Clear Estimates vs Buildxact

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Our analysts compared Clear Estimates vs Buildxact based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Construction Estimating Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Clear Estimates is a cloud-based software designed for contractors and remodelers to address estimation needs. It prepares professional proposals and estimates and calculates average costs while providing pricing data for 400 areas of the U.S. It also comes preloaded with 15,000 parts with detailed labor and material costs.

Over 60 templates for jobs such as garages, bathrooms, kitchens and additions are available. All parts come equipped with contract language to help users avoid writing long proposals. It offers several customization options, enabling users to create and edit templates and parts in boilerplate language.
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Buildxact is a cloud-based construction management and estimating software designed to streamline workflows for contractors of all sizes. It offers features like integrated takeoffs, real-time material pricing, proposal generation, project scheduling, and cost tracking. Buildxact is most suited for builders, remodelers, and specialty contractors seeking an all-in-one solution to improve efficiency and accuracy in bidding, project management, and financials. Users praise Buildxact's user-friendly interface, fast takeoffs, and pre-built templates that save time and effort. Integration with material suppliers and accounting software further enhances its appeal. Compared to similar products, Buildxact offers competitive pricing with various subscription tiers based on user count and project volume. While some users find its reporting features less robust than competitors, its ease of use and affordability make it a popular choice for many contractors.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Fast takeoffs & templates
  • Integrated material pricing
  • Real-time project tracking
  • Affordable pricing tiers
Cons
  • Limited reporting options
  • Fewer customization options
  • Not ideal for large projects
  • Integration issues reported
  • Mobile app lacks features
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$79 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$249/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
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Android
Chromebook
Windows
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Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Streamline Workflows: Integrate with QuickBooks to reduce accounting errors. Enable employees to track work hours electronically. 
  • Generate Error-Free Estimates: Access built-in material and cost databases to avoid quoting mistakes. Create quotes in just a few clicks using internet-enabled devices. 
  • Impress Clients: Produce professional proposals in minutes. Add the company logo, name, address and phone number to reports. 
  • Save Time: Integrate with Buildertrend to complete projects on schedule. Use customizable templates to produce precise estimates. 
  • Deploy on the Cloud: Store data in a secure environment. Enable employees to view and download documents from a centralized location. 
  • Stay Mobile: View information from anywhere at any time using Android or iOS devices. Monitor project progress off-site. 
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  • Manage Projects Efficiently: With faster takeoffs and streamlined administrative processes, spend more time scaling up the business and increasing profits.  
  • Streamline Communications: Leverage the client portal to communicate with customers whenever required. Keep projects running smoothly with centralized communication. 
  • Track Project Costs: Stay on top of costs and profitability in real time. Track key financial points and change them to ramp up profits. 
  • Simplify Takeoffs: Bid adieu to paper plans and scale rulers. Convert digital plans into PDFs and complete takeoff on-screen in moments.  
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  • Estimation: Access cost databases to create accurate estimates. Reuse data from previous estimates to save time. 
  • Customizable Templates: Remove unwanted parts, change pricing details or add additional components to jobs to speed up estimating processes. 
  • Integrations: Import sales and receipt data to QuickBooks. Export estimates to Buildertrend. Send customer data to existing CRM systems using Zapier. 
  • Localized Pricing: Access region-specific material and labor costs. Acquire pricing data of 400 areas across the U.S. 
  • Professional Proposals: Automatically generate formal proposals by adding parts from databases prewritten in contract language. 
  • Reporting: Update and track project statuses from the project information tab. View statuses of sent proposals and invoices. 
  • Change Order Management: Add alternate prices to projects to maintain financial stability. 
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  • Accounting: Sync invoices and purchase orders to keep track of cash flow. Reduce human accounting errors by automating the entire accounts payable process.
  • Activity Dashboard: Track and organize all project activities in an interactive dashboard. Manage areas that require improvement and allocate labor in necessary areas.
  • Assembly Takeoff: Measure material and labor quantity to get an overall cost estimation of the project. Streamline materials and project management.
  • Bid Management: Create and manage bids quickly to win more work. Carefully design attractive bids that capture the imagination of clients.
  • Billing: Automate traditional billing and make the process more productive. Reduce paper dependency and process bills faster.
  • Change Order Management: Manage work change and additional services from contractors in a single place. Never miss out on anything while calculating payable amounts.
  • Contractor Management: Update contractors daily with changes in project schedules. Keep them accountable for all services they provide.
  • Audit Trail: Keep track of cash invoices and all transactions and processes through audits. Stay on top of bills and project progress to maintain accountability.
  • Calendar Management: Organize the workforce to complete priority work first and on time. Designate effort to required areas and plan calendars accordingly.
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Product Ranking

#12

among all
Construction Estimating Software

#16

among all
Construction Estimating Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

57
73
24
49
69
78
45
83
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Platform Capabilities
Project Management
Estimate Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Clear Estimates
Buildxact
+ Add Product + Add Product
Bid Management Cost Management Document And Database Management Estimate Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Takeoff Capabilities 24 69 45 78 93 75 62 0 49 78 83 95 67 98 80 71 0 25 50 75 100
29%
0%
71%
57%
0%
43%
75%
0%
25%
88%
0%
12%
45%
0%
55%
91%
0%
9%
77%
0%
23%
100%
0%
0%
100%
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70%
0%
30%
63%
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37%
100%
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67%
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33%
83%
0%
17%
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100%
75%
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25%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

