Best Software for Construction Drawings: Top 9

Construction drawing management software helps project teams better understand construction documents to simplify communication, task assignment, and progress tracking on the construction site.  With features like document management, cost control, and collaboration tools, the entire team will be on the same page throughout the project lifecycle, saving time and reducing delays in the design process.

To help you find the right program for your next construction project, we tested several options and compiled this list of the best software programs for construction drawings in 2024.

Note: If you want to breakdown construction drawings, convert them into scope sheets, and get connected to relevant subcontractors in minutes, try Downtobid. Our software leverages AI to save you time manually reviewing construction plans and improves sub response rates with our personalized emails. Try our a demo of our software today.

Top 9 Best Construction Drawing Management Software for Project Management

Here’s our ranking of the top nine construction drawing management software:

• Downtobid - Best AI Tool for Preconstruction
• Archdesk
• PlanRadar
• Bluebeam
• Viewpoint
• ProjectSight
• Autodesk BIM 360 Docs
• Procore
• Fieldwire

We're going to start with the one we know best--our own.

#1: Downtobid - Best AI Tool for Preconstruction

Downtobid helps you optimize the preconstruction stage for contractors and project owners. Our software uses artificial intelligence to analyze and dissect construction drawings and plans to automatically turn them into bid invites.

Once the tool identifies the right bid packages for your project needs, it suggests the best local contractors for the job and breaks down the project scope into finer details. 

For Commercial General Constractors

Here are some of the use cases for why we are the best construction software for general contractors.

• Estimators leverage this tool to improve the accuracy of page turning, ensuring that no critical scope is missed. The AI conducts thorough checks across all major trades and compiles a concise summary.
• The AI Copilot subsequently recommends suitable bid packages and aligns them with a list of qualified, local subcontractors.
• The AI copilot incorporates a detailed scope of work and relevant sheets into the invitation to bid, aiming to minimize scope gaps during the preconstruction phase.

For Trade Contractors

• Analytics for win/loss
• Estimating teams are now able to assess hundreds of opportunities simultaneously.
• The AI copilot reviews each plan set and bid invitation you receive, finding scope relevant to your trade.
• If it aligns with your project expertise, it seamlessly integrates it into a bid board/calendar, automatically populating all essential information (deadline, general contractor, etc).

Key Features of Downtobid

Downtobid has amazing features that help general contractors and subcontractors simplify their projects, improve communication, and attract the best bids. Here are some main features:

AI Co-Pilot

Downtobid’s AI automation does all the work for you. The AI automation process scrutinizes the bid packages to verify their completeness and precision. This functionality is great, as it spares you the time and effort of manually reviewing all the documents.

The AI can review hundreds of documents at the same time, checking for errors that delay the project so you don’t have to turn the pages yourself. Even when you have a team assisting in the review of all project documents, it's still possible to overlook crucial details that can disrupt the entire construction bidding process.

In short, AI prevents manual reviewal of construction drawings and mitigate human error.

Downtobid’s AI makes the extra effort to connect contractors to the right subs, ensuring only qualified people work on the project.

The program finds the right subs quickly, helping to cut down the recruitment and interview time. 

Create Bid Invites Instantly

Traditionally, turning plans and specs into bid invites and scope sheets manually could take anywhere from several hours to several days, depending on the project's complexity. 

The process was also full of errors because imagine how tired you’d be after trying to keep track of all the back and forth between subcontractors and revising all documents.

Downtobid gets the job done in minutes.

All you have to do is upload the plans, and the bid management platform handles the rest. 

But that’s not all. The platform goes the extra mile to create personalized invites for each contractor and even includes their name to help you build a genuine connection. 

Contractors will be more inclined to submit the best bids when the invite feels personal or intimate and not just another generic 'job interview' email. See for yourself why were considered the best bid invitation software.

How to Use Downtobid

Using Downtobid for your construction projects isn’t rocket science because the platform has a clean design to save time and simplify project management. 

The following steps will guide you through the process:

Step 1:  Upload Plans

Click here, and you’ll be taken to a page where you can sign up for a demo.

After, you'll be able to export files for the AI to review (the maximum file limit is usually 10 GB). 

You also need to provide your email so the platform can notify you when the analysis is ready. 

Step 2: Plan Analysis

Downtobid’s AI will review each page on your project plan, analyze it for scope, and create the right bid packages. 

