PlanHub

Overview

PlanHub is a construction preconstruction platform for teams that need to find projects and coordinate bids, with takeoff and estimation tools for more involved workflows. It is best suited to general contractors and trade businesses working across defined territories; its tiered plans make it less straightforward for buyers who need to know the full cost upfront.

Founded by contractors in 2008, PlanHub brings project discovery, bid management and document sharing together, with API connections and broader directory access for some plans. Its strengths are the breadth of its construction-focused workflow and a free entry point for general contractors; the main caveat is that meaningful access and pricing vary by role, plan and territory.

Key features

Project discovery and bidding

Users can search and filter opportunities by trade, location, keywords and other criteria, and set alerts for relevant projects. General contractors can post projects, invite subcontractors, manage bids and use bid leveling and bid coverage tools. That combination suits teams managing multiple bidders, although the free general-contractor plan stops at basic bid leveling.

Takeoff, estimation and connections

PlanHub offers digital takeoff and estimation, and its Estimation tool integrates with Takeoff. Those tools matter most to contractors who want project discovery and estimating in the same preconstruction workflow; estimation is a paid add-on to the free Essentials plan. The API can connect project data with external CRM, estimating, ERP and business-intelligence tools, a more relevant capability for larger operations with established systems.

Documents, mobile and support

Public and private planrooms provide a hub for storing and sharing project documents. The subcontractor app is available on Android and iOS, while web access and an API are also supported. US-based sales and support are available by phone; General Contractor Premier includes unlimited support tickets, a useful distinction for teams that expect ongoing assistance.

Pricing

PlanHub uses a freemium model, but its plans are organized by customer type rather than as one ladder of progressively larger packages.

• Essentials (General Contractors): 0.00 USD per free. It includes project posting, bid management and basic bid leveling, making it a practical starting point for smaller teams. Estimation costs extra, so it is less suitable if estimating tools are central to the workflow.
• Premier (Subcontractors): 1999.00 USD per year for a 50-mile radius, $2,349 for 100 miles, or $3,299 for 200 miles; annual subscription, with unlimited bids. This fits subcontractors seeking a broader pipeline, but the territory determines the price and the paid tier matters if unlimited project file downloads and wider directory access are needed. The supplier free trial has limited file downloads.
• Premier (General Contractors): custom pricing. It includes up to 10 seats, Lead Finder, Takeoff, advanced bid coverage, unlimited one-on-one training, a dedicated customer success manager and unlimited support tickets.
• Pro (General Contractors): custom pricing for up to 5 seats, with a national subcontractor and supplier directory, private planroom, prequalification, advanced bid leveling and collaboration tools. This is the more focused option for a small team needing those capabilities without the listed Premier services.
• Enterprise (General Contractors): custom pricing for unlimited seats, Project API and Directory API, nationwide Lead Finder, custom CRM, concierge service and custom reports. It is aimed at larger organizations that need integrations and broad access.
• Enterprise (Subcontractors): custom pricing for national reach and unlimited projects across the PlanHub network; it is intended for teams with 3+ users.
• Pro (Suppliers): custom pricing on an annual subscription, with regional or radius-based access; cost depends on geographic coverage.
• Nationwide (Suppliers): custom pricing for access to projects and contractors across the entire network, with 5 seats included.

Check the seat count and geographic scope against your needs before choosing: the published contractor seat limits are 5 for Pro and up to 10 for Premier, while supplier coverage can change the price. A 5-user limit is also a stated general user-seat limit, so confirm how it applies to the plan you are considering.

Platforms

PlanHub supports web, Android, iOS and API access. Mobile apps are particularly relevant to subcontractors who need project access away from a desk, while API connectivity is useful for organizations linking PlanHub project data to other business systems.

Who it's for

General contractors can start with free project posting and bid management, then consider paid tiers for takeoff, advanced bid coverage, directories or integrations. Subcontractors who want unlimited bids and wider project access may prefer Premier, provided the territory-based annual price fits their market. Suppliers can choose regional or nationwide reach, while owners and developers are among the intended users; the strongest specific plan detail is for contractor, subcontractor and supplier workflows.

PlanHub is a weaker fit for buyers who need a single transparent price across user types, or for a team that needs estimation while remaining on a free general-contractor plan.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Discovery, invitations, bid leveling and bid coverage address several linked preconstruction tasks, which can reduce the need to split bid coordination across separate tools.
• Pro: The free Essentials tier gives general contractors a usable starting set of posting and bid-management features without a subscription.
• Pro: Takeoff, estimation integration, planrooms and API connections extend the platform beyond opportunity search for teams with broader workflows.
• Con: Estimation is a paid add-on to Essentials, limiting the free plan for contractors who need estimating alongside basic bid work.
• Con: Subcontractor pricing rises with the radius selected, and the supplier free trial limits project file downloads; evaluating a wider market may therefore require paid access.
• Con: Several plans use custom pricing, making upfront comparisons harder, and seat caps differ across contractor tiers.

Alternatives

Browse Construction Bid Management Software for a wider category comparison.

• BidNet Direct is worth considering if a free web-based option focused on member-agency opportunities, bid submission and real-time bid matches is a closer fit; its Regional plan is 200.00 USD.
• BidCentral may suit users who want free web access to project views, a bid calendar, opportunity matching and private project posts, with a basic directory listing.
• BidDock is another freemium web option, with a free tier and paid Starter and Professional plans at 99.00 USD and 249.00 USD per month respectively.
• KNTRCTR may fit invited bidders who need to open invited jobs, ask questions and submit a bid at no charge.
• SmartBid is a paid alternative with annual access that scales by user count; invited subcontractors can bid or prequalify at no cost.
• BuildTools Bidding may be a better fit for custom home builders and remodelers seeking a construction-management platform with guided onboarding; its starting package is 499.00 USD per month with a 12-month commitment, billed monthly.
• CMiC is a paid alternative for general contractors, subcontractors and heavy-highway work.
• Projectmates may suit buyers looking for a dedicated private-cloud site license; its listed annual package is 39500.00 USD per year for 40 user licenses.

Verdict

Choose PlanHub if construction bid discovery and coordination are central to your work and you want the option to add takeoff, estimation, territory-based project access or enterprise integrations as needs grow. Its free general-contractor tier is a credible starting point, but subcontractors should weigh the annual territory price and teams needing a firm all-in cost should compare custom-priced plans before committing.