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Autodesk Build Reviews and Ratings

Rating: 7.6 out of 10
Score
7.6 out of 10

Community insights

TrustRadius Insights for Autodesk Build are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.

Pros

Efficient Collaboration: Users highly praised PlanGrid's mobile apps for their ability to easily share and collaborate on construction project documentation, with multiple reviewers highlighting this feature as extremely valuable. This aspect of the software facilitates communication and collaboration among team members, both on-site and off-site, throughout various phases of construction projects.

Responsive Technical Support: The promptness and helpfulness of PlanGrid's email-based technical support team were greatly appreciated by users. Several reviewers mentioned that they received prompt assistance in addressing any technical issues or inquiries. This level of support contributes to a positive user experience.

Intuitive Interface: Reviewers commended PlanGrid's website layout for being easy to use and understand, allowing new users to quickly jump in and perform basic to moderate tasks without extensive training. The intuitive and user-friendly interface was highly praised, enabling users to navigate the software effortlessly.

Reviews

70 Reviews

Autodesk Build Review

Rating: 7 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Autodesk Build is the home of all our files and BIM sheets. Constant site monitoring reports are used on the build page such as forms, meetings, reports, sheets, schedule, files, and photos. Autodesk Build allows us to have all of our files for specific project, all easily accessible in one online cloud platform.

Pros

  • File management
  • Collaboration
  • Time saving

Cons

  • Files, making the files system easier to navigate and find files.
  • More ability to alter meeting templates to be used in multiple ways.
  • The sheets tool - has a hard time loading large sheet packages, and scrolling between sheets or files is not possible making review online harder then downloading a pdf.

Likelihood to Recommend

Well suited for managing multiple trades working on one project. Autodesk Build works great for working with larger companies who have used this software before. Smaller companies have a harder time learning the software and using online cloud services and prefer to not use the cloud collaboration services that are provided by Autodesk.

VU
Verified User
Employee in Product Management (11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
1 year of experience

Nothing for Something

Rating: 1 out of 10

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

While PlanGrid seems to be a good program it really did not fit into our company [and] our employees found it difficult to navigate and use. We quickly discontinued use and just planned to not renew. This is where the user needs to beware they have a renewal clause in the contract which requires you to cancel 30 days prior to renewal. [In my experience] they conveniently do not send any renewal notices until you are inside that window and then require you to pay for a product you don't use. I have ZERO trust in a company that [I believe] operates like this.

Pros

  • [In my opinion] sell their product.
  • [In my experience] invoice for a product you don't use

Cons

  • Make product more user friendly.
  • Get rid of shady billing practices.

Likelihood to Recommend

If you are purchasing with plans to integrate into your operations in the field you need to have computer-savvy employees.

CP
Craig Price
Owner in Corporate at Craig Price Inc (1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
1 year of experience
View profile

The easiest project documentation tool for ALL users.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

PlanGrid is used in our organization to document and communicate project plans and specifications in a quick and efficient manner. We utilize the software across all of our projects big or small. One of the major challenges in the industry is dealing with change management; anytime a change is made, the change needs to both be documented as a reference point, but also communicated with every party (from management to installer).PlanGrid is a tool that helps overcome the inherent challenges of communicating change.

Pros

  • The user interface is extremely easy to use for both the advanced and not-so-advanced computer users. This is huge in an industry that has a high diversity of computer skills among end-users of technology.
  • Rendering speed of documents is extremely quick on every device/platform.
  • The application can be used on every platform from Windows/iOS/Andriod (mobile or desktop) as well as the web, without diluting platform features.
  • The ability to import 3D models and maintain accompanying metadata is extremely beneficial.

Cons

  • It would be ideal to see a free viewer license that would allow some users (subcontractors) the ability to view the documents and be notified of updates. These users, of course, would be limited only to "viewing" permissions.
  • It would also be beneficial to be able to customize daily job log fields.

Likelihood to Recommend

PlanGrid performs really well in all aspects of construction from the general to the sub/trade. The platform distributes and communicates project documentation in an extremely user-friendly manner. As with most software, it is cheaper the larger the scale of the project. In situations where the project is relatively small, and the trade contracts are also of relatively low dollar value, the product can be cost-prohibitive.

VU
Verified User
Director in Corporate (201-500 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
5 years of experience

PlanGrid!

Rating: 7 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Currently, PlanGrid is used by our organization. As a way to view PDFs of the layout or plans of a building. Nearly all use the mobile version for the iPad.

Pros

  • Ease of use
  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Management of users
  • License Management

Likelihood to Recommend

For viewing hundreds of PDFs, PlanGrid allows users to view them for a specific project without having to open each individual file manually.

VU
Verified User
Employee in Information Technology (1001-5000 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
4 years of experience

PlanGrid is a great solution for document management in the fast paced construction industry.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

PlanGird is used by our Project Management and Field Team to manage and publish drawings, documents, RFIs, and submittals. The company has a standard process to use for PlanGrid that is uniform throughout the company, and our subcontracts explicitly state that they must purchase and hold a PlanGrid license and account. Using PlanGrid help us centralize all of the document management activities involved with Construction Project Management.

Pros

  • Keeping an up to date set of documents and sharing it instantly with front line workers.
  • Keeping a history set of drawings, documents, etc. for use in change or schedule management.

Cons

  • Integration of other software such as BlueBeam or Asta Scheduling Software.
  • Response times on the web based application.

Likelihood to Recommend

PlanGrid is an excellent option for medium to large general contracting companies in general building construction. PlanGrid provides a single-source solution for all things document-related that previously were spread between multiple software packages or juggled in a hybrid email/fire management system that was easy to lose track of documents.

