--- title: "McCormick Electrical Estimating Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra" description: "Is McCormick Electrical Estimating the right Electrical Estimating solution for you? Explore 118 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/165314/Electrical-Estimating-Software/reviews/" page_type: "reviews" language: "en" publication_date: "2026-10-19" --- McCormick Electrical Estimating 4.4 (118) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/165314/Electrical-Estimating-Software/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated October 19th, 2026 # Reviews of McCormick Electrical Estimating Ease of use 4.1 Customer Service 4.7 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews JC John C Chief EstimatorConstruction, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The customer service tech's provide good insights on the program and helpful options to help enhance the use of the program to get the maximum benefit of creating estimates and creating cost summaries that meet our companies needs.“ June 16, 2026 Sadaf Yusuf M HODEducation Management, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “The user interface feels clunky, dated, and uninspiring, the software requires high upfront training costs, customer support wait times can be frustrating.“ September 7, 2026 DK Danny K EstimatorConstruction, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “I like where you can set the print area on drawings and print on smaller paper for your files plus speeds up estimating.“ September 2, 2026 ML Matt L OwnerElectrical/Electronic Manufacturing, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “There are some assemblies that just don't make sense, and the ability to hold a certain amount of jobs and some ways pricing works and checking boxes that should transfer.“ August 3, 2026 BJ Bryson J Director Of OperationsConstruction, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “The software provides a solid foundation for building accurate electrical estimates and helps streamline many parts of the takeoff and pricing process. Once you get comfortable with the layout and workflows, it becomes a reliable tool for organizing materials, labor, and assemblies in a consistent and repeatable way. Although some areas of the interface feel dated and occasionally require extra steps, the core functionality is dependable.“ December 11, 2025 DL Doug L Sr. Preconstruction ManagerConstruction, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “My biggest con is not having a live link between the extension and bid summary.“ July 28, 2026 JC John C Chief EstimatorConstruction, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The database is easy update and customize for your standard company templates or templates can be set up for specific type of projects.“ June 16, 2026 JC John C Chief EstimatorConstruction, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The auto count feature does not work and is not reliable.“ June 16, 2026 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 118 available reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Jessica G. Office Manager Used the software for: Less than 1 year ### "Helpful for Organizing Estimates, with a Learning Curve" October 31, 2026 5.0 Overall, \[sensitive content hidden\] helped me organize material and labor costs and put estimates together more efficiently. It took time to learn, but became easier to use with practice Pros The initial setup and learning curve took more time than I expected. Some features could be easier to find and navigate Review Source R Reviewer Electrical Estimator Used the software for: Less than 1 year ### "Not Happy. " October 9, 2026 2.0 This software feels like antiquated, out-of-date technology. In my opinion, McCormick operates like training wheels for someone who does not know how to build formulas or organize data in Excel and Word. If you already know how to manage data efficiently, this program just acts as a bottleneck. Like training wheels on a bicycle, the moment you try to go fast around a corner, you crash. Pros Nothing, it's like training wheels for the slow folks, it could get you so far then it just gets in your way. 100% I don't like the product. Cons System Instability & UI Flaws • Frequent Crashes: The software crashes multiple times a day. If you try to move too quickly, the system simply cannot keep up and drops out. • Delayed Response: There is a noticeable lag and delayed response in keystrokes, which completely breaks your workflow when entering data. • Lack of Continuity: The program frequently loses continuity between the Digital Estimating Pad (DEP) and the main system. • Random System Behavior: You have to constantly babysit the interface and keep a close eye on checked boxes, as the software performs random actions unrelated to what you are doing. Database & Search Nightmare • Messy Assembly List: The prebuilt assembly list is a chaotic, disorganized mess. It has clearly been populated by multiple different people over time, each using their own individual naming conventions, spelling variations, and categorization logic. • Inconsistent Navigation: As you branch down into different subcategories, the search terms completely reverse. • Broken Search Logic: The built-in search mechanism relies on failed logic. It is ultimately impossible to quickly find the specific products you need. In most cases, it is faster to just create a brand-new item from scratch rather than hunting for an existing one. Pricing & Database Inaccuracies • Outdated Pricing: The database pricing is wildly inaccurate out of the box. • Hardware Errors: While the