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Bluebeam vs. ConstructConnect Bid Management vs. Sage Estimating

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Bluebeam

    Score8.9 out of 10
    N/ABluebeam Revu is a PDF management, control, and editing tool. It enables collaboration and markup within shared documents across projects’ life cycles and has takeoff and bid creation capabilities.

    $260

    per year per user

    ConstructConnect Bid Management

    Score9.7 out of 10
    N/ACombining the functionality of SmartBid and iSqFt, the ConstructConnect Bid Management platform lets users send invitations to bid, prequalify subcontractors, build a network, and secure bid coverage.N/A

    Sage Estimating

    Score9.5 out of 10
    N/AN/AN/A
    Pricing
    BluebeamConstructConnect Bid ManagementSage Estimating
    Editions & Modules
    Basics
    $260
    per year per user
    Core
    $330
    per year per user
    Complete
    $440
    per year per user
    Max
    $590
    per year per user
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    BluebeamConstructConnect Bid ManagementSage Estimating
    Free Trial
    YesNoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesYesNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details—As a cloud-based solution, our clients can scale their access annually depending on the number of users. Subcontractors invited to bid or prequalify in the system receive access at no cost.—
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    BluebeamConstructConnect Bid ManagementSage Estimating
    Considered Multiple Products
    Bluebeam
    No answer on this topic
    ConstructConnect
    Chose ConstructConnect Bid Management
    SmartBid is used by more of the contractors that we happen to do lots of work with. It has basically the same features. However, SmartBid will let subcontractors view all the jobs a general contractor is bidding, even ones we were never invited to. So it has the potential to …
    Incentivized
    Chose ConstructConnect Bid Management
    • Better ability for subcontractors to respond via program.
    • Simpler interface.
    • Easier note tracking.
    Incentivized
    Sage
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    94%
    Would buy again
    17 Answers
    100%
    Would buy again
    5 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Delivers good value for the price
    93%
    Delivers good value for the price
    14 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    94%
    Happy with the feature set
    17 Answers
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    5 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    92%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    11 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    92%
    Implementation went as expected
    11 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    BluebeamConstructConnect Bid ManagementSage Estimating
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Bluebeam and ConstructConnect Bid Management and Sage Estimating
    Feature
    Bluebeam
    10.0
    1 Ratings
    26% above category average
    ConstructConnect Bid Management
    -
    Ratings
    Sage Estimating
    -
    Ratings
    Dashboards10.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Standard reports10.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Custom reports10.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Data exportability10.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Construction Project & Field Management
    Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of Bluebeam and ConstructConnect Bid Management and Sage Estimating
    Feature
    Bluebeam
    9.8
    54 Ratings
    25% above category average
    ConstructConnect Bid Management
    6.1
    8 Ratings
    22% below category average
    Sage Estimating
    -
    Ratings
    Plan distribution & viewing9.752 Ratings7.57 Ratings00 Ratings
    Plan markups & sharing9.854 Ratings1.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Issue tracking & punchlists9.733 Ratings9.12 Ratings00 Ratings
    Photo documentation9.736 Ratings1.72 Ratings00 Ratings
    Jobsite reports9.831 Ratings9.12 Ratings00 Ratings
    Document sharing9.847 Ratings7.48 Ratings00 Ratings
    RFI tools9.835 Ratings6.05 Ratings00 Ratings
    Collaboration & approvals9.842 Ratings7.04 Ratings00 Ratings
    As-built drawings9.845 Ratings8.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile app10.027 Ratings8.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Submittal design and management9.821 Ratings1.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Checklists9.93 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Change orders9.93 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Specifications00 Ratings7.62 Ratings00 Ratings
    Estimating
    Comparison of Estimating features of Bluebeam and ConstructConnect Bid Management and Sage Estimating
    Feature
    Bluebeam
    9.6
    29 Ratings
    24% above category average
    ConstructConnect Bid Management
    9.0
    1 Ratings
    17% above category average
    Sage Estimating
    -
    Ratings
    Takeoff tools9.728 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Job costing8.45 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cost databases10.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cost calculator10.02 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Bid creation9.98 Ratings9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    BluebeamConstructConnect Bid ManagementSage Estimating