VU
Verified User
Project Manager in Engineering (201-500 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
2 years of experience

PlanGrid for Plan Management

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

PlanGrid is used by the field for plan management only. We distribute documents to the field to make sure everyone is using current plans. Punchlist is done this way. We also generally walk an area and mark up what needs to be corrected then assign a contact or sub symbol to complete in PlanGrid.

Pros

  • Plan management
  • Ease of use
  • Punchlist implementation and tracking for items through to completion
  • Document storage

Cons

  • Unlicensed client access for issue corrections
  • Mark up tools. Need symbols that relate to construction industry (outlet, fire alarm, light switch, drain etc.) that can be selected from a list to update better on redline drawings
  • Issue symbols should not be limited to 2 characters. I have run into several scenarios that I need a 3rd character to identify the issue symbol with

Likelihood to Recommend

Again, with plan management, we use a self-developed program for dailies, pictures, RFI's, etc. so we have no need for the RFI’s, dailies, submittals, or tasks functions. We would use more of the task capabilities in PlanGrid if we could keep an ongoing log for our QC program rather than having to update and send daily.

VU
Verified User
Manager (51-200 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
4 years of experience

Expanding Use of PlanGrid Features

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We love using PlanGrid for it ability to put all the documents, questions and images in one place for a project team. It's extremely useful to us during the program verification and design stages. We can track issues that need resolved during the detailing at the construction documents stage later on in the process. We've used the app on iPhones and iPads as well as Windows devices, but much prefer iOS.

Pros

  • Reliability
  • Progress Photos
  • IssuesLog

Cons

  • Sharing access with non-users

Likelihood to Recommend

<ul><li>Best suited for construction progress and documentation of existing field issues.</li><li> Not as well suited for design and sharing with non-paying users. Sometimes it's helpful to share the project site with the project's owner. They often are not in the construction industry and would only be accessing the site during this project with our firm. It would be good to create guest access.</li></ul>

NB
Nicholas Bittner
Principal, CFO, Architect in Professional Services at BDT Architects & Interior Designers (11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
3 years of experience
View profile

PlanGrid for the future

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use PlanGrid to distribute project and design documents to our field personnel, communicate design changes from the field to the design department, and as a repository for project or system related documents. This allows us to gain faster access to changes or issues for faster build markups and increased productivity. PlanGrid's measurement tools also allow our field personnel to supply more accurate installation tracking information and accurate information for change order related work.

Pros

  • Drawing markups: The ability to annotate drawings with pictures and their exact locations helps eliminate guesswork and production slowdowns related to design questions
  • Issue tracking: The ability to note issues and communicate them and their resolution between the field and office help limit miscommunication.
  • Linking drawings: PlanGrid makes it simple to link drawings to one another, as well as, linking purchase orders, specifications, and listing drawings.

Cons

  • The lack of auto reports requires users to check in on projects daily and creates extra work should we want to push issues out to our clients.

Likelihood to Recommend

PlanGrid is a great tool to pass annotated installation drawings and questions between field and office personnel.

VU
Verified User
Project Manager in Engineering (201-500 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
2 years of experience

Plangrid is a move towards the future

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use PlanGrid in multiple departments within our company. It connects the field teams to those in the office and in other locations across the country. It is also good for tracking changes in construction, as well as documenting progress for closeout packages in the end.

Pros

  • Works well on computers, phones, tablets. Great for a large team on many different platforms.
  • Ease of use. Very user-friendly on all devices.
  • Can be used for complicated tasks as well as simple tasks. Good tool for taking photos of equipment and assigning to a plan, or for more detailed drawing changes and tracking.

Cons

  • Pricey for small team users. Would be nice to have team pricing or at least lesser than a nailgun account for users that use under 50 pages.
  • Some UI improvements are still needed, such as reviewing images that have been uploaded; there is no way to scroll to the next image.

Likelihood to Recommend

It is appropriate for companies that need to track construction. You can track red-lines, update as-builts, assign images, etc. You can also run reports on action items. If you want to keep all your drawings and updates electronic PlanGrid is a great tool. Also, it is great at getting information from the field back to the designers in the office instantly. Not needed for companies that don't work with floor plans regularly.

VU
Verified User
Engineer in Engineering (11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
3 years of experience

PlanGrid is great

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use PlanGrid to communicate information to the field. It allows us to share information with the field staff immediately. Our estimators also use it when attending pre-bid walks.

Pros

  • One of the things that we like about Plan Grid is when we receive an updated plan sheet we can upload it and have a record of the changes that have been made along the way.
  • Information can be shared in real time.
  • Our field team has all of the information that they need at their fingertips.

Cons

  • Uploading revised plans is a little cumbersome. It would be nice if you didn't have to add a new version every time you updated a sheet.
  • Sometimes the sheet number and name recognition does not work properly when adding a new job or updating sheets. There is a workaround but it would be nice if it was more consistent.
  • The cost seems a little high. It would be nice if they increased the plan limit for each pricing tier.
  • They got rid of their free version, 50 sheet limit. We used to have our estimators use this option, but now we have to pay for a subscription for a service that is only used once in a while.

Likelihood to Recommend

PlanGrid works for almost every project that we do, large or small. We can share company specific documents that are required regardless of the project dollar value.

KM
Kyle Montague
Senior Estimator in Sales at Spacecon Specialty Contractors, LLC. (51-200 employees)
Vetted Review
Autodesk Build
5 years of experience
View profile