If you’re a handyman, the estimate is where profit is made (or lost). The best estimating software helps you:
- Turn a walk-through into a clear, professional estimate (fast)
- Track what you quoted vs what the job actually cost
- Send the estimate from your phone and get approvals quickly
- Reuse pricing templates so you’re not rebuilding the same quote every time
This guide covers popular options that handymen actually use, what to look for, and which one makes sense depending on how you run your business.
Is There Free Estimating Software for Handymen?
Yes. Some handyman estimating software lets you create estimates for free, without trials or credit cards. The main difference is whether tools require signups, limit estimates, or lock features behind paid plans.
| Tool | Best For | Estimates | Invoices | Scheduling | Payments | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SupaHandi | Profit-first estimating + job cost visibility | Yes (free tool) | Yes (free tool) | Not focused | Track payments (multiple methods) | Yes (job profit snapshot + cost tracking |
| Joist | Solo contractors who mainly need estimates + invoices | Yes | Yes | Limited/varies | Yes (via app features) | Limited(depends on workflow) |
| Jobber | Teams that want CRM + scheduling + quoting in one system | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited (more ops/CRM oriented) |
| Housecall Pro | Service businesses that want dispatch + ops + paperwork | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited (more ops/CRM oriented) |
| FieldPulse | Field service ops with mobile + dispatch + admin tools | Yes | Yes | Yes | Often available | Limited (more ops oriented) |
| Tradify | Trades that want fast quotes + job management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies | Limited |
| WorkQuote | Handymen wanting a focused quoting workflow | Yes | Yes | Varies | Varies | Limited |
| CountBricks | Fast “small job” estimates using templates/AI-style workflows | Yes | Sometimes | No | Varies | Limited |
| Wave | Simple estimates/invoices + bookkeeping-like features | Yes (estimates) | Yes | No | Yes | Accounting-style reporting |
| Tool | Free Estimates | Signup Required |
|---|---|---|
| SupaHandi | Yes | No |
| Jobber | Trial only | Yes |
| Housecall Pro | Trial only | Yes |
| Kickserv | Trial only | Yes |
What to look for in handyman estimating software (the real checklist)
1) Can you price the job based on real costs?
The fastest way to get busy and still stay broke is “gut-feel” estimating. Your software should make it easy to include:
- Materials (and the stuff you always forget: fasteners, blades, caulk, patch, disposal bags)
- Labor time (including drive time, setup/cleanup, and return trips)
- Job overhead (minimum trip fee / service call fee, fuel, subscriptions, insurance, tool wear)
If you want a profit-first approach, look for a workflow that keeps costs attached to the job—not scattered in notes.
2) Can it send a professional estimate from the job site?
An estimate that looks clean and detailed builds trust and closes faster. Look for:
- Line items with descriptions, quantities, and unit prices
- Automatic totals (taxes/discounts if you use them)
- “Valid until” expiration dates (so your material pricing isn’t open-ended)
- PDF download and share-by-link options
3) Can you reuse pricing templates?
If you do recurring work (TV mounts, faucet swaps, drywall patches), you want templates so you’re not retyping:
- Common line items
- Bundled packages
- Minimums (service call fee + first hour)
- Standard notes / terms
4) Can you move from estimate → invoice without rework?
A smooth “estimate to invoice” flow cuts admin time and makes you look consistent.
5) Does it fit your business size?
Solo? You likely want speed + simplicity. Small team? You may want scheduling/dispatch and customer management. Buying a big system you won’t use is one of the most expensive mistakes.
The best handyman estimating software options (with who each is best for)
Supahandi (profit-first: price jobs with confidence)
If you want to stop guessing and price jobs based on real costs, Supahandi is built around job profitability and simple job-first bookkeeping.
- Handyman pricing workflow: price jobs using real costs (materials, labor, fees, drive time) so you know your profit, not just the total you charged. See: Handyman Pricing App
- Free estimate tool: create professional estimates with no signup required and instant PDF export. See: [Estimate Generator](https://www.supahandi.com/estimate-generator)
- Free invoice tool: create professional invoices with no signup required and instant PDF export. See: Invoice Generator
- This is a strong fit if your main problem is “I’m not sure what I’m actually making per job,” and you want a system that connects estimate → job → invoice → profit.
