McCormick Systems review

McCormick Systems has sold estimating and takeoff software to electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors in the US and Canada for over 45 years, and it now runs in the cloud. For plumbing, McCormick describes built-in PDF takeoff that needs no third-party software and a database built for pricing fixtures, pipe, fittings and labor. The mechanical database covers boiler systems, fire suppression, fire sprinklers and closed-circuit systems, with the option to add MCAA or PHCC labor units and pre-built assemblies with automatic quantity calculations. The company says its client services are in-house with average response times under 10 minutes, and the product is built and supported by the team behind Foundation Software, a construction accounting platform. The drawback for buyers comparing costs is that McCormick does not publish prices, so you need a demo and a quote, and its value score here is more conservative for that reason.

Who it is for

Plumbing and mechanical contractors who want cloud access and in-house support

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Built-in PDF takeoff with no third-party software needed
• Plumbing database for fixtures, pipe, fittings and labor costs
• Mechanical database with the option to add MCAA or PHCC units
• Pre-built mechanical assemblies and automatic quantity calculations
• True multi-user system with cloud access

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Cloud-based, so no special hardware is required
• Strength: In-house client services with average response times under 10 minutes, per the vendor
• Strength: Built by the team behind Foundation Software construction accounting
• Weakness: No published prices
• Weakness: Demo request needed before buying
• Weakness: Also serves electrical, so plumbing is one of several databases

Key facts

• Trades: Electrical, plumbing and mechanical
• Takeoff: Built-in PDF takeoff
• Labor units: Optional MCAA or PHCC units for mechanical
• Track record: Over 45 years, per the vendor

Where it ranks

McCormick Systems is No. 3 in our Best Plumbing Estimating Software verdict.