This step usually takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how complex your project is. Once your analysis is ready, the platform will send you an email. 

Step 3: Review Your Bid Packages

Once you log in, you’ll find a list of bid packages the Downtobid’s AI copilot created. 

A simple scope sheet on each page will show:

• A description of the bid package.
• Each instance where it’s detected scope in the plans.
• A list of recommended subcontractors you can invite.

You can either invite your own subs or browse through Downtobid’s subcontractor network for more options. 

The AI also comes up with a suggested bidding schedule to forward your Invitation To Bid (ITBs) at the best times, resulting in higher response rates. 

These personalized ITBs contain clear scope summaries that allow subs to quickly determine their fit for the project without reading through your entire plan.

Subs will receive ITBs relevant to their experience, so they won’t waste any time on proposals for projects they can’t handle, and you’ll save time spent clarifying details.

Everybody wins in the end.

The system will even schedule any follow-ups for your invites based on the proposal’s deadline. 

Step 4: Subcontractors Bid on the Project

Subcontractors don’t need an account with Downtobid to access the platform’s planroom, and they only see the drawings relevant to their scope of work. If they had to sift through irrelevant information, they’d probably feel overwhelmed or distracted by the bidding timeline. 

Downtobid’s AI reviews each reply and planroom activity to analyze a subcontractor’s interest level and produce accurate coverage metrics. 

Step 5: Respond to Bids

Every email from subcontractors is forwarded to your email, so you never have to leave your inbox or switch between platforms. You’ll save time tracking and responding to project-related threads in a single location.

Benefits of using Our Software

Using Downtobid as your go-to construction drawing management software has the following advantages:

Save Time

Downtobid saves time for both commercial general and trade contractors. 

The AI copilot can process many documents simultaneously to identify errors that contractors would’ve missed and produce a list of recommended subs. 

Contractors won’t waste time reviewing each document manually or accessing individual subs for each scope sheet. 

Subcontractors get drawings relevant to their scope of work, which spares them from reading through irrelevant material and allows them to bid quickly before their competition. 

Central Location

The construction industry involves a lot of paperwork, and keeping up with every document and everyone working on the project is always difficult. 

Whether it’s blueprints for your home design, contractor contracts, or the budget plan, Downtobid has a centralized system to ensure everyone has access to the latest version of construction documents. 

#2: Archdesk

If you want an adaptable construction management platform, Archdesk lets you track your performance on dashboards, create reports, and develop processes.

Stay organized with the platform’s document management system that assigns every document its place in a project-specific folder. This way, the right people will be able to access these documents.

Project managers can also keep their RFIs organized and actionable with Archdesk, allowing them to manage change requests from clients. 

Pros

• Easy to use 
• Transparent quotations for clients
• Fully customizable dashboard layout
• 30-day free trial with professional training and setup
• Good customer support, prompt to work around platform issues

Cons

• Occasional system glitch
• Fails in basic auditing and compliance
• Lack of customization for settings out of your company process

#3: PlanRadar

When you need one platform for the entire project lifecycle, PlanRadar is the best construction management software that will collect and report data to suit your team. 

Manage plans from office to project site with plan markups and in-app communication to keep stakeholders involved.

PlanRadar also securely stores and organizes plans and BIM models, providing access across desktop and mobile devices. The latest versions are immediately sent to all team members so that everyone stays on the same page. 

Pros

• Multi-user capability
• Clear and simple operation
• High data security standards
• Accurate documentation and tracking of changes
• Detailed feature set for project planning and management

Cons

• Pictures may get lost
• Difficult to export 3D models
• Impossible to cancel synchronization

#4: Bluebeam

Trusted by more than 3 million professionals worldwide, Bluebeam is the best construction software for innovators. 

Architects, engineers, and contractors can create, annotate, and share construction documents in a secure, centralized location from any device. You can even upload documents with multiple formats and compare them instantly. 

With powerful collaboration tools, you can invite internal and external team members from anywhere worldwide to edit the same document together and finish projects faster.

Pros

• Good material list and breakdowns
• Great drawing tools for architecture
• User-friendly markup tools for PDF editing
• Clean imaging software for the ACE industry
• Bluebeam Studio promotes seamless collaboration

Cons

• No escalation policy
• Poor customer support
• Has a tendency to crash

Compare Bluebeam vs Plangrid and Downtobid here.

