Buildertrend vs CoConstruct: What CoConstruct Users Should Know
Buildertrend and CoConstruct are no longer competing products. Buildertrend acquired