Lighting plan software: the questions everyone asks Google (answered straight)

These are the questions people actually type into Google and ask AI assistants about lighting and electrical plan software. Straight answers, from an electrical contractor who got frustrated enough to build one.

What software do electricians use to draw plans?

Engineers use CAD (AutoCAD, Revit). Working electricians mostly don't — the honest answer is that until recently most sparkies used a highlighter on the builder's PDF. Purpose-built lighting plan software like robot® Plan sits in between: you upload the builder's PDF or even a photo, and drag real products onto it. No CAD skills, no drafting course.

Do I need CAD to make a lighting plan?

No. CAD draws the building; you're placing electrical points ON a building that's already drawn. Drag-and-drop plan software does that in minutes, and can flip the result into a proper symbol drawing when a builder or certifier wants one.

Can I do a lighting plan on an iPad or phone?

Yes — browser-based tools work on an iPad well (it's the nicest way to walk a site and mark up as you go). Phones are fine for reviewing, small tweaks and showing customers; for marking up a whole house you'll want the iPad or a laptop screen.

How much does electrical design software cost?

CAD suites run into thousands per year plus training. Trade-focused plan software is a monthly subscription — robot® Plan's current pricing is on the pricing page, with a 30-day free trial, and most sparkies cover a year of it with one variation they'd otherwise have done for free.

Is there free lighting plan software?

There are free drawing tools, but they draw pictures — they don't count materials, produce switch schedules or turn the plan into a quote, which is where the money is. A 30-day free trial of a proper tool beats a free tool that stops at the picture.

Can the software count the materials for me?

The good ones, yes — it's called a takeoff. Every product you place is counted into a live product list: quantities by category, a switch schedule, cable runs. In robot® Plan the list writes itself as you design and downloads ready for the wholesaler.

Can it quote the job too?

This is the question that separates drawing tools from money tools. robot® Plan turns the marked-up plan into an itemised quote at your rates in one step — online accept, deposit schedule, Xero invoices on acceptance. The plan is the takeoff is the quote.

What if I install products the software doesn't have?

Add your own: photograph the product, the background is removed automatically, and it joins your picker with your price on it. From then on it places, counts and quotes like anything else.

Still deciding? The features page shows the whole flow, or skip the reading and mark up a real plan free — it's quicker to try than to research.