ConEst

What Is Quick Bid (ConEst) and How Does It Work?

Quick Bid by ConEst is electrical estimating software for electrical contractors bidding commercial, industrial, and institutional projects. It manages assemblies, item pricing, labor units, and bid summaries with the ConEst electrical database used by thousands of electrical contractors in the United States.

The platform is part of the ConEst Software Systems product family, which also includes IntelliBid (larger enterprise electrical estimating) and other electrical contractor tools. ConEst has been serving electrical contractors since 1988 from Manchester, New Hampshire.

Quick Bid (ConEst) at a Glance

Quick Bid (ConEst) Key Features and Capabilities

Quick Bid manages electrical estimating workflows: assemblies (pre-built groups of items like a duplex receptacle assembly with box, plate, wire, and labor), item pricing databases updated regularly, and labor units (per-hour crew productivity rates for each work item). Estimators build bids by dropping assemblies onto a plan takeoff or by adding items directly.

Assembly libraries cover common electrical scopes: branch circuits, feeders, panels, transformers, lighting, controls, fire alarm, security, data cabling, and specialty systems. Contractors can customize assemblies with their own crew productivity rates and preferred manufacturers, and pricing rebates from wholesale distributors integrate with the item database.

Bid summaries organize estimates by scope, phase, or bid section with labor and material cost breakdowns, subcontractor quotes, and markup calculations. Quick Bid is designed for commercial and industrial electrical contractors in the $1M to $50M annual revenue range; larger enterprise electrical contractors typically use ConEst IntelliBid for higher-volume bid workflows.

• Electrical estimating assemblies (branch circuits, feeders, panels, lighting)
• Item pricing database with distributor rebates
• Labor units per work item
• Plan takeoff with assembly drop
• Bid summaries by scope, phase, or bid section
• Subcontractor quote management
• Markup calculations
• Customizable crew productivity rates
• ConEst database updates
• Commercial and industrial electrical focus

How Much Does Quick Bid (ConEst) Cost in 2026?

Quick Bid by ConEst uses contact-vendor pricing. Cost depends on user count, edition (Quick Bid vs IntelliBid for larger contractors), and add-on modules (data cabling, fire alarm, controls specialty libraries).

Third-party sources estimate Quick Bid pricing at $2,000 to $5,000 per user perpetual license or $600 to $1,500 per user annual subscription. ConEst IntelliBid runs higher for enterprise electrical contractors. Contact ConEst directly at conest.com for your specific quote based on user count and scope.

Quick Bid (ConEst) Pros and Cons in 2026

Where Quick Bid (ConEst) Stands Out

• Electrical-specific assemblies and labor units.
• ConEst database used by thousands of US electrical contractors.
• Commercial and industrial electrical focus.
• US-based Manchester, NH headquarters.
• Serving electrical contractors since 1988.
• Sister product IntelliBid available for enterprise upgrade path.
• Distributor rebate integration with item database.
• Customizable crew productivity rates.
• Specialty library add-ons (data cabling, fire alarm, security, controls).
• Alternative to Accubid Anterra at potentially lower cost for mid-market.

Where Quick Bid (ConEst) Falls Short

• Contact-vendor pricing (no public tier disclosure).
• Windows desktop only (no cloud, no macOS).
• Perpetual license upfront cost or annual subscription.
• Specialty libraries as add-ons increase total cost.
• US market primary (international support limited).
• Best fit for mid-market ($1M-$50M revenue) commercial/industrial electrical.

Quick Bid (ConEst) vs Top Competitors: Side-by-Side Comparison

Buyers evaluating Quick Bid (ConEst) typically shortlist 2 to 3 alternatives before signing. Here is how Quick Bid (ConEst) stacks up against direct competitors on the criteria that matter most for procurement decisions.

Who Should Use Quick Bid (ConEst)?

Quick Bid by ConEst fits US commercial and industrial electrical contractors ($1M to $50M annual revenue) bidding jobs with 100+ line items per bid who want electrical-specific assemblies, labor units, and the ConEst database. Electrical contractors doing branch circuits, feeders, panels, lighting, fire alarm, or data cabling get the most value.

The right buyer bids commercial or industrial electrical work, wants electrical-specific estimating (not generic construction takeoff), and values the ConEst database and assembly libraries. Skip Quick Bid if you are small residential electrical shop (Red Rhino may fit), if you are enterprise electrical (ConEst IntelliBid or Accubid Anterra fit), or if you need cloud-first (Trimble Accubid Anterra cloud fits).

Quick Bid (ConEst) Alternatives Worth Comparing

Accubid Anterra (Trimble). Enterprise electrical estimating from Trimble.

ConEst IntelliBid. Enterprise electrical from the same ConEst family.

