Buildertrend Review: Features, Pricing & Alternatives

Buildertrend is a robust cloud-based construction project management software that lets you manage your accounting and construction workflows in one place. Notably, it excels in project management and document management, and it integrates with QuickBooks Online or Xero for enhanced bookkeeping.

The software’s biggest drawback is that it can be costly for small businesses; its base plan costs $399 monthly. It averages a rating of 4.4 out of 5 on top review websites, and our Buildertrend review can help you determine if it’s right for you based on its features, pricing, pros and cons, and more.

Why You Can Trust Fit Small Business

• Pros/Cons
• Deciding Factors
• Deciding Factors

Overall Score: 4.10 / 5

RATING CRITERIA	Pricing		3.00 out of 5
	General Accounting Features		4.02 out of 5
	Construction-specific Features		4.73 out of 5
	Mobile App		3.00 out of 5
	Ease of Use and Customer Support		4.30 out of 5
	User Reviews		4.50 out of 5

Pros

• Can add unlimited users and projects
• Is our choice for best construction accounting software for managing documents
• Combines project management and accounting features
• Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero
• Has a new takeoff solution

Cons

• Cannot manage and track equipment
• Requires you to pay a separate fee for your QuickBooks or Xero subscription
• Requires the higher plans for managing bills and purchase orders (POs)
• Doesn’t offer a free trial

Pricing & Scalability	Essential: $399 per month Advanced: $699 per month Complete: $999 per month It’s highly scalable, as you can add as many users as you need in all of its plans.
Discounts (For monthly plans only)	Essential: $99 for the first month Advanced: $399 for the first month Complete: $699 for the first month
Free Trial	None
Money-back Guarantee	30 days
Standout Features	Helps you manage project schedules and tasks and track milestones Lets you create budgets and compare actual spending against these budgets Allows you to set up cost codes or categories for various project expenses Includes built-in accounts receivable and accounts payable (A/P) features Enables you to store and manage project-related documents with version control Has a customer relationship management (CRM) feature that can aid in marketing
Customer Support	Phone and email support, coaching through Buildertrend Boost, training through Buildertrend Learning Academy, and online resources, such as blogs and webinars
Average User Reviews	4.4 out of 5

• Contractors managing a high volume of documents: Buildertrend allows you to store and manage unlimited files and documents. You can upload various types of documents, including drawings, specifications, contracts, change orders, and permits. All your team members can access and upload updates anytime and anywhere. This makes Buildertrend our best construction accounting software for construction file management.
• Construction companies using QuickBooks Online and Xero: Buildertrend integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero, allowing you to sync financial data between Buildertrend and your accounting software. It also helps you streamline accounting tasks, such as invoicing and expense tracking. For instance, Buildertrend itself stores data on bills, expenses, jobs, POs, invoices, and approved timesheets, and QuickBooks Online will handle bill payments and track expenses not recorded in Buildertrend.
• Contractors looking for takeoff software: The new Buildertrend Takeoff tool allows you to upload digital blueprints and store measurements so that you can quickly create project estimates.

Buildertrend Alternatives & Comparison

• Comparison
• Best For

	Pricing	Users Included	A/P and Accounts Receivable (A/R) Management	Document Management	Equipment Management
	$399 to $999 monthly	Unlimited	✓	✓	✕
	Visit Buildertrend
	$799 to $1,999 per year	1 to 5 (fee per additional user)	✓	✕	✕
	Visit QuickBooks Contractor
	Custom	Unlimited	✓	✓	✓
	Visit Sage 100 Contractor
	From $15,000 implementation fee plus $299 monthly per user	Unlimited	✓	✓	✓
	Visit Jonas Premier

	Best For	Learn More
	Desktop-based accounting: As a cloud-based software, Buildertrend requires an internet connection to run. If you prefer a locally installed software that allows you to access your accounting data without an internet connection, consider QuickBooks Contractor. The program runs on the computer where it is installed.	Read our QuickBooks Contractor review
	Easy project estimation: Buildertrend offers an estimating tool, but it’s not as easy to use as that in Sage 100 Contractor. With Sage 100 Contractor, you can easily create estimates using familiar Microsoft Windows features, like cut, copy, and paste.	Read our Sage 100 Contractor review
	All-in-one accounting and project management: Buildertrend isn’t a complete bookkeeping system and relies on QuickBooks or Xero for accounting. If you prefer an all-in-one tool that doesn’t require integration, Jonas Premier is great. It has complete A/P and A/R features and can create more than 50 financial reports.	No review available

Fit Small Business Case Study

Using our internal case study, we compared Buildertrend to QuickBooks Contractor, Sage 100 Contractor, and Jonas Premier. The graph below sums up our findings.

