Which AI estimating apps fit a small contractor?

A small contractor can get AI-built estimates for $10 to $120 a month in 2026, and three tools let you try it on a real job for free. From the Estimating, Takeoffs & Quoting and Back Office aisles, checked in October 2026:

Under $50 a month

• Joist: $10/mo. Estimate-and-invoice app for solo contractors; the built-in AI creates estimates and invoices and polishes notes. 14-day trial.
• QuoteIQ: $29.99/mo. AI Estimator builds quotes from photos, inside a small-shop CRM with scheduling and invoicing, for 50+ trades. 14-day trial.
• ServiceM8: free plan up to 30 jobs a month, then $29/mo; AI helpers build reports and documents.

Free plans to start

• Beam (trybeam.com): free Core plan with 5 AI estimates, no card; Plus is $250/mo. Invoicing, job costing and bill pay included.
• Buildxact: free Go plan with 5 credits plus a 14-day trial; Foundation is $199/mo. Blu AI generates estimates and reviews them for errors.

Built for remodelers and trades

• Handoff: $119/mo (annual), 7-day trial, no card. AI Teammate builds estimates and proposals from scope text, voice notes, photos or blueprints using your own pricing.
• Bolster: $155/mo (annual). Interactive proposals with upsell options; AI takeoffs and renderings on the Pro tier.

Trade-specific

Roofers: Roofle gives homeowners an instant quote on your website. Landscapers: SiteRecon measures properties from aerial imagery for $39/mo plus credits. Restoration: XactAI adds AI to Xactimate.

The estimate is built from the pricing you feed the tool, so the best test is one of your own recent jobs on a free plan or trial.

Quick answers

What is the cheapest AI estimating app for contractors?

Joist at $10/mo, with AI that writes estimates and invoices. Beam and Buildxact both offer free plans with a handful of AI estimates to start.

Can AI build an estimate from photos?

Yes. QuoteIQ's AI Estimator builds quotes from photos ($29.99/mo), and Handoff builds estimates from photos, voice notes and scope text ($119/mo).