ConEst IntelliBid

ConEst IntelliBid is electrical estimating software for electrical, low-voltage, datacom, and solar contractors. Its estimating database includes more than 140,000 material items and 500,000 pre-built assemblies. Estimators can use built-in labor units and Auto Labor Factoring to adjust for conditions such as installation height, floors, run length, and quantities. IntelliBid connects with NetPricer, EPIC, and TRA-SER for supplier pricing; those services are licensed separately, and the software can compare prices across as many as 10 local suppliers. Standard covers core estimating, Plus adds Smart Substitution and Count Sheets, and Pro adds change orders, enhanced proposals, and bid analysis. SureCount links plan takeoff with estimates, while Conest Connect is an add-on for custom reports and dashboards. IntelliBid can be installed on a local PC or office network, or accessed through CE Cloud. Local workstations require Windows 10 or 11; Mac use requires supported Windows software in virtualization, and ARM systems are unsupported. Pricing depends on edition and user count and is available on request.

IntelliBid combines estimating, labor adjustments, supplier pricing, and plan takeoff options for trade contractors. Edition features vary, and pricing depends on the edition and number of users.

It suits contractors estimating electrical, low-voltage, datacom, or solar work. Teams choosing between local installation and hosted access can use either deployment option.

ConEst IntelliBid is a trade-focused estimating system for electrical, low-voltage, datacom, and solar contractors. It suits estimating departments that need a large materials library, condition-based labor calculations, and supplier comparisons; teams wanting transparent pricing or a Mac-native local install should consider other options.

Overview

IntelliBid is built around an estimating database with more than 140,000 material items and over 500,000 pre-built assemblies. That scale can reduce repetitive setup when an estimator is assembling detailed electrical bids, while still leaving room to account for project-specific conditions. The product is offered in Standard, Plus, and Pro editions, so smaller estimating workflows do not have to start with the most extensive feature set.

Supplier-price integration connects IntelliBid with NetPricer, EPIC, and TRA-SER and can compare prices from up to 10 local suppliers. Those services require separate licenses, making the comparison capability useful for procurement-conscious contractors but a distinct budget item. IntelliBid also supports cost estimation as a central use case rather than treating it as an incidental feature.

Key features

Labor and estimating data

Built-in labor units and Auto Labor Factoring let estimators adjust calculations for installation height, number of floors, run length, and quantities. In practice, this is more suitable for jobs where site conditions materially change labor than a simple material-price calculator. The extensive assemblies library gives teams a starting structure for recurring work, although contractors still need to validate how those assemblies fit their own estimating standards.

Edition progression

Standard provides core estimating. Plus adds Smart Substitution and Count Sheets, which are relevant when an estimator needs to evaluate alternatives or organize counted items during takeoff. Pro adds change orders, enhanced proposals, and bid analysis, extending the workflow beyond initial pricing. The tiering is sensible for teams that can identify a specific need for each addition; a contractor focused only on baseline estimates has little reason to pay for Pro’s extra bid-management functions.

Plan takeoff and reporting

SureCount integrates plan takeoff with IntelliBid, synchronizing drawings and phases and transferring assigned materials and labor into the estimate. That connection can help keep takeoff outputs aligned with the estimate instead of requiring separate re-entry. Conest Connect is an add-on that turns IntelliBid data into custom reports and dashboards, making it a better fit for organizations that need management reporting in addition to estimator-level work.

Pricing

IntelliBid Standard, IntelliBid Plus, and IntelliBid Pro all use custom pricing. The amount depends on the edition and number of users, and supplier-pricing services are licensed separately. There is no published monthly or annual rate to use for straightforward budget comparison, so teams should request a quote that includes the required seats, edition, and any NetPricer, EPIC, or TRA-SER service.

Standard is the logical starting point for core estimating. Plus fits teams that need Smart Substitution or Count Sheets, while Pro is aimed at operations that also manage change orders, enhanced proposals, and bid analysis inside IntelliBid. Choosing a lower edition saves the cost of those additional workflows, but it also means handling them elsewhere or going without them.

Platforms

IntelliBid can run on a local PC or office network, or through Conest’s CE Cloud hosted platform. CE Cloud supports Windows and Mac computers, Chromebooks, and Chrome or Firefox browsers. Conest describes its Windows applications as designed for laptop and desktop use.

For local workstation deployment, Conest lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 client/server support. Mac users need supported Windows software in virtualization, and ARM-based systems are unsupported. CE Cloud states that it uses multi-factor authentication, RFID access, layered firewalls, anti-DDoS protection, restricted physical data access, and daily encrypted off-site backups. That makes hosted access the more practical route for mixed-device offices, while local installation remains an option for teams committed to Windows infrastructure.

Who it's for

IntelliBid is aimed at electrical, low-voltage, datacom, and solar contractors whose estimates depend on trade-specific materials, assemblies, and labor adjustments. It is particularly well matched to teams comparing local supplier prices or coordinating plan takeoff with estimating. Conest also lists US-based technical support, classroom training, webinars, a video library, and IntelliBid tips. Customers with an active service contract can access upgrades, support documents, and the online product knowledge base.

Pros and cons

• Pro: More than 140,000 materials and 500,000 assemblies provide substantial trade-specific estimating groundwork.
• Pro: Auto Labor Factoring accounts for height, floors, run length, and quantities instead of relying on one fixed labor assumption.
• Pro: Supplier comparisons cover up to 10 local suppliers, useful when local pricing drives bid competitiveness.
• Pro: SureCount can pass drawing phases, materials, and labor into the estimate, reducing duplicate takeoff entry.
• Con: Edition prices are custom, and supplier integrations carry separate licenses, complicating total-cost planning.
• Con: Local Mac deployment requires Windows virtualization, and ARM systems are unsupported.
• Con: Reporting through Conest Connect is an add-on rather than part of the base editions.

Alternatives

For a wider starting point, browse Construction Estimating Software or Project Estimation Software.

• Buildxact is the better first look for users wanting a freemium product, a free plan with five complimentary credits, and Android, iOS, and web access.
• STACK suits teams that want a free plan capped at one active project per month, 300 plan pages, 50 measurements per project, and one viewer seat.
• Trimble Viewpoint Vista is an alternative for organizations considering cloud-hosted or on-premises deployment with pricing by contacting sales.
• The EDGE is another paid option with unpublished pricing and a demo-based sales process.
• HCSS is worth considering when a custom quote based on company type and role is acceptable.
• Clear Estimates offers published Standard pricing at $59 a month billed annually or $79 a month billed monthly, with unlimited estimates and customers but one login.
• InEight fits buyers seeking paid, month-to-month options such as Compliance & Completions NOW at $55 a month per user or Document NOW at $73 a month.
• Xactimate is a paid alternative with a $350 a month Pro subscription covering desktop, online, and mobile access.

Verdict

Choose IntelliBid if your electrical estimating operation benefits from a deep trade database, adjustable labor factors, local supplier comparisons, and an optional plan-takeoff connection. Its main drawback is commercial uncertainty: edition and seat pricing are custom, supplier services cost extra, and local Mac users need Windows virtualization. Contractors who prioritize transparent subscription costs or simpler cross-platform deployment should look elsewhere.