PlanHub vs Building Connected vs Downtobid - Side-By-Side Comparisons (2024)

Construction bid management is a complex and time-consuming process. It requires outstanding collaboration, report analysis, and constant monitoring, which is overwhelming for a construction company to pull off. Luckily, construction bid management software programs exist that speed up the process and lighten up the load. PlanHub, Building Connected, and Downtobid are excellent examples of these programs. This Plan Hub vs Building Connected vs Downtobid review examines the three programs and how they can help streamline the entire process. We’ll evaluate each program to see why it stands out to help you make the right choice. 

But first, let’s begin with a tool we understand better - our very own Downtobid. 

Note: Upload your construction plans and watch how Downtobid can speed up the entire preconstruction process. Our software reads your plans, extracts all the scopes, and turns your plans into bid invites in minutes. We use AI to identify bid packages in drawings and creates custom subcontractor invite lists. Find the right subcontractors for their projects and get more accurate quotes today. Try out a demo for free here.

Downtobid - Best for Preconstruction

Downtobid is one of the top construction bid management platforms best utilized in the preconstruction phase. We created the software after chatting with hundreds of subcontractors who complained about the basic features offered by other platforms. We wanted to stand out by solving these problems and provide a complete and easy-to-use platform. 

Key Features

Here are a few reasons why our platform is among the best bid management software. 

AI Copilot

At the heart of our revolutionary software is AI Copilot. Unlike other construction bid management software that provides basic AI functionalities, we have invested heavily in our next-gen technology. 

Our AI is fast and accurate, ensuring the team covers every detail. Think of it as a personal assistant handling every administrative task.

You can use our AI copilot to check bid documents for completeness and accuracy, eliminating any scope gaps that could result in miscommunication. The AI scans every document instantly and highlights areas requiring clarification and improvement. 

Traditionally,  a construction team would take days or weeks to review lengthy construction documents. Luckily, our AI does this within minutes, saving you the time and cost of hiring an extensive team. 

Building a construction team is a stressful process for any general contractor that requires extensive research and contacting many subcontractors before settling on ideal candidates. Our AI eliminates all the hustle by recommending a list of qualified local subs ready for new projects. It scans your scope and matches it with construction professionals with relevant experience, tools, and capabilities to complete the project. We also have a self-cleaning subcontractor database that updates the subs’ information, such as contact details, experience, and availability. 

Personalized Bid Invites in Minutes

Subcontractors use bid invites to better understand the project. Creating a bid invite is an overwhelming process, given the amount of detail that goes into each document. You must mention project details, bid submission requirements, contractual terms and conditions, project scope and specification, and evaluation criteria. Imagine having to redo this every time you want to send an invite!

Luckily, our software creates bid invite templates in minutes, saving you the hustle and headache of doing it manually. You just have to upload the plans, and the software will handle the rest. 

Forget about generic bid invites that appear like boring job interviews. We ensure every bid invite is personalized to include the subcontractor’s details, such as names, scope summaries, occupation, and due dates. With subcontractors receiving hundreds of bid invites daily, sending personalized invites has proven to increase email open rates. 

Subcontractors can understand the project’s requirements by reading the email without reviewing lengthy construction documents. This approach increases the response rate and bid participation by 30%. 

Subcontractor- Centric Planroom

As a subcontractor, you’ll love our planroom. Unlike other platforms where you have to figure out things independently, we help you make sense of every construction document. First, the platform is neatly arranged, with every document labeled and titled. We also have categorized the documents into four different folders:

• Plans 
• Specs
• Photos
• Miscs

The simplified approach ensures subs can track specific documents without reviewing every piece of paperwork. It also helps them identify relevant projects and decide whether the project fits their line of work without wasting too much time. 

Our planroom is free for every subcontractor. It helps them keep up with the construction schedule and beat the due dates. 

How to Use Downtobid

We’ve made our software easy to use, even for beginners, by following simple steps. Here’s how to turn your construction project plans into bid invites within minutes. 

Click here to get started. 

You’ll be taken to a page where you must upload your construction plans, which must be in PDF format and not exceed 1GB. Enter your valid email and our software will notify you about the progress. 

Once uploaded, our AI scans the documents to detect scopes and complete scope coverage. The process takes between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the project’s complexity and size. 

