Construction estimating software for Canada

Short answer

Construction estimating software for Canada prices work in CAD with the correct provincial tax treatment — HST, GST plus PST, or GST only — and accounts for construction lien holdback on progress billings. WinkScope builds estimates from a rate library based on Canadian supplier pricing, produces a client estimate and an internal cost build-up from the same data, prices change orders against the original figure and tracks actual cost against the estimated budget.

American estimating tools assume one sales tax rate and no holdback. Cross the border and both assumptions break. WinkScope treats provincial tax and lien holdback as normal parts of the job.

Right tax, right province

Set your provincial treatment once. Estimates and invoices calculate and summarise tax correctly without a manual override per document.

Internal cost, client price

Two views of the same build-up: what it costs you and what the client sees. Markup never leaks onto the client copy.

Holdback on progress billings

The statutory percentage held on each billing, with the outstanding balance and release timing visible on the job.

Change orders priced

Extras priced against the estimate and accepted before work starts, which is what protects margin on renovation work.

Budget vs actual

Purchase costs, labour hours and sub invoices post against the estimate while the job is live.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import my rates?

Yes — CSV import with column mapping, or build the price book as you estimate. Bulk rate updates when supplier pricing moves.

Does it support metric and imperial?

Both, per line, because Canadian jobs genuinely run in both.

What holdback percentage does it use?

You set it. 10% is common, but the percentage and the statutory period vary by province, so it is configurable rather than hardcoded.

Does it work for renovation contractors?

That is the most common user — residential renovators who need fast estimates, tight change order control and visible job margin.

Summary

Construction estimating software for Canada prices work in CAD with the correct provincial tax treatment — HST, GST plus PST, or GST only — and accounts for construction lien holdback on progress billings. WinkScope builds estimates from a rate library based on Canadian supplier pricing, produces a client estimate and an internal cost build-up from the same data, prices change orders against the original figure and tracks actual cost against the estimated budget. WinkScope subscriptions are charged in USD worldwide. Local currency here is how you price your own jobs inside WinkScope — quotes, invoices, price book and reports all render in it.