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Autodesk Build

Autodesk Build
Formerly PlanGrid

Overview

What is Autodesk Build?

Autodesk Build, based on the former PlanGrid, is construction productivity software. It includes tools to collaborate, collect, and manage project information throughout the project’s construction and operations lifespan. It enables document centralization and tracking.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Autodesk Build has become an essential tool for a variety of use cases in the construction industry. Users have found the software to be …
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PlanGrid!

7 out of 10
February 25, 2020
Incentivized
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 …
Continue reading

PlanGrid for the future

10 out of 10
January 08, 2019
Incentivized
We use PlanGrid to distribute project and design documents to our field personnel, communicate design changes from the field to the design …
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Plangrid

9 out of 10
December 22, 2018
Incentivized
It is being used within the different groups of the company. Not as a whole organization.
Continue reading
Read all reviews

Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

Popular Features

View all 10 features
  • Mobile app (54)
    9.4
    94%
  • Plan distribution & viewing (56)
    8.6
    86%
  • Plan markups & sharing (56)
    8.6
    86%
  • Document sharing (55)
    7.6
    76%
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Pricing

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Nailgun

$39

Cloud
user per month

Dozer

$59

Cloud
user per month

Crane

$139

Cloud
user per month

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://app.plangrid.com/pricing

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Demos

Runding's PlanGrid to Kahua File Manager Sync Demo

YouTube

3 BIM construction cloud product demo plangrid build mobile

YouTube

PlanGrid Demo

YouTube

PlanGrid - Report Collaboration and Approval

YouTube

Software Demo Video for Plan Grid

YouTube

ACC Connect Demo: Google Drive Files To PlanGrid

YouTube
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Features

Construction Project & Field Management

Features related to collaboration between construction management and project execution (e.g. the office and the job site, general contractors and subcontractors)

7.9
Avg 7.4
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Product Details

What is Autodesk Build?

Autodesk Build (based on the former PlanGrid) is construction productivity software used on more than 500,000 projects around the world. The company provides contractors and owners in all construction verticals the tools to collaborate effectively and collect and manage project information throughout the project’s construction and operations lifespan.

Autodesk Build aims to increase team productivity by: streamlining document management and control, providing collaborators with easy access to all project information from any device, and enabling seamless collaboration. This leads to building the most comprehensive record set for the entire construction and operations lifecycle and consistently delivering on time and on budget.

Autodesk Build Features

Construction Project & Field Management Features

  • Supported: Plan distribution & viewing
  • Supported: Plan markups & sharing
  • Supported: Document sharing
  • Supported: Issue tracking & punchlists
  • Supported: Photo documentation
  • Supported: Jobsite reports
  • Supported: RFI tools
  • Supported: Collaboration & approvals
  • Supported: As-built drawings
  • Supported: Mobile app

Autodesk Build Screenshots

Screenshot of No confusing folders - all your plans at your fingertips.Screenshot of Easy overlay to visually detect changes or clashes.Screenshot of Track issues directly on the plan, including descriptions, photos, cost, and schedule impacts.Screenshot of Mark up plans for instant communication between field and office.Screenshot of Attach any kind of construction documents to your plans, including 360 photos.Screenshot of Track, review, and submit all your field reports on a mobile device.

Autodesk Build Integrations

Autodesk Build Technical Details

Deployment TypesSoftware as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationApple iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Mobile Web
Supported LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, French, Finnish, Hungarian, Italian, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Swedish

Frequently Asked Questions

Autodesk Build, based on the former PlanGrid, is construction productivity software. It includes tools to collaborate, collect, and manage project information throughout the project’s construction and operations lifespan. It enables document centralization and tracking.

Procore, Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, and Fieldwire are common alternatives for Autodesk Build.

Reviewers rate Mobile app highest, with a score of 9.4.