Joist (estimates + invoices for solo contractors)
Joist is a popular “estimate + invoice” option aimed at contractors who want to create documents from their phone and keep things simple.
Best for: solo contractors who want a dedicated estimating/invoicing app and don’t need deep job-cost profitability reporting.
Jobber (operations + CRM + quoting for teams)
Jobber positions itself as a broader “run your home service business” platform. If you want scheduling, customer management, and quotes tied together, it’s a common choice.
Best for: small teams that value scheduling + client communication + quoting in one system.
Housecall Pro (dispatch + paperwork + payments)
Housecall Pro is typically chosen by service businesses that want an ops-first system (jobs, dispatch, payments, paperwork).
Best for: service businesses with dispatch/scheduling needs where the estimate is part of a larger operations workflow.
FieldPulse (field service management with mobile-first ops)
FieldPulse is another “field service ops” platform where estimates are one part of the toolkit.
Best for: teams that want dispatch/scheduling + a more complete field service admin toolset.
Tradify (trade-focused quoting + job management)
Tradify is trade-focused software that emphasizes fast, professional estimates and managing jobs.
Best for: tradespeople who want a quoting + job management workflow without a giant enterprise system.
WorkQuote (handyman-focused quoting workflow)
WorkQuote positions itself around creating estimates on-site and managing common handyman workflows.
Best for: handymen who want an estimating tool that’s more focused than a full field-service suite.
CountBricks (fast estimates for small jobs)
CountBricks leans into fast, template-driven estimating so you can quote quickly and avoid missing line items.
Best for: quick quoting on small jobs, especially when you want templates/minimums to prevent underbidding.
Wave (simple invoicing + estimates + bookkeeping-style tools)
Wave is known for invoicing/accounting-style workflows and includes estimates as part of its invoicing offering.
Best for: very small businesses that primarily want simple invoicing/estimates plus bookkeeping-style features.
How to choose (fast decision framework)
If you’re solo and need speed
Pick a tool where you can build, send, and revise estimates from your phone in minutes—and reuse templates.
If your bigger issue is that you’re unsure whether your estimates are profitable, prioritize a system that makes job costs and profit obvious (not just PDFs).
If you have a small team and need scheduling/dispatch
Operations-first platforms can make sense if you’ll actually use the dispatch features daily. If you won’t, you’ll pay for complexity you don’t need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free estimating software for handymen?
Yes. Some handyman estimating software allows you to create estimates for free without trials, credit cards, or mandatory signups. The main difference between tools is whether free access is limited or requires an account.
What is the best free handyman estimating software?
The best free handyman estimating software lets you create accurate estimates quickly, without forcing you into a paid plan. Tools that offer free estimates with no signup are ideal for side hustles and small handyman businesses.
Can I create handyman estimates without signing up?
Yes. Some tools allow you to create handyman estimates instantly without creating an account. This is useful when you need to send a quick estimate without managing software or subscriptions.
Is free estimating software good enough for a handyman business?
For many handymen, free estimating software is sufficient for creating professional estimates, especially for small jobs or side businesses. Paid software is usually only needed when managing teams, scheduling, or payments.
A simple estimating workflow that wins jobs (and protects profit)
- Start with a minimum: service call fee + first hour (or equivalent) so small jobs don’t eat your day.
- Line-item the scope: customers trust detail; vague estimates invite scope creep.
- Price materials with a buffer: include tax, waste, and the “extra trip” factor.
- Set an expiration date: protect yourself from pricing swings.
- Track what happened after: compare estimate vs actual so you get better (and more profitable) every month.
Want a free way to create professional estimates today?
- Create an estimate instantly: SupaHandi Estimate Generator
- Create a matching invoice: SupaHandi Invoice Generator
- If you want to price jobs based on real costs (and see job profit): Handyman Pricing App