Estimating the cost of a construction project is a difficult task. There are so many variables to consider, from the materials used to the labor costs. And if you’re not experienced in construction, it can be hard to know where to start.
That’s where construction estimation software comes in. These programs take all of the guesswork out of estimating, making it easy for anyone to get an accurate picture of how much a project will cost.
There are a number of different software programs on the market, each with its own set of features. So how do you know which one is right for you? In this article, we will take a look at two of the widely used software in the construction business: Buildertrend and BIM 360 Docs.
Buildertrend
Buildertrend is a cloud-based construction software option that makes it easy to create professional estimation reports from any device. Buildertrend is suited for all types of construction projects, from residential homes and small renovation jobs to commercial properties and large-scale builds.
Buildertrend offers a number of standard features, including customizable project templates, invoice generation, payment tracking, automatic audits, digital signatures, and the ability to share project files with your team securely.
For construction professionals who need access to their documents offline, Buildertrend offers a desktop version that allows users to run the software directly on their device. This is particularly convenient for those who travel regularly and can’t rely on reliable internet service.
- Pricing
Buildertrend has a free trial period, but after that, it would cost either $99/mo, or $399/mo, depending upon the plan you chose. With the Pro plan, users can access the software on up to three devices and receive unlimited storage. If your team uses more than one device or needs additional storage space, you can get extra devices access with a slightly higher payment.
BIM 360 Docs
BIM 360 Docs by Autodesk is a free cloud-based construction software solution, which means you’ll never pay for the service itself. The monetization comes from any additional services that your company might need, such as hosting or consulting. And as with most cloud-based apps, data security is a key concern, as it’s not stored on your devices.
The software itself comes with a number of standard features, including access to all BIM 360 Docs apps from any device, customizable templates for streamlined documentation and project collaboration, easy PDF pushing and pulling, and file sharing via email or cloud storage services.
For those who need more efficient project collaboration, BIM 360 Docs offers several additional features that can be purchased as add-ons. For example, if your team needs to keep all files up to date in real time, the document management app makes it easy for users to upload and edit documents simultaneously.
- Pricing
BIM 360 Docs offers a trial that is free to use. After that, BIM 360 starts at $35/month/user, and further volume discounts are available. Additional features are also available for purchase via the BIM 360 Docs Marketplace.
Conclusion
Chosen for its ease of use and low learning curve, Buildertrend Pro is a good solution for companies that want to invest in construction software but don’t have enough staff or time to devote to learning to use it at full capacity. For those who are already familiar with the BIM 360 Docs interface, however, this option might not be worth the extra money.
