e-Builder vs SmartBid

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Our analysts compared e-Builder vs SmartBid based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Construction Bidding Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

e-Builder provides an integrated, cloud-based platform with a focus on capital planning and bidding. It is designed for construction professionals and facility owners. It keeps teams connected while providing configurable inclusions to support facility owners. Several modules are available out of the box so users can design their project management experience.

Users can manage project data with its suite of modules. The functionality to improve planning, design and many other key construction processes provides a collaborative project environment. It is used by over 400 professionals and has supported over $300 billion in capital programs.
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SmartBid by ConstructConnect is a mobile and web-based platform that helps general contractors and subcontractors streamline bidding processes. Users can send bid invitations, share documents, prequalify contractors and manage project data. It integrates with Procore, Dropbox and Autodesk BIM 360.

It ensures secure data storage, gives contractors access to qualified subs and corresponding contact information, and transfers documentation and attachments. Contractors can compare submitted bids by consolidating bid data, replacing spreadsheets and standardizing bid tabulation.
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Android
Chromebook
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Android
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Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
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Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Improve Capital Planning: Create better construction project budgets with financial and audit oversight modules. View how much a prospective project could cost using forecasting capabilities. 
  • Centralized Database: Access important project documents using dashboards. Store data in an accessible location to keep teams on the same page. 
  • Better Scheduling Practices: Relay delays that impact project completion to user dashboards to keep users apprised of issues affecting upcoming milestones. Updated project cost information is available at all times. 
  • Integrations: Set up everything from financial to design solutions with APIs and data exchange tools. 
  • Rollout Support: Receive notifications about system updates. Help employees get accustomed to new functionalities. 
  • Manage Designs: Review design edits using automated version control. 
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  • Increase Bid Coverage: Integrate with ConstructConnect and SmartInsight to access subcontractor databases. Grant subs access to project details. Compare multiple bids simultaneously to save time. 
  • Gain Vital Insights: Generate financial and project performance reports to make informed decisions. Monitor job statuses in real time through the dashboard. 
  • Stay Out of Legal Troubles: Enable subs to upload documents such as licenses, insurances and W-9 forms directly into the system. Send automated notifications to subcontractors when compliance is nearing expiration. 
  • Increase Team Collaboration: Integrate with takeoff solutions such as Procore, Stack and BIM 360 to encourage multiple estimators to work on the same project. 
  • Share Documents in Real Time: Leverage Microsoft Azure’s document management capabilities to maintain a centralized database with granular access controls. 
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  • Cost Management: Analyze data from previous projects to define contingency budgets and predict costs required for the completion of projects to reduce expensive errors. Review critical financial reports to help make data-driven decisions. Mitigate cost-related risks to help keep finances under control. 
  • Automated Workflows: Collect electronic signatures to shorten approval time using verification tools. Integrate project management and scheduling modules to keep projects on track. 
  • Schedule Management: Assign tasks and allocate resources to help streamline project processes. Link schedules to budgets to manage cash flows. Allow managers to anticipate delays to help make strategic business decisions. Grant permissions to authorized users to update schedules. 
  • Centralized Documentation: Store data gathered from various points in a project’s life cycle in a central database. Find and share crucial documents with team members to build a collaborative work environment. 
  • Reporting: Import reports into Excel. Export data into Powerpoint when project presentations come around. Generate reports to avoid conflicting data entries. 
  • Design: Import CAD and BIM files into the system to review designs. Access files directly from a browser to leverage automated workflows and ensure design reviews are completed quickly. 
  • Procurement: Get rid of resource-intensive bidding paperwork and mailing services with included procurement management support. Distribute bid packages and answer bidding questions quickly. Store bid responses in a centralized location. 
  • Business Intelligence Tools: Keep ahead of any surprises or problems that may arise with BI tools to gather and display vital data using dashboards. 
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  • Bid Invitations: Build custom mailing lists and edit bid invitations using mail editing functionality. Create ITBs using pre-built templates. 
  • Document Sharing: Upload project documents of different formats. Grant editing permissions to authorized users. Publish public documents to websites through XML integration. 
  • Mobile Interface: Use the mobile app to monitor bids and responses. Access project data off-site. 
  • Subcontractor Management: Manage a subcontractors’ network by integrating with public registries. 
    • Subcontractor Database: Import existing databases to find qualified subcontractors. Sort contacts by project types, trade codes and service areas. 
    • Bid Comparison: Analyze bid submissions and compare multiple bids to select the ideal subcontractor for the project. 
    • Prequalifications: Create custom forms online to collect subcontractors’ data consisting of supporting documents and confidentiality agreements. 
    • Nonconformance Tracking: Avoid manual data entry using optical character recognition technology. Enable subcontractors to upload compliance documents. Receive overdue nonconformance notifications to help ensure prompt action. 
  • Reports and Project Metrics: Generate color-coded reports to detect spam emails, duplicate companies and minorities. Create custom reports to track bidding processes. Analyze reports of subcontractors who received bid invitations and submitted bids. 
  • Integrations: Transition from pre-construction stage to building stage by integrating with Procore, Autodesk BIM 360 and Stack. Integrate with Dropbox to upload, store and share project files. 
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Product Ranking

#5

among all
Construction Bidding Software

#12

among all
Construction Bidding Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