33%
0%
67%
17%
0%
83%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 221 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 165 reviews
90%
of users recommend this product

Clear Estimates has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 221 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

92%
of users recommend this product

Buildxact has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 165 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.54 (112)
4.57 (97)
4.5 (109)
4.6 (68)

Awards

Clear Estimates stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Buildxact stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Interface: Users praise the platform for its user-friendly design, making it easy to navigate and input project details, even for those who aren't tech-savvy.
Accurate Material Costs: Clear Estimates is recognized for providing reliable material cost data, ensuring estimates are grounded in real-world pricing.
Detailed Reports: The software generates comprehensive reports that clearly outline all aspects of the estimate, facilitating transparent communication with clients.
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User-friendly interface: Praised for its intuitive design and clear navigation, Buildxact minimizes the learning curve and empowers users to quickly grasp its functionalities, even with limited software experience.
Fast and accurate takeoffs: Integrated tools and pre-built libraries streamline the takeoff process, saving users time and reducing errors in material calculations, leading to more precise estimates and bids.
Real-time project tracking: Buildxact offers a centralized dashboard for tracking project progress, costs, and tasks in real-time, enabling better decision-making and proactive issue management.
Improved communication & collaboration: Built-in communication tools and shared project data foster seamless collaboration between teams, subcontractors, and clients, enhancing project transparency and efficiency.
Time-saving automation: Features like automated report generation and proposal creation free up valuable time for contractors to focus on core business activities and strategic planning.
Affordable pricing: Buildxact's tiered subscription plans cater to various company sizes and project volumes, offering a cost-effective solution compared to some competitors, making it accessible to a wider range of contractors.
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Limited Customization: Some users have expressed frustration with the limited ability to customize templates and features to align with their specific workflow or company branding.
Learning Curve: While generally considered user-friendly, some individuals have noted a learning curve associated with mastering all of Clear Estimates' features, particularly for those transitioning from traditional spreadsheet-based estimating methods.
Mobile App Functionality: A subset of users have pointed out limitations in the mobile app's functionality compared to the desktop version, particularly regarding offline access and editing capabilities, which can be inconvenient for on-site use.
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Limited reporting options: While Buildxact provides basic reports, some users find them less customizable and comprehensive compared to competitors, limiting in-depth data analysis and insights.
Fewer customization options: Buildxact offers limited flexibility in customizing workflows and user interfaces, potentially hindering adaptation to highly specific needs or complex project types.
Mobile app limitations: While the mobile app allows basic project access, users report shortcomings in managing complex tasks or leveraging full functionalities compared to the web version.
Integration issues: Some users encounter challenges with integrations between Buildxact and other software, requiring troubleshooting or workarounds, potentially impacting workflow efficiency.
Not ideal for large projects: Buildxact's scalability might be limited for very large or intricate projects, where more robust features and advanced management capabilities might be necessary.
Learning curve for complex features: While generally user-friendly, some advanced features might require more in-depth training or support, especially for users unfamiliar with construction software.
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Is Clear Estimates clearly the best estimating software out there? User reviews from the past year suggest that Clear Estimates is a solid choice for construction professionals, particularly those focused on residential remodeling. Users praise its ease of use, highlighting the intuitive interface and pre-built templates that expedite the estimate creation process. The software's integration with QuickBooks is also a big plus, streamlining accounting workflows. However, some users express frustration with the limited customization options for reports and proposals. While the software offers some flexibility, it may not fully satisfy users who require highly tailored outputs. A key differentiator for Clear Estimates is its comprehensive database of locally adjusted costs for materials and labor. This feature ensures accurate estimates, saving users from the hassle of manual research and adjustments. Users also appreciate the software's regular price updates, guaranteeing they're working with the most current data. This is particularly crucial in today's volatile market, where prices can fluctuate rapidly. Overall, Clear Estimates is best suited for small to medium-sized remodeling contractors who prioritize ease of use and accurate cost data. Larger firms or those with more complex reporting needs might find the software's limited customization options restrictive.

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Buildxact garners positive reviews for its user-friendly interface, efficient takeoffs, and affordability, making it a popular choice for contractors seeking to streamline workflows and improve project management. Users appreciate its intuitive design, which minimizes the learning curve and empowers even beginners to quickly grasp its functionalities. Integrated tools and pre-built libraries expedite takeoffs, saving time and reducing errors in material calculations, leading to more accurate estimates and competitive bids. However, some users find its reporting capabilities less versatile compared to competitors. While Buildxact offers basic reports, they lack the customization and depth desired for comprehensive data analysis and insights. Additionally, customization options are limited, potentially hindering adaptation to highly specific needs or complex projects. While a mobile app exists, its functionality is restricted, making it less suitable for managing intricate tasks on the go. Buildxact stands out for its affordability, with tiered subscription plans catering to various company sizes and project volumes. This makes it accessible to a wider range of contractors compared to some competitors with similar features. Users also praise its customer support, with most reporting prompt and helpful responses. However, during peak seasons or for complex issues, wait times might be longer. In conclusion, Buildxact is a user-friendly and affordable construction management software with strengths in takeoff speed, accuracy, and ease of use. However, its reporting and customization capabilities are less robust, and the mobile app has limitations. Users considering Buildxact should weigh its strengths against its limitations and compare it to competitors based on their specific needs and budget.

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Screenshots

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