Skip to main content
TrustRadius
SmartBid

SmartBid

Overview

What is SmartBid?

SmartBid is a construction bid management software for general contractors. SmartBid provides a web-based and mobile platform to streamline their bid project data, documents, and subcontractor communications. It also supports user permissions control for data security.

Read more
Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

SmartBid offers a wide range of use cases for construction companies, subcontractors, and estimators. Multiple estimators can collaborate …
Continue reading

SmartBid is Smart

8 out of 10
December 13, 2016
Incentivized
It is being used across the whole organization by all of the estimating departments.

It is a great way to manage bid solicitations. It is …
Continue reading
Read all reviews
Return to navigation

Pricing

View all pricing
N/A
Unavailable

What is SmartBid?

SmartBid is a construction bid management software for general contractors. SmartBid provides a web-based and mobile platform to streamline their bid project data, documents, and subcontractor communications. It also supports user permissions control for data security.

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://smartbid.co/construction-bid…

Offerings

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

Would you like us to let the vendor know that you want pricing?

17 people also want pricing

Alternatives Pricing

What is monday.com?

monday.com Work OS is an open platform designed so that anyone can create the tools they need to run all aspects of their work. It includes ready-made templates or the ability to customize any work solution ranging from sales pipelines to marketing campaigns, CRMs, and project tracking.

What is Wrike?

Wrike is a project management and collaboration software. This solution connects tasks, discussions, and emails to the user’s project plan. Wrike is optimized for agile workflows and aims to help resolve data silos, poor visibility into work status, and missed deadlines and project failures.

Return to navigation

Product Demos

PCL Construction: SmartBid Customer Success Story Featuring Marc Brown

YouTube

Why CPM Ditched Spreadsheets and Email for SmartBid

YouTube

SmartBid Construction Bid Management Software Overview

YouTube
Return to navigation

Product Details

What is SmartBid?

SmartBid is a construction bid management software for general contractors worldwide. The pre-construction software simplifies bid management for prime, commercial and residential general contractors. With SmartBid, users can access a secure web-based and mobile platform to streamline their bid project data, documents, and subcontractor communications. The vendor says by using their robust and customizable system, general contractors can take advantage of a number of value-added partnerships and integrations that provide them a wide range of tools and modules to simplify, integrate and customize their pre-construction process. All data and projects are guaranteed private and secure, only shared with those given authorized access, promises the vendor. With unlimited 24/7 live support, the vendor says they guarantee users, their subcontractors, unmatched customer success in their pre-construction process.

SmartBid Features

Construction Project & Field Management Features

  • Supported: Plan distribution & viewing
  • Supported: Document sharing
  • Supported: RFI tools
  • Supported: Collaboration & approvals
  • Supported: Mobile app

Additional Features

  • Supported: Send Invitations to Bid
  • Supported: Compare Subcontractor Bids
  • Supported: Track Subcontractor Compliance
  • Supported: Manage Subcontractor Data
  • Supported: Share Project Documents
  • Supported: Prequalify Subcontractors
  • Supported: Find Qualified Subcontractors

SmartBid Screenshots

Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of

SmartBid Videos

Learn about our robust, customizable software and mobile app, which enables preconstruction teams to easily manage every aspect of the construction bid management process. From maintaining your subcontractor database to sending out invitations to bid to selecting qualified sub...
 Show More
Learn how Marc Brown, Estimator at PCL Construction, has improved the construction bidding process, saved 8+ hours per project, and increased ROI with SmartBid. You too can enhance the bidding process and win more projects like PCL! Learn more or request a free demo today at http://sbn.cc/2yRKIEC
Watch how CPM | Tenant Improvement Solutions was able to replace spreadsheets and email with bid management software to standardize their bidding process. Request Your Free Demo of SmartBid Today: https://sbn.cc/2AEyB06

SmartBid Integrations

  • Procore
  • ShareFile
  • Dropbox
  • STACK Estimating & Takeoff
  • Autodesk BIM 360
  • Cloud Storage
  • Plans4Less
  • SmartInsight
  • ConsensusDocs
  • Marsh
  • Dun & Bradstreet
  • ConstructConnect

SmartBid Competitors

SmartBid Technical Details

Deployment TypesSoftware as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationApple iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Supported CountriesUnited States, Canada
Supported LanguagesEnglish

Frequently Asked Questions

SmartBid is a construction bid management software for general contractors. SmartBid provides a web-based and mobile platform to streamline their bid project data, documents, and subcontractor communications. It also supports user permissions control for data security.

BuildingConnected, an Autodesk product and iSqFt are common alternatives for SmartBid.

Reviewers rate Document sharing highest, with a score of 8.

The most common users of SmartBid are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
Return to navigation

Comparisons

View all alternatives
Return to navigation

Reviews and Ratings

(16)

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!

SmartBid offers a wide range of use cases for construction companies, subcontractors, and estimators. Multiple estimators can collaborate on estimating projects from different office locations, streamlining the estimating process and improving efficiency. Subcontractors can easily receive and bid on project invitations from various contractors, enhancing their bidding opportunities. The software is also used for project management purposes, enabling construction companies to manage bids, subcontractors, change orders, and punch lists effectively.