The most common users of Autodesk Build are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Comparisons

View all alternatives
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Reviews and Ratings

(148)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Autodesk Build has become an essential tool for a variety of use cases in the construction industry. Users have found the software to be particularly effective in streamlining project management processes and enhancing communication within their organizations and with stakeholders. With Autodesk Build, users can create punch lists, track their completion, and easily share updates with team members. This has significantly improved efficiency and reduced errors in the field.

Another major benefit of Autodesk Build is its ability to facilitate collaboration among different departments and subcontractors. Users appreciate how the software allows them to upload and update project drawings, ensuring that everyone is working with the most up-to-date information. The overlay feature in Autodesk Build has been widely utilized to locate and resolve issues by overlaying different plans, saving time and improving problem-solving capabilities.

Moreover, Autodesk Build offers various tools that enhance job efficiency across multiple departments. It provides easy access to project documents on mobile devices, making it convenient for note-taking during meetings or site observations. Users have also praised its ability to connect the office with field teams, enabling real-time communication and immediate access to project drawings. By centralizing document management activities, Autodesk Build simplifies construction project management and helps maintain accurate project records.

Overall, Autodesk Build has proven to be an invaluable asset in commercial construction, addressing critical needs such as efficient plan navigation, improved communication, collaboration among team members, and accurate documentation throughout the construction process. Whether it's generating estimates, reviewing drawings, managing punch lists, or distributing project documents, this software has become a go-to solution for professionals looking to enhance productivity and streamline their workflows in the construction industry.

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.

  1. Limited Document Management: Some users have expressed frustration with the document management capabilities of PlanGrid, stating that it is difficult to find and organize attachments within the software. This lack of effective organization and search capabilities hinders productivity for these users.

  2. Pricing Constraints: Several reviewers have mentioned that the pricing of PlanGrid can be a significant drawback, especially for smaller companies or projects with limited budgets. The current pricing structure is considered expensive by some users, who suggest offering more tiers of cost to accommodate different sizes of companies.

  3. Lack of Customization Options: Users have highlighted the limited customization options in PlanGrid as a con. They desire the ability to personalize and customize the interface and layout to better suit their specific needs. The current interface is perceived as inflexible, making it challenging for users to adapt the software according to their preferences.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-25 of 33)
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Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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.
Jeffrey Rudacille | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We are currently in the process of integrating Plangrid in all of our departments except accounting. We initially used it just for doing punch-lists but now require all projects to use it for progress photos, plan viewing and markups, as well as the aforementioned punch-lists. It immediately saves us money in requiring less printing of plans as well as better documentation of punch-lists with attached pictures. Plangrid also breeds collaboration by allowing easy sharing of all data within the program.
  • Plangrid is the best SaaS I have seen for ease of uploading construction plans and automated organization of those plans.
  • For companies that are not using other products for mobile access, the Plangrid mobile apps are perfect to allow people on and off site to share and collaborate in many phases of construction project documentation.
  • Plangrid has a very responsive technical support team (although it is pretty much email only).
  • Plangrid's website layout is easy to use and understand and allows new users to jump right in and do basic to moderate tasks without little training.
  • Plangrid is in the process of adding enhanced construction documentation such as better Submittal, RFI, and Field Reporting modules, but the ones in place right now will not be up to par for some people used to more full-featured applications such as Sage or Procore.
  • Like other SaaS Construction applications, Plangrid is very expensive. Too expensive in my opinion. They should find ways to offer more tiers of cost so smaller companies can use the application is a limited manner and not have to pay the same cost as the larger companies which may get more use out of advanced features.
  • On the same theme of cost, many of Plangrids collaboration features require all collaborators to have a license. Try telling all 30 subs on your project that they have to run out and pay an extra $50-$100/MO per employee to collaborate with you. Does not always go over well.
  • Plangrids Field Report, Submittal and RFI modules are still a bit of a work in progress.
Plangrid is well suited for companies (that are not currently using a different SaaS construction package) to make their construction document management more collaborative and mobile friendly. Companies requiring/wanting their subs and owners to collaborate with them as part of the life of a construction project will find Plangrid very helpful in fulfilling this goal. On the negative side, companies that are fully entrenched in using other construction suites will struggle to fully use Plangrid to its potential as pre-built integration between Plangrid and other packages is limited.
February 24, 2020

