Buildertrend and CoConstruct software are two technology companies that are solving the same problem as the construction industry: how to better manage projects. In 2006, Buildertrend started in Omaha with three employees and the idea of building an all-in-one cloud platform to help home builders, remodelers and other contractors. CoConstruct started in Charlottesville in 2004 when its founder decided to create a better process and software for custom home builders and remodelers.
Both construction management software solutions have tools for pre-sales, project, financial and customer management. Buildertrend is for home builders, remodelers, specialty contractors and commercial contractors of all sizes. CoConstruct is ideal for small to mid-sized home builders and remodelers. But beyond the size of the business, it’s important to know how each tool helps users manage projects through the features of their software and other services. This Buildertrend vs CoConstruct article looks at similar and competing features, different approaches and unique services.
Pre-sale tools
Buildertrend allows users to quickly create bids, set deadlines and send them to subcontractors with just a few clicks. Subcontractors will be notified of the opportunity via email, text message, and push notification. Users can easily compare and save bids, receive winning bids and convert them into contracts. They can also quickly create a master design using templates from Excel and other application partners. Customize templates and send them to stakeholders for approval with a digital signature. Other features include multiple ways to add a lead and an automated email marketing tool to help you communicate with potential customers.
CoConstruct helps streamline the bidding process, from creating detailed bids to awarding the winning bid. Automatic quotation generation helps to insert the necessary data from specifications, selections and estimates into the quotation request without double entry.
Subcontractors and merchants can quickly notify users when they plan to bid and receive automatic reminders when the due date approaches. Winning bid numbers will be automatically converted to guesses, eliminating double entry. Proposals can be quickly created and submitted using an automated data flow in one place. It also has a full lead management tool that displays all contact details, activity history and upcoming tasks for leads.
Project management tools
Buildertrend software has a daily log tool to document daily activities and statuses. Information can be recorded using voice-to-text, can include weather updates, and can be kept private or shared with others.
Creating a task is easy with the same dictation feature that can automatically add text. Tasks can be assigned to attached documents, photos or videos for details. The planning function includes various views including a Gantt chart view that is highly interactive, automatically adjusts data after changes are made, and sends notifications of plan changes to affected partners. Additional project management tools include photo and document storage with unlimited sharing, email integration, and electronic claims management.
CoConstruct allows users to track site activity and progress with daily logs. They can easily view the daily history of a specific task or view everything that happened on a particular day across all tasks. Users can share daily logs with clients to keep them informed, add custom flags to report problems, and write notes by typing or using voice-to-text. It has a simple to-do list tool for adding items, checklists, and photos where they can draw from any device.
Users can coordinate schedules using an interactive drag-and-drop chart. Schedules support a variety of calendar programs, automatically send alerts and reminders, automatically update as changes occur, and can be quickly built from available templates. Additional features include photo and file management, optional sharing, Facebook integration, and a listing and warranty tool.
Financial Instruments
Buildertrend allows users to generate line invoices directly from their estimates, change orders or pick lists. They can set deadlines and automatically send reminders. It allows its customers to pay online and the software integrates with QuickBooks and Xero accounting software.
Users can create budgets by easily tracking clockwork using the built-in clock app. They can also track bills and purchase orders in the field using a mobile app and monitor the financial health of a project on the go. Additional features include electronic purchase orders that can be created, approved, tracked and paid online, as well as manage change orders with electronic approvals, signatures and online payments.
CoConstruct invoices can be easily generated from actual costs in the budget. Users can also invoice a percentage which is automatically calculated by the software. They can email invoices to customers directly from software that can automatically sync with QuickBooks. Users can quickly create budgets and forecast costs using automatic cost codes from specifications and selections.
Budgets are automatically updated as customers select from the selection sheet. A built-in time clock simplifies timesheet management, which also includes features such as real-time reporting, filtering, and exporting. Additional features include purchase orders created from line items of stored data and changes automatically created from excess withdrawals or from scratch using a secure online checkout.
Buildertrend vs. CoConstruct Summary
Buildertrend vs. CoConstruct have very similar properties. In addition to those described above, they can also improve communication with clients, help clients make better decisions through an organized approach to selections, and provide access to the Construction software from the web, tablets or smartphones on both iOS and Android platforms.
Buildertrend includes a progress report that provides real-time billing data and a plan tagging tool that allows users to make changes to plans and plans in the field. Phone support and chat are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST, with anytime access to the resource library and scheduled webinars. For more information on the software, see our Buildertrend software review.
CoConstruct simplifies overhead tasks by allowing users to enter data only once, such as creating estimates, while automatically generating specifications and selections. They can record and view 360-degree photos. It also offers customized branding and marketing with videos that users can customize for their own use. Phone support is 24/7, along with email and access to a help center page.
