Stairkey

Overview

Stairkey is a web and mobile workspace for contractor and real-estate operations, from estimates and scheduling to property records and accounting. It best suits Canadian businesses that want those workflows connected rather than handled in separate apps. Its breadth is compelling, but seat charges, add-ons, and metered AI make the total cost worth examining before committing.

Key features

An approved quote can turn into a job with tasks, a schedule, a crew, and a materials list. That continuity can save teams from rebuilding project details after a sale; calendar scheduling, change orders, and client and subcontractor portals extend the workflow into coordination. Mobile access supports quoting, checking the day, and sending invoices from a job site.

The Takeoff Builder calculates quantities using room dimensions, openings, finishes, and formulas, giving contractors a measurement-based estimating tool rather than just a place to record totals. Realty functions include property records, listing history, showings, open-house sign-in, listing presentations, condition templates, and deal context. This unusual combination is useful for businesses spanning property and construction work, but may be more scope than a contractor needs from a focused estimator.

Optional double-entry accounting covers invoices, expenses, reconciliation, and reporting. The assistant drafts quotes, tasks, expense entries, and messages, with user approval required before anything is saved or sent. It starts disabled and charges per use; reading a receipt is given as a 15¢ example, so teams should account for usage costs if they enable it.

Security controls include two-factor authentication, recovery codes, active device management, and session controls. Administrators can export tenant data for backup, migration, or recordkeeping. Canadian businesses also get HST and GST support on quotes and invoices, plus year-end exports for T5018 and T4A summaries and a T2125-mapped package.

Pricing

The first month is free with every feature unlocked and no credit card required. After the trial, the seat and add-on structure matters: the advertised starting point is 10 CAD/user/mo, but a member seat is C$10 a month with a $10 monthly usage allowance and a $30 cap. It has the same features as an owner seat, making it the lower-cost way to add a team member, though the cap and usage terms should be included in budgeting.

An owner seat is C$20 a month, starts at $20/mo, rises with the storage plan, and is capped at $100/mo; it includes $20 of monthly usage and every core feature. The accountant role costs nothing and does not count toward the seat limit, but metered usage may be billed up to $20/mo. It is therefore a useful way to provide accounting access without buying another seat, not a guarantee of zero cost when usage is metered.

Two optional add-ons add to the bill while active: the public website costs C$10 a month and includes $10 shared team usage; double-entry accounting costs C$20 a month and includes $20 shared team usage. Fees prorate while active. A team needing both should compare the combined recurring cost with its expected usage and whether the website and accounting functions are actually needed.

Platforms

Stairkey runs on Android, iOS, and the web. Mobile quoting, day checks, and invoicing suit teams working away from a desk, while the web option supports office workflows. The company is based in Toronto, Ontario, and says it replies to support inquiries within one business day; a guided demo can also be arranged.

Who it's for

Stairkey is strongest for Canadian contractors or property businesses that want estimating, job coordination, client and subcontractor access, and Canadian tax-related exports in one system. The linked quote-to-job workflow and optional accounting can reduce fragmentation for teams using several of these functions. A single-purpose business or a team keeping a close eye on recurring costs may prefer a narrower or free-tier alternative.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Approved quotes can generate organized jobs, schedules, crews, tasks, and materials lists, reducing duplicated setup between sales and delivery.
• Pro: HST and GST support plus T5018, T4A, and T2125-mapped exports address Canadian business workflows.
• Pro: Data export and team security controls support administration, recordkeeping, and account protection.
• Con: Costs can extend beyond seats through storage-linked owner pricing, add-ons, and metered AI usage.
• Con: The combined contractor and realty scope may be unnecessary for businesses that need only estimates or job tracking.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Remodeling Contractor Software.

Choose Buildshop if a free starting point matters: its Basic plan includes estimates, invoices, to-do lists, contact management, messaging, a project portfolio, and a bid center. Buildxact is worth considering for its free Go plan, which includes five complimentary credits, AI estimating, professional proposals, and Home Depot material ordering.

Houzz offers a free plan with a 3D floor planner, estimates, and invoicing, so it may suit someone prioritizing those functions at no initial software cost. Workhand has a free plan capped at one active job, one teammate, three estimates, and three invoices per month; pick it if that small-volume free tier fits.

BuildBook is another alternative to compare. Clear Estimates may be a better fit for estimate-focused use: its Standard annual plan is $59 a month billed annually and includes unlimited estimates and customers with one login. Build Method offers a 1 User plan at $99 a month, billed at $1,188.00 USD annually, with unlimited projects, customers, and vendors and all features included.

Buildern is also an alternative to consider.

Verdict

Choose Stairkey if a Canadian contractor or property business will use its connected quoting, job, realty, and tax workflows, and values having them in one workspace. Its principal advantage is breadth tied to a quote-to-job process; its principal drawback is a layered bill that can grow with seats, storage, add-ons, and AI use. If only one narrow workflow is needed or costs must stay predictable, compare a focused or free-plan alternative first.