PlanGrid is great

Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
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.
  • 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.
  • Integration of other software such as BlueBeam or Asta Scheduling Software.
  • Response times on the web based application.
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.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
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.
  • Plan management
  • Ease of use
  • Punchlist implementation and tracking for items through to completion
  • Document storage
  • 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
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.
January 08, 2019

PlanGrid for the future

Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
PlanGrid is a great tool to pass annotated installation drawings and questions between field and office personnel.
Sheila Nguyen | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
PlanGrid is used mainly out in the field on our construction jobsites. 100% of all project engineers use PlanGrid, and is the main platform we use to view drawings in the field. It is mainly used by the operations department that are located offsite and not in the corporate office. It addresses the need for physical copies of plans and the tiresome re-printing and re-updating your plan set.
  • Great at updating and consolidating plan sets!
  • The filter option on plans is particularly helpful when you want to vie wa specific plan set, like electrical drawings only or fire protection and plumbing only.
  • Great with incorporating and managing RFI's, ASI's and punchlist items.
  • I wish there were an option to git rid of a notification once you've seen it, e.g. "you're viewing an old plan sheet - do you want to continue?" There should be an option on this pop-up to say "Noted - do not show this message again".
  • Better markup options, similar to BlueBeam. I feel like the options available are limited.
  • Better able to view linked sheets. Some sheets do not link automatically to the detail they are referenced in.
PlanGrid really gets the job done when it comes to organizing your project documents, especially out in the field. If your subcontractor has old plans, it is really easy to pull up PlanGrid and show them the documents that they should have and show them right then and there. It's great when you don't want to print out an 11x17 sheet or bring out a whole roll of plans to show a specific detail to your installer as well.
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Our company uses PlanGrid for a mobile plan and specification sharing platform. It has been the easiest to use for storing plans, updating them with current drawings and being able to share them via the mobile app with our field staff.
  • Their upload process is fast.
  • The takeoff and markup tools work very well.
  • The mobile application works very well.
  • The price point for sharing between employees is missing a level I feel...between the free and the next level version.
  • More integrations with other project management platforms would be great.
Smaller companies it may not be good for simply due to the cost of it. Otherwise, a company that has multiple teams of project managers, engineers, and foreman. this is a great platform for.
Chip Stadnyck, AIA | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We utilize PlanGrid to streamline the punch list process. PlanGrid allows multiple users to contribute to the punch list without a lengthy process to compile the results. Being able to take a picture of the issue and have it instantly attached to the note regarding the issue is helpful. As the contractor completes the items the list is updated and a current report can be issued at any time to update the team of the progress.
  • Compile punch list items from multiple team members.
  • Create reports on the current status.
  • Visual documentation of the issues.
  • Easily group like issues in order to distribute to sub-contractors.
  • Filtering
  • Moving items to different sheets after the fact
  • Options to condense reports
  • When there is a team working on a project.
  • The ability to have 5 people add items at 5 different times, and still be able to create a report without having to collate 5 different reports is great.
August 25, 2017

