If you run a commercial trades business, the CRM you need probably isn’t called a CRM. Search for CRM for trades and most of what comes back is job management software: systems that hold your customer records but also schedule engineers, build quotes, capture site photos and manage invoices. That’s what we’ve compared here.
If your workflow is fairly standard, Simpro, JobLogic, BigChange or Commusoft may provide what you need. If the way your business operates is what sets you apart from competitors, a custom-built system could be a better fit.
Here, we focus on established commercial trades firms with engineers in vans, maintenance contracts and an office team managing scheduling, customer enquiries and paperwork. If you’re a sole trader or a small crew, skip to the ServiceM8 section near the end.
One thing before you read on: we build number one. There’s a disclosure at the bottom.
At a glance
| System | How it’s priced | Published price? | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom-built (Webshape) | One-off build plus ongoing support | From £10,000, subject to confirmation | Firms with specialised workflows |
| Simpro | Per-user pricing | Quotation required | Complex commercial jobs |
| JobLogic | Per user, billed annually | Standard: £45/user/month, subject to price check | Compliance-heavy contractors |
| BigChange | Licensed users and packages | Quotation required | Fleet-heavy businesses |
| Commusoft | Licences and plan tier | Quotation required | Mixed domestic and commercial trades |
1. A Custom-Built System (Webshape Design)
Think of off-the-shelf software as flat-pack furniture. It arrives in standard sizes, everyone gets the same shelves, and if you want an extra drawer, that may be a paid add-on. A custom system is the fitted wardrobe: measured to your requirements, with the drawers, compartments and finishes you actually need.
At Webshape Design, we develop custom business applications around the processes companies already use. Instead of adapting your operations to a standard software package, the system can be designed to support your team, customers and day-to-day requirements.
A bespoke system can avoid standard CRM per-user subscription fees. However, hosting, maintenance, support and third-party services may still involve ongoing costs.
Webshape grants clients full ownership of the custom code and designs we create for their application. This means clients can transfer their app to another provider if they choose. Where an application uses open-source platforms, libraries or other third-party components, those elements remain subject to their respective licences and are not exclusively owned by Webshape or the client.
A real example of custom software for trades
A London heating and plumbing firm previously relied on paper timesheets, printed vehicle checklists, mileage notebooks and holiday requests managed by phone. These processes required the office team to collect and organise information from engineers working at different locations.
Webshape developed a system that generates engineer timesheets, vehicle logs and mileage records automatically every Sunday at midnight. The office team can also monitor which records have been submitted, helping reduce manual administration and improve visibility across the business.
How much does a custom system cost?
Custom business applications are priced according to their functionality, integrations and development requirements. The initial investment is generally higher than signing up for an off-the-shelf subscription, but the software is designed around the business rather than a standard feature package.
Webshape custom business applications start from £10,000 for development, with maintenance from £500 per month. The final cost depends on functionality, integrations and support requirements. Businesses should compare these expenses against several years of subscription fees, additional licences and paid features. Development timescales are assessed against each project’s requirements.
What are the limitations?
A custom application requires an initial investment and time from your team during planning. Developers need to understand how your business operates, what information staff require and which processes should be improved.
Development and testing also take time, so a bespoke system is unlikely to be the quickest option if you need software immediately. However, it can be developed alongside your existing tools, allowing you to plan the transition.
Best for: Established trades businesses with specialised workflows, multiple departments or processes that are difficult to manage through standard software.
2. Simpro
Simpro is a field service management platform designed for trades and service businesses. It supports the process from quoting and scheduling through to job costing, project management and invoicing.
For commercial contractors handling larger projects, Simpro can help connect office administration with work carried out by engineers and technicians.
What it costs: Simpro uses a per-user pricing model and provides quotations based on business requirements. Companies should request a detailed breakdown of licences, implementation, training and additional functionality.
What to consider: Before signing, review the minimum contract term, renewal conditions, price adjustments and data export arrangements. These details can influence the long-term cost of the system.
Best for: Established commercial contractors managing complex jobs, detailed costing and multiple engineers.
3. JobLogic
JobLogic is a UK job management platform used by HVAC, plumbing, electrical and facilities management businesses. Its features include certificates, digital forms, asset registers and planned preventative maintenance.
These functions are particularly relevant to contractors who need to manage recurring maintenance work, compliance documentation and customer records.
What it costs: The October 2026 research draft lists JobLogic Standard at £45 per user per month, billed annually. Premium and Enterprise packages are priced on request. At that rate, 15 users would cost £675 per month before additional charges.
What to consider: Check which features are included in your selected package, how the mobile application works for engineers and whether additional functionality carries extra charges.
We explore these points in more detail in our JobLogic vs custom business app comparison.
