The specific challenges of the trade in Quebec
Finish work has its own economics:
- Detail-heavy takeoffs — linear metres of moulding, doors, hardware, per room
- Client selections — species, stains and profiles that change mid-project
- Shop vs site hours — fabrication and installation costed separately
- Coordination — you arrive last; every upstream delay lands on you
- Presentation matters — high-end clients judge the bid document itself
Small line items multiply: without per-room tracking, profitable jobs and money-losers look identical until year end.
What a professional bid must contain
Based on industry best practices and what Quebec clients and general contractors expect:
| Element | Residential | Commercial / Institutional |
|---|---|---|
| Per-room detail | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Materials and species | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Hardware allowances | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Shop drawings | If applicable | Mandatory |
| RBQ licence number | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Selection sign-offs | Recommended | Mandatory |
How SubmitX works for your trade
Specialized calculators
Mouldings, doors, built-ins and panels quantified with waste factors per profile.
Client selections signed
Species, finishes and hardware approved electronically and archived per room.
Shop and site costed apart
Fabrication hours and installation hours tracked separately — you see where margin lives.
Before/after galleries
Photo documentation per room, shared with the client in one tap.
💡 Real case: finish carpenters tracking margins per room discover that certain work types run 15+ points apart — and re-price accordingly next season.
SubmitX vs Excel vs generic software
| Criterion | Excel / paper | Generic software | SubmitX ERP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detail takeoff | Manual list | Spreadsheet | Calculators + waste |
| Selection management | Texts/emails | No | Signed & archived |
| Shop vs site costing | Mixed | No | Separated |
| Per-room margins | Unknown | No | Tracked |
| Client presentation | Word doc | Basic PDF | Branded portal |
| CCQ payroll | No | No | Automatic |
Pricing and return on investment
SubmitX starts at $99/month CAD. Knowing which rooms and work types carry your margin is worth multiples of that — it changes what you quote next year.
Selection disputes disappear when every choice is signed and archived: one avoided remake pays for years of software.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best software for finish carpenters in Quebec?
SubmitX prices millwork and built-ins with specialized calculators, tracks margins per room, archives signed client selections and separates shop from site hours. From $99/month, free trial.
Does it handle custom cabinetry shops?
Yes — fabrication (shop) and installation (site) are costed separately, with shop drawings attached to each project.
Can clients approve selections online?
Yes — species, finishes and hardware selections are approved electronically and archived per room.
Try SubmitX free for 7 days
Create your first bid in under 20 minutes — no credit card required.
Start the free trial