    Small Businesses
    CMiC Construction Platform
    Score7.5 out of 10
    CMiC Construction Platform
    Score7.5 out of 10
    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnect
    Score3 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Autodesk Build
    Score8.6 out of 10
    Autodesk Build
    Score8.6 out of 10
    PlanSwift, by ConstructConnect
    Score3 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Revit
    Score8.9 out of 10
    Revit
    Score8.9 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    BluebeamConstructConnect Bid ManagementSage Estimating
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.9
    (66 ratings)
    8.0
    (10 ratings)
    7.0
    (4 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    1.0
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    Usability
    9.8
    (4 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    1.0
    (11 ratings)
    9.6
    (2 ratings)
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    BluebeamConstructConnect Bid ManagementSage Estimating
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Bluebeam
    The program is great for editing construction drawings, stamping/approving official documents and overlaying revised documents to see design changes. You can use it as an estimating takeoff tool, estimating database, document control, cloud document storage, the list goes on! Bluebeam poses many applications for the user to utilize for the desired needs. There may be some other software that has one specific function that can perform the specific task better, but Bluebeam is a holistic program with many tools for use.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ConstructConnect
    SmartBid is also very useful for conducting sub-contracting analysis and management simulations in the didactic field. The procedures for sharing documents are helpful, but the graphic can be improved. Many forms can be pre-filled. This helps a lot in saving time and money! SmartBid is great for exporting and/or sending single or mass emails. However, as mentioned, it would be useful to simplify some pre-construction processes and improve the overall communication
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sage
    Sage Estimating was initially created for the construction industry and many of its current users use it to estimate buildings, but it has adapted quite well for the oil and gas industry. If the user is willing to invest the time and energy to develop and maintain their database, I can see it working for any industry. It is very easy to adjust and adapt the database as estimating methods and project designs change. As an example, our accounting department sometimes changes the way projects are reporting in our accounting software. Because I can go through our 9000 line item database in a couple of days, I am always ahead of the curve and can report my estimates in the format they require.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Bluebeam
    • Once you set Bluebeam Revu as your default PDF handler, it launches immediately when clicking a PDF to open. The speed with which it opens documents is impressive.
    • Creating PDF's out of other documents, such as Word, Excel, JPG's, etc. is simple.
    • Digitally signing documents is a simple, secure process. You can keep your signature password-protected, yet still access it quickly.
    • The Bluebeam Revu mobile application ( I use the iOS version on an iPad Pro), is awesome. Not only does it handle PDF's like you would expect it to, it allows for effortless digital signing of documents on the fly. Nice to be able to quickly sign a document and email right back out from the tablet no matter where I am.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ConstructConnect
    • It's very easy to set up a job and manage who receives solicitations. You can also keep detailed notes on who've you contacted and see if they're actually downloading and reviewing the documents.
    • You can add a confidentiality agreement clause which they must accept before accessing the documents. It then stores this information if it ever needs to be accessed. This is much cleaner and easier then sending out a NDA form and having the subcontractor return it before actually sending drawings/docs.
    • You can send Invitations to Bid and set it up to continue sending these ITB's until the subcontractor responds. However, this can also be a negative point because once you set up a delayed ITB, it doesn't update as the subcontractors view and respond to the ITB's. So if a sub is "Not Responded" and you set up a delayed ITB to fire off every day for 5 days, and the sub responds after day 2, that sub will continue to receive ITB's for all 5 days.
    • Uploading drawings is quick and easy. It's especially convenient if you link to one of your cloud services such as Egnyte, Google Drive, etc.
    • The search tools are quick and easy and often very accessible from any page.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sage
    • Same format Spreadsheet
    • Ability to adjust by percentages
    • Ability to separate phases into categories
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Bluebeam
    • If you have several tabs open and you try to drag one out for a side by side view then you do not have all the modification options and you have to combine them back together.
    • There is a lag time when hitting the print option.
    • There is also a lag time when opening files, sometimes I think the window is frozen.