conduit and wire data is acceptable, the small hardware pricing is completely off and unrealistic for real-world bidding. Review Source R Reviewer Operations Estimating Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Great software to get your bids out quicker" October 8, 2026 5.0 Love it and love the way you can enter change orders as well. Just overall the best estimating software I've used. Pros This software is extremely easy to learn and use. There are nearly unlimited assemblies available that make estimating smoother and more efficient. We previously used another program, and switching to this one has cut our bidding time by two-thirds while significantly improving our accuracy. Customer service is excellent—whenever we have a question or issue, they respond quickly and work with us to resolve it. As a small business, this has streamlined our estimating process, and we can’t say enough good things about it. Cons Trying to find specific assembly that you haven't had any experience with and trying to find key words to get you where you need to go. Review Source R Reviewer Estimator Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Great Estimating Software and Awesome Support Team" October 8, 2026 5.0 Pros McCormick is the Gold Standard of modern-day estimating software. Their DEP tool is great for digital take-off, and their database covers most readily available items while being easy to edit to your own specific needs. Their support team is responsive and has been incredibly helpful across a range of troubleshooting tasks. Cons Many users may find some items/assemblies irrelevant to their respective project types - but these can easily be ignored or removed. Review Source R Reviewer Vice President Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Love it and will keep using it until retirement!" October 1, 2026 4.0 Been using McCormick for a long time and could not envision a reason to change. They keep making improvements. Pros McCormick is easy to use once you have been in there for a little bit. Love the Design Estimating Pro, no more drawings!. Easy to create your own assemblies. Customer service is top notch. Any issue we have had over the years is dealt with quickly. Cons Only 2 complaints. In DEP the auto search bogs down occasionally and will crash the program. Happens probably once every week or 2. The Change Order Module is not usable for me. Tried a few times and even paid for some training and it just doesn't work. Review Source R Reviewer HOD Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "Game-Changer for Commercial Estimating" September 8, 2026 5.0 McCormick has streamlined our bidding process. Once you get past the complex setup, the accuracy it provides is unmatched. It easily handles large takeoffs. Pros The database is incredibly comprehensive, and the auto-tabulating features save hours on large commercial bids. Cons The user interface feels clunky, dated, and uninspiring, the software requires high upfront training costs, customer support wait times can be frustrating. Review Source R Reviewer Estimator Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "DK Review McCormick" September 3, 2026 4.0 Technical staff is easy to work with and usually prompt on calling you back. It is easy to work with and I like having drawings stored with your estimate Pros I like the premade assemblies that makes estimating easier. I also like importing drawings and having the ability to review your drawings. I like where you can set the print area on drawings and print on smaller paper for your files plus speeds up estimating. Cons I wish you would have a search bar in your in your assembly and item boxes. I wish you had longer times or the ability to just use the pass code for the day instead of having to sigh in after system idle for awhile Review Source R Reviewer Estimator Used the software for: Less than 1 year ### "The right tool for the job." August 7, 2026 5.0 I used it years ago with one company then returned to using the newer version this year. I like some of the slight changes and modifications as estimating and equipment evolve and change. Pros We use it daily for estimating electrical projects for Commercial and Industrial Projects. It's a must have item in your estimating tool box. It fits right next to Auto CAD. McCormick saves time with the assemblies that are available, and that means savings right from the beginning. I have also created assemblies for Security projects as well in the past at a smaller business with ease. Nothing out there is fool proof, but any time I've had an issue, their customer support team is excellent and fast! Cons Only one user can be in a project at a time. on some bigger projects we like to split up Interior and exterior lighting or the parking lots or receptacles and switches, and we wait for the next person to finish. Review Source R Reviewer Owner Used the software for: Less than 1 year ### "Powerful and Reliable Estimating Software for Electrical Contractors" August 6, 2026 5.0 Overall, McCormick Electrical Estimating has been a valuable investment for our small company. It has improved the speed, consistency, and accuracy of our estimates while helping us stay organized throughout the bidding process. The software is packed with features that support electrical contractors of all sizes, and once you learn the system, it becomes an essential tool for preparing professional estimates. I would recommend McCormick to any electrical contractor looking to improve their estimating process. Pros McCormick Electrical Estimating has made our estimating process much more efficient and organized. The software is user-friendly once