Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ProTrades. Can't find the answer?Contact us.
Getting Started
How does the 90-day pilot work?
You get full access to your chosen plan for 90 days, completely free. No credit card required. After 90 days, you can subscribe or your account pauses. We'll remind you before it ends.
How long does it take to set up?
ProTrades is designed for quick setup. Sign up, add your company info, and you can send your first proposal the same day. No training or consultants required.
Do I need to install anything?
ProTrades is web-based, so you can access it from any browser. We also have a mobile app for iOS (Android coming soon) for field work.
What trades is ProTrades built for?
ProTrades is built specifically for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, mechanical, and general contractors. We understand how trade contractors work — project-based jobs, T&M billing, and field crews.
Pricing & Plans
What are the pricing plans?
Solo plan is $19/month (1 user), Team plan is $49/month (2-5 users with full estimating), and Shop plan is $99/month (5-10 users with priority support). All plans include a 90-day free pilot.
Can I switch plans later?
Yes, upgrade or downgrade anytime. Changes are prorated so you only pay the difference.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. Our pricing is transparent — what you see is what you pay. No per-feature add-ons, no forced upgrades, no enterprise lock-in contracts.
Do you offer refunds?
With a 90-day free pilot, you'll know if it's right for you before paying. But if something goes wrong after subscribing, reach out — we're fair.
What happens after the pilot ends?
We'll remind you before your pilot ends. If you don't subscribe, your account pauses — your data stays safe. Subscribe anytime to pick up where you left off.
Features
What features are included?
All plans include job management, proposals, invoicing, scheduling, mobile app access, and job cost tracking. The Team and Shop plans add our full estimating system with assemblies and templates.
Does ProTrades have estimating?
Yes. Our estimating system uses industry-standard assembly-based estimating with reusable labor units, materials, and templates. It's included in Team and Shop plans.
How does the proposal system work?
Create professional branded proposals with scope of work, exclusions, assumptions, qualifications, and payment terms. AI helps polish your writing. Send via email with one click, and clients can sign digitally.
Does ProTrades have AI features?
Yes. We have AI-assisted proposal writing that helps polish your scope descriptions, AI job cost insights that help you track budgets, and AI receipt detection that auto-fills vendor invoices from photos.
What invoicing options do you have?
Create simple invoices with line items, or use progressive billing for large jobs with multiple contracts and change orders. Invoices are branded with your logo and can be paid instantly via Stripe.
How does job costing work?
Track estimated vs actual labor and materials on every job. Upload budgets from estimates, log hours from the field, enter POs and vendor invoices — everything ties back to job profitability.
Mobile App
What can I do on the mobile app?
Create quick invoices, log time with start/stop tracking, view schedules, create proposals, take job photos, add notes, and manage clients. Everything syncs instantly with the web app.
Is the mobile app available on Android?
Currently iOS only. Android is on our roadmap and coming soon.
Can field workers use the mobile app?
Yes. Workers can clock in/out, view their schedule, access job details, upload photos, and log hours. Admins control permissions for what each role can access.
Does the mobile app work offline?
The app requires an internet connection to sync data. We recommend having cell service or WiFi when using it in the field.
Accounting & Payments
Can I accept payments through ProTrades?
Yes. Connect your own Stripe account and clients can pay invoices instantly via credit card or ACH. Funds go directly to your bank — ProTrades never touches your money.
Does ProTrades have accounting features?
Yes. Track purchase orders, enter vendor invoices, manage payroll hours, and sync everything with job costs. Our AI receipt detection auto-fills vendor invoices from photos.
Does ProTrades integrate with QuickBooks?
QuickBooks integration is available for syncing financial data. Contact us for details on setup.
How does payroll tracking work?
Workers log hours from the mobile app or web. Admins review, approve, and process payroll runs. Track pay rates, burden, and see labor costs flow into job costing automatically.
Comparisons
How is ProTrades different from ServiceTitan?
ServiceTitan is often better suited for large dispatch-heavy service companies. ProTrades is built for small trade shops (1-10 people) who do project-based work, with simpler setup and flat monthly pricing.
How is ProTrades different from Jobber?
Jobber is designed for service calls. ProTrades takes a different approach with assembly-based estimating and AI-assisted proposals, designed for project-based contractors who need job costing and professional proposals.
How is ProTrades different from Housecall Pro?
Housecall Pro focuses on home service dispatch. ProTrades is built for trade contractors doing both service and project work, with assembly-based estimating, job costing, and AI-assisted proposal features.
Can I switch from another software?
Yes. Most contractors can start fresh with ProTrades and be productive immediately. If you need help migrating data, contact us and we'll assist.
Security & Data
Where is my data stored?
Your data is stored securely via Supabase with industry-standard encryption. We use HTTPS for all connections and never share your data with third parties.
Who owns my data?
You do. Your company owns all data created in ProTrades. Export your data anytime, and if you cancel, you can request a full export before deletion.
Is ProTrades secure?
Yes. We use encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS), secure authentication, role-based access controls, and regular security practices. Payment data is handled by Stripe, not us.
Support & Scaling
How do I get help?
Email us at sabri@protrades.ai. Founding members get direct access to the founder. We typically respond within 24 hours.
Is there training available?
ProTrades is designed to be intuitive with minimal learning curve. That said, we're happy to do a walkthrough call if you want one.
What if I have a feature request?
We love hearing from contractors. Email us your ideas — many features came directly from user feedback.
What if my team grows beyond 10 users?
Contact us for enterprise options. We can accommodate larger teams with custom pricing.