Guide · 6 min · 5 July 2026
Quoting software for trades: how to choose
Spreadsheets and memory will take you so far - but at some point they cost you more than a proper tool would. Here is how to choose well.
Most tradespeople start out with Word, Excel or memory. It works, until it doesn't: evenings spent calculating, outdated material prices, and quotes that look like something from the last decade. Quoting software solves three things - time, accuracy and a professional look.
What you get out of quoting software
- Time: minutes instead of evenings per quote
- Real prices: your wholesaler purchase prices instead of guesses
- Consistency: the same quality every time, no matter how busy you are
- Overview: what has been sent, what has been accepted, and what is still pending
What to look for
- Can it read your own price files from the wholesaler (so the prices are yours, not generic)?
- Does it know your trade - materials, standards, trade regulations?
- Can the quote be pushed on to your job management or accounting system (Apacta, Minuba, e-conomic) without double entry?
- Does it work on your phone, out in the field - not just at the office?
- Is the calculation deterministic (not an AI guess underneath)?
AI vs. traditional calculation software
Traditional calculation software is powerful, but heavy to learn and built for the office. A new generation of AI tools instead lets you describe the job in plain language - or say it out loud - and builds the quote for you. The advantage is speed and a low learning curve; what matters is that the pricing is still precise and built on your real numbers.
When Excel no longer cuts it
Rule of thumb: if you spend more than an hour a week writing quotes, or you lose jobs because your reply arrives too late, a tool has already paid for itself. It is rarely about the price of the software - it is about the evenings and the lost jobs it gives you back.
Frequently asked questions
- What does quoting software for trades cost?
- It ranges from free basic versions to several hundred kroner per user per month. Calco, for example, has a free plan (5 quotes), Basis from DKK 899/month and Pro for teams. Measure the value in time saved and jobs won, not just the monthly price.
- Can I use my own prices?
- In the best tools, yes. Check whether the software can read your wholesaler price file, so quotes use your actual purchase prices and your margin - not generic list prices.
Create your next quote in 2 minutes
Calco builds the quote with your products and prices, while the job is still fresh in your mind. Your first 5 quotes are free.