Buildertrend

What is buildertrend

Buildertrend is a cloud-based construction project management platform designed for residential builders, remodelers, and specialty contractors. The product consolidates core project operations — scheduling, job costing, change orders, selections, subcontractor coordination, daily logs and client communication — into a single, mobile-first interface so field teams and office staff share the same project data.

The platform is accessible through web browsers and native iOS and Android apps, which supports real-time updates from job sites. Buildertrend emphasizes integration with accounting tools and subcontractor workflows to reduce duplicate data entry and speed billing and client approvals.

Buildertrend targets small-to-mid-size builders and larger construction companies that need a centralized hub for multiple projects, centralized financial control, and a client-facing portal for selections and approvals. It is commonly used by remodelers, custom home builders, general contractors and construction managers.

Buildertrend features

Buildertrend packages functionality common to construction management systems into a single product suite. Key built-in features include:

• Scheduling: Shared Gantt-style scheduling with drag-and-drop rescheduling, critical path visibility, crew assignments and milestone tracking.
• Budgeting and Cost Management: Job estimates, cost breakdowns, cost-to-complete tracking, and integration-ready exports for accounting systems.
• Change Orders: Digital change order creation, approval tracking, and automatic updates to budgets and schedules.
• Client Portal and Selections: Customer-facing portals for selections, sign-offs, photo approvals and payment processing.
• Document Management: Centralized storage for plans, permits, RFIs, photos, and version control.
• Daily Logs and Time Tracking: Field reporting for weather, labor, equipment, and materials plus crew time entries and payroll-ready exports.
• Subcontractor Management: Invite subs to tasks, track bids and purchase orders, and manage lien waivers and compliance documents.
• Mobile Apps: Native iOS and Android apps for field teams to capture photos, update logs, track time, and message stakeholders.
• Integrations and APIs: Built-in integrations for accounting and office tools plus an API surface for custom integrations or data sync.

Each feature is designed to reduce manual, paper-based workflows and consolidate project data across office and field teams. The mobile capabilities allow teams to capture site information immediately, while the office can process approvals and billing without waiting for paper updates.

What does buildertrend do?

Buildertrend centralizes construction project data so teams can manage schedules, budgets, communications and documents from a single platform. Field staff use the mobile app to submit daily logs, photos and time entries; office staff use the same project to manage budgets, send invoices, and track change orders. This eliminates disconnected spreadsheets and multiple systems for each project.

The software also provides a client-facing experience: homeowners or clients can review selections, approve change orders and make payments through the portal, improving transparency and decreasing approval cycle times. Buildertrend automates routine tasks such as invoice generation, draw scheduling, and reminders for overdue items.

Finally, Buildertrend connects to external accounting tools and other services via native integrations and APIs so financial data flows from projects to bookkeeping systems without manual re-entry. This reduces billing errors and simplifies month-end reconciliation.

Buildertrend pricing

Buildertrend offers these pricing plans:

• Core: $299/month for small teams with essential scheduling, budgeting, client portal and document management (billed monthly; reduced rate for annual billing may be available)
• Professional: $499/month for teams that need deeper financial controls, advanced reporting, and additional user seats (billed monthly; annual discounts may apply)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for large companies or multi-office operations with advanced security, single sign-on and dedicated support

Pricing for Buildertrend is commonly sold on a per-company subscription rather than strictly per-user; discounts for annual billing and multi-year agreements are typical. For the most accurate, current rates and any promotional pricing for new customers, check Buildertrend's current pricing tiers at https://www.buildertrend.com/pricing.

How much is buildertrend per month

Buildertrend starts at $299/month for the entry-level plan when billed monthly. That starter price covers core project management features and a limited number of projects or users depending on the vendor's current licensing model.

Many customers move to mid-level plans as they add projects, subs and advanced financial workflows; mid-tier plans commonly range between $299/month and $499/month depending on included features and the number of active projects.

How much is buildertrend per year

Buildertrend costs approximately $3,588/year for the entry-level plan at the listed monthly rate, assuming no annual discount ($299/month x 12 = $3,588). Annual contracts or prepayment often include discounts (commonly 10–20%), which can reduce the effective yearly cost.

Large accounts purchasing an Enterprise package typically negotiate multi-year contracts with volume pricing, onboarding fees and service-level agreements that change the annual effective rate. For exact annual rates and available discounts, consult Buildertrend's official pricing information at https://www.buildertrend.com/pricing.

How much is buildertrend in general

Buildertrend pricing ranges from approximately $299/month to custom enterprise pricing. The lower end covers basic scheduling, client portal and document features suitable for smaller remodelers. The mid-range includes more advanced budgeting, reporting and integration capabilities. The top end is custom-priced for enterprises that need single sign-on, advanced security controls and dedicated account management.

