Estimating & Invoicing Software for AV and Low-Voltage Installers
AV and low-voltage jobs mix equipment, cable and a lot of small labor items. Trades HQ keeps your mounts, gear and labor priced and ready, so every quote is quick and complete.
Equipment plus labor. Customers may buy the gear from you or have it already.
Cable runs. Footage, wall types and attic or crawl access change the labor.
Small parts. Wall plates, in-wall power kits, connectors and brackets add up.
Programming and setup. Configuring receivers, networks and remotes takes real time.
How Trades HQ helps AV and low-voltage installers
Ready-made AV items in your Price Book, like fixed, tilting and full-motion TV mounts, projector mounts and screens, flat panel TVs, projectors and AV receivers. Add your prices once and reuse them.
Quick quotes from your phone at the walkthrough.
Proposals customers approve online, then one click to invoice.
Deposits on equipment orders.
Bid work out to other subs, for example an electrician for a new outlet.
Live job profit as gear and labor come in.
A TV mount and cabling quote, step by step
Pick the mount for the TV size and wall.
Add in-wall power and cable kits if the customer wants the cords hidden.
Measure each cable run and add extra for slack.
Add wall plates, connectors and small parts.
Add labor for mounting, running cable and setup.
Apply your overhead and profit.
Example (illustrative): six network drops averaging 60 ft each.
Step
Math
Result
Cable
6 × 60
360 ft
Plus 10% for slack and waste
360 × 1.10
396 ft
Boxes of cable
One 1,000 ft box
1 box
Jacks and wall plates
One per drop
6 each
Some states and cities license low-voltage work, so check the rules where you work.
Pricing tip: Price setup and programming as its own line, so the time it takes is part of the quote. And remember that markup and margin aren't the same number: a 20% margin needs a 25% markup. The Estimating Basics guide walks through the math, and the free markup and margin calculator does it for you.
See it in Trades HQ
A sample estimate in Trades HQ. Each line has its own material and labor cost, and the Bid Summary adds your overhead and profit. Sample numbers.
Questions AV and low-voltage installers ask
How should I price TV mounting?
Many installers use a flat rate by TV size and wall type, with add-ons for in-wall power, cable concealment and the mount itself. Keep those in your Trades HQ Price Book so every quote is consistent.
Can I take a deposit on equipment?
Yes. Request a deposit up front, then bill the balance when the job is done.
Can I use Trades HQ on my phone?
Yes. Trades HQ runs in your phone’s web browser, and you can add it to your home screen like an app, so you can build an estimate or send an invoice from the truck.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Every plan starts with a 14-day free trial, and you don’t need a credit card to start. Plans start at $75 a month, and you can cancel anytime.
Examples on this page use illustrative numbers only. Use your own costs, rates and local requirements. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice.