Buildertrend compared with competitors

Based on the results, Buildertrend wins in pricing. We’ve mentioned earlier that Buildertrend is a bit expensive but its leading competitors are even more so. Sage 100 Contractor, despite not disclosing its pricing information, can be potentially expensive as it’s sophisticated software.

Buildertrend excels in construction features but it trails behind Jonas Premier, our overall best construction accounting software. Jonas Premier is a bit more enhanced as it doesn’t require accounting integration and offers equipment management features. Buildertrend also has general accounting features but they are not as enhanced as those in a full-fledged bookkeeping solution like QuickBooks Contractor.

Buildertrend took a hit in pricing because it’s a bit expensive for small businesses. However, we believe it’s reasonably priced considering the depth of features it has across its plans. It offers three subscription options, with prices ranging from $399 per month to $999 per month when billed monthly.

The table below breaks down the Buildertrend pricing structure, including the discounts offered in each plan.

Buildertrend has no free trial, but you can cancel your subscription within your first 30 days with a full money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with its features.

Buildertrend Plans Compared

All the Buildertrend plans include standard features, such as:

• Invoicing
• Scheduling
• Lead management
• Document and photo storage
• Time clock
• Email marketing
• Customer portal

The higher plans offer additional features, as summarized in the table below.

Buildertrend Notable New Features

• Buildertrend Takeoff: Many Buildertrend users have been requesting a takeoff feature, and the provider granted this request through the Buildertrend Takeoff tool. This new feature allows users to upload their digital blueprints and take measurements directly from the architectural blueprints. This means that estimators don’t have to take area measurements manually—helping them improve the estimation process.
• Improved File Viewing: You can now view your photos and videos in Buildertrend in a slideshow format.

Buildertrend earned an above-average score in our evaluation because it combines project management, accounting, financial management, and presale management in a single platform. I could have granted it a perfect score if it had essential accounting features, like banking and inventory management.

After logging in to Buildertrend, its dashboard gives you quick access to all of its programs and features.

Buildertrend’s Web Dashboard

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Buildertrend’s App Dashboard

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Buildertrend isn’t a double-entry bookkeeping solution but has several accounting and financial tools that can help you manage the financial aspect of your construction projects.

Create and Manage Budgets
(Source: Buildertrend)

Budgets: Before starting the construction, you can create a budget to set standard costs. But as the construction progresses, the budget module will also report actual costs and budget variances for your evaluation.

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Sample Purchase Order
(Source: Buildertrend)

POs: Create detailed purchase orders and instructions in Buildertrend. The POs will contain all information about the order and subcontractors can sign below the PO if they agree to the terms.

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Change Orders from Clients
(Source: Buildertrend)

Change orders: You can create change orders if there are additional costs needed in the project. Clients can view the change order through the client portal and then use the comment section below the proposal to raise their concerns. If the clients agree with the change order, they can e-sign the change order and send additional payments.

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Time in and out via the Mobile App
(Source: Buildertrend)

Time clock: Its built-in time tracking system includes a geofencing feature that alerts the supervisor when a crew enters the identified geofence zone. When the crew leaves the zone, the time clock stops recording the time, allowing the supervisor to track the employee even without clocking in or out. It also has GPS location tracking for more accurate tracking of remote and on-site employees.

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Online Payments via the Client Portal
(Source: Buildertrend)

Online payments: Clients can pay via electronic check or credit card through the client portal. If Buildertrend is integrated with QuickBooks and Xero, receiving payments automatically updates client invoices.

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Lien Waivers
(Source: Buildertrend)

Lien waivers: Once subcontractors have completed their job, you can release lien waivers that Buildertrend automatically generates once payments to subcontractors have been made.

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Bookkeeping Software Integrations
(Source: Buildertrend)

Integrations: You can export financial data to QuickBooks or Xero and nonfinancial data, such as schedules and documents, to Outlook, Google Calendar, and iCalendar.

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Invoicing Module
(Source: Sposen Signature Homes)

Invoicing: Create line-item invoices based on your billing preference—whether you prefer progress billing, invoicing off estimates, or billing from your selection sheet. For easy invoice creation, you may use its readily available templates.

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Buildertrend offers project management features that can assist in planning, organizing, and monitoring construction projects. I could have awarded it a perfect score if it had an equipment management feature, which is extremely useful for modern contractors.