More bang for the buck

Les Yager | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use this in project management, field supervision and estimating. This addresses real-time information gathering, such as built drawings, photo records, the RFI process, to name a few. We are able to review previous changes to drawings and compare these to current. We can take photos of issues and email them directly to the engineer, architect, owner, and construction manager, for quicker response.
  • Real-time, cloud based project data - keeps everyone on the same page
  • Photo history allowing issues, concerns and documentation of conditions for owner
  • Easy to navigate site, able to be used on multiple platforms from mobile (IOS or Android), desktop or web based
  • RFI format
  • Adding a pricing request log
  • More detail on punch list
It's great for the mobile QC individual. He can use an iPad for instant access for all projects; not having to unroll and carry 20 to 30 sets of drawings and spec books. Keeps everyone working off the same set of drawings and easy to update. Photos of existing conditions and problems can be quickly documented and emailed out.
Brett Thompson | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Plangrid is being used on a project-by-project basis. We use it as our primary document control protocol, for rolling completion lists, punchlists, owner update reports, QC and sub coordination.
  • Plan sheet organization, renderings speed and image quality in the field are all great.
  • UI is simple, attractive and easy for users of most experience levels.
  • Slipsheeting, updating or changing drawings is easy and effective.
  • Photo quality in printed reports is low. If markups or dimensions are made on an image within the system it's oftentimes difficult to see once printed.
  • Clouding and markups sometimes obstruct you from seeing the actual drawing. Clouds for instance, grow and shrink when zooming. This makes sense, but sometimes on sheets with a large number of markups, when you zoom out it's just a mess of illegible bulky clouds/bubbles.
I've yet to manage a project and not used plangrid (in the last 5/6 years).
August 24, 2017

PlanGrid makes my day.

Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
PlanGrid is used primarily by our turnkey framing division to keep everyone involved on a particular project up to date with current plans. It is also used in our estimating department for various take off of any material we may be bidding.
  • Everyone is looking at the same set of plans.
  • PlanGrid makes it easy to highlight and note issues to involve any one person or the whole team on working on resolutions.
  • Easy access to addendums, bulletins, SK's and even previous versions of plan pages.
  • I always seem to struggle when printing an individual page or detail.
  • It would be nice to be able to view more than one page at a time.
It's great when you have a number of people on a team who all need to be working off a current set of plans and allows for easy communication between team members.
August 24, 2017

PlanGrid Review

Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Whole company uses it to control the flow of information on a project.
  • Manages multiple revisions within the same project.
  • Punch list function is best I have found
  • Numbering of the Issues. I would be nice to be able to control the numbering of the issues (i.e. QC issues during construction, GC's Pre-Punch List, Final Punch List, etc. are separate list starting at #1)
  • Better functionality in plan markups. I currently use Bluebeam for markups, because it is easier to use for that.
  • Ability to integrate with other programs (Raken, Procore, Prolog, etc)
Best available Punch List tool I have found.

As-built and plan markup functionality is lagging behind other options.
James Nolan | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We have been using plangrid company wide for about 2 years now as a solution to document distribution issues. We offer access to the plangrid software to anyone willing to use it, it is our best resource for ensuring our entire team is up to date with the latest drawings available.
  • Plangrid is still the quickest PDF reader on the market. It's the only app that keeps pace with our industry.
  • The unlimited storage of attachments means that on projects where the number of RFIs can often reach into the hundreds, we never have to make a decision regarding which documents to share with the field.
  • The simple to use tools, such as quick document mark-up and photo capture have made generating RFIs simpler than ever before.
  • It'd be nice to have access to upload and edit documents from the app. Only for certain users.
  • A small business billing option that addresses multiple users of a single account would make managing access simpler. Being able to load unlimited sheets, but only access a specific limit on your team's devices.
  • Allow users to integrate their own RFI templates into the app, so RFIs can be generated in your own format right from the field, immediately ready to ship.
Plangrid is an excellent document sharing software within your internal team, but it does not serve as a full document management software similar to Procore. It is top notch for viewing and working with drawings, but is no use for distributing drawings for bidding or other purposes.
August 24, 2017

