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Buildertrend vs. RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks) vs. Knowify

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Buildertrend

    Score7.6 out of 10
    N/ABuilderTrend is a construction management system. It includes functionality for pre-sale, project management, financial management, and customer management processes. It also provides mobile accessibility.N/A

    RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)

    Score10 out of 10
    N/ARSMeans data, from Gordian (formerly Costworks) is a construction and estimation software offering acquired by the Gordian Group in 2014. It includes cost books and construction project estimating software tools.N/A

    Knowify

    Score10 out of 10
    N/AKnowify in New York offers their construction management software solution to small household services companies (e.g. plumbing, HVAC, painters, etc.) and features project management type capabilities, along with integrations with popular services (e.g. Quickbooks).

    $149

    per month

    Pricing
    BuildertrendRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)Knowify
    Editions & Modules
    Core Subscription
    Contact for quote
    per year
    Premium
    Contact for quote
    per month
    Premium
    Contact for quote
    No answers on this topic
    Essentials
    $149
    per month *186 if paid monthly
    Advanced
    $249
    per month *311 if paid monthly
    Unlimited
    Contact Sales
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    BuildertrendRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)Knowify
    Free Trial
    NoNoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesNoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    BuildertrendRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)Knowify
    Considered Multiple Products
    Buildertrend
    No answer on this topic
    The Gordian Group, Inc.
    No answer on this topic
    Knowify
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    86%
    Would buy again
    6 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Delivers good value for the price
    83%
    Delivers good value for the price
    5 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    7 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    57%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    4 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    71%
    Implementation went as expected
    5 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    BuildertrendRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)Knowify
    Construction Project & Field Management
    Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of Buildertrend and RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks) and Knowify
    Feature
    Buildertrend
    4.3
    8 Ratings
    56% below category average
    RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
    -
    Ratings
    Knowify
    -
    Ratings
    Plan distribution & viewing1.06 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Plan markups & sharing2.07 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Issue tracking & punchlists2.28 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Photo documentation6.18 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Jobsite reports9.07 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Document sharing2.38 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    RFI tools8.25 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Collaboration & approvals4.07 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    As-built drawings8.74 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile app1.38 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Submittal design and management3.06 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Estimating
    Comparison of Estimating features of Buildertrend and RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks) and Knowify
    Feature
    Buildertrend
    1.2
    7 Ratings
    145% below category average
    RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
    7.8
    1 Ratings
    3% above category average
    Knowify
    -
    Ratings
    Takeoff tools1.05 Ratings6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Job costing1.06 Ratings9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cost databases1.06 Ratings9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cost calculator1.17 Ratings8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Bid creation2.07 Ratings7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    BuildertrendRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)Knowify
    Small Businesses
    CMiC Construction Platform
    Score7.5 out of 10
    CMiC Construction Platform
    Score7.5 out of 10
    CoConstruct
    Score7.2 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Autodesk Build
    Score8.6 out of 10
    Autodesk Build
    Score8.6 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    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
    BuildertrendRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)Knowify
    Likelihood to Recommend
    10.0
    (11 ratings)
    9.0
    (2 ratings)
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    Usability
    9.7
    (4 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    5.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    BuildertrendRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)Knowify
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Buildertrend
    Buildertrend was made for a specific industry (building) and so I would recommend it to anyone in that industry, with the exception of Sales and Marketing. But for everything else from the financing to the permitting to the construction and all else, Buildertrend is exactly what our team has used and will ALWAYS use. Even with our decision to use other systems for Sales and Marketing, we have never given one thought to taking Buildertrend out of our process. We will always be with Buildertrend.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    The Gordian Group, Inc.
    Well Suited: Construction cost estimates for new larger projects where the construction will start within the next 6-9 months. Budgetary estimates for future buildings through its square foot models. Not Well Suited: Not accurate enough on small projects where labor, travel to sites, and OH&P are a higher percentage of unit costs than on larger projects where these costs are spread out across more units.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Knowify
    This is great if only used for job costing.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Buildertrend
    • Manages in one place - crucial for organization.
    • Professional, across the board it provides companies with a seamlessly organized and flawless presentation - to subs/vendors/owners/etc.
    • Time Saver - you don't have to dig around through files/create templates/flip through your contact binder - it's all there.
    • Practical tools- designed for contractors. You get what you need - period.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    The Gordian Group, Inc.
