What is the best project management software for electrical contractors?

For project work, ProtoPM: a free plan with an electrical template for permit, rough-in, inspections, trim-out and energize, plus daily logs, punch, budgets and change orders. For dispatch-heavy service work, a field-service app fits better.

Is there free software for electrical contractors?

Yes. ProtoPM Free costs $0 with no end date, for unlimited projects and users. No credit card.

Can I track rough-in and final inspections?

Yes. The electrical template adds rough-in and final inspections in Field, and inspection milestones on the schedule.

Can the general contractor see my invoices?

Yes. Invite the GC or owner as a read-only Viewer. They can see invoices and progress, but not your budget, and they can't edit anything.

Does ProtoPM do estimating or dispatch?

No. ProtoPM runs the job once it's won. Keep your estimating tool for takeoffs, and use a field-service app for dispatching service calls.

Electrical Contractor Software: Free Project Management

Side-by-side comparison

As of October 2026. ProtoPM figures come from the live plans; check each vendor's site for their current terms.
Capability	ProtoPM Free	Spreadsheet	Field-service apps	Enterprise suites
Best for	Project work: permit to energize	One person	Service calls and dispatch	Large firms
Price to start	$0 · No credit card	$0	Paid, per user	Sales-led
Inspections and milestones	Electrical template	Manual	Varies	Yes
Daily logs and punch list	Included	Manual	Job notes	Yes
Change orders and budget	Included	Manual	Quotes and invoices	Yes
Crew and GC access	Unlimited people + collaborators	Shared file	Per-user seats	Seat tiers

Electrical jobs it fits

ProtoPM runs jobs that last days to months and have a start, an inspection and a handover. The shop and the field see the same project, from the permit to the final walkthrough.

Service upgrades and panel changes
Tenant fit-outs and commercial renovations
New-build rough-in and trim-out, as a sub to a general contractor
EV charger, generator and solar tie-in installs
Low-voltage, lighting retrofits and controls work

From permit to energize

Pick Electrical as your company's trade and new projects start from a template you can edit. Each milestone is spread across the job's dates:

Permit pulled.
Underground / service.
Rough-in.
Rough-in inspection.
Trim-out and devices.
Final inspection and energize.

In the field

Daily logs: crew count, work done, weather and delays for each day.
Inspections: rough-in and final inspections come pre-filled on the electrical template. Add the permit number, date and inspector, then mark it passed, failed or re-inspect.
Punch list at trim-out: the template adds label the panel directory, test GFCI/AFCI devices, install all cover plates, and hand over the as-built and panel schedule.
Files: keep drawings, the panel schedule, the permit and site photos from your phone with the job.

Money and change orders

Change log: record added circuits, relocated devices or owner extras with the cost and schedule impact, before you do the work.
Budget and actuals in Financials, hidden from the client.
Invoices: send progress and final invoices; invite the GC or owner as a read-only Viewer who can see them.
Risks: long-lead gear such as switchgear, panels or transformers, tracked before it holds up the job.

How ProtoPM works

Free covers unlimited projects and people, your first company free (extra companies are an add-on), and 2 GB of storage per company (more is optional, from $5/mo per company). See every feature.

Sign up and create a project. A title is enough.
Financials: budget, actuals and invoices.
Schedule and Field: dates, daily logs and punch items.
Project delivery: changes, risks and lessons learned.

Why teams pick ProtoPM

$0 Free plan with no end date. No credit card.
Sign up yourself. No demo call.
Plain tabs for schedule, field, costs and changes.
Projects and users are unlimited on Free; the core tools stay free. Optional company add-ons start at $5 CAD/mo when you need extras like more storage or branded documents — nobody pays per user.

When another tool wins

If most of your work is service calls (dispatching techs to many short jobs a day, quoting on the spot and taking card payment at the door), a field-service tool such as Jobber or ServiceTitan fits better. ProtoPM is for project work. It doesn't do estimating or takeoffs, so keep your estimating tool, and large firms that need ERP integrations or single sign-on fit enterprise suites.

How to start

Sign up free, or start from the electrician homepage.
Set your company's trade to Electrical so new projects start from the electrical template.
Create the job (for example, a 200 A service upgrade) with dates and a budget.
Invite your crew, and add the GC or owner as a read-only Viewer.

Prefer a spreadsheet?

Start with a free Excel template (no account needed), then move the job into ProtoPM when the crew needs it.

Free construction punch list template (Excel)

Common questions

What is the best project management software for electrical contractors?: For project work, ProtoPM: a free plan with an electrical template for permit, rough-in, inspections, trim-out and energize, plus daily logs, punch, budgets and change orders. For dispatch-heavy service work, a field-service app fits better.
Is there free software for electrical contractors?: Yes. ProtoPM Free costs $0 with no end date, for unlimited projects and users. No credit card.
Can I track rough-in and final inspections?: Yes. The electrical template adds rough-in and final inspections in Field, and inspection milestones on the schedule.
Can the general contractor see my invoices?: Yes. Invite the GC or owner as a read-only Viewer. They can see invoices and progress, but not your budget, and they can't edit anything.
Does ProtoPM do estimating or dispatch?: No. ProtoPM runs the job once it's won. Keep your estimating tool for takeoffs, and use a field-service app for dispatching service calls.

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