The specific challenges of the trade in Quebec
Quebec framing contractors fight on several fronts:
- Lumber price volatility — quotes must track the market week by week
- Waste on cuts — every unoptimized cut list burns margin
- NBC 2020 compliance — structural requirements built into every assembly
- Multi-phase sequencing — foundation sill, floors, walls, roof, each with milestones
- CCQ carpenter payroll — classifications and rates applied correctly
A framing bid built on stale lumber prices or rough quantities is a coin flip. Plan-based takeoffs remove the guessing.
What a professional bid must contain
Based on industry best practices and what Quebec clients and general contractors expect:
| Element | Residential | Commercial / Institutional |
|---|---|---|
| Lumber list by dimension | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Connectors and panels | Recommended | Mandatory |
| RBQ licence number | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Structural compliance (NBC) | If applicable | Mandatory |
| Phase schedule | Recommended | Mandatory |
| CCQ labour hours | If applicable | Mandatory |
How SubmitX works for your trade
AI framing takeoff
Lumber, connectors and panels computed from your plans — by wall, floor and roof assembly.
Cut optimizer
2D cut optimization minimizes waste on every list — savings you can price or keep.
Quebec lumber pricing
Quebec materials catalogue (BOM) with adjustable lumber prices, waste factors included.
Crews and phases on schedule
Foundation, floors, walls and roof planned with milestones; progress validated by geotagged photos.
💡 Real case: framing contractors using the cut optimizer report lumber waste dropping around 20% — on today's prices, that is often the whole margin difference.
All in one
Fix your framing and carpentry estimating problems — and every other headache — in one platform
Estimating, projects, field work, CCQ payroll, invoicing: SubmitX brings it all together in one place. Leave your details and a team member will show you how it works on your own cases.
- Estimating
- Projects & field
- CCQ payroll
- Invoicing
A team member will get in touch. Something urgent? Call 514-835-8734.
Meanwhile, you can try SubmitX free for 7 days.
SubmitX vs Excel vs generic software
| Criterion | Excel / paper | Generic software | SubmitX ERP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumber takeoff | Manual count | Spreadsheet | AI from plans |
| Cut optimization | No | No | Built in |
| Regional lumber prices | Phone calls | Static list | Live Quebec BOM |
| NBC 2020 checks | Manual | No | Included |
| CCQ payroll | No | No | Automatic |
| Time per bid | 3–5 h | 1–2 h | 15 min |
Pricing and return on investment
SubmitX starts at $99/month CAD. Cutting lumber waste by even a few percent on one house frame usually covers a year of subscription.
Add the estimating hours: 4 hours per bid down to 15 minutes, multiplied across a season of quoting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best framing estimating software in Quebec?
SubmitX computes lumber quantities from plans, optimizes cut lists, applies regional Quebec lumber prices and handles CCQ carpenter payroll. From $99/month, free trial without a card.
Does the cut optimizer really reduce waste?
Yes — 2D cut optimization arranges every list to minimize offcuts, typically saving 15–20% of lumber versus manual cut planning.
Is it NBC 2020 compliant?
Structural calculations follow the National Building Code 2020 requirements integrated into the assemblies.
Prepare your next bids with SubmitX
AI drafts the bid, you review it before it goes out. 7-day trial, no credit card.
7-day trial · no credit card · or call 514-835-8734