FieldEdge review.

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The Estimating Dilemma: Integrated vs. Standalone

One of the hardest decisions for an electrical contractor is: “Do I use the estimating tool inside my dispatch software, or do I stick with my specialized estimating software?”

Integrated Estimating (Simpro/ServiceTitan)

• What it is: You build the quote inside the FSM software using your pricebook items.
• Pros: Seamless workflow. When the quote is won, it instantly becomes a Job with a budget and material list. No double entry.
• Cons: Limited “Takeoff” capabilities. You usually cannot upload a PDF blueprint and click to count fixtures on screen. You have to count manually and type the number in.
• Best For: Service work, small projects (<$50k), and repetitive jobs.

Standalone Estimating (Accubid, McCormick, PlanSwift)

• What it is: Specialized software designed solely for calculating heavy construction costs.
• Pros: Extremely powerful. On-screen takeoffs, deep databases of labor units (NECA standards), and complex difficulty factors (e.g., “Working at heights”).
• Cons: The Data Silo. Once you win the bid in Accubid, you have to manually re-enter the data into your FSM or Accounting software to run the job.
• Best For: Large commercial construction, multi-million dollar bids, competitive tendering.

The Hybrid Strategy:
Most large shops use Standalone for the Bid (to get the math right) and then import the winning budget into Simpro (to manage the project). Do not try to bid a hospital wing using Jobber.

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Inventory Strategy: The “Wire Reel” Problem

Electrical inventory is uniquely difficult because of Consumables. You buy a 1,000ft spool of 12/2 Romex wire. You use 60 feet on one job and 120 feet on another. How do you track that?

1. The “Buffer” Method

Most software cannot track wire down to the inch.

• Strategy: Treat wire, wire nuts, and electrical tape as “Consumables” or “Shop Materials.”
• Execution: Add a flat percentage (e.g., 3-5%) to every invoice to cover these miscellaneous items. Do not try to inventory every wire nut.

2. Serialized vs. Non-Serialized

• Serialized Assets: Generators, Main Panels, EV Chargers. These must be tracked individually with serial numbers for warranty purposes.
• Bin Stock: Switches, Outlets, Boxes. These are tracked by quantity.

3. Field Purchase Orders (Home Depot Runs)

Electricians are famous for “Just needing one more connector.”

• The Problem: Tech goes to Home Depot, buys $50 of parts on the company card, and loses the receipt. The job is under-costed.
• The Fix: Use the technician mobile app to force a “Field Purchase Order.”
  • Tech cannot pay until they open the app, request a PO number, and take a photo of the receipt.
  • The cost is immediately applied to the specific Job for accurate job costing.

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Code Compliance: Integrating NEC & NFPA 70E

In electrical work, software isn’t just about profit; it’s about staying out of jail and avoiding lawsuits.

1. Digital LOTO (Lockout/Tagout)

NFPA 70E requires strict safety protocols. Paper forms get lost.

• The Workflow: Configure your software to “Block” the job view until the technician completes a digital LOTO checklist.
• The Record: The tech takes a photo of the lock on the panel and signs the digital form. This is timestamped and saved to the job record forever.

2. Inspection Proof

Inspectors can fail you for minor infractions.

• The Workflow: Create a “Rough-In Checklist” in the app.
• Requirements: Tech must take a photo of the grounding bond, the torque wrench setting on the main lugs, and the firestop.
• Benefit: If an inspector fails you later (or a fire occurs), you have photo evidence that the installation was code-compliant at the time you left.

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Key Features for Electricians

When demoing software, ask to see these three specific features. If they can’t show you, walk away.

1. “Assemblies” (Kits)

An electrician never just installs “One Switch.” You install a box, a switch, a cover plate, two wire nuts, and 6 inches of pigtail wire.

• The Problem: If your software only deducts “1 Switch” from inventory, your count for boxes and plates will be wrong.
• The Solution: Good software (ServiceTitan, Simpro) uses Assemblies. When you sell “Switch Install,” the backend automatically deducts all 5 component parts from your inventory.

2. Integrated Supplier Catalogs

Stop typing in part numbers manually.

• The Feature: Live link to Wesco/Graybar/City Electric.
• The Workflow: You need a 200A Breaker. You search the catalog inside the app. It shows your specific negotiated price. You add it to the Purchase Order.
• Benefit: You never under-quote materials because you are seeing live pricing, not a price from a PDF last year.

3. Labor Costing (Union/Prevailing Wage)

If you do commercial work, your labor cost varies by job (Certified Payroll).

• The Feature: The software must allow you to assign different “Labor Rates” to different projects.
• The Tech: When the tech clocks in via the time tracking module, the cost is calculated based on that specific job’s prevailing wage rate, ensuring your profit reports are accurate.

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The Electrical Software Feature Audit

Before you sign a contract, use this checklist to audit the software during your demo.

• [ ] Inventory Assemblies: Ask the rep: “Show me how the system deducts a wire nut when I sell a switch.”
• [ ] Supplier Integration: “Can I see my live pricing from [Your Supplier] inside the app?”
• [ ] Mobile LOTO: “Can I force my techs to sign a safety form before they see the job description?”
• [ ] Flat Rate Pricebook: “Does this come with pre-loaded electrical tasks, or do I have to type them all in?”
• [ ] Change Orders: “If I’m on a project and the scope changes, how do I track the extra labor and materials?”
• [ ] Offline Mode: “What happens if I’m in a basement electrical room with no signal?”
• [ ] Estimate Import: “Can I import a CSV from Accubid/PlanSwift?”

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FAQ: Electrical Software

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Sources

• ServiceTitan Electrical Features (Verified Jan 2026) – https://www.servicetitan.com/industries/electrical
• Simpro Electrical Contractor Software (Verified Jan 2026) – https://www.simprogroup.com/industries/electrical-contractor-software
• Housecall Pro Electrician Software (Verified Jan 2026) – https://housecallpro.com/industries/electrician
• NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety) (Verified Jan 2026) – https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=70