Best AI tools for estimating & takeoff for small contractors

Updated 2026-10-17

Short answer: for a small contractor that wants to do takeoffs & estimates without a sales call, start with Hover (Free plan / trial — 3 projects free; $999/yr Pro). Below are all 14 tools we list, ordered by how easy they are for a small team to try: free plan first, then public pricing, then contact-sales. This is not a paid ranking.

1. Hover

   What it is: Measure, design, and estimate all in one place. Trusted by pros on millions of home improvement projects.

   Price: Free plan / trial — 3 projects free; $999/yr Pro · Best for: Roofers, exterior contractors

2. Roofr

   What it is: All-in-one roofing software with CRM, instant estimates, proposals, measurements, payments & material ordering. Rated 4.7/5 stars. Start free, no credit card.

   Price: Free plan / trial — $0/mo plan · Best for: Roofing contractors

3. 1Build

   What it is: 1build API tracks 68 million data points on construction costs for 3,000+ counties in the US. Get the real construction costs you need now to plan for tomorrow's projects.

   Price: Public pricing — $149 per mo · Best for: Contractors

4. Attentive.ai

   What it is: Attentive.ai is a single platform for AI takeoff, estimating, and BIM management solutions, built to carry projects seamlessly from planning to construction.

   Price: Public pricing — from $8K/yr per trade · Best for: Contractors

5. Beam AI

   What it is: AI takeoff and construction estimating software for contractors and suppliers. Save 90% of your time, bid 3X more jobs with 99% + accuracy using Beam AI.

   Price: Public pricing — from $8K/yr per trade · Best for: Subcontractors, GCs

6. Buildxact

   What it is: Buildxact is easy-to-use project and construction management software for builders and contractors. Sign up for your 14-day free trial.

   Price: Public pricing — $199/mo (14-day trial) · Best for: Residential builders

7. Handoff

   What it is: AI construction software for residential remodelers and home builders. Create estimates and takeoffs, manage budgets and projects end to end with an AI Teammate, and keep every project moving with ...

   Price: Public pricing — $119/mo billed annually or $149 monthly (7-day trial) · Best for: Remodelers, small builders

8. PlanSwift

   What it is: PlanSwift takeoff software for construction estimating saves time and money. Get faster, more accurate estimates to win more profitable jobs.

   Price: Public pricing — $2,000/year (free trial) · Best for: Subcontractors

9. STACK

   What it is: STACK’s cloud-based construction software saves time, increases accuracy, and improves collaboration from bid decision to project closeout.

   Price: Public pricing — from $299/user/mo (Takeoff & Estimate) · Best for: Subcontractors, GCs

10. Togal.AI

    What it is: Togal has developed the industry’s most advanced pre-construction technology fine-tuned for automatically detecting, measuring, comparing and labeling project spaces and features on architectural d...

    Price: Public pricing — $299 / mo · Best for: Estimators, subcontractors

11. Kreo

    What it is: Supercharge your construction estimating with Kreo's AI takeoff software. Automate measurements, eliminate errors, and create bids 10x faster. Try it free!

    Price: Public pricing — $100/user/mo billed annually (7-day trial) · Best for: Estimators, QS

12. Join

    What it is: Join brings together contractors, owners, and design teams to manage preconstruction and design, for better project outcomes.

    Price: Contact sales · Best for: GCs, owners (preconstruction)

13. Bild AI

    What it is: AI that reads blueprints for takeoffs and plan review.

    Price: Pricing unknown · Best for: Contractors

14. Ediphi

    What it is: Experience faster, more collaborative preconstruction with the only true cloud-based platform. Harness real-time data insights, integrated workflows, and streamlined collaboration—ensuring you tell...

    Price: Pricing unknown · Best for: GC estimators

How we ordered this list

Ordering uses only data in our directory: pricing transparency (free plan → public price → contact sales → unknown) and whether the vendor targets small or trade contractors. We did not test the products hands-on. Methodology.

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