Best for: UK contractors managing compliance requirements, maintenance schedules and planned preventative maintenance.
4. BigChange
BigChange combines customer management, job scheduling, mobile workforce tools and vehicle tracking. It is designed for businesses that need to coordinate office staff, field engineers and vehicles.
For trades businesses operating larger fleets, having scheduling and vehicle information within one platform can help improve visibility across daily operations.
What it costs: BigChange provides pricing through quotations. Businesses should request a breakdown covering user licences, onboarding, equipment and any optional features.
What to consider: Compare the available packages against the number of office staff, engineers and vehicles in your business. Review the contract length, renewal conditions and any additional charges for the features you need.
Best for: Trades and field service businesses where vehicle tracking, scheduling and workforce coordination are important.
For a more detailed comparison, read our BigChange vs Custom Business App guide, where we explore the differences in features, pricing and flexibility to help you decide which solution is right for your business.
5. Commusoft
Commusoft is designed for multi-trade businesses working across residential and commercial properties. Its features include job costing, contract management, digital forms, customer portals and planned maintenance.
The platform can help companies organise work across different teams while keeping customer information, job records and service history together.
What it costs: Pricing depends on the selected package and number of licences. Businesses need to request a quotation based on their requirements.
What to consider: Review the available functionality against your business processes, particularly if you manage both domestic and commercial customers. Confirm which features are included and whether additional integrations are required.
Best for: HVAC, plumbing and electrical businesses handling a combination of residential and commercial work.
Too Small for This List? Consider ServiceM8
Not every trades business needs a large job management platform or custom-built application. For sole traders and smaller teams, a simpler system may be more practical.
ServiceM8 provides tools for managing customers, jobs, quotations, scheduling and invoicing. Its pricing is based on the number of jobs created each month rather than the number of users, which may suit smaller businesses with straightforward requirements.
If your team is small and your processes are relatively standard, an off-the-shelf solution such as ServiceM8 may offer better value than investing in custom development.
The important consideration is whether the software supports your current requirements and can accommodate your plans for growth.
How to Choose the Best CRM for Trades
Consider your team size and workload. A system priced per user may become more expensive as you recruit additional engineers. Alternatively, a platform priced by job volume may cost more as your workload increases. Compare the likely costs based on your future requirements.
Review your existing processes. Identify how your team currently manages enquiries, quotations, scheduling, timesheets, job records and invoicing. Look for areas where information is duplicated or administrative work could be reduced.
Check integrations. Consider whether the CRM needs to connect with accounting software, customer databases, inventory systems or other business applications. Confirm whether integrations are included or require additional development.
Understand the contract. Before choosing subscription software, check the minimum term, renewal conditions, potential price increases and arrangements for exporting your data.
Think about long-term requirements. If your processes are relatively standard, an established job management platform may be the simplest option. If your business relies on specialised workflows that existing products cannot accommodate, a custom application may offer greater flexibility.
At Webshape Design, we help businesses explore whether bespoke software could improve their operations. You can see what your current subscriptions are really costing you using our subscription cost calculator, or learn more about our custom app development services.
A Final Word
We have placed our own custom-built option first, so we should acknowledge that we are a little biased. However, the best CRM for trades is not necessarily bespoke software.
For some businesses, an established platform provides everything they need at a manageable cost. For others, a system developed around their own processes may be a better long-term investment.
The right decision comes from understanding how your business works, what the software needs to achieve and how much it will cost to operate over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A CRM manages customer records, enquiries and sales activities. Job management software includes these functions alongside scheduling, quotations, engineer records, certificates and invoicing. For many trades businesses, job management software provides the customer management functionality they need.
Costs depend on the provider, number of users and required features. Some platforms charge per user, while others offer pricing based on job volume or selected packages. Businesses should consider setup, training, integrations and ongoing subscriptions when comparing costs.
This depends on the terms of your agreement. Check the minimum contract period, notice requirements, renewal conditions and any early termination charges. You should also confirm how customer and job data can be exported before signing.
Yes, a custom application can be suitable for an established trades business when existing software cannot support its processes or when subscription costs are increasing. The decision should consider development costs, maintenance requirements and the potential long-term benefits of a system built around the business.
Webshape develops browser-based business applications that can be accessed through compatible phones, tablets and laptops. Mobile features can be planned around how engineers work on site, including forms, job records and information sharing. Offline functionality should be discussed during project planning if required.
Before switching systems, check the available export formats, migration options and any restrictions on accessing historical records. For Webshape-built applications, clients own the custom code and designs we create, allowing them to transfer their app to another provider. Open-source platforms and third-party components remain governed by their respective licences. Data export and migration arrangements should be planned as part of the transition.
