Compare Built Estimator

Compare Built Estimator

Neutral, side-by-side comparisons with publicly available pricing where noted.
Own your estimates. No subscriptions. Works offline.

Pricing is subject to change. Please verify with each vendor.

Expand a section to see the neutral breakdown and the trade-offs vs. Built Estimator.

Built Estimator vs Clear Estimates

Snapshot

  • Audience: Remodelers, small GCs
  • Platform: Cloud (web app)
  • Pricing: $59/mo billed annually (verify current pricing)
  • Data source: RemodelMax cost library with periodic updates

Capabilities

  • Pre-built regional cost libraries for quick starts
  • Rapid quoting with simple proposal templates
  • Basic customer/project records (CRM-lite)

Trade-offs vs Built Estimator

  • Ownership & Offline: Cloud subscription vs Built Estimator’s offline, one-time license
  • Your Rates: Costbook-led vs Built Estimator’s Trade & Material Managers + your catalog
  • Proposal Control: Built Estimator provides Client/Company view exports and human-readable line items
  • Long-term Cost: Ongoing monthly/annual fees vs one-time purchase

Head-to-Head

Clear Estimates may be faster on day one if you lack a catalog; Built Estimator compounds accuracy as your catalog grows and stays usable offline.

Recommendation

Choose Built Estimator if you prefer a one-time investment, offline capability, and a proprietary catalog that grows with you over time.

Built Estimator vs PlanSwift

Snapshot

  • Audience: Takeoff-heavy trades & estimators
  • Platform: Windows desktop
  • Pricing: $2,000/year (commonly listed; verify current pricing)
  • Focus: On-screen quantity takeoff + assemblies

Capabilities

  • Robust 2D takeoff (areas, lengths, counts)
  • Assemblies convert takeoff into materials & labor
  • Spreadsheet-friendly workflows for power users

Trade-offs vs Built Estimator

  • Workflow: PlanSwift is takeoff-first; Built Estimator is estimate & proposal-first with client-ready exports
  • Ownership Model: Annual subscription vs Built Estimator’s lifetime license
  • Simplicity: PlanSwift can sprawl with custom assemblies/Excel; Built Estimator keeps a contractor-friendly flow

Head-to-Head

If your day is 90% blueprint takeoff, PlanSwift excels. For homeowner-ready proposals fast, Built Estimator wins.

Recommendation

Built Estimator is for remodelers/GCs focused on readable proposals and offline speed.

Built Estimator vs STACK

Snapshot

  • Audience: Teams needing cloud takeoff + estimating
  • Platform: Browser (cloud)
  • Pricing: From $2,999/year for 1 full-access user (verify current pricing)
  • Focus: Collaboration, plan sets, and shared templates

Capabilities

  • Multi-user collaboration & versioned plan sets
  • Shared templates & libraries for teams
  • Web access anywhere

Trade-offs vs Built Estimator

  • Offline & Ownership: Cloud SaaS vs Built Estimator’s offline lifetime model
  • Proposal Polish: STACK emphasizes takeoff/collab; Built Estimator emphasizes human-readable line items & exports
  • Complexity vs Speed: Teams may love STACK; solo/small shops often move faster in Built Estimator

Head-to-Head

STACK for centralized preconstruction; Choose Built Estimator for portable, offline estimating with clean proposals.

Recommendation

Built Estimator for contractors who want zero-IT overhead and ownership.

Built Estimator vs Buildertrend (Estimating)

Snapshot

  • Audience: Residential builders wanting broad PM features
  • Platform: Cloud (web + mobile)
  • Pricing: Custom quote (many users report ~$8–10k/yr total spend)
  • Focus: Schedules, selections, messages, invoicing + estimating module

Capabilities

  • End-to-end project management and client portal
  • Roles/permissions and accounting integrations
  • Onboarding & ecosystem of services

Trade-offs vs Built Estimator

  • Complexity & Cost: Large platform & ongoing fees vs Built Estimator’s lightweight, one-time cost
  • Estimating Focus: Estimating is one module vs Built Estimator’s singular focus on fast, accurate proposals
  • Offline: Web-only vs Built Estimator anywhere offline

Head-to-Head

Buildertrend is very broad; Built Estimator provides depth for estimating & proposals.

Recommendation

Built Estimator is for contractors who primarily seek elite estimating.

Built Estimator vs Sage Estimating

Snapshot

  • Audience: Established firms with ERP/accounting ties
  • Platform: Windows desktop (on-prem)
  • Pricing: Partner-quoted; many listings start around $365/user/month
  • Focus: CSI codes, assemblies, alternates, WBS

Capabilities

  • Enterprise databases & governance
  • Integrations with Sage & eTakeoff
  • Scalability for standards and auditability

Trade-offs vs Built Estimator

  • Complexity: Requires IT/training vs Built Estimator’s fast adoption
  • Cost & Licensing: Higher ongoing costs vs Built Estimator’s straightforward lifetime license
  • Proposal Style: Structured reports vs Built Estimator’s homeowner-readable line items

Head-to-Head

Sage is good for ERP governance. Choose Built Estimator when agility & offline speed matter most.

Recommendation

Built Estimator fits remodelers/GCs moving notes → signed proposal quickly.

Why Contractors Choose Built Estimator

  • - Grows with you
  • - Works fully offline
  • - One-time lifetime license
  • - Instant Client-ready proposals
  • - Designed by contractors, for contractors
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