Total cost of ownership should consider onboarding and training, data migration, integration work (for QuickBooks or other accounting tools), and any transaction fees for client payments. Expect additional costs for premium onboarding packages or third-party integration development.

What is Buildertrend used for

Buildertrend is used to run and document residential construction projects from pre-construction through project closeout. Teams use it to create and share schedules with subcontractors, record daily site activity and manage change orders that affect project budgets. The platform is particularly useful in environments where owners require frequent updates and visibility into selections and invoice milestones.

Typical day-to-day uses include creating job budgets and cost-to-complete forecasts, issuing digital change orders and invoices, collecting client payments through integrated payment processors, and keeping a verified project history with photos, logs and document attachments. Companies use the platform to standardize processes across projects so PMs and field teams follow a consistent workflow.

Buildertrend also supports sales and pre-construction workflows such as lead tracking, estimating and proposal generation. This allows smaller firms to integrate their pipeline with actual project management rather than maintaining separate tools for sales and operations.

Pros and cons of Buildertrend

Buildertrend offers a coherent feature set for residential construction and strong mobile tools for field teams. Because features are built around common builder workflows — selections, change orders, lien waivers and draw schedules — the platform reduces the need for multiple point solutions. Its integrations to accounting tools and API capabilities help reduce duplicate entry between project management and financial systems.

On the downside, some organizations report a learning curve for teams moving from spreadsheets or paper-based processes. Pricing can be material for small businesses, and some advanced reporting or customization requires working with Buildertrend support or a third-party consultant. Companies with highly specialized ERP needs may find gaps in out-of-the-box integrations and must build custom connectors.

Operational considerations include onboarding time, migration of historical project data, and aligning subcontractor adoption (subcontractors must accept invitations and use the platform to capture full value). For firms that need heavy customization or enterprise-grade integration with in-house ERP systems, Buildertrend's platform may require additional professional services.

Buildertrend free trial

Buildertrend typically offers a free trial or demonstration environment so prospective customers can evaluate the product with sample projects and data. The trial period allows teams to test scheduling, change orders, the client portal and mobile apps before committing to a subscription.

Free trials are useful for assessing the mobile experience, verifying that client-facing selections and payment workflows meet company requirements, and testing integrations with accounting systems like QuickBooks Online. To start a trial, sign up for a demo or free trial on Buildertrend's official site at https://www.buildertrend.com/pricing.

Third-party reviewers and trade associations often recommend running a pilot project with a small team to validate data migration and reporting needs before migrating an entire portfolio of ongoing projects.

Is buildertrend free

No, Buildertrend is not free for production use. It is a subscription product with paid tiers; however, Buildertrend typically offers a time-limited free trial or demo so you can test the platform before purchasing. Some vendors also provide limited-feature or promotional plans for very small contractors, but production use requires a paid subscription.

Buildertrend API

Buildertrend provides an API to allow programmatic access to project data, contacts, schedules, change orders, photos and other objects. The API enables integrations with accounting systems, CRMs, custom reporting tools and automated workflows. Common integration use cases include syncing projects and invoices with QuickBooks, importing supplier invoices, and exporting project financials for consolidated reporting.

Developers typically use RESTful endpoints with OAuth or API key-based authentication (refer to Buildertrend's developer resources for the current security model). The API supports CRUD operations for projects, customers, documents and transactions and provides webhooks or polling options to keep external systems in sync. For detailed developer guidance and endpoint reference, consult the Buildertrend API documentation at https://www.buildertrend.com/developers.

If the out-of-the-box integrations do not meet requirements, custom integration projects often use the API to automate repetitive tasks such as creating invoices from approved change orders, synchronizing subcontractor records with internal HR systems, and piping photo and inspection logs into a centralized company archive.

10 Buildertrend alternatives

Paid alternatives to Buildertrend

• CoConstruct — A direct competitor focused on custom home builders and remodelers with estimating, selections, client communication and job costing. CoConstruct provides tight owner-builder workflows and a similar client portal experience.

• Procore — An enterprise-grade construction management suite used by larger contractors and commercial builders; includes robust document control, contract management, and advanced integrations suitable for large projects and multiple teams.

• PlanGrid (Autodesk Build) — Strong for version-controlled drawings, field markups, punch lists and photo logs with a focus on drawing-driven workflows and mobile field efficiency.

• Buildertrend (included here for completeness) — Suitable for residential builders and remodelers looking for an integrated client portal and scheduling/budgeting tools.

