SmartBid vs BuildingBlok

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Our analysts compared SmartBid vs BuildingBlok 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

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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BuildingBlok is a cloud-based construction management platform designed to streamline and optimize business processes. It provides SSL/TLS encryption to secure web communications. Project managers can access documents off-site via mobile devices. Create accurate estimates and track finances using accounting modules.

Share project files with team members, promoting a collaborative work environment. Contractors can generate and analyze cost and activity reports to help make strategic business decisions. Manage projects from inception to completion from an accessible location.
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$450 Monthly
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$50 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
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Linux
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
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • 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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  • Simplify Workflows: Automate business operations to save time. Create to-do lists to manage tasks. Distribute memos to team members to keep everyone on the same page. Convert Excel spreadsheets to CSV to better organize data. 
  • Improve Productivity: Enable employees to track hours using electronic timesheets. Keep teams connected using communication modules such as automated notifications and virtual meeting rooms. 
  • Manage Finances: Predict project costs to avoid financial risks. Generate weekly cost reports to evaluate the company’s economic performance. Create and send electronic invoices to contractors for speedy payments. 
  • Generate Error-free Schedules of Values: Automatically calculate project costs when subcontractors complete specific tasks. Enable subs to submit payment applications to help administrators focus on other vital activities. 
  • Stay Mobile: Access project information from remote locations using internet-enabled devices. 
  • Deploy on the Cloud: Store data in an accessible location. Grant role-based access permissions to workers to protect sensitive information. 
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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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  • Cost Management: Manage and monitor financial activities to avoid budget overshoots. 
    • Estimating: Allocate resources to the right tasks to help prevent negative cash flow. Track and share financial data with employees to avoid costly errors. Automatically estimate labor costs according to project requirements. View and analyze contracts using accounting functionality. 
    • Job Costing: View current and projected costs to help make data-driven decisions. Review, approve or reject budget proposals directly from the system. Generate daily and weekly financial reports to analyze spending patterns. 
    • Change Orders: Create and access change orders from a centralized location. Add revision notes to COs generated by team members. Prepare forecast models to avoid unnecessary expenses. 
    • Payment Applications: Automatically calculate wages based on total work completed by team members. Enable subcontractors to submit payment requests. 
    • Invoice Tracking: Manage invoices electronically, eliminating the usage of paper trails. Encourage workers to submit invoices directly through the system. Create customized bills to ensure smooth transactions. 
  • Project Management: Access project details and share documents using the mobile app. 
    • Bidding: Check whether subcontractors downloaded bid requests, declined to bid or submitted bids. Grant permissions to access and download blueprints to subcontractors to give them a clear understanding of the tasks involved. 
    • Bid Invitations: Create invitation lists and keep track of bid statuses. Add notes to bid invites and send them via email with just a click. 
    • Submittals: Assign submittal items to respective employees and keep teams informed about project updates. Attach relevant files to submittals to gain in-depth insights about projects. 
    • Punch Lists: Create punch lists to avoid missing out on important safety procedures. Mitigate risks by generating inspection reports. 
    • RFIs: Create and send RFI requests to subcontractors. Respond to RFIs quickly to keep projects on track. Prepare questionnaires to extract essential details from subcontractors. 
  • To-do Lists: Receive notifications about task completions and plan further operations without delays. Create checklists to ensure all procedures are completed in a timely manner. 
  • Timesheets: Enable employees to clock in and out from job sites via mobile devices. View workers’ locations in real time using GPS technology. Encourage project managers to track workers’ actions to help maintain productivity levels. 
  • Reporting: Create reports to help predict timelines and manage tasks effectively. Compare daily reports side by side to help monitor project progress. Track labor hours using man-count functionality. 
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Product Ranking

#12

among all
Construction Bidding Software

#37

among all
Construction Bidding Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

76
49
42
39
76
56
85
67
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Planroom & Document Management
Subcontractor Functionalities
Integrations & Extensibility
Subcontractor Prequalification
Bid Request Management
Planroom & Document Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

SmartBid
BuildingBlok
+ Add Product + Add Product
Analytics & Reporting Bid Invitation & Closing Management Bid Request Management General Contractor Functionalities Planroom & Document Management Subcontractor Functionalities Subcontractor Prequalification 42 76 85 57 95 88 87 39 56 67 61 100 36 37 0 25 50 75 100
42%
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58%
42%
0%
58%
77%
0%
23%
55%
0%
45%
83%
0%
17%
67%
0%
33%
57%
0%
43%
63%
0%
37%
86%
0%
14%
100%
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0%
89%
0%
11%
22%
0%
78%
88%
0%
12%
38%
0%
62%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

86%
0%
14%
7%
0%
93%

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

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

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 95 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 20 reviews
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.

92%
of users recommend this product

BuildingBlok has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 20 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.4 (24)
n/a
n/a
4.6 (10)
4.4 (64)
4.6 (10)
4.0 (7)
n/a

Awards

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

Integrations & Extensibility Award

BuildingBlok stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

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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Intuitive Interface: Users praise BuildingBlok for its user-friendly design, making it easy to navigate and manage projects, even for those who are not tech-savvy.
Centralized Communication: BuildingBlok acts as a central hub for all project-related communication, streamlining collaboration and reducing the risk of miscommunication.
Real-Time Progress Tracking: The platform provides real-time updates on project progress, allowing users to stay informed and make informed decisions.
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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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Difficult to Use: Some users have reported that BuildingBlok is not user-friendly and requires extensive training to use effectively. This can be a major drawback for construction companies that need a system that is easy to learn and use.
Limited Functionality: BuildingBlok may not have all of the features that construction companies need to manage their projects effectively. For example, some users have reported that the software lacks robust reporting capabilities.
Poor Customer Support: Some users have complained about the quality of customer support provided by BuildingBlok. This can be a major problem for construction companies that rely on timely and effective support to resolve issues.
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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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Are you curious if BuildingBlok is the cornerstone of construction management software? BuildingBlok has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and competitive pricing. Users consistently highlight its ease of use, even for those who aren't tech-savvy, as a major strength. They praise its intuitive design and straightforward navigation, which allows them to quickly adapt and manage projects efficiently. Another standout feature is its comprehensive suite of tools, covering everything from scheduling and budgeting to document management and communication. This breadth of functionality eliminates the need for multiple software solutions, streamlining workflows and reducing costs. Users also appreciate BuildingBlok's affordability compared to competitors like Procore and Smartsheet, making it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. However, some users have pointed out limitations in its reporting capabilities and customization options. While BuildingBlok offers basic reporting features, they desire more advanced analytics and customizable reports to gain deeper insights into project performance. Additionally, some users express a need for greater flexibility in tailoring the software to their specific workflows and industry requirements. Despite these minor drawbacks, BuildingBlok remains a highly praised construction management software, particularly for its ease of use, comprehensive features, and affordability. It's an ideal solution for construction businesses seeking a centralized platform to manage projects, improve collaboration, and enhance overall efficiency.

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Top Alternatives in Construction Bidding Software


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e-Builder

iSqFt

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PlanHub

Procore

WeBuild

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