Overview

Buildxact is residential construction software for builders who want estimates and active-job coordination in the same system. Its combination of PDF takeoffs, dealer pricing and project tools is compelling; the main trade-offs are a 12-month commitment for paid plans and limited mobile syncing below Pro.

Key features

Estimating and material costs

Builders can upload PDF plans, create digital takeoffs and prepare estimates, then connect with dealers for real-time material pricing and quote requests. That link between measured work and supplier costs is useful for builders preparing bids; the free plan's five complimentary credits make it a small-scale starting point, not a generous ongoing option for frequent estimates.

Managing work after the estimate

Scheduling, cost tracking, site management, invoicing and customer communication help carry work into delivery. Bid management, field reporting and project financials add breadth for builders coordinating active projects. That range is a strength if you want more than estimating, but could be unnecessary overhead if your need is only takeoffs or proposals.

Blu and accounting

Blu offers assistance with estimates, takeoffs, estimate review and assemblies, though access varies by plan and add-on. Buildxact integrates with Xero, QuickBooks and MYOB AccountRight. The QuickBooks connection is limited to online versions and excludes Simple Start, so firms using that edition should not assume it will fit their accounting workflow.

Mobile, security and support

Buildxact Onsite lets crews view and update job information on Android and iOS, but syncing jobs and the site diary requires Pro or Teams. That makes the mobile plan threshold important for teams relying on field updates. Buildxact says data is stored in Microsoft Azure, encrypted in transit and at rest, and protected by access controls and automated backups; its security monitoring and compliance includes standards such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Subscriptions include support, with training, webinars, a knowledge base and one-to-one consultation also offered.

Pricing

Go is free and includes five complimentary credits, AI estimating, professional proposals and Home Depot material ordering. It is useful for trying the estimating flow, but its credit cap makes it a poor fit for sustained estimating volume.

Foundation costs 169.00 USD per month, billed annually at $2,030, with a 12-month commitment. It includes unlimited users, lead management, digital takeoffs, Blu Assembly Assistant, purchase orders, training and support. Blu Estimate Generator is an add-on for +$99/mo. This tier suits builders who need estimating and lead tools but can do without job management and Onsite syncing.

Pro costs 339.00 USD per month, billed annually at $4,070, with a 12-month commitment. It includes everything in Foundation plus Blu Estimate Generator, job management, schedules and the Onsite mobile app. Blu Takeoff Assistant costs +$99/mo and Blu Estimate Reviewer +$149/mo. Pro is the practical step up for teams managing jobs and needing mobile syncing, though add-ons can raise the bill.

Master costs 509.00 USD per month, billed annually at $6,110, with a 12-month commitment. It adds Blu Takeoff Assistant, Blu Estimate Reviewer, user access controls and priority customer support to Pro. It is aimed at builders who need those AI tools and access controls; smaller teams may find Pro sufficient.

A 14-day trial is offered. The annual commitment makes paid plans a more deliberate choice than the monthly price display alone suggests.

Platforms

Buildxact is available on web, Android and iOS. Crews can use Onsite on mobile, with job and site-diary syncing requiring Pro or Teams.

Who it's for

Buildxact is best suited to residential builders who want to connect estimates, dealer pricing and project coordination, especially teams that will use scheduling and job management after winning work. It is less suitable for buyers seeking only basic estimating, or for teams that need synced field updates but cannot move beyond Foundation.

Pros and cons

Pro: Digital takeoffs, dealer pricing and quote requests connect estimating with material costs.
Pro: Project tools extend from scheduling and cost tracking to invoicing and customer communication.
Pro: Unlimited users on Foundation and above avoid a per-seat constraint in those plans.
Con: Paid plans require a 12-month commitment, limiting flexibility for short-term needs.
Con: Go is capped at five complimentary credits, while mobile syncing starts at Pro or Teams.
Con: Blu capabilities are split across plans and paid add-ons, which can increase the cost of access to specific tools.

Alternatives

Beam is worth considering if a free plan is the priority: its Core plan has no subscription cost, supports up to two users and offers five free AI estimates alongside unlimited estimates, projects, invoices and payments. Its free trial is not offered, unlike Buildxact's 14-day trial.

BuildBook is another freemium option across Android, iOS and web, with a 79.00 USD per month Solo plan and a free trial. Choose it for that lower stated Solo price; Buildxact is the clearer fit when dealer pricing and its stated estimating-to-project workflow matter.

Hyphen CRM is a paid Android, iOS and web alternative; request a demo to discuss pricing.

BuildTools Bidding starts at 499.00 USD per month with a 12-month commitment, billed monthly, and includes guided onboarding. It is an option for custom home builders and remodelers seeking a construction management platform, while Buildxact starts at a lower annual-plan price.

NEWSTAR is a paid, web-based alternative.

HomebuilderONE is a paid alternative for web, iOS and Android.

Konstria is a paid alternative for web, iOS and Android.

MarkSystems is a paid alternative for Android, iOS and web.

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

Verdict

Choose Buildxact if you are a residential builder who wants estimates, dealer costs and project coordination under one roof. Its strongest reason to buy is that connected workflow; look elsewhere if you need a flexible month-to-month commitment, a larger free allowance or mobile syncing at a lower paid tier.

	Buildxact	McCormick Systems
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	$169/mo	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS, Web	Web
Free plan	Yes	—
Bid management	Yes	—

Buildxact vs McCormick Systems

Buildxact

McCormick Systems