65
76
63
42
68
76
89
85
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Planroom & Document Management
Bid Request Management
Planroom & Document Management
Subcontractor Functionalities
Integrations & Extensibility
Subcontractor Prequalification
Bid Request Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

e-Builder
SmartBid
+ Add Product + Add Product
Analytics & Reporting Bid Invitation & Closing Management Bid Request Management General Contractor Functionalities Planroom & Document Management Subcontractor Functionalities Subcontractor Prequalification 63 68 89 78 100 61 43 42 76 85 57 95 88 87 0 25 50 75 100
58%
0%
42%
42%
0%
58%
64%
0%
36%
77%
0%
23%
92%
0%
8%
83%
0%
17%
88%
0%
12%
57%
0%
43%
100%
0%
0%
86%
0%
14%
67%
0%
33%
89%
0%
11%
43%
0%
57%
88%
0%
12%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

29%
0%
71%
86%
0%
14%

Analyst Ratings for Vendor Qualification Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
100%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 303 reviews
Great User Sentiment 95 reviews
88%
of users recommend this product

e-Builder has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 303 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

87%
of users recommend this product

SmartBid has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 87% when considering 95 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

4.4 (7)
n/a
4.1 (12)
4.4 (24)
4.4 (273)
n/a
n/a
4.4 (64)
4.2 (11)
4.0 (7)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated e-Builder and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Bid Request Management.

Bid Request Management Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated SmartBid and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Integrations & Extensibility.

Integrations & Extensibility Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User Friendly: The system is intuitive and accessible, as noted by approximately 88% of users who mentioned its usability.
Functionality: It offers a robust suite of successful project management tools, as reported by 85% of the users who mentioned the product’s functionality.
Customization: Almost 80% of the users who mentioned its customizability state that the tool can be adjusted according to their needs.
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Streamlined Bid Management: SmartBid centralizes the entire bid process, allowing General Contractors to efficiently manage invitations to bid, track subcontractor interest, and compare bids side-by-side.
Enhanced Collaboration: The platform facilitates seamless communication and collaboration between General Contractors and Subcontractors, ensuring everyone is on the same page throughout the bidding process.
Improved Accuracy and Efficiency: SmartBid helps General Contractors avoid costly errors by automating tasks such as bid leveling and ensuring accurate bid comparisons.
Increased Subcontractor Reach: SmartBid provides access to a vast network of qualified Subcontractors, expanding the pool of potential bidders and increasing competition.
Time Savings: By automating many of the manual tasks involved in the bidding process, SmartBid frees up valuable time for General Contractors, allowing them to focus on other critical aspects of their projects.
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Interface: Nearly 61% of the users who mention its interface do not like it and say that it is not easy to navigate.
Support: Support for the system can be slow, with some users noting that their queries take 2-3 days to be resolved, as reported by 60% of users who mention support. Also, the available documentation isn’t enough, as it doesn’t make the tool easy to learn.
Learning Curve: It has a steep learning curve, as mentioned by 84% of the users who mention its learning curve.
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Steep Learning Curve: SmartBid's extensive features and functionalities can be overwhelming for new users, requiring significant time investment to learn and navigate effectively.
Customization Challenges: Adapting SmartBid to specific workflows or unique bidding processes can be difficult due to limitations in customization options, potentially hindering efficiency for companies with specialized needs.
Integration Issues: Integrating SmartBid with existing software or project management tools can pose challenges, requiring additional effort and potentially leading to data inconsistencies or workflow disruptions.
Cost Considerations: The pricing structure of SmartBid may be a concern for some construction firms, particularly smaller businesses or those with budget constraints, as it can represent a significant investment.
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e-Builder maintains a historical record of accounts receivables invoices and their status. Users mentioned that admin roles are helpful, and its forms are easy to use. It helps manage employee workloads. Most users prefer the web version to its mobile app. Customization of reports is not always possible. Cost may be a potential hurdle for small businesses. Learning how to use the software to its full capacity is challenging for most users, and they think that without more hands-on training, using the tool becomes a challenge.

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SmartBid, a construction bid management software, has garnered positive feedback from users for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. Users appreciate the software's ability to streamline the bidding process, manage projects efficiently, and improve collaboration among team members. The software's ease of use has been highlighted as a significant advantage, making it accessible to both experienced and novice users. Additionally, SmartBid's extensive features, such as project management tools, estimating capabilities, and scheduling functionalities, have been praised for their effectiveness in enhancing productivity and organization. Compared to similar products, SmartBid stands out for its intuitive design and robust functionality. Users have noted that SmartBid's interface is more user-friendly than that of its competitors, making it easier to navigate and learn. Furthermore, the software's comprehensive feature set provides users with a wide range of tools to manage their bids and projects effectively. SmartBid's integration capabilities with other construction software, such as Procore and Autodesk, have also been commended for enhancing workflow efficiency. SmartBid's strengths lie in its ability to simplify complex processes, improve communication, and provide a centralized platform for managing construction projects. These factors are crucial for construction professionals as they contribute to increased efficiency, reduced errors, and improved project outcomes. SmartBid is well-suited for general contractors of all sizes who are seeking to streamline their bidding process and enhance project management. The software's scalability and flexibility make it adaptable to the needs of small, medium, and large construction firms. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features make it an ideal choice for both experienced and novice users. SmartBid's ability to improve collaboration, communication, and organization makes it a valuable tool for construction professionals looking to optimize their operations and achieve project success. However, it's important to note that software options and features can change over time, so it's recommended to check the latest information online before making a decision.

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Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Construction Bidding Software


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Bidtracer

Buildertrend

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iSqFt

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SmartBid

WeBuild

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