Buildertrend vs Clear Estimates

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Our analysts compared Buildertrend vs Clear Estimates based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Construction Estimating Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Buildertrend is a construction ERP that streamlines business practices and assists builders, contractors and clients. Leverage bid requests, email marketing and leads in one centralized pre-sales process module. Initiates budgets, invoices, lien waivers and time clocks. Maintain various activities in daily logs, to-do lists, schedules and messages. It’s also available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Master project management, client relationship management, financial management, estimates and change orders are some notable features.
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Clear Estimates is a cloud-based software designed for contractors and remodelers to address estimation needs. It prepares professional proposals and estimates and calculates average costs while providing pricing data for 400 areas of the U.S. It also comes preloaded with 15,000 parts with detailed labor and material costs.

Over 60 templates for jobs such as garages, bathrooms, kitchens and additions are available. All parts come equipped with contract language to help users avoid writing long proposals. It offers several customization options, enabling users to create and edit templates and parts in boilerplate language.
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$99 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$79 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
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Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
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
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Establish Effective Communications: Deliver notifications with project updates to teams, subcontractors and clients with daily logs, so everyone is on the same page consistently. Users may also record weather changes automatically and make notes with voice-to-text technology to ensure their teams always work in good weather and are prepared for surprises. 
  • Organize Documents and Photos: Leverage infinite file sharing, reducing unnecessary treks to the office. Teams can access files from mobile devices at any location to review plans, budgets and other necessary paperwork at the worksite swiftly. Users may also share videos, photos and documents with several other users and arrange them in folders for easy navigation. 
  • Efficient Invoice Changes: Produce line-item bills and invoices from estimates, change orders or customer selection sheets by integrating with QuickBooks or Xero, which keeps bookkeeping tasks in one centralized hub. Users may also accept online payments and establish payment reminders, so they receive their transactions on time. 
  • Simple Time Tracking: Manage time for office workers and field teams with a time clock that enables employees to clock in and out from the mobile app so users will always know how many hours each employee accrues at any given time. It can track who's clocked in or out during a specific period, generate payroll reports and exhibit a crew worker's exact location on a virtual map. 
  • Client Collaboration: Enable customers to track projects' progress with unique customer logins for effective contractor/client collaboration. Users can also upload photos and send messages about project updates. 
  • Allocate Surveys: Deliver online surveys to clients automatically after finishing projects to leave reviews. Users may also review and post positive responses to reviews via their websites to establish and maintain positive customer relationships. 
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  • Streamline Workflows: Integrate with QuickBooks to reduce accounting errors. Enable employees to track work hours electronically. 
  • Generate Error-Free Estimates: Access built-in material and cost databases to avoid quoting mistakes. Create quotes in just a few clicks using internet-enabled devices. 
  • Impress Clients: Produce professional proposals in minutes. Add the company logo, name, address and phone number to reports. 
  • Save Time: Integrate with Buildertrend to complete projects on schedule. Use customizable templates to produce precise estimates. 
  • Deploy on the Cloud: Store data in a secure environment. Enable employees to view and download documents from a centralized location. 
  • Stay Mobile: View information from anywhere at any time using Android or iOS devices. Monitor project progress off-site. 
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  • Selections: Approve product pricing, keep patrons in the loop about running totals, receive electronic client signatures and access selection decisions and their associated product warranties in a centralized location. 
  • Communication: Manage messages, comments, emails and task-specific data in one place automatically. This module also offers push notifications on mobile devices and utilizes current email accounts. 
  • Bid Requests: Develop, compare, distribute and save bids in one hub. Users may define deadlines and receive reminders, accept offers and incorporate them in contracts. 
  • Estimates and Proposals: Construct estimates, allocate personalized proposals and close sales. Users may work with pre-set templates, obtain digital signatures and import information into Excel and other solutions. 
  • To-Dos: Create and designate responsibilities to teams and subcontractors and send reminders to patrons. Users can add items to lists with voice-to-text capabilities, attach documents and photos and send prompt alerts. 
  • Work-In-Progress (WIP) Reports: Produce WIP reports for maintaining projects in real time; obtain data for total billings, profit margins and costs to complete specific or all jobs; and receive current views of over or under billing for clients. 
  • Payment Processing: Obtain check or credit card payments online, modify invoices through QuickBooks and Xero when a payment is received automatically and acquire safe and secure processing. 
  • Budget: Track labor costs, billing, purchase orders and change orders in real time. Make adjustments as necessary, compare proposed to actual expenditures and work with multiple software integrations. 
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  • Estimation: Access cost databases to create accurate estimates. Reuse data from previous estimates to save time. 
  • Customizable Templates: Remove unwanted parts, change pricing details or add additional components to jobs to speed up estimating processes. 
  • Integrations: Import sales and receipt data to QuickBooks. Export estimates to Buildertrend. Send customer data to existing CRM systems using Zapier. 
  • Localized Pricing: Access region-specific material and labor costs. Acquire pricing data of 400 areas across the U.S. 
  • Professional Proposals: Automatically generate formal proposals by adding parts from databases prewritten in contract language. 
  • Reporting: Update and track project statuses from the project information tab. View statuses of sent proposals and invoices. 
  • Change Order Management: Add alternate prices to projects to maintain financial stability. 
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Product Ranking