PlanGrid review

Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
PlanGrid is being used throughout our department to help manage jobs and projects of varying sizes. It helps us with keep up to date with each project from the management team to the field employees who are installing the work. As-builts are much easier to keep up to date and by saving on paperwork with submittals, etc. it has been a real bonus.
  • Being able to include submittals and any other documentation as an attachment either per sheet or per project on 1 device is a lifesaver.
  • Marking up drawings for review between everyone involved is a very nice feature.
  • Having all of your projects at the touch of a finger through an iPad is awesome. The whole system is a time saver.
  • I would like to see it be better at scaling measurements, I feel there is plenty of room for improvement.
PlanGrid is well suited for being used to manage information between everyone involved with the project.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We are using PlanGrid as a daily document control tool across our project. We have a team network established and use it to ensure that all documents are up-to-date and information is available. We are also using it as a tool to track and monitor quality control items from day one on the project.
  • Construction drawing document control. All of the plans that I need as a superintendent are always at my finger tips when I am out on a job.
  • RFI management. Having the ability to create, mark and track RFI's in the program keeps everyone on the same page.
  • Quality Control management. I use it as daily tool to track punchlist type items throughout the construction project.
  • There needs to be a way that PDFs can be uploaded to an open issue in the punch list feature. Often we use the QA/QC log to track deficient testing reports from inspectors or design team reviews.
Fantastic tool for keeping your whole project team on the right path. We have a particular person assigned to ensure that it is up-to-date so the subcontractor team has all of the most accurate information. I love the ability to have all of the plans with me at all times, the program eliminates the days of carrying around a large roll of paper drawings.
August 21, 2017

PlanGrid User Review

Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Our project based employees use PlanGrid across the whole team. We use PlanGrid for compilation of the record drawing set and to maintain the current construction drawings.
  • Using PlanGrid allows us to store files electronically on a fully accessible internet based server which allows immediate availability of construction plans for users in the field.
  • PlanGrid has a user friendly interface and continues to update components that allow its users to use the product in the most proficient manner.
  • Having access to construction plans without having to use hard copy full size plans or multiple packages greatly reduces the opportunity for error, since the contractor is always using the most recent plan.
  • Having the ability to open details in the same window would be useful, potentially with a split screen option. This would allow the user to review multiple sheets without having to leave the original sheet and move back and forth between sheets.
We have found PlanGrid to be particularly useful for our field staff. However, there has been feedback that the size of the program with uploaded documents/plans etc. can sometimes bog down users' tablets or simply cannot be used due to space limits.
Tad Rivenbark | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use PlanGrid for organizing our projects as they are constructed. We keep all drawings, RFI responses, Shop Drawings, and other documents in PlanGrid for easy access while at the jobsite. The ability to have all of these documents in one place makes things so much easier and more efficient compared to the old days of lugging around rolls of drawings and books full of paperwork. We also use PlanGrid for generating punch lists and tracking their completion.
  • Punchlists. I have not found another product that is as simple to use for punchlists.
  • Drawings, including updated versions of sheets. It's great to be able to simply swipe down on a sheet and see the older version(s) of the sheets.
  • Sheet comparisons are good and getting better. It's nice to be able to simply overlay different versions of sheets and clearly see what has changed.
  • More customization for punchlists would be appreciated. The ability to add the company logo and creating lists were nice additions to help the process. However it would be nice to be able to select items created by more than one person in the filters.
PlanGrid is great for punchlists. We also use it for generating reports of existing conditions on renovation projects. Its not really tailored to that type of use but is flexible enough that we have made it work. There is another product that we also use for documenting existing conditions that works better in the field, but the reports are not as good.
Kara Hermann, PE, LEED AP | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use PlanGrid in our construction division - mostly Project Managers, Project Engineers and Foreman. We use it to update drawings to the field to ensure they have the latest plans. The biggest issue it addresses in making sure the field has the latest drawings, easily referencing past drawings, and a tool for communication between the office and the field. Prior to PlanGrid, there were many instances where architectural or owner updates were not communicated to field efficiently and a lot of time was spent either slip-sheeting or updating paper binders of changes, resulting in re-work and lost time/money.
  • Organize plans and reference past drawing sets.
  • Communicate with the field.
  • Make sure the field has the latest plans.
  • Link architectural or owner changes (by way of attachments) on the drawings so the field has the latest changes (vs previous paper model where RFI's were stuck in a binder somewhere and stuff got missed).
  • Post submittals and schedules so the field has everything they need in one place.
  • We are an electrical firm. I would love to specify which drawings to view first in a whole set of drawings. Currently I label E1.0 to "_E1.0" so it will be up top, but update the drawings with the latest set means I need to manually add the "_" in front which is a pain.
  • Quick count.
  • Turn off specific markups, organized by date. I think you can do this on web but haven't been able to do on iPad.
  • Send an email summary of changes to the team so the field (who often does not refresh PlanGrid on a regular basis) knows that there has been an update.
I am always able to tell the field "update your plangrid" to make sure they are viewing the latest. This is critical so they are building the correct thing. Fixing mistakes is a waste of time and money. I believe one paper full-sized set is useful on the jobsite at the start for coordination and planning, then the iPad can be used for capturing changes or zeroing in on particular issues. I have found it incredibly useful when walking the jobsite and coordination questions come up from other trades. I am able to view their drawings and resolve the issue right there. The "big picture" is still hard to get using PlanGrid on a standard iPad. Perhaps the iPad Pro would help but not sure this is necessary in most cases. We have also gotten Apple TV's for the trailer and it is incredibly useful for viewing plans on the big screen from your iPad for coordination.
August 16, 2017