#5: Viewpoint

Viewpoint is an integrated financial and construction project management software that helps project owners understand their project’s financial health in real time.

With this connected construction software, you can manage your construction materials, from inventory to project planning. You’ll be able to create accurate schedules, access storage receipts, and track your inventory all under one platform. 

Specialty contractors can even replace manual processes and paperwork with a simple mobile solution for more accurate business insight and customer satisfaction. Although primarily a construction project management platform, you can integrate it with BIM software when creating BIM modules.

Pros

• Beneficial drill-down reports
• Excellent customer support
• Several customization options
• Vista HR Management Module 
• Viewpoint Vista allows seamless data transfer between programs

Cons

• Poor integration system
• Poor cloud speed experience for data entry users
• Requires more hands-on and real-life example training videos

#6: ProjectSight

ProjectSight is a construction software with a dedicated drawing module that manages construction projects and 3D BIM files without the extra license. Field teams, subs, and project owners can share drawings and BIM in real time, improving communication on every project. 

The latest drawings come with markups and annotations directly on the PDF file so that team members can easily make the required edits.

When you need to capture drawing texts and fill out fields automatically for your project scope, ProejectSight offers an OCR and auto-detect feature on the go. 

However, you need to fill out a contact form and schedule a consultation to get their pricing.

Pros

• Compatible with mobile devices
• Change order status and tracking
• Intuitive user interface that requires little training 
• Good document management that integrates well with current systems
• Consistent modules (Drawing, Document, Field, and Cost) allow users to exchange data easily

Cons

• Common download errors
• Email links don’t work well on mobile devices
• Difficult to upload multiple drawings at once

#7: Autodesk BIM 360 Docs

Autodesk is designed for the commercial sector of the construction industry. 

Its powerful analytics capabilities are perfect for construction firms that handle multiple projects simultaneously. 

Autodesk Construction Cloud has a broad network of builders with a large database of contractors to connect contractors and subs for the right projects. 

The platform’s document management system organizes construction drawings and even lets teams compare and review them among members. 

The best part is that you can access 2D and 3D project documents on your mobile device. 

Pros

• Excellent customer and technical support
• Clash control ensures all systems are coordinated properly
• Live updates between design teams free up personnel from constant file transfers
• Stores construction documents, 3D BIM architectural models, structures, and temporary works.

Cons

• Difficult interface to learn and navigate
• Too many built-in functions and no lite alternatives for client specifications

#8: ProCore

ProCore manages all your construction documents to ensure everyone, from the project manager to subcontractors, can access the latest version of your drawings. 

It’s a cloud-based software, which means the entire team can access updates and data from anywhere, staying connected across mobile devices and the web with offline access.

One of the platform’s most outstanding features is its integration with other applications that allow teams to exchange data over different systems. 

Say goodbye to manual data entry and the risk of errors with Procore at your fingertips!

Read our comparison between ProCore versus BuilderTrend and Downtobid.

Pros

• Active and helpful Procore community
• Good customer and technical support
• Comes with powerful reporting and analytics tools
• Uses Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) to organize and breakdown projects into smaller components
• Offers several tutorials and resources on QuickBooks Online and Desktop integration. 

Cons

• Unable to sync historical data
• Integrated modules must be purchased separately
• Can export subcontractor invoices to QuickBooks but not customer invoices

#9: Fieldwire

Fieldwire is an amazing cloud-based project management tool for architects, contractors, and designers to securely store construction documents. 

This centralized system lets clients track timestamps, change their orders, and request for information (RFIs) whenever they need to.

The platform also features 2-way sync to cloud platforms like Dropbox and OneDrive, so you may need to subscribe to a third-party storage solution. 

And while there isn’t any specific tool to create bids or proposals, you can come up with your own forms and templates. 

Pros 

• Helpful for project documentation tracking
• Organized and easy-to-follow data reports
• An intuitive and straightforward platform that’s simple to use
• Quick and easy file sharing eliminates delays in communication
• Easily convert PDF to visualization format on iPad

Cons

• Difficult to export files containing project plans
• You can’t have duplicate page numbers within a project

Conclusion

The right construction drawing management software will be the single source for all project members to reference essential drawings, data, and documents.

Everyone will have access to the right information, teams will collaborate better, and transparency will thrive between all parties involved.

Downtobid is your reliable partner when it comes to managing your next project's construction drawings. Give it a test run today and unlock greater efficiency in your workflow.