you become familiar with it, and the extensive materials database, customizable assemblies, and takeoff features save a significant amount of time. It allows us to produce accurate estimates with confidence, and the reporting tools make reviewing projects much easier. The training resources and customer support have also been very helpful whenever questions arise. Cons There is a learning curve for new users, especially for those who have never used estimating software before. Some features can feel overwhelming at first, but with training and practice, the software becomes much easier to navigate. Additional beginner tutorials or guided walkthroughs would make the onboarding even smoother. Review Source R Reviewer Estimator Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "McCormick Estimating is a very versatile and powerful tool in my estimation toolkit " August 4, 2026 4.0 It has been a pleasure to work with the whole team at McCormick. From classroom to tech support they have all been very knowledgeable and able to take care of my needs. Pros The customizable nature of the program. Each user can find a way to put their estimates together that works best for them. Cons There is not a lot of guidance on what to do if the program runs into issues. Most can be solved by restarting the program/device but it would be nice to know the cause or a different method to fix. Review Source R Reviewer PM Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "Best accurate Electrical software " June 17, 2026 5.0 Excellent customer service they are there when you need them. usually they answer at first call. no waiting for tech to call back. Like other software out there. Pros Has thousands of pre-assemblies' built. it's very accurate ! fast take of with DEP love the auto home run feature. Cons Nothing big so far maybe just the singing time it takes little time to log in some times you have to click it twice in the browser in order launch the program Review Source R Reviewer General Manager Used the software for: Less than 1 year ### "Stay Away! Archaic software that make money by charging people to sign up and to cancel." June 6, 2022 1.0 They answer right away because they have to in order to keep any customer base. That's a plus. I guess you have to do that when the software literally crashes for no reason and doesn't let you log back in and it can't do the most foundational things. They should have kept it as a desktop software. Pros It's fully featured and can do anything you would want from an estimating software. Just expect it to do it slowly, inaccurately, and crash a lot. Cons We spent over 20 hours trying to get their IT to work with our suppliers and link with our current system, but they couldn't get there. We paid for trade-services as per their recommendation, but they were never able to link a supplier to get accurate costing for materials. Without accurate costs an estimating software is useless. It is a clunky file management system that uses an archaic approach of a virtual machine to save the files and run the software. It is also susceptible to crashes that sometimes require support to get back in the software. No matter our bandwidth we had troubles getting any type of responsiveness out of the takeoff software and would have been better to do it in excel. We hired an new estimator that swore buy it, so we purchased it for him. We had to buy 10 hours of training and pay an onboarding fee even though we didn't use any of it. After we realized he was terrible at his job (no wonder he loved McCormick) I emailed to cancel. They charged $500 monthly and it was a couple grand to start for one license. Best part is they refused to cancel my subscription unless I paid $2750. A business that stands behind their product wouldn't have these practices. Review Source DL Doug L. Sr. Preconstruction Manager Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Highly Adaptable Software with Exceptional Support and Essential Features" July 29, 2026 4.0 My overall experience has been very positive. From the moldability to the support from the technical team, we've been very happy to be a McCormick Customer for many years. And many years to come! Pros McCormick is very adaptable and can be adjusted by company to their liking. DEP is a very crucial tool in our estimating, and review abilities. With assembly creation, we're able to modify the permanent and job databases to support efficiencies for our organization. Their customer support is second to none of any other technology provider I've dealt with. Cons My biggest con is not having a live link between the extension and bid summary. Having this would support minor corrections during review periods and allow us to seamlessly go back and forth for productivity adjustments, gut checking of the review, etc. Review Source R Reviewer Electrical estimator Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "Electrical Estimator " March 1, 2026 5.0 Simple easy to use platform that makes sense from start to finish. The training and support are second to none. whether a minor question or major issue their tech support is always a friendly phone call away and more than capable of solving the issue on the spot. We made the switch to McCormick over a year ago and on not only winning more projects with this program but able to export that information down to the project managers and field seamlessly. Pros Robust database Very user-friendly interface. extremely customizable abilities in the database all the way thru to the bid summary. you have the ability to see/pull the information exactly in the way you need to see it. Cons I struggle to find any major