However, Buildertrend is more comprehensive than most similar platforms we review. Here are some of its most significant construction features:

Scheduling via Web Dashboard
(Source: Buildertrend)

Scheduling: Buildertrend offers different ways to keep you on schedule. It has a built-in calendar where you can see an overview of the month. The calendar also shows your tasks as they occur during the week or month, similar to a Gantt chart.

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Updating Your Team with Daily Logs
(Source: Buildertrend)

Daily Logs: Logs help your team get real-time updates about accomplishments or changes in the construction process. You can upload photos and videos to alert off-site employees about problems or progress updates.

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Creating To-do Lists via Mobile App
(Source: Buildertrend)

To-do Lists: With the Buildertrend app, you can create to-do lists to ensure that all tasks are completed. You can even assign specific to-dos to any of your employees.

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Managing Documents and Media in Buildertrend’s Online Storage
(Source: Buildertrend)

Documents & Photos: Buildertrend offers unlimited storage for documents and photos. You can upload progress photos of construction projects or document issues encountered during construction.

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Insert Markups and Notes in Plans
(Source: Buildertrend)

Mark Up Plans: If the officer on site detects a problem with the plans, Buildertrend has a markup feature to make annotations and drawings over the plan. This feature helps point out design mistakes or construction problems encountered that affect the initial design.

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Communicating with Employees and Subcontractors
(Source: Buildertrend)

Messages via Mobile App: The Buildertrend app has push notifications from messages or emails to alert employees of assigned tasks, changes in construction, or any information that might concern them.

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Managing Messages using the Web Browser
(Source: Buildertrend)

Messages via Web Browser: People at the back office can see messages easily from employees in the field through the web browser.

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Warranty Claims from Clients
(Source: Buildertrend)

Warranty: If clients experience problems with the completed project, clients can raise their concerns through Buildertrend’s client portal. Contractors will receive warranty claims requests in the Project Management tab. Clients can also send photos as evidence when filing warranty claims.

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I find the Buildertrend mobile app useful for modern contractors. It allows users to create and manage their to-do lists and clock in and out from their mobile devices. However, I had to take away some points because it lacks some essential features found in the desktop interface, such as the ability to send invoices.

You can download the app on Google Play and the App Store. Note that you must be subscribed to Buildertrend to use the app’s features.

Buildertrend has a simple and logical user interface that is easy to navigate. However, due to its extensive feature set, it may require a steep learning curve for some users, causing a slight dip in its score.

The Buildertrend dashboard includes a handy menu at the top so that you can navigate through important features like Sales, Financials, Project Management, Files, Messaging, and Reports. The report insights are laid out well and can be viewed instantly with a few clicks of a button, showing breakdowns of job logs, estimated cost versus actual cost, sales leads, and other essential metrics.

If you need support, you can contact Buildertrend by phone and email. You can also join the Buildertrend Learning Academy, a training platform that helps Buildertrend users understand the features of the software. It has onboarding programs, certifications, monthly live webinars, and resources available for subscribers. You may also take advantage of the new Buildertrend Boost add-on if you want more personalized guidance and support for using Buildertrend in your business.

Users who experience minor issues or need quick information about Buildertrend’s features may check out some of its online resources, like blogs and feature guides. You’ll find plenty of help articles about various features of Buildertrend, such as bills and PO management, budgeting, change order management, and the Buildertrend Takeoff tool.

Based on the recent reviews we found, many users are impressed with its simple and user-friendly interface. One who left a positive Buildertrend review is delighted that they don’t have to go through extensive training to use the software. Some like that they can manage everything, such as invoices, scheduling, and lead management, in one place while others explained that Buildertrend helps them manage their projects in a more systematic way.

On the flipside, negative Buildertrend software reviews reveal that some users are unhappy with Buildertrend’s unresponsive customer support team. Additionally, most small businesses find it expensive.

As of this writing, the platform earned the following average scores on popular review sites:

• GetApp^[1]: 4.5 out of 5 based on more than 1,600 reviews
• G2^[2]: 4.2 out of 10 based on more than 150 reviews

How We Evaluated Buildertrend

We evaluated and scored Buildertrend using the scoring rubric below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does Buildertrend charge per month?

Does Buildertrend offer a money-back guarantee?

Does Buildertrend software include construction estimating?

Does Buildertrend integrate with accounting software?

Bottom Line

Buildertrend is a flexible solution that combines cost accounting, project management, and takeoff in one place. It has an intuitive dashboard and some nice features, such as a mobile app that allows your employees to clock in and out directly from the job site. You can also integrate it with QuickBooks Online or Xero for enhanced bookkeeping features.

Visit Buildertrend