Software for contracting business owners
Price the scope you can describe and defend.
A contractor's estimate needs to explain the work, not just present a total. Break the project into measured tasks, materials and services, then make exclusions and assumptions visible. Microtra lets you reuse items and prepare an estimate with your quantities, prices and markups while keeping the Client, property and Job context close to the document.
Make room for the real work.
- Small renovation estimate
- Repair labor and materials
- Demolition and disposal allowance
- Finish carpentry scope
- Subcontracted specialist service
- Phased property improvement
How it works.
Write the boundary of the project
Start the Job with its Client and Properties details in Trades & construction setup. Note access, existing conditions, what will be removed and what must remain protected. Identify decisions still outstanding, such as a fixture or finish selection. The estimate should make it clear which site assumptions were checked and which may require discussion before work starts.
See the jobs featureBuild quantities from your own takeoff
Choose descriptive items for labor, materials, hired equipment or subcontracted services. Enter quantities in units that fit the work, such as area, length, each or labor time. You calculate the takeoff and allowances; this page does not promise drawing measurement, automatic material quantities or a construction cost database that supplies a ready-made bid.
See the invoicing featureCheck the relationship between costs and price
Review the supplier information and labor assumptions behind each line before applying your prices and markups. Include overhead and the business return you intend through your own pricing method. A readable estimate explains what the client receives; it need not expose every internal cost calculation, but the business should understand how the quote was built.
See the expenses featureShare a scope that can become the billing reference
Check tax settings, descriptions and exclusions, then share the estimate PDF through your device. Discuss changes directly and keep their context with the Job. Progress invoices can be created from estimates; choose the agreed work stage yourself and review the amount to bill rather than treating the whole estimate as completed work.
See the invoicing feature
Useful answers.
Is Microtra contractor estimating software free forever?
Microtra offers a free trial and paid plans for ongoing use. See the pricing page for the plan details. This estimate workflow does not promise a permanent free subscription, a supplied construction price book or an automatic takeoff service.
Can I show an allowance without pretending a selection is final?
Describe the assumption and quantity basis in your own estimate text, and discuss how a later selection will be handled. Keep the outstanding choice in the Job notes. A placeholder price should not hide that the client still needs to choose a finish, fixture or service.
Will it calculate my bid from a set of drawings?
You provide the takeoff, labor assumptions and prices. Microtra holds reusable items, quantities, markups and tax settings for the document you prepare. Verify dimensions and scope yourself, including disposal, access and protection work that a drawing may not fully describe.
How do I handle an extra task requested on site?
Review the added scope, quantity and effect on the agreement before doing the work. Record the conversation with the Job and prepare the appropriate revised commercial document. The app helps retain the context; it does not decide whether an informal request changes your contract.
Keep exploring.
Software for small business
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