Overview

Buildxact is cloud-based estimating and construction management software built for residential builders. It is best suited to teams that want to take a PDF plan through estimating and into job coordination, rather than buy a standalone takeoff tool. Its breadth is compelling, but annual commitments and the Pro threshold for mobile syncing are important trade-offs.

Key features

Estimating and dealer pricing

Builders can upload PDF plans, create digital takeoffs and prepare job estimates. Connections to dealers add real-time material pricing and quote requests, helping bring purchasing costs into the estimate. The free Go plan’s five complimentary credits make it a way to try the workflow, not a lasting option for frequent estimating.

Project coordination

Scheduling, cost tracking, site management, invoicing and customer communication extend Buildxact beyond estimating. Its capabilities also include bid management, field reporting and project financials. That makes it a stronger fit for builders who want estimates to flow into active jobs; teams seeking estimates alone may not need this wider toolset.

Blu and integrations

Blu provides AI assistance with estimating, takeoffs, estimate review and assembly. Which functions are included depends on the plan: Foundation includes Assembly Assistant, Pro adds Estimate Generator, and Master includes Takeoff Assistant and Estimate Reviewer. Foundation users can add Estimate Generator for +$99/mo; Pro users can add Takeoff Assistant for +$99/mo and Estimate Reviewer for +$149/mo. The add-ons make entry into Blu more flexible, but can raise the cost beyond the plan price.

Accounting integrations cover Xero, QuickBooks and MYOB AccountRight. QuickBooks support applies to online versions but excludes Simple Start, so buyers on that edition should not assume it will connect.

Mobile, security and support

Buildxact Onsite is available on iOS and Android for crews viewing and updating job information. Syncing jobs and the site diary through Onsite requires Pro or Teams, so Foundation buyers should not assume that mobile access includes syncing. Buildxact says it stores customer data in Microsoft Azure, encrypts it in transit and at rest, and uses access controls and automated backups; its security page cites monitoring and compliance standards including ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Subscription support includes training, webinars, a knowledge base and one-to-one consultation.

Pricing

Buildxact has a free plan, paid plans from $169/mo (annual), and a 14-day trial. Annual plans require a 12-month commitment, so the monthly figures should be weighed against a year-long term.

Go — 0.00 USD per free: five complimentary credits, AI estimating, professional proposals and Home Depot material ordering. It is a low-risk starting point, but the credit cap limits ongoing use.
Foundation — 169.00 USD per month (billed annually at $2,030): unlimited users, lead management, digital takeoffs, Blu Assembly Assistant, purchase orders, training and support. It suits builders who need estimating and purchasing tools, but lacks the Pro job management, schedules and Onsite app; Estimate Generator is +$99/mo.
Pro — 339.00 USD per month (billed annually at $4,070): everything in Foundation, plus Estimate Generator, job management, schedules and Onsite mobile app. It is the practical step up for teams coordinating active jobs and needing Onsite syncing; Takeoff Assistant costs +$99/mo and Estimate Reviewer +$149/mo.
Master — 509.00 USD per month (billed annually at $6,110): everything in Pro, plus Takeoff Assistant, Estimate Reviewer, user access controls and priority customer support. It fits teams that need the full Blu toolkit or tighter access controls, but comes at a substantial premium over Pro.

Platforms

Buildxact runs on the web and offers Android and iOS apps. Onsite provides mobile job access, with job and site-diary syncing requiring Pro or Teams.

Who it's for

Buildxact is strongest for residential builders who want digital estimating, dealer material pricing and job-management tools in one product, especially when several users need access because Foundation includes unlimited users. It is less suitable for a builder who needs regular mobile syncing but cannot budget for Pro, or one who only wants estimating and would leave the project features unused.

Pros and cons

Pro: PDF takeoffs connect estimating with real-time dealer pricing and quote requests, tying quantities more closely to material costs.
Pro: Scheduling, cost tracking, site management and invoicing carry the workflow into active jobs instead of stopping at the estimate.
Pro: Foundation includes unlimited users, avoiding a per-seat limit at the entry paid tier.
Con: Annual paid plans require a 12-month commitment, limiting flexibility for buyers who want a shorter paid term.
Con: Onsite job and site-diary syncing requires Pro or Teams, putting a key field workflow beyond Foundation.
Con: Blu functions can add meaningful cost on lower tiers, with Estimate Reviewer alone adding +$149/mo on Pro.
Con: QuickBooks integration excludes Simple Start, narrowing its usefulness for customers on that edition.

Alternatives

Consider Buildshop if a free option centered on estimates, invoices, to-do lists, contact management and a bid center better matches the job; its free Basic plan includes those tools. Houzz is worth comparing when a free plan with a 3D Floor Planner, estimates and invoicing is more relevant than Buildxact’s dealer pricing and job coordination.

Workhand may suit a very small operation that can work within one active job, one teammate and monthly caps of three estimates and three invoices on its free plan. BuildBook is another construction-software alternative to compare. RenoTrack360 may appeal to teams looking for a web-based option whose Starter plan includes two office users, unlimited Field Lite users, estimates, invoices, job phases and change orders.

Build Method is a paid alternative with a $99.00 USD per month one-user plan that includes unlimited projects, customers and vendors. BuildTools Bidding is a paid construction management option for custom home builders and remodelers, with a starting package at $499.00 USD per month and guided onboarding. ProBuilder OS is another paid alternative, with a $49.00 USD per month Solo plan.

For broader comparisons, browse Remodeling Contractor Software, Home Builder Software, Project Estimation Software, Construction Estimating Software, Construction Management Software and Construction Project Management Software.

Verdict

Residential builders who want estimating, dealer pricing and project coordination in one system should put Buildxact on their shortlist. The strongest reason to choose it is the path from PDF takeoff and material pricing into scheduled, cost-tracked jobs; the strongest reason to look elsewhere is the 12-month paid commitment and the Pro price threshold for Onsite syncing.

	Autodesk Forma Takeoff	Buildxact
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	—	$169/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Web	Android, iOS, Web
Free plan	No	Yes
Digital takeoff	Yes	—
Platform	web	—
Bid management	—	Yes

Autodesk Forma Takeoff vs Buildxact

Autodesk Forma Takeoff

Buildxact