    • CostWorks is very good at generating quick and valid estimates for standardized facilities such as office buildings, schools, etc. It allows you to validate other cost estimates at the UniFormat level when doing an estimate validation.
    • CostWorks' database of detailed line-items is a very resourceful asset when it comes to finding a very specific line-item. Sometimes, when using Success or MII, I will have CostWorks open on the other screen so I can find an item that the other softwares just don't have and build it into the other software from the CostWorks entry.
    • CostWorks does a very good job of generating reports that are both well-developed and have enough detail at the summary level to be able to sit with a client or a project manager and have them follow along and understand without being overwhelmed with detail and numbers.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Knowify
    • Job costing.
    • Job tracking.
    • Progressive invoicing.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Buildertrend
    • Onsite consultants. There is a demand for this service that is great enough to allow outside BuilderTrend Super-Users like me to partner with BuilderTrend and make this a reality.
    • As their company grows, their support needs to grow as well.
    • Provide incentives for Super Users that are helping BuilderTrend acquire new business. Advocates should be their best friend.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    The Gordian Group, Inc.
    • small project costs where labor is a bigger portion than materials on cost
    • markup factors on governmental projects
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Knowify
    • Syncing with QuickBooks could be a little better, only syncs to main customer and not projects.
    • Does not have the ability to be used in the field.
    • Cannot collect payment or invoice from the field, only office staff can do this which makes for a lot of missed money collection.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Buildertrend
    Its simple to use and intuitive. The level of support that we have from online videos, to access to customer support, and the ability to call anyone at anytime on the main line has been invaluable to utilize and not get stuck on something you don't know yet. We've never not had anyone that couldn't respond in time for us.
    Read full review
    The Gordian Group, Inc.
    No answers on this topic
    Knowify
    No answers on this topic
    Support Rating
    Buildertrend
    I highly recommend. The only suggestion I have would be to offer a free trial. They do offer a 30 day money back guarantee. The price point isn't daunting if you have had a 100 % no strings attached/no effort to cancel or try to remember to get your money back - no strings attached chance to try out the product. Especially for such a big purchase decision, I think Buildertrend would see an incredible increase in sales. They have the value and companies just need a chance to see it first hand.
    Incentivized
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    The Gordian Group, Inc.
    I've never had the need to discuss CostWorks with a vendor.
    Incentivized
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    Knowify
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    Buildertrend
    The program has outstanding customer service. With project scheduling, project management, financial management, customer management, and service management capabilities in a single suite, there's really not much this program can't do! Owners generally love the use of this software as well, giving them the ability to view daily logs, photos, schedules, etc.
    Incentivized
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    The Gordian Group, Inc.
    CostWorks is a unique software for estimating as compared to the other softwares I have listed above. PACES is mostly used for federal modeling and really cannot be compared to Costworks. It has its own developed modeling database and has its own quirkiness and issues. MII has been developed for the USACE and utilized a user-developed folder structure and RS Means Database. I use CostWorks along side this software to find line-items that are not in the MII RS Means Database. Success has been developed for NAVFAC and again, utilizes a user-developed folder structure and RS Means Database. When I use this software, I ALWAYS have CostWorks open on the other screen as Success' RS Means database is extremely lacking when it comes to the number of detail line-items. Timberline is by SAGE and I use it mostly for DOS and FAA work. Of the 3 RS Means Database softwares, this one has the most detailed database for reference, however, there are times when I do have to look up an item that Timberline does not have and the first software I open is CostWorks.
    Incentivized
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    Knowify
    Knowify does job costing which HouseCall Pro does not, it syncs with QuickBooks a little better than HouseCall Pro but does not allow our technicians to invoice from the field which is crucial.
    Incentivized
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    Return on Investment
    Buildertrend
    • The prior year cost me roughly $4300, which was barely reasonable for my volume. Some clients liked the format, some hated it and didn't participate. In my experience, few subcontractors or suppliers embraced the program, severely limiting the effectiveness.
    • For the coming year the fees would have exceeded $17,000, far too much for a program with limited client, employee, and subcontractor appeal with as small a volume as I have.
    • Honestly, for the last year, I feel they've been a burning tire hung around my neck and I regret not cancelling them in early 2019, I'd have $10,000 more in my pocket and no significant negative impact.
    • I did appreciate the daily log as a way to report on progress, but less than half my clients made use of this option.
    Read full review
    The Gordian Group, Inc.
    • I don't really see any "negative" impacts on my business or my ROI by purchasing CostWorks. It's a valuable tool that we use, however, some of my colleagues do not use it or use it very infrequently.
    • I find it well worth the cost even though we don't develop complete estimates in CostWorks due to client dictated softwares.
    • It has provided very quickly-built estimating models that let our team and project managers know that the RFP or the task that they are contemplating bidding on or starting to work on is actually feasible to construction given the budget and directive.
    Incentivized
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    Knowify
    • Keeps good track of all bills and expenses.
    • It would be nice to be able to see a list of all bills and not have to look under each project/job.
    • Allows us to see if a job is headed south and quickly correct it.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    Buildertrend Screenshots

    Screenshot of the homeowner portalScreenshot of a summary pageScreenshot of the scheduling interface & Gantt chartScreenshot of photos