Upgraded Costs, Downgraded Use
Updated January 11, 2019
Upgraded Costs, Downgraded Use
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with BuildingConnected
BuildingConnected is used on a regular basis by our Preconstruction Department in at least three of our office locations. It provides everyone in our department with a real-time update on what's going on with our bid lists as they all have the ability to log in and leave notes and/or read each other's notes during the bidding process. It also easily allows subcontractors to access project information.
- BuildingConnected is very user-friendly. It's very hard to "get lost" in the system and is relatively easy for someone new to learn how to use.
- BuildingConnected has an excellent support email set up. When I have sent an email asking them to help a subcontractor get logged in - the response rate is often very quick and typically they are able to effectively solve the issue.
- Their web-based system is never down, at least not that I can remember. It makes me trust their system.
- They are somewhat pushy with wanting companies to upgrade for their paid version. While some of the capabilities of their paid version are worthwhile, we have found that our office would not use most of the features and therefore it's hard for us to justify paying for the upgraded side.
- The file system they have is overall very user-friendly, but if you happen to have a lot of files, it does not give you a count anywhere of how many files you've uploaded and so you still have to check and make sure everything has gone through successfully.
- Their Subcontractor database is built based on companies, such as our ourselves, adding companies to it. What this means is that some locations around the United States have a lot of companies listed while some have next to none. There are also no private listings so once you add the name into the system, it's fair game for your competitors to find the same ones.
- As of right now, the free version has obviously had a positive impact as it has helped us win jobs while using it. It is not the only reason why we've won, but it has certainly helped.
We use BuildingConnected for our bidding process mainly because of their database feature. Procore does not offer a database outside of using your own. PlanGrid, Dodge & PanTerra have databases, but they don't seem to be as broad as BuildingConnected. SmartBid actually has some decent options, plus they have a great agreement w/ Procore, which we use for all of our construction management or once we have been awarded the job.
Compared to the other systems though, I would say Hands Down that BuildingConnected is one of the easiest systems to use. A 20-minute tutorial will allow someone to jump in and use it.
Compared to the other systems though, I would say Hands Down that BuildingConnected is one of the easiest systems to use. A 20-minute tutorial will allow someone to jump in and use it.