AI Meets the Electrical Industry: Will Zacher’s Mission to Modernize Estimating with Makeoff

The electrical industry runs on precision, experience, and trust, but even the most seasoned contractors face challenges with time-consuming estimating and project documentation. That’s where Will Zacher, CEO and founder of Makeoff, saw an opportunity to make a difference.

Drawing from his background in AI and automation, Zacher and his team built a tool designed specifically for electrical contractors—one that blends technology with trade expertise to make estimating faster, smarter, and more reliable.

The Problem Hiding in Plain Sight

CEO Will Zacher presenting an overview of Makeoff

Before founding Makeoff, Zacher ran an AI company focused on financial automation. When an electrical contractor asked for help cutting the time spent preparing estimates, Zacher discovered a widespread challenge amongst contractors. Estimating wasn’t just tedious. It was risky. Contractors often missed critical details or failed to catch issues before bids went out. That insight became the foundation for Makeoff: a generative AI platform helping electrical professionals evaluate, plan, and communicate their work more efficiently.

From Numbers to Understanding

Through years of working with electricians, Zacher learned that clarity is everything. “Electricians are experts at solving problems on the fly, but they’re often forced to do it with incomplete information,” he explains. “When you give people a tool that helps them see the full picture, they make better decisions and feel more in control.”

Makeoff’s design reflects that philosophy. It doesn’t just generate estimates, but it produces understanding. By surfacing the right information at the right time, it helps contractors bid with confidence and avoid surprises later on.

Live screenshot of Makeoff's software flagging notes

Empowering the Trades Through Technology

Zacher’s motivation comes from a deep respect for the trades and a belief that electricians deserve world-class software. “Electricians power everything we depend on, but they’ve been underserved by technology for years,” he says.

Makeoff reads blueprints and bid specifications to produce structured, accurate estimates—catching errors and flagging conflicts that could cost thousands. “We’re not just saving time; we’re helping small businesses stay profitable, competitive, and protected in an industry that’s increasingly complex,” Zacher notes.

Beyond speed, Makeoff gives contractors visibility into a project’s full scope. Acting like a digital project manager, it catches mistakes before they become costly and provides defensible estimates. It also improves communication on job sites. “By automatically generating clear, consistent general notes, Makeoff makes communication between contractors and general contractors more transparent,” Zacher says. “That transparency improves safety, accountability, and trust.”

Partnering for the Future

Zacher views Makeoff’s partnership with the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors Association (NJIEC) as a collaboration built on shared goals. “We’re not just showing up to sell software — we’re showing up to learn,” he says. “Organizations like the NJIEC have deep knowledge about how the trade works, what’s changing, and what members need to stay competitive.”

By working together, Makeoff aims to refine its estimating intelligence and ensure it’s solving the right problems for electrical professionals. Partnerships like this bridge the gap between innovation and real-world application. This empowers contractors with tools that make their work safer, smarter, and more sustainable.

NJIEC is proud to highlight forward-thinking partners like Makeoff who are driving the future of the trade while keeping craftsmanship, safety, and collaboration at the forefront.