• Fieldwire — Field-first task and punch list management with a lightweight approach to scheduling and document control; often paired with back-office systems for job costing.

• e-Builder — Focuses on capital program management and is common in large owners and public sector projects with extensive reporting and cost controls.

• Sage for Construction (Sage 100/300) — Provides deep accounting and ERP functionality with project accounting modules; often used where strong financial controls and payroll are primary needs.

Open source alternatives to Buildertrend

• OpenProject — Open source project management software with Gantt charts, task tracking and time logging. Adaptable for construction workflows but requires configuration and possibly third-party modules for construction-specific features.

• ERPNext — An open source ERP with project management, accounting, and BOM features. Can be configured for construction projects and integrated with field data collectors, but will need implementation and customization.

• Odoo (Community edition) — Modular open source ERP with project and timesheet modules; construction firms often customize Odoo for job costing and invoicing workflows.

• ProjectLibre — An open source alternative for scheduling and project planning which can be used alongside other tools for document management and communications.

• Dolibarr — Lightweight open source ERP/CRM that can be extended for small contractors who prefer self-hosted systems and minimal licensing costs.

Open source options usually require a higher level of internal IT resources to configure workflows, integrations and mobile access compared with cloud vendors that provide managed services.

Frequently asked questions about Buildertrend

What is Buildertrend used for?

Buildertrend is used for construction project management and client communication across residential builds and remodels. Teams use it to manage schedules, budgets, change orders, documents and client approvals, consolidating field and office workflows into one system.

Does Buildertrend integrate with QuickBooks?

Yes, Buildertrend integrates with QuickBooks. It supports syncing invoices, payments and job cost data with QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop depending on the integration path, letting accounting teams avoid duplicate data entry.

How much does Buildertrend cost per month?

Buildertrend starts at $299/month for the entry-level plan when billed monthly. Mid-tier plans and enterprise options increase from that baseline depending on feature needs and company size.

Is there a free version of Buildertrend?

No, Buildertrend does not offer a free version for production usage. The vendor typically provides a free trial or demo environment so teams can evaluate features before purchasing a subscription.

Can Buildertrend be used for estimating and proposals?

Yes, Buildertrend includes tools for estimating and proposal creation. Users can create line-item estimates, track allowances and convert estimates into project budgets and contracts as a job moves from pre-construction to active work.

Does Buildertrend have a mobile app for field teams?

Yes, Buildertrend provides native iOS and Android mobile apps. The apps let field teams capture photos, complete daily logs, update schedules and communicate with subs and clients while on-site.

How secure is Buildertrend?

Buildertrend delivers enterprise-grade security controls appropriate for cloud SaaS. The platform uses industry-standard encryption for data in transit and at rest, role-based access controls, and offers options for single sign-on (SSO) on enterprise plans; specific certifications can be confirmed on Buildertrend's security pages.

Can Buildertrend handle multiple job sites and offices?

Yes, Buildertrend supports multi-project and multi-office deployments. Larger firms can manage portfolios of jobs, assign project-level permissions and consolidate financial reporting across locations.

Does Buildertrend support subcontractor onboarding and compliance tracking?

Yes, Buildertrend includes subcontractor management features. You can invite subs to projects, collect insurance and compliance documents, assign tasks and track bid statuses and purchase orders.

What integrations are available with Buildertrend?

Buildertrend offers native integrations and an open API for third-party connections. Common integrations include accounting systems like QuickBooks, payment processors, CRM systems and various trade-specific tools; custom integrations can be built using the Buildertrend API.

Buildertrend careers

Buildertrend hires across product, engineering, customer success, sales and implementation roles to support its software and services. Career pages typically list openings for product managers, software engineers, account managers, onboarding specialists and support staff. To find current positions and company culture information, view Buildertrend's careers and job listings at their corporate site or follow their company profile on professional networking sites.

Buildertrend affiliate

Buildertrend operates reseller and partner programs that allow software resellers, trade associations and industry consultants to refer or implement Buildertrend for contractors. Partner programs typically include training, co-marketing resources and referral commissions or discounts. For details on partner tiers and affiliate opportunities, consult Buildertrend's partner program information at https://www.buildertrend.com.

Where to find Buildertrend reviews

You can find user reviews and ratings on construction and software review sites such as G2, Capterra and TrustRadius, where customers describe implementation experiences, mobile app performance and overall ROI. Additionally, construction trade publications and contractor forums provide case studies and peer feedback that highlight real-world workflows and adoption considerations.

For the latest authoritative information on features, pricing and integrations, consult Buildertrend's official product pages: the Buildertrend features overview at https://www.buildertrend.com/features and Buildertrend's pricing page at https://www.buildertrend.com/pricing.