All of our large contractors are using various software packages for their bidding now. Unfortunately none are using the same company which makes it a joy to have to be versed in each package and be able to move quickly through the site to get documentation, addendums, etc.. So of course having to setup an account with each of these companies our contractors are using we are constantly approached to join their paid services to "see more jobs in our area".

Wondering how may sign on to one of these or if its worthwhile. One of our main thoughts for joining would be to be able to start working on a takeoff as soon as its released as opposed to a contractor tossing it to us with only a week to turn around a takeoff and quote.

My skepticism with the couple that have gotten me to answer the phone is they seemingly refuse to even give you a price for the service or whether its an annual contract, monthly, pay-as-you-go, opt in/opt out, and none of them will even float you a redacted list of the jobs they could currently show as available. No trial period, zip.

This last one says they cant give a price because everyones pricing is different based on trade, specialty, coverage area, blah blah. Makes no sense.

Thanks for your informative post. we also seeking for best software for biding.

I have been using spread sheets and the old method of highlighting a room off that has work in one color vs one that does not.

If we get the job, it goes into CabinetVision and then the erp per the phasing schedule from the gc, as in what ships first per contract.

Once that changes, change orders/expenses are sent to the gc.

We are looking to see if the drafter/estimator can work with CabinetVisions estimating/bidding system but not sure.

We also have reviewed take off software, but not really sure yet. Maybe once the estimating dept grows, we will see.

Most paid service that provide more jobs are jobs that are public jobs that are listed or private work that is listed. Dodge, blue book,and quire a few others scrape all kinds of sources to compile list of jobs.

Typically these days local builders associations allow you to grade from other areas for a fee or as part of the service.

We can't keep up with all the unsolicited request fro bids we get so we don't use any of the service but we maintain our local builders association login and occasionally will use their "online plan room"

We see lots of requests from isqft, building connected, procore, textura.

I just looked in email request for bids and we have passed on over 500 jobs for April and March.

Building connectd is free ith a psid add on to manage all your bids form all sources. Pro-core is free, you need to be invited, most GC's use it for the project management side more than the bid side. Its very flexible and every GC implements if differently.

So shop drawing submittal for one GC is via email to a link and another is upload and another is send via drop box or email and they uploaded it.

The are all just repositories of projects documents, not actual estimating software. Some of them have integrated software like OST for viewing and annotating plans.

If think the paid version of Building connected is .001 of the gross.

We run a lot of work with several contractors through Procore for bidding and total project management. Isqft from a couple contractors however they are one of the main ones that perseus us regularly yet will not even offer up ballpark pricing for their paid platform. Scouring the google it sounds like they are about a $2K a year minimum option which is a no go. Bidclerk is about the same but they dont come across the radar too often.

Cabinetmaker,
Your routine is pretty much what I am doing. Highlighted takeoffs/markups in Adobe, including all measurements by specification (we do a lot of moulding, architectural elements, interior glass openings). Im comfortable with our takeoff procedure though its in perpetual refinement.

We are not seeing any 500 jobs year to turn down nor would we want to but we do on occasion have a few contractors that either seem to toss a job to us late whether its intentional or they just spotted it or decided to bid last minute and was just thinking of getting ahead of the curve on the ones that are in our wheelhouse.

We are not in an area that will see high volumes of jobs within a 50 mile radius annually