BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product vs Benchmark Estimating Software

Likelihood to Recommend

BuildingConnected is a great tool for construction managers and general contractors working over a wide area that rely on collecting multiple bids. BuildingConnected does a great job at presenting new contractors that may fit the bill for who you need to look at and price a job. Its simple interface allows you to easily see who the main point of contact is at a company, and place comments for your team to review after corresponding with these companies.

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Verified User

Project Manager in Engineering

Construction Company, 201-500 employees

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I have used it for bulk earthworks, for roadworks, stormwater drainage, sewer reticulation, water reticulation, and associated works. It's easy to use a process called subcontractor manager to get multiple sub-contractor prices into your estimate for quick comparison, then pick the one that you really want to use in the estimate. It also has a process called auto allocation which can almost fully automate your estimating process, bringing in Items from the library that match the items in your bid. Haven't found a scenario that it's less appropriate, it all comes down to how detailed you set up your initial item library and resource library.

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Brian D. Salmond

Owner/Estimator

Big Fish EstimatingCivil Engineering, 1-10 employees

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Feature Rating Comparison

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product

Benchmark Estimating Software

Plan distribution & viewing

Plan markups & sharing

Issue tracking & punchlists

Photo documentation

Jobsite reports

Document sharing

RFI tools

Collaboration & approvals

As-built drawings

Mobile app

Submittal design and management

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product

Benchmark Estimating Software

Takeoff tools

Job costing

Cost databases

Cost calculator

Bid creation

Pros

Helps keep track of multiple jobs at once
Helps sort your bid invites into won/lost/pending/archived etc.
It is a central location where general contractors can put all their updated files and addendum
Lets you see which contractors are bidding the same job so you can coordinate your estimating

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Matthew Smith

Estimator and Project Manager

Century Exteriors Inc.Construction, 11-50 employees

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Progress Claims
Standard quotes

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Chris van Vuuren

Project Manager

RCA Civils Group Pt LtdConstruction, 11-50 employees

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Cons

There was a previous glitch where bid forms have been updated by subcontractors that have accessed a former version are not able to access the updated/new bid form.
I would like to see the ability for BuildingConnected to automatically send a bid reminder to bidders at a set amount of time prior to the bid date.

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Melanie Dodson

Preconstruction Manager

NOVO ConstructionConstruction, 1001-5000 employees

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I haven't found anything yet. Benchmark is constantly evolving and adding new processes, I believe it keeps up to date with what it's users want.

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Brian D. Salmond

Owner/Estimator

Big Fish EstimatingCivil Engineering, 1-10 employees

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Usability

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product 10.0

Based on 1 answer

Very easy to use.

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Diane Coughlin

Office Manager and PM Assist

SD Clifton Construction, Inc.Construction, 11-50 employees

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No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Support Rating

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product 8.9

Based on 14 answers

They are constantly reaching out to see if there is anything they can teach us. It can be a bit aggravating when it is constant, but I know that they have our best interest at heart. They also had all of us do multiple Skype meetings with a support rep to make sure we understood the software.

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Verified User

Analyst in Other

Construction Company, 201-500 employees

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Benchmark Estimating Software 9.5

Based on 2 answers

The support guys were always helping and sorted out issues we had very quickly.

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Chris van Vuuren

Project Manager

RCA Civils Group Pt LtdConstruction, 11-50 employees

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Implementation Rating

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product 10.0

Based on 2 answers

Quick and easy. Pretty much menu-driven

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Diane Coughlin

Office Manager and PM Assist

SD Clifton Construction, Inc.Construction, 11-50 employees

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No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Alternatives Considered

Have used BlueBook Construction, which has a smooth, quick search for local contractors. Still, they don't allow us the client project creation. I even had issues with them displaying proper project descriptions based upon was receiving inadequate and or erroneous bid proposals, and the engagement manager was not flexible in resolving the problem!

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Marcel Cicort

Estimator

Davaco LPConstruction, 1001-5000 employees

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I have always found that Benchmark allows for a more rapid compilation of the estimate through the library system. It can also allow for easy duplication of an estimate for a second stage etc, using the original rates in the resources, or at a click of a button, reverting to updated resources from the library. I have found that other systems rely on a great number of spreadsheet type operations that can easily be changed in the estimate and can lead to errors if copied to another estimate.

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Brian D. Salmond

Owner/Estimator

Big Fish EstimatingCivil Engineering, 1-10 employees

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Return on Investment

Allows our company to accurately estimate the cost of a project.
Helps us to reach out to qualified subcontractors based on past experience and history with our company.
Contains bid leveling capabilities to ensure that all proposals cover a full scope of work.

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Verified User

Employee in Professional Services

Construction Company, 1001-5000 employees

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Benchmark has created standardisation in quotes and tenders.
Created standard progress claims.

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Chris van Vuuren

Project Manager

RCA Civils Group Pt LtdConstruction, 11-50 employees

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Pricing Details

General

Free Trial

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Free/Freemium Version

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Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

—

Rating Summary

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product

Benchmark Estimating Software

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product

Benchmark Estimating Software

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product

Benchmark Estimating Software

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product

Benchmark Estimating Software

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product

Benchmark Estimating Software

Likelihood to Recommend