Best drawing handler!

Alexis Hernandez, BSME, PE | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We began using Plangrid 3 years ago, when we did work for Deangelis Diamond. It was a great tool to access drawings and make notes on the drawings. However, six months ago our company decided to move to Procore, which is the platform we are using now.
  • Fast opening drawings
  • Compare sheets
  • Better annotations tools
  • Drawing tools similar to autocad
  • Better OCR for uploading sheets (titles)
Plangrid is a great tool, a must have. You have your drawings with you at all times and can collaborate from anywhere.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
It's being used mostly for coordination purposes between all trades. At this time, only a few people within our architectural department are using this program. We are a full Architecture and Engineering firm. As an example, for one of my projects, the contractor is not taking advantage of what PlanGrid has to offer. They are not using any of the following programs: Issues, RFIs and Field Reports.
  • The overlay or "compare sheets" works great for coordination purposes.
  • The fact that you can share your comments to each sheet with others in the team.
  • For Punchlist items or Field Observations Reports, it's great to snap a picture and place it on a plan sheet for reference.
  • At the compare icon, it would be great if it had the ability to shift the inserted drawing in order to align with the walls. In most cases when dealing with outside consultants the plans do not align with each other for coordination purposes.
  • For the attachment, if it had the same capabilities as the drawings sheets this would be better.
  • It would be great if you could insert word documents or another type of file and inset it to the plan like an image. In my case, the contractor is not using the RFIs icon to its full capacity so when they issue a PDF/Word doc as a RFI it would help for coordination purposes in the field.
The main reason to use PlanGrid is to have access to all the drawings associated with your projects in lieu of carrying all the physical sheets. I currently have every project on PlanGrid that I'm managing to date. All the information in on one device, and it's great to work with remotely and on site.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Plangrid is used throughout our organization to share/maintain current project drawings and information between Field Superintendents and Project Managers. We also utilize it to communicate with Owners and Architects on various issues requiring field changes and use the iPad app to do pre-punchlist walk-throughs with subcontractors. It is a very effective tool to maintain accurate project records, and cut down on the expense of getting paper copies of updated drawings to the field. On the estimating/sales side of the organization, it's helpful in preconstruction bid work by giving quick, accurate take-offs that we can use to help qualify unit pricing from subcontractors. Lots of really great tools are built into the system.
  • Quick, Accurate take-offs when qualifying pricing or tabulation of job takeoffs for reference in the field.
  • Easy and quick sharing of information and revisions with field staff, as well as easy sharing of information with project owners and architects.
  • Easy manipulation of the desktop and iPad versions of the software for field use and walkthroughs/punchlists.
  • I personally haven't found any issues with the platform that causes any trouble, or that can't be learned/taught to field staff.
[PlanGrid is well suited for] Construction projects with many sheets, multiple active revisions, and a lot of users that are interacting and interfacing with the project information on a daily basis.