Our AI will email you a notification once the process is completed. You must sign in to your dashboard to access the newly created documents with detected scopes. 

Every bid package contains the following information:

• A summary description of what’s inside the bid package.
• Every plan section with detected scopes.
• A list of qualified local subs matching the detected scopes. 

We believe that collaboration is the backbone of every successful construction project. Our centralized communication ensures the construction team shares real-time information and updates. This way, everyone will work with the latest details, which reduces confusion, errors, miscommunication, and potential delays. 

The threaded emails help the construction team track specific messages without reviewing every email in their inbox. You can also receive and reply to emails from the dashboard without using your email app. 

Our automated bidding schedule helps you reach suitable subcontractors on time, eliminating the guesswork. General contractors can get overwhelmed overseeing the project, let alone knowing when suitable subcontractors might be online. However, our software handles this by auto-scheduling your bid invites based on the subcontractor’s online activities. It’s a set-and-forget system that reduces the workload and ensures the project ITBs are sent to qualified subcontractors. 

The follow-ups help you contact the subs who haven’t responded to the bid invites. Unlike other platforms that bombard subs with overwhelming emails, our timely-spaced emails have proven effective. 

Pricing Plans

We offer two plans - free and paid. The free plan is perfect for simpler and smaller projects. The paid plans are of two categories - $150 per user and have a bid coordinator, and $500/m for a year, suitable for construction teams with more than 10 users. 

PlanHub - Best for Networking

PlanHub is a popular construction management software best known for networking. It’s perfect for general contractors and subs who want to expand their operations and market share. However, the platform has received criticism for lack of transparency, requiring subs to pay to access and bid on certain projects and outdated information. Learn more here

Key Features

PlanHub has the following features:

Extensive Network

The platform has over 400,000 subs, 32,000 general contractors, and 4,500 suppliers helping anyone grow their network. You can also access hundreds of projects on the platform. 

Bid Management Tools

PlanHub's bid board allows you to simplify the bid management process, thanks to its intuitive tools. You can discover projects easily and craft winning bids in minutes. 

Strategic Market Insight

Use the platform’s market analytics tools to stay ahead of other commercial contractors. This way, you can always understand the market demands and make the necessary adjustments. 

Pricing Plan

PlanHub's pricing costs offers free and paid membership plans. The free plan is limited and perfect for smaller projects. The paid plans are divided into two categories - Premier plan charged $1,199/year, where you can access tools within less than 200 miles. Enterprise is perfect for a team with more than three users and gives you access to nationwide jobs and tools. 

Pros

• Excellent customer support
• Document management
• Seamless integration

Cons

• Steeper learning curve
• Mobile app limitations
• Limited data exportation
• Pricing tier complexity

Building Connected - All-in-One Construction Solution

Building Connected is a popular construction management platform that has been around for years. Its web-based, user-friendly interface and real-time analytics make it an ideal option for a larger construction team. Learn more here.

Key Features

Here are a few reasons to try Building Connected.

Branded Bid Invites

Stop sending boring bid invites and stand out by branding them. You can include your company’s logo or name or use a specific color. Branded bid invites help subcontractors identify your ITBs and respond effectively. 

Cloud Storage Integration

If you prefer to save your data on Auto Desk, then you’re in luck since Building Connected integrates perfectly with cloud storage. You can easily move project files to the cloud and use it as a backup option. 

Extensive Subcontractor Network

Building Connected is one of the construction management platforms that has a huge subcontractor network. You can easily recruit construction professionals of different trades, thanks to the database containing over 1 million users. 

Pros

• Unlimited users suitable for the entire office
• Smart search
• ProCore integration
• Document management

Cons

• No mobile app
• Generic bid invites
• Outdated subs contact details
• Messy planroom

Pricing Plan

Building Connected offers free and paid membership plans. The free plan is suitable for beginners or those trying the platform for the first time. What does Building Connected cost? Well, the paid options have tiered pricing, and you must contact the sales team for a quote. 

Final Thoughts

The three platforms are excellent for project owners with upcoming new projects. However, Downtobid stands out from the rest thanks to its cutting-edge AI Copilot. General contractors can connect with the right subcontractors and share project files and document storage. The planroom helps subs understand the project requirements to help them easily win bids. Try us today and put the power of automation in your hands.