    • I wish the basic version also had basic file editing, as in editing a document as Adobe does.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ConstructConnect
    • Create sub categories under other trades that allow to better narrow down the exact jobs you are looking for.
    • Not send repeatetive emails for the same projects.
    • Make the service more affordable to small business's looking to grow.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sage
    • The program has a fairly antiquated user interface such that someone working in it may not feel like they are working with advanced software.
    • Sage Estimating has absolutely no remote access capability outside running it in a Citrix/RDP environment so users have to be using a fat/full client vs. any hopes of access on a mobile device.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Bluebeam
    Bluebeam is a powerful PDF viewer and mark-up tool. We are more familiar with it than Adobe Acrobat Pro or other viewers, and it has more features geared towards construction document managers than Acrobat Pro does.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ConstructConnect
    No answers on this topic
    Sage
    It is a good product and meets all of our needs
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Bluebeam
    I'm constantly finding that Bluebeam Revu does more than I knew it could. And when I find something that it can't do, I've found that Bluebeam truly listens to its user base and will work to incorporate any good suggestion when feasible.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ConstructConnect
    No answers on this topic
    Sage
    No answers on this topic
    Support Rating
    Bluebeam
    Its hard for me to give a rating on this one as we rarely have to use the support feature for Bluebeam. However, when we have used it, they have been ultra supportive in helping us get exactly what we needed. I know another engineer was trying to figure out a feature and the rep gave a detailed tutorial on how to complete the task
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ConstructConnect
    SmartBid has an excellent support team that is always at your service. Any problem I've had (when I've even had them) has been resolved almost immediately, along with tips on how to avoid them in the future. If you're looking for a program with excellent customer service, look no further than SmartBid.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sage
    Sage's support of Estimating is adequate though frankly we rarely need it. Outside of more complex operations such as upgrades and installation problems the program itself is so straightforward that we do not usually have any "issues" and questions that are more about usability can easily be answered in online forums. We trust Sage's capability to answer these questions if needed but rarely use it.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Bluebeam
    We feel there is not another program out there that would compare to Bluebeam at this current time. Some of the other programs out there do not include studio or the overlaying process which is one of our main uses. The ease of hyperlinking makes this product stand out the most.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ConstructConnect
    iSqFt is a solid competitor in the bidding/estimating platform world but as a user, Building Connected is the front runner. iSqFt lacks on the collaboration side and isn't as easy to use and access as its competitors. Building Connected is used by most of our clients so it's easier to use because there is more information in one place.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sage
    For our needs and after completing a valued score card SAGE has always exceeded our min. requirements
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Bluebeam
    • A major positive aspect is being able to take your computer home without taking the entire set of paper drawings. They have made it so easy to navigate a set of drawings that I can work at home using only the digital drawings.
    • Collaboration with owners and architects has been a great feature. Setting up a Bluebeam studio and having everyone get in and mark things up, then having the architect be able to go in and see what markups have been added, has made the constructability review process much much better.
    • Even when not working on drawings, Bluebeam is a very good tool for working with standard PDF documents. The markup tools are very easy to use.
    • The negative aspect is the takeoff function because some people would like estimators to use the Bluebeam takeoff because it would make their job easier down the road; however, the actual act of doing a full scale takeoff in Bluebeam would require much more time.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ConstructConnect
    • SmartBid helps eliminate jumping all over the place, all your invites are on one system.
    • It allows us to see who and how many general contractors are bidding, let’s us know if it’s a job worth spending time on.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sage
    • Manupulation of existing data is very user friendly thanks to "Database Manager".
    • A bit pricey
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    Bluebeam Screenshots

    Screenshot of Bluebeam Cloud with Markup ListScreenshot of Bluebeam Cloud with Tool ChestScreenshot of Bluebeam Revu MarkupScreenshot of Bluebeam Revu Studio Session

    ConstructConnect Bid Management Screenshots

    Product screenshotProduct screenshotProduct screenshotProduct screenshotProduct screenshotProduct screenshot