Clear Estimates vs ConstructionOnline

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Our analysts compared Clear Estimates vs ConstructionOnline 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.

ConstructionOnline Software Tool

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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Developed by UDA Technologies, ConstructionOnline offers scheduling, estimating and project management solutions to medium- and large-sized construction companies. It helps users perform inspections by creating punch lists. It allows clients to quickly respond to RFIs and helps speed up business processes.

Users can assign and monitor tasks using Gantt charts. It enables team members to share critical documents through the TeamLink portal.
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$79 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$49/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
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Mac
Linux
Android
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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
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
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Knowledge Base
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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  • Cloud-Based: Access, modify and share project documents with team members securely. Grant document access permissions to selected employees. 
  • Dynamic Takeoff: Measure quantities accurately using RedLine Takeoff software. Automatically assign labor and material costs using customizable costbooks. 
  • Streamlined Accounting: Integrate with QuickBooks to help create accurate estimates and reduce costly errors. 
  • Simplified Scheduling: Organize and monitor activities using Gantt charts. Keep track of upcoming events to avoid missing important meetings. 
  • Environment Friendly: Reduce carbon emissions by smoothly transitioning to an online business environment. 
  • Customizable Interface: Design online workspaces by choosing color themes and backgrounds specific to business needs. 
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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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  • Sales Management: Manage leads and monitor sales funnels to meet business goals. 
    • Lead Tracking: Filter leads by statuses, sources, sales representatives and more. Track activities such as meetings and outreach changes using a timeline viewer. Stay updated about potential revenue opportunities and sales workflows by creating lead pipelines. 
    • Call Logging: Document emails, text messages and conversations to keep track of communication activities. Filter call logs by projects, contacts and creators. Attach relevant documents and photos to call logs. 
    • ClientLink: Create client login pages to keep them in the loop about project statuses. Receive client inputs about change orders electronically. 
  • Financials: Monitor cash flows to keep projects on budget. 
    • Estimating: Track financial activities using dashboards. Integrate with Excel to accurately calculate job costs. Save and reuse estimates templates to help avoid workflow errors. 
    • Quantity Takeoff: Automatically overwrite existing costs to reduce expensive errors. Accurately measure volumes, counts and areas to help win bids. Generate estimates using existing takeoff templates to speed up estimating processes. 
    • Change Orders: Mitigate potential disputes to save projects from legal hassles. Allow clients to sign change orders electronically. Automatically send confirmation emails to subcontractors, suppliers and clients to keep them on the same page. 
    • Accounting Integration: Integrate with QuickBooks to eliminate redundant data entries. Import or export financial data with just a click. Securely store project files in AWS data centers. 
  • Communications: Share latest project updates using the Envoy Chat suite. Attach relevant documents and photos to chats to divulge critical information. Archive messages when jobs are completed. 
  • Schedule Management: Assign and monitor project activities to help complete projects on time. 
    • Calendar: View upcoming tasks, events and due dates to help plan ahead and keep projects on track. Integrate with Google and Outlook calendars to help keep team members updated about ongoing activities. 
    • Gantt Charts: Quickly modify schedules without manually adjusting each task using critical path functionality. Filter tasks by days, weeks or months. 
    • Time Tracking: View workers’ clock-in and -out time and location using geofencing technology. Analyze employee reports to help boost productivity levels. 
  • Project Tracking: Analyze project data to help make informed decisions. 
    • Daily Logs: Document work activities electronically to eliminate hassles of going through bundles of physical files. Automatically record weather conditions of job sites to understand reasons for delays. Record and attach photos to incidents using safety logs. 
    • Punch Lists: Organize lists by classifications, dates, phases and more. Perform inspections by creating punch lists to avoid missing out on important quality checks. 
    • Reporting: Share project reports with teams and clients to keep everyone on the same page. 
  • Planroom: Upload, markup and share project plans with team members. Automatically send notifications to workers about changes in plan sets. 
  • Document Management: Store project files securely for future references. 
    • RFI Tracking: Sort RFIs by due dates, statuses and recipients. Allow clients to respond to RFIs via email. 
    • Submittal Workflows: Opt for parallel or sequential workflows as per business requirements. Determine who’s responsible for advancing submittals by using a ball-in-court indicator. 
    • Transmittals: Send transmittals from the field or office using the mobile app. Create logs to automatically track sent items and quickly search for critical documents. 
  • Score Cards: Filter teams’ activities by employees or task types to view accurate breakdown of overall performances. View pending and overdue tasks to make sure projects are on track. 
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Product Ranking

#12

among all
Construction Estimating Software

#42

among all
Construction Estimating Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

57
72
24
36
69
68
45
78
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Platform Capabilities
Platform Capabilities
Project Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Clear Estimates
ConstructionOnline
+ 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 36 68 78 76 97 88 80 83 0 25 50 75 100
29%
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43%
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57%
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45%
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55%
82%
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77%
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23%
82%
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18%
100%
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37%
88%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

33%
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67%
42%
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58%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 221 reviews
Great User Sentiment 366 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.

88%
of users recommend this product

ConstructionOnline has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 366 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.4 (5)
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4.5 (6)
4.54 (112)
n/a
4.5 (109)
4.4 (355)

Awards

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

User Favorite Award

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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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Centralized Communication: Streamlines communication among project stakeholders through features like instant messaging, email integration, and file sharing, reducing miscommunication and keeping everyone informed.
Improved Collaboration: Facilitates collaboration with tools for task management, scheduling, and document control, enabling teams to work together efficiently and avoid duplication of effort.
Enhanced Project Visibility: Provides real-time insights into project progress, budgets, and potential issues through dashboards and reporting tools, allowing for proactive decision-making and improved project outcomes.
Increased Efficiency: Automates routine tasks such as generating reports, sending notifications, and tracking time, freeing up team members to focus on more strategic activities.
Reduced Risk: Offers features for risk management, including change order tracking, issue management, and document version control, helping to mitigate potential problems and ensure project success.
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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 Customization: Users have expressed frustration with the lack of flexibility in customizing certain features, such as invoices and reports, to align with specific workflows or branding requirements.
Mobile App Functionality: The mobile app has received feedback regarding its limitations compared to the full desktop version. Some users find it challenging to access and manage information effectively while on the go.
Learning Curve: Due to its comprehensive feature set, ConstructionOnline can have a steeper learning curve for new users. Navigating the platform and understanding its full capabilities may require additional time and training.
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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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ConstructionOnline receives praise for its comprehensive features, particularly its scheduling tools, which allow for efficient project management and collaboration. Users appreciate the ability to create detailed schedules, assign tasks, and track progress, ensuring projects stay on track and within budget. The software's document management capabilities are also highlighted as a strength, enabling users to store, organize, and share project documents securely. ConstructionOnline's financial management tools, including budgeting, invoicing, and expense tracking, are commended for their accuracy and ease of use. However, some users note that ConstructionOnline's interface can be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features. The learning curve associated with the software is a common concern, as it may require additional time and effort to fully utilize its capabilities. Additionally, some users mention that the mobile app's functionality is limited compared to the desktop version, which can hinder accessibility and convenience for users on the go. ConstructionOnline distinguishes itself from competitors by offering a wide range of features within a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple software solutions. Its robust scheduling, document management, and financial tools provide a comprehensive solution for construction professionals. The software's focus on collaboration and communication is also a key differentiator, as it facilitates seamless interaction among team members, clients, and subcontractors. ConstructionOnline is most suitable for established construction companies and professionals who require a comprehensive project management solution with advanced features. Its extensive capabilities cater to the needs of larger projects and teams, providing the tools necessary for efficient project execution and collaboration.

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