Smaller, simple projects aren't really "dependent" on PlanGrid due to the size and nature of the project. A ten sheet drawing set that doesn't have any revisions is more of a hassle to set up on PlanGrid than simply running paper copies for field staff.

I recommend it to everyone who asks about the app when they see me using it in the field. I also recommend it to estimators who need to do quick takeoffs for high level budgeting, informal sales calls, etc.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Plangrid allows us to manage project documents far more efficiently than otherwise would be possible. Using an iPad in the field on commercial construction projects, we can have all project documents in one place, up to date, and easy to find instantly. This has improved communication with our subcontractors and allowed us to instantly answer questions that would otherwise take time returning to the site office and combing through drawings, submittals or RFIs. Plangrid saves times, cuts costs, improves communication, and increases quality by having all documents at the field's fingertips.
  • Hyperlinks are fantastic for ensuring RFIs, sketches, and other changes are electronically posted to drawings so all users have the latest and most current project documents.
  • Overlays/sheet compare are great for comparing changes in drawing revisions and overlaying floor plans to check for conflicts. PlanGrid does this particularly well. The process is easy.
  • Issues list have dramatically changed how we handle QC on the job site. Issue creation, tracking, and generation of issues lists for subs have allowed an easy and concise way to create, maintain, and enforce to do lists and correct defective work with subcontractors.
  • Some of the notation tools can be cumbersome to use on Apple devices. It is hard to be precise. A snap to feature would be great.
  • Perhaps due to limitations by Apple, the camera button is small and hard to use on iPhones. Often I need to take photos one handed while holding a tape measure in my other hand. Increasing the size of the on screen camera button would really help.
  • More robust issue filtering on Apple devices would be nice. It can be difficult to navigate thousands of issues in the field on an Apple device with only a basic search function. Having the ability to filter issues like on the Plangrid website would be ideal.
Plangrid is great for the field. It works well on iPads and the like and is fantastic to have while walking a job site, running crews, or coordinating trades. Having all project documents at the ready while walking with designers, owners, inspectors, etc. saves significant and prevents costly errors in construction. Plangrid really excels in the field. It is not particularly well suited to estimating, take offs, complex drawing notations, etc.
Brock Shepard, P.E. (TX) | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use plangrid many different ways in our office. Our production staff and sales staff use it for meetings. We download the drawings using plangrid and then use it to take notes right on the plans during meetings with clients. Our construction administration staff use plangrid for site observations. The speed at which you can move through the drawings makes it ideal for what we do.
  • The speed at which you can move through the drawings and zoom in and out is amazing.
  • You can customize the punch lists for what your company standards are. This is great for doing observations and making reports standardized through out the company.
  • The sharing of the same job between multiple individuals is great.
  • There is nothing that I would say they need to improve. If I have an idea, they usually try to get it incorporated if multiple individuals request it.
Anytime I go to a job site, I tell them about plangrid if they are not using it. I have about 4 construction companies that started using plangrid after I introduced it to them.
Rick Crouch | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized

Our company is using PlanGrid nation-wide.

We use it on our iPads to document changes, show RFI's, do existing conditions reports, and help subcontractors with layout.

We keep all the submittals as attachments so you always have everything you need right in your hand at any time. It makes it so much easier to cross reference drawing and items such as Millwork shop drawings or Appliance Submittals to verify clearances. It's one of the best tools we have in the field.

  • It's great for Layout because you can get measurements with the scaling tool then have Architects verify on Layout approval.
  • Using it to store all the submittals and ASK's from everyone is really useful when you're walking around and want to be able to verify that something is going to fit or make sure needed clearances are being meet.
  • Best tool for doing existing conditions report because you can mark right on the drawings where there is a problem and even take pictures to prove the existing damage and its all kept together.
  • Overall it make my day a lot easier.
  • I would like to be able to save a page as an update without having to keep everything on the original plan.
Overall it's the best tool we have in the field. It saves time and makes it easier to show subcontractors where there may be problems that needs to be addressed without fumbling through a lot of drawings and submittals.
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