What if your estimating software could answer questions about products – in plain
English?
That is exactly what Electrika is building. Later this year, the UK’s free electrical estimating
software platform will launch Al-powered product assistants, allowing contractors to
search, compare, and specify products using natural language instead of scrolling through
catalogue pages.
A contractor will be able to ask something like, “What Schneider MCBs are available for a
three-phase board?” and get an accurate, contextual answer – drawn directly from the
manufacturer’s own technical documentation, datasheets, and catalogues.
It is a significant step for an industry where product information is typically scattered
across hundreds of PDFs and brochures. Experienced estimators carry much of this
knowledge in their heads, built up over years on the job. But when they retire or move on,
that expertise leaves with them. AI assistants can bridge that gap, making product
knowledge accessible to every contractor on the platform.
Why it matters for manufacturers
For the brands whose products appear on Electrika – including Schneider Electric, Hager,
Ansell Lighting, MK Electric, and more than 25 others – the AI tools create a new channel.
Their technical documentation becomes fully searchable and integrated directly into the
quoting process, adding value at the point of specification rather than sitting unused in a
downloads folder.
Manufacturers invest heavily in producing detailed catalogues, installation guides, and
technical manuals. AI makes that investment work harder by putting the right information
in front of the right person at the right moment.
Still free, still shareable
The AI launch builds on a major platform upgrade completed earlier this year, which
introduced a fully mobile-responsive interface and redesigned user experience.
Contractors can now build, review, and amend quotes on any device – desktop, tablet, or
phone – directly in the browser, with no app required.
Electrika remains entirely free – no subscription, no per-seat licence, and no limits on
sharing. Contractors can share quotes with colleagues, clients, and subcontractors without
anyone needing to purchase software. A freelance estimator can serve multiple clients from
a single account. A growing firm can give every team member access at no cost.
With more than 14,000 registered users and manufacturer partnerships including
Schneider Electric, Hager, Ansell Lighting, and MK Electric, Electrika is one of the most
widely used estimating platforms in the UK electrical contracting industry.
The platform gives contractors access to manufacturer trade prices, professional quote
reports, kits and templates for repeat work, and the ability to build detailed estimates
complete with labour rates, equipment markups, and preliminaries. The output is a
professional report that can go straight to a client or quantity surveyor.
Getting started
Registering takes less than a minute. Visit electrika.com to start quoting – and be ready for
AI when it arrives.
Electrika – free electrical estimating software that’s been trusted since 1996.
For more from Electrika, click here.