McCormick Estimating Review
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical estimating software with built-in takeoff, from Foundation Software
Fit Score
Fit Score
▸ How we scored McCormick Estimating: 5.8/10
| Factor | Weight | Sub-score |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical fit (best trade) | 60% | 8.0/10 |
| Pricing transparency | 20% | 5.0/10 |
| Integration coverage | 20% | 0.0/10 |
Weighted composite, applied identically to every vendor; no vendor pays to change it. Full Fit Score methodology →
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Quick verdict
McCormick Estimating is best for Electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors who want trade-specific estimating with built-in takeoff, preloaded items and labor units, and supplier price updates. Pricing is quote-only (no published price). Trade fit of 8/10 or higher: Electrical.
Reviews on review sites
We do not copy third-party review scores onto this page: they change often and we could not verify them. Read McCormick Estimating's current reviews at the source.
About McCormick Estimating
McCormick is estimating software for electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors. It combines built-in takeoff (Design Estimating Pro) with preloaded databases of items, assemblies and labor units, so an estimator can measure a plan set and price the job in one system. McCormick says its electrical database has over 55,000 items and 25,000 prebuilt assemblies, and its mechanical product covers boiler systems, fire suppression, fire sprinklers and closed-circuit systems.
McCormick Systems was created in 1979 and is based in Chandler, Arizona. Foundation Software, a construction software company, acquired it in 2021, and the McCormick site describes the product as built and supported by the same team behind Foundation Software.
Labor units come preloaded, and McCormick says you can use NECA, PHCC or MCAA labor standards and adjust them. Material prices can be updated from major pricing services or directly from supply houses. Other features named on the site include auto-count takeoff, the patented Auto Home Run for electrical, reusable estimate templates, change order tracking, estimates vs. actual reports, and proposals and bid documents.
McCormick describes its software as cloud-based so several estimators can work on the same estimate, and it also offers an on-premises option and hosted setups. It does not publish prices; you request a demo and a quote. McCormick says its in-house support team has an average response time of under 10 minutes.
The trade-off: you cannot compare cost without a sales call, and McCormick covers estimating, not scheduling, dispatch or invoicing, so it runs alongside your field and accounting software. It is built around electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, so contractors in other trades will get little from its databases.
Pricing
| Tier | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Custom quote | Custom quote |
No public pricing: mccormicksys.com shows no prices and directs buyers to request a demo. McCormick offers a cloud-based version, an on-premises option and hosted setups; subscription or license terms are not published. Verified against mccormicksys.com (home, software and industry pages) 2026-09-29.
McCormick Estimating does not publish a price, so you need a quote before you can compare it (49 of the 127 tools we list are quote-only). A missing price is not evidence of a high one. Get the quote in writing and confirm what it includes (number of users, integrations, onboarding, support) before you sign.
Pricing verified 2026-09-29. Prices can change, so confirm them with McCormick Estimating before purchasing.
McCormick Estimating has no published monthly price we can model at your team size, so we do not estimate one: any figure here would be a guess. Ask McCormick Estimating for a quote.
Key features
Integrations
Pros
- + Trade-specific databases
Preloaded items, assemblies and labor units for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work; McCormick says the electrical database alone has over 55,000 items and 25,000 assemblies.
- + Built-in takeoff
Design Estimating Pro and auto-count let estimators measure and count from digital plans inside the same program that prices the job.
- + Current material prices
Prices can be updated from major pricing services or directly from your supply house, so estimates reflect current costs.
- + Labor standards
Labor units come preloaded, with NECA, PHCC and MCAA standards available and adjustable for your crews.
- + Cloud or on-premises
McCormick is cloud-based for shared access, and it also offers an on-premises option and hosted setups.
- + Backed by Foundation Software
Foundation Software has owned McCormick since 2021, and the same team builds and supports it.
Cons
- − No published pricing
McCormick does not list prices on its site, so you need a demo and quote to learn the cost.
- − Estimating only
It produces estimates, change orders and bid documents, not scheduling, dispatch or invoicing, so it runs alongside other software.
- − Narrow trade focus
The databases are built for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work. Contractors in other trades should look at a general takeoff tool.
- − Setup to match your shop
Getting accurate bids means adjusting labor units, assemblies and supplier pricing to how your shop actually works, which takes time before the first live bid.
Implementation
Request a demo and a quote, and decide between the cloud version, the on-premises option or a hosted setup. Before bidding live work, set your labor units (NECA, PHCC or MCAA if you use them), connect your supply house or pricing service for material prices, and build templates for the job types you bid most. Train estimators on takeoff with Design Estimating Pro and auto-count. Ask McCormick which accounting systems it connects with, since the site does not name them.
Best for / Watch out for
Best for
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors who want trade-specific estimating with built-in takeoff, preloaded items and labor units, and supplier price updates
Watch out for
No published pricing, it covers estimating rather than field operations, and it is built for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work rather than general trades
Available for these trades
Alternatives to McCormick Estimating
Matched on tool type, shared trades, price tier and team size.
Has a free tier; 7-day free trial.
Quote-only pricing, so compare on fit not cost.
Publishes its price: from $250 per application a month.
Publishes its price: from $21.67 per user a month, billed annually; 14-day free trial.
Publishes its price: from $59 a month base, more as users are added; 30-day free trial.
Quote-only pricing, so compare on fit not cost; also strong for electrical.
User reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much does McCormick Estimating cost?
McCormick does not publish prices. You request a demo and a quote from its sales team.
Who owns McCormick Systems?
Foundation Software, which acquired McCormick in 2021. McCormick was created in 1979 and is based in Chandler, Arizona.
Which trades is McCormick for?
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors, with pages also for transmission and distribution and automated building systems. Its databases and labor units are built for those trades.
Is McCormick cloud-based?
McCormick describes its software as cloud-based, and it also offers an on-premises option for contractors who want local control, plus hosted setups.
Does McCormick include takeoff?
Yes. Design Estimating Pro provides built-in digital takeoff, with auto-count and, for electrical, the patented Auto Home Run feature.
Ready to try McCormick Estimating?
No published price: ask McCormick Estimating for a quote.
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