McCormick Electrical. Electrical estimating with pricing database.

Trimble Estimation MEP. MEP estimating with electrical.

Vision InfoSoft Electrical Bid Manager. Electrical estimating specialist.

Quick Bid (ConEst) Implementation and Onboarding

Quick Bid by ConEst implementation for commercial/industrial electrical contractors runs 2 to 6 weeks depending on user count and specialty library setup. Standalone Quick Bid installations launch faster; deployments with data cabling, fire alarm, or controls libraries extend timelines.

Training runs 16 to 32 hours per estimator covering assembly libraries, labor unit customization, plan takeoff, and bid summary generation. ConEst assigns implementation consultants for multi-user deployments and provides US-based support during the setup period.

What Real Buyers Report About Quick Bid (ConEst)

Community discussions on Reddit r/ElectricalContractors, Reddit r/electricians, and NECA electrical contractor LinkedIn groups report Quick Bid as a top pick for commercial and industrial electrical contractors valuing electrical-specific assemblies and the ConEst database heritage since 1988. Users cite specialty library add-ons (data cabling, fire alarm) as differentiators.

Trade-offs mentioned include contact-vendor pricing, Windows desktop only, and specialty libraries as separate add-ons. Users comparing Quick Bid to Accubid Anterra note Quick Bid tends to fit mid-market $1M to $50M electrical contractors; Anterra fits enterprise.

• Reddit r/ElectricalContractors ConEst Quick Bid discussions
• Reddit r/electricians electrical estimating threads
• Reddit r/Construction electrical bid discussions

Frequently Asked Questions About Quick Bid (ConEst)

How much does Quick Bid by ConEst cost in 2026?

Quick Bid uses contact-vendor pricing. Third-party sources estimate $2,000 to $5,000 per user perpetual license or $600 to $1,500 per user annual subscription. Contact ConEst directly for your quote.

What is the difference between Quick Bid and ConEst IntelliBid?

Quick Bid fits mid-market commercial and industrial electrical contractors ($1M to $50M revenue). IntelliBid fits enterprise electrical contractors with higher bid volume.

Does Quick Bid support data cabling and fire alarm?

Yes. Specialty library add-ons cover data cabling, fire alarm, security, and controls in addition to core electrical scopes.

Is Quick Bid cloud-based?

No. Quick Bid is Windows desktop only. Cloud electrical estimating alternatives include Trimble Accubid Anterra.

How long does Quick Bid implementation take?

Standalone Quick Bid: 2 to 4 weeks. Deployment with specialty libraries: 4 to 6 weeks.

What are assemblies in electrical estimating?

Assemblies are pre-built groups of items like a duplex receptacle assembly with box, plate, wire, and labor. Estimators drop assemblies onto plan takeoffs to speed bid preparation.

Where is ConEst headquartered?

Manchester, New Hampshire, United States.

How long has ConEst been in business?

Since 1988. Over 35 years serving US electrical contractors.

What Top-Ranking Quick Bid (ConEst) Reviews Cover

• Contractor Management category
• Print Estimating category
• Construction Management category
• Construction Bidding category
• Construction Estimating category

Related Quick Bid (ConEst) Comparisons and Categories on SaaSRat

• Construction Drawing Management category
• Construction Project Management category
• Construction Crm category
• Construction Scheduling category
• Sam Construction
• Costos Estimating
• Carlson Takeoff
• Sage Estimating
• Gocontractor
• Contractor Foreman
• Mandarin Construction
• Drc Construction Erp
• Acceo Construction

Bottom Line: Is Quick Bid (ConEst) Right for You?

Quick Bid by ConEst is a fit for US commercial and industrial electrical contractors ($1M to $50M revenue) bidding jobs with electrical-specific assemblies, labor units, and the ConEst database heritage since 1988.

Highlights: electrical-specific assemblies and labor units, ConEst database used by thousands of US electrical contractors, commercial/industrial focus, specialty library add-ons (data cabling, fire alarm, security, controls), Manchester NH US-based headquarters.

Trade-offs: contact-vendor pricing, Windows desktop only, specialty libraries as separate add-ons, and best fit for mid-market $1M-$50M electrical.

Consider Accubid Anterra (Trimble) for enterprise electrical, ConEst IntelliBid for enterprise upgrade path within ConEst family, McCormick Electrical for electrical with pricing database, Trimble Estimation MEP for MEP estimating, or Vision InfoSoft Electrical Bid Manager for specialist electrical estimating.

Verified on 2026-07-21 by the SaaSRat Editorial Team (Chirantan Patel, Senior SaaS Research Editor). Vendor facts cross-checked against the Quick Bid (ConEst) vendor website, product documentation, and construction industry community discussions on Reddit and LinkedIn. About our methodology.