In the educational field, SmartBid is utilized in management engineering courses, providing students with practical experience in project estimation and management. Additionally, it proves advantageous in managing complex restoration works for historic buildings, ensuring accurate estimates and smooth project execution.

One of the key benefits is the time-saving feature that allows for easy storage and sharing of working documents. Users across the organization, especially in estimating departments, rely on SmartBid to manage bid solicitations and efficiently send large amounts of data such as drawings and specifications to a broad audience. This software is also highly valued for its ability to track conversations and record notes with subcontractors, facilitating clear communication and documentation throughout the bidding process.

For estimators using SmartBid, it provides a comprehensive view of new opportunities and tracks open bids. On the other hand, project managers and superintendents utilize the platform for tasks like change orders and punch lists, streamlining project management workflows.

Overall, SmartBid serves as a vital tool primarily used by estimating departments to send out invitations to bidders while offering convenience in managing bid solicitations, collaborating with subcontractors, tracking communications, and facilitating efficient project management processes.

Efficient Document Management: Users have praised SmartBid for its excellent document management capabilities. Many reviewers have found it convenient to store and manage project-related documents using the software. They appreciate how it provides a centralized location for all their documentation needs, making it easy to control the exchange of documents with customers and subcontractors.

Streamlined Bid Process: SmartBid offers a streamlined bid process that users find valuable. Multiple reviewers have mentioned that they can easily set up and manage job solicitations, determining who receives invitations to bid. The software allows them to keep detailed notes on contacts made and track if recipients have downloaded and reviewed the documents. Additionally, users appreciate being able to add a confidentiality agreement clause within SmartBid, eliminating the need for separate NDA forms.

Effective Communication: Users highly value SmartBid's communication features. Several reviewers have highlighted the ability to distribute bid documents easily through SmartBid as a significant advantage. They find it beneficial in simplifying the communication process with subcontractors during bidding processes. Furthermore, users appreciate being able to communicate with a large number of people at once through SmartBid's email system, ensuring efficient and timely communication.

Outdated Graphical Interface: Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with SmartBid's graphical interface, stating that it is outdated and in need of improvements. This has made the software difficult to use for these users.

Weak Reporting Functions: Several reviewers have criticized the reporting functions in SmartBidNet, citing them as the weakest link of the software. Users have expressed frustration over the lack of progress in addressing their requests for enhancements in reporting, which has hindered their ability to generate comprehensive reports.

Delayed ITBs due to Lack of Automatic Updates: Users have mentioned that SmartBid does not update automatically when subcontractors view and respond to Invitations to Bid (ITBs). This has caused issues with delayed ITBs for some users, potentially impacting project timelines and communication between parties involved.

Note Disappearance Issues: Some users have reported intermittent problems with notes disappearing within SmartBid. This could potentially cause issues in communication and documentation, as important information may be lost or overlooked due to this issue.

Limitation on File Size Uploads: A limitation on file size uploads has been noted by users, with a maximum limit of around 350 MB. For those who needed to upload larger files such as 3D models, often exceeding 350 MB, they had to contact support staff for exceptions. This additional step can be seen as an inconvenience by some users.

Inability to Simultaneously Open Multiple Bidding Projects: Users expressed a desire for the ability to have multiple bidding projects open simultaneously on multiple windows within SmartBid. They believe that this feature would greatly improve efficiency and streamline their workflow.

Lack of Subcontractor Engagement through Software Communication: Although subcontractors are able to access documents through SmartBid, very few of them respond to emails regarding their bidding intentions according to some users. This indicates a potential lack of engagement or effectiveness in communication through the software platform.

Users have provided several recommendations for SmartBid. Firstly, they suggest cleaning up the bid list before uploading it into SmartBid, as this can help ensure accuracy and efficiency in the bidding process. Secondly, users highly recommend using SmartBid Net, as they find it to be a valuable investment. Lastly, users recommend setting up SmartBid with one to two administrators for increased accuracy. These recommendations highlight the importance of thorough preparation and effective communication in utilizing SmartBid effectively.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-6 of 6)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
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
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
SmartBid is excellent for any subcontractor that is receiving and all of their information from an awarded general contractor. It does a great job of posting addenda, RFI responses, and other changes throughout the bid process, so you are never out of the loop. It might not be as useful to a subcontractor that hasn't been invited to bid on a project yet.
Matthew Smith | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I can’t speak for a general contractor, but I can say the general contractors that send invites to us (who use this program) tend to win a good number of jobs. I believe there are other features for general contractors that we do not have access to as a subcontractor. However, it is free for us to use once we’ve been invited and it does help us manage estimates from multiple contractors.
December 13, 2016

SmartBid is Smart

Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
As mentioned before in some of the previous questions, the confidentiality agreement feature is extremely helpful. I have worked on several projects where it's so early in the design phase that the documents are considered confidential and we are required to get a signed NDA from every person who sees the documents. This feature makes it extremely painless. SmartBidNet is less appropriate if you're just doing a quick cost exercise where you might not need to contact several subs. It's easier to just use email and a cloud sharing program like Box or Egnyte.
Return to navigation