Esticom
Esticom is a cloud-based takeoff and estimating software designed to help electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors automate material counting and generate professional project bids quickly and accurately.
Houzz Pro
Houzz Pro is an all-in-one business management software designed specifically for home construction and design professionals to manage projects, market services, and streamline client communication in one place.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Esticom | Houzz Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Website | esticom.com | houzz.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $108/month | $65/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2015 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Austin, USA | Palo Alto, USA |
Overview
Esticom
Esticom provides a unified platform where you can handle everything from digital takeoffs to final project proposals. Instead of toggling between spreadsheets and paper plans, you can upload digital blueprints and use automated tools to count symbols and measure lengths instantly. This integration ensures your material quantities and labor costs remain synced throughout the bidding process.
You can manage your entire pre-construction workflow in the cloud, allowing your team to collaborate on estimates from the office or the field. The platform specifically targets specialty subcontractors like electrical, low voltage, and mechanical trades who need to produce high-volume, accurate bids to stay competitive. By moving your estimating process to this digital environment, you eliminate manual counting errors and significantly reduce the time spent on every bid.
Houzz Pro
Houzz Pro provides a dedicated suite of tools built specifically for residential contractors and design professionals. You can manage your entire business lifecycle from a single dashboard, starting with lead generation and moving through to final invoicing. The platform helps you stand out to homeowners by creating professional 3D floor plans, mood boards, and branded proposals that clearly communicate your vision.
You can also take control of your project finances with integrated tools for estimates, change orders, and online payments. By centralizing your client communications and project schedules, you reduce the risk of errors and keep your team aligned. Whether you are a solo designer or a growing construction firm, the software helps you automate administrative tasks so you can spend more time on the job site.
Overview
Esticom Features
- Auto-Count Technology Search for specific symbols across all your project drawings and count them instantly with built-in optical recognition tools.
- Linear Measurements Calculate conduit, piping, and wiring runs quickly by clicking points on your digital plans to get exact lengths.
- Area Takeoffs Measure square footage for flooring, roofing, or wall areas with a few clicks to ensure accurate material orders.
- Integrated Estimating Link your takeoff quantities directly to a built-in cost database to generate detailed labor and material estimates automatically.
- Professional Proposals Convert your completed estimates into branded, professional bid documents that you can send to clients immediately.
- Cloud Collaboration Access your projects from any device with an internet connection so your team stays synced on every revision.
Houzz Pro Features
- 3D Floor Planner. Create detailed 2D and 3D floor plans in minutes to help your clients visualize their renovated space before work begins.
- Lead Management. Track every potential client from initial inquiry to signed contract using a visual pipeline that ensures no follow-up falls through.
- Estimates and Proposals. Build professional, branded estimates using local labor and material costs to get your project approvals faster and more accurately.
- Client Dashboard. Provide your clients with a private portal where they can view project schedules, approve change orders, and make secure payments.
- Mood Boards. Develop visual concept boards with products from the Houzz library to communicate your design direction and get immediate client feedback.
- Online Payments. Get paid faster by sending digital invoices that allow your clients to pay via credit card or ACH bank transfers.
- Project Scheduling. Map out your project timeline with Gantt charts to keep your subcontractors on track and your clients informed of progress.
- Mobile App. Access your project details, upload site photos, and message clients directly from your phone while you are out in the field.
Pricing Comparison
Esticom Pricing
- Full digital takeoff tools
- Automated symbol counting
- Integrated estimating module
- Professional bid generator
- Cloud storage for plans
- Standard material database
- Everything in Annual, plus:
- Discounted per-user rates
- Centralized team management
- Shared project access
- Priority technical support
- Custom onboarding options
Houzz Pro Pricing
- Lead management CRM
- Estimates and proposals
- 3D floor plans
- Online payments
- Client dashboard
- Mobile app access
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Project schedules
- Change orders
- Task management
- QuickBooks Online integration
- Mood boards
Pros & Cons
Esticom
Pros
- Auto-count feature saves significant time on large electrical drawings
- Cloud-based access allows for easy remote work and collaboration
- Intuitive interface makes it easy for non-technical users to learn
- Combining takeoff and estimating in one tool reduces data entry
Cons
- Initial setup of custom material databases can be time-consuming
- Occasional lag when loading very large high-resolution plan sets
- Limited advanced features for general contractors compared to specialty trades
Houzz Pro
Pros
- Excellent visual tools for client presentations
- Centralizes all client communication in one place
- Easy to create professional-looking estimates quickly
- Strong mobile app functionality for field work
- Seamless integration with the Houzz marketplace
Cons
- Learning curve for the 3D modeling tools
- Marketing features can be expensive for startups
- Customer support response times can vary
- Limited customization for some document templates