problems with McCormick software. some minor insights would be easier searchability of the database by name. Review Source R Reviewer VP Business Development Used the software for: Less than 1 year ### "Solaris Electric" June 17, 2026 5.0 Pros Everything about the call was handled professionally and efficiently. They promptly followed up on the missed call from the previous day and took the time to thoroughly research the issue regarding copying the project with the parameters. The information they provided was helpful, clear, and addressed the problem effectively. I appreciated how expeditiously they handled the matter from start to finish. Cons There’s not much we dislike about the McCormick estimating software. The main challenge has been the amount of time required to navigate through different areas of the program, but that seems to be more of a learning curve on our side than an issue with the software itself. Overall, the software works great and has been a valuable tool for our estimating needs. Review Source R Reviewer Director Of Operations Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "Best Estimating Software" December 15, 2025 5.0 My overall experience with McCormick Electrical Estimating was positive and productive. The software provides a solid foundation for building accurate electrical estimates and helps streamline many parts of the takeoff and pricing process. Once you get comfortable with the layout and workflows, it becomes a reliable tool for organizing materials, labor, and assemblies in a consistent and repeatable way. Although some areas of the interface feel dated and occasionally require extra steps, the core functionality is dependable. Overall, McCormick offers a powerful estimating solution that supports efficiency, accuracy, and better project planning for electrical contractors. Pros What I liked most about McCormick Electrical Estimating was how intuitive and efficient the entire platform felt. The software is designed specifically for the realities of electrical contracting, so the tools, workflows, and terminology make sense right away. I appreciated how quickly I could build accurate takeoffs, organize material and labor costs, and make adjustments without having to start over. The database of items and assemblies is thorough, and the way the system updates totals in real time really helps with decision-making. Overall, McCormick made the estimating process faster, more consistent, and much more manageable compared to traditional methods. Cons What I liked least about McCormick Electrical Estimating was that some parts of the system felt a bit outdated and required more clicks than necessary to complete certain tasks. The interface isn’t always as modern or intuitive as other estimating platforms, so there can be a learning curve, especially for new users. At times, navigating between screens or adjusting items in the database felt slower than it should be. I also found that customizing certain features required more steps than expected. While the software is powerful, these usability issues occasionally made the workflow feel less efficient than it could be. Review Source R Reviewer President Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Eletrical Estimating Review" May 14, 2026 5.0 I think my experience has been great. The products has certainly helped us to secure projects and it continues to evolve. I look forward to what the next iterations will look like. Pros I like the ease of use, the value for the money and the customer support they provide if I have any issues. I've tried a few other programs but I always come back to McCormick estimating Cons I wish that they were moving more into the AI space, plan and spec review to help automate the entire process on one platform vs having to use other platforms to fill that gap. Review Source R Reviewer Project Engineer Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "Great review" June 23, 2026 5.0 Overall experience is great. it has so much to offer when doing estimates. it is really hard to explain what can improve when it already does so much. but yeah i would say ease of going from different widows or tabs to the next without having to close and restart. Pros I like how you can easily price things out, create assemblies, and job specific items. along with storing the job specific items/assemblies thorough the job so you can always reference back or use the same ones again. Cons having to close and reopen different tabs. I wish you can update extensions, while adding material without having to close and restart. Review Source R Reviewer Estimator Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Excellent estimating software" June 24, 2025 5.0 Pros I like how easy it is to filter through the items and assembly database to find what your looking for. It is also really nice to be able to customize the menu to your liking. Cons Sometimes its hard to know what breakdowns you assigned to certain take-off if you needed to go back and make any changes to previously taken off items. Review Source R Reviewer Owner Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Owner/User for 38 years" September 30, 2021 5.0 I purchased the DOS Program in 83 License No \[SENSITIVE CONTENT\] had just bought back the program from En-Data. I re-wrote the database 84-86, expanded the database in the Windows program, I continue to expand and re-fine the program while continuing to use all the DOS commands that the program contains, the DOS program was all keyboard commands and input, no mouse so takeoff is very fast, that background plus windows makes this program 2nd to none. As a freelance estimator my estimate needs to tell a story with little interaction with the client and it delivers every time. I have used the program for jobs as small as a bathroom renovation to a 42 mil data farm with equal ease. