Simple estimating software for small contractors
HardHat Quote is estimating software for contractors who price jobs from a walkthrough, not from a set of plans. You start from a template for your trade, change the numbers, and send your customer a clean, itemized estimate they can approve on their phone. It is deliberately small: no takeoff tools, no dispatch board, nothing to set up.
What can you do with HardHat Quote?
Send an estimate in minutes
Templates for 25 trades come pre-filled with typical line items. Change the prices, add your logo and send a link — or download a PDF if that's what your customer prefers.
Get it approved without the back-and-forth
Your customer opens the estimate on any device, reads the scope and approves it by typing their name. No app and no account on their side.
Know where every estimate stands
See when an estimate was opened and when it was approved or declined, so you follow up at the right time instead of guessing.
Turn the estimate into the invoice
When the job is done, convert the approved estimate into an invoice with the same line items, add your payment link and mark it paid.
How does it compare with a spreadsheet or Word template?
| Feature | Spreadsheet / Word | HardHat Quote Free | HardHat Quote Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical line items for your trade | Start from scratch | ✓ | ✓ |
| Totals, tax, discounts and deposits calculated for you | Formulas you maintain | ✓ | ✓ |
| Professional PDF with your logo | Depends on your template | ✓ | ✓ |
| Saved estimates and clients | Files and folders | Up to 5 | Unlimited |
| Customer approves online | — | — | ✓ |
| See when it was opened | — | — | ✓ |
| One-click estimate → invoice | Copy and paste | — | ✓ |
| Saved price list | Separate sheet | — | ✓ |
Is it the right tool for you?
A good fit for
- Residential and light-commercial trades: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, remodeling, cleaning, landscaping and similar
- Solo owners and small crews who write their own estimates
- Anyone currently using Word, Excel or a notes app to send prices
Not built for
- Plan takeoffs and estimating from blueprints
- Scheduling, dispatch and crew time tracking
- Accounting sync — export your data or use your accounting app for bookkeeping
See each step
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free version of the estimating software?
Yes. Every template, the live preview and the PDF download are free with no account. A free account saves up to 5 documents. Pro adds online approval, view tracking, unlimited documents and one-click invoicing for $12 / month.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. HardHat Quote runs in the browser, so you can write an estimate on site from a phone or tablet and your customer can approve it on theirs.
Can it do takeoffs from plans?
No. HardHat Quote is for pricing jobs you've walked, line by line. If you estimate large projects from drawings, a dedicated takeoff tool is a better fit.
Are online approvals legally valid?
In the US, the ESIGN Act generally gives electronic signatures the same legal effect as handwritten ones. HardHat Quote records the name the customer typed and the time. Whether an approved estimate is a binding contract depends on your terms and your state.