#1

among all
Construction Estimating Software

#12

among all
Construction Estimating Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

75
57
96
24
88
69
69
45
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Project Management
Bid Management
Platform Capabilities
Cost Management
Estimate Management
Platform Capabilities

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Buildertrend
Clear Estimates
+ Add Product + Add Product
Bid Management Cost Management Document And Database Management Estimate Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Takeoff Capabilities 96 88 69 86 92 100 82 48 24 69 45 78 93 75 62 0 0 25 50 75 100
100%
0%
0%
29%
0%
71%
88%
0%
12%
75%
0%
25%
73%
0%
27%
45%
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55%
91%
0%
9%
77%
0%
23%
90%
0%
10%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
63%
0%
37%
83%
0%
17%
67%
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33%
38%
0%
62%
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0%
100%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

17%
0%
83%
33%
0%
67%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 1577 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 221 reviews
90%
of users recommend this product

Buildertrend has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 1577 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

90%
of users recommend this product

Clear Estimates has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 221 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.1 (14)
n/a
4.0 (38)
n/a
n/a
4.54 (112)
4.5 (1517)
4.5 (109)
4.5 (8)
n/a

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Buildertrend and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Bid Management and Project Management. Buildertrend stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Bid Management Award
Project Management Award

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

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Comprehensive Tool: The system comes loaded with rich functionalities that simplify production and streamline workflows, as mentioned by all users who referred to functionality.
User Friendly: Offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to manage and navigate, as noted by all reviewers who mentioned ease of use.
Support: More than 92% of reviewers referring to customer support noted that included professional services were helpful and responsive, taking time to walk them through an issue.
Track: All users who specified tracking liked that it helps teams and managers keep track of progress, logs, expenses, payrolls, bid requests, receipts and more.
Communication: All reviewers liked that it simplifies the process of communication and keeping teams up to date.
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Intuitive Interface: Users praise the platform for its user-friendly design, making it easy to navigate and input project details, even for those who aren't tech-savvy.
Accurate Material Costs: Clear Estimates is recognized for providing reliable material cost data, ensuring estimates are grounded in real-world pricing.
Detailed Reports: The software generates comprehensive reports that clearly outline all aspects of the estimate, facilitating transparent communication with clients.
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Learning Curve: All reviewers who mentioned the learning curve said it took time to get used to the tools during initial setup due to the many options available.
Quickbooks Integration: Around 60% of users noted that integration with Quickbooks took some time and effort.
Customization: It could provide more flexibility in customization, as observed by 83% of reviewers who referred to customization.
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Limited Customization: Some users have expressed frustration with the limited ability to customize templates and features to align with their specific workflow or company branding.
Learning Curve: While generally considered user-friendly, some individuals have noted a learning curve associated with mastering all of Clear Estimates' features, particularly for those transitioning from traditional spreadsheet-based estimating methods.
Mobile App Functionality: A subset of users have pointed out limitations in the mobile app's functionality compared to the desktop version, particularly regarding offline access and editing capabilities, which can be inconvenient for on-site use.
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Buildertrend has an intuitive interface that is easy to use and navigate. It requires some time to get used to its tools because of the rich features available. Users can make proposals for bids, schedule, send invoices, collect payments, conduct surveys and more. It offers a portal where employees can conveniently view their running hours and corresponding pay. It streamlines coordination with clients, including sharing daily updates on the progress of building completion. It helps teams maintain better communication and keep track of progress. Some reviewers have noted that integration with Quickbooks requires a significant time investment. A few users wished for more customization options. Customer representatives respond quickly and provide answers that will effectively solve problems.

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Is Clear Estimates clearly the best estimating software out there? User reviews from the past year suggest that Clear Estimates is a solid choice for construction professionals, particularly those focused on residential remodeling. Users praise its ease of use, highlighting the intuitive interface and pre-built templates that expedite the estimate creation process. The software's integration with QuickBooks is also a big plus, streamlining accounting workflows. However, some users express frustration with the limited customization options for reports and proposals. While the software offers some flexibility, it may not fully satisfy users who require highly tailored outputs. A key differentiator for Clear Estimates is its comprehensive database of locally adjusted costs for materials and labor. This feature ensures accurate estimates, saving users from the hassle of manual research and adjustments. Users also appreciate the software's regular price updates, guaranteeing they're working with the most current data. This is particularly crucial in today's volatile market, where prices can fluctuate rapidly. Overall, Clear Estimates is best suited for small to medium-sized remodeling contractors who prioritize ease of use and accurate cost data. Larger firms or those with more complex reporting needs might find the software's limited customization options restrictive.

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Screenshots

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