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a program that is fast, accurate, and powerful . Pros Flexibility, able to create and takeoff assemblies on the fly, ability to count fixtures, devices, etc from the keyboard, create extension reports as needed, multiple bid summaries, unlimited workspace buttons, transfer takeoff directly to MS Project for scheduling, easy pricing updates, ability to extend to MS Excel Cons None that I can find maybe tech support might be a little expensive Review Source R Reviewer Lead Estimator Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Great Electrical Estimating Software" July 3, 2020 5.0 What we have found by using McCormick... 1. Our ability to be more aggressive with our electrical bids. 2. Being able to provide working drawings for design build projects to the field associates and /or Architects. 3. Project managing from start to finish Pros What I like the most is, the fact that you can build the project that you are estimating in McCormick, (all devices, boxes, wires, connectors, wire nuts, screws, and etc.), then be able to plot the assemblies on the drawings & do the circuiting on the drawings, and then extend an provide a proposal for the project. The other feature that I like is if we are awarded the project you are able to create working field drawings from the DEP (Design Estimating Pro) and get a material list from the extension. Cons nothing really comes to mind, McCormick is easy to use and understand. Review Source R Reviewer PRESIDENT Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Randy Lee with Lee's Electric Company. 48 year old company. Conest vs McCormick" July 25, 2019 4.0 If McCormick would listen to some of my ideas they would be the number 1 software. Their support is great. The yearly Cost is great. It's just some small cons. Conest support has good people. My executive is one of the best. It's just to expensive. When you pay for an upgrade and there is none it pisses me off. EBM IS THE FAST OF ALL BUT ONLY GOOD FOR SMALL JOBS. Pros McCormick is a very speed driven software. Fast take offs. I purchased it long ago but only use it 10 percent of the time. I have been waiting for some upgrades, which will make it complete. Conest has tons of assemblies for every task. But takeoffs are slow and requires total attention of you could make an expensive mistake. Cons I don't like the Messaging system. I don't like the things that slow the process down. What good is a fast take off if it slows you don't when trying to get the bids out. Conest software is slow if you use the Sure Count. Review Source R Reviewer Project Manger Used the software for: Less than 1 year ### "McCormick Estimating Software 1000 w/ OSE " June 13, 2017 5.0 I can not say enough about the support that is given. I had a issue with the license key when I first got it. One quick call to tech support they had me up and running in minutes. Then after that I talked with my regional sales manager, he could not have been more friendly or helpful. That has not been intrusive either He has checked in a couple of times to make sure everything was going well. Live on screen demo and training was helpful. He did such a good job with that I haven't had that many questions. On one occasion I called to ask a question on something I couldn't figure and asked for "my" guy, he had gone home for the day so I left a voicemail. It wasn't 10-15 minutes later and he was calling me back, after his work hours, now that customer service. The software is well written, easy to use and intuitive. Changes to accommodate your business is easy to do as well. The fact that the On screen estimating is part of the estimating software, if purchased, is great. It's nice to watch counts go directly to the estimating software, rather than importing it. This has been perfect for our small 5-10 man electrical company. Pros The support can't be beat and ease of use. The ability to accept auto updates from trade service, national pricing service and others to keep pricing up to date. Cons The license key, on a thumb drive, did not work when it was shipped . Other than that I haven't ant issues or complaints Review Source R Reviewer VP Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Makes bidding easier and faster" October 1, 2018 4.0 Pros I think the software is easy to use and makes bidding a lot easier and faster saving time in the office bidding projects which allows more time for other tasks. Cons Very difficult to print out a detailed price for change orders. I can't delete items on a take off tab and need to enter them aa a negative. Whish there was a free site that linked up for keeping item costs. Review Source R Reviewer Chief Estimator Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "McCormick estimating software has been a great addition to our company!" April 2, 2018 5.0 Customer support & tech support is great! I would highly recommend taking their training courses to help maximize the potential of the software. Pros We love the DEP on screen estimating. The ability to do a takeoff directly from the plans and have info entered into the audit trail has been a useful time saving feature. Cons When we initially installed the software, we had some software errors that required calls to technical support. These are happening much less frequently now. Review Source Similar Products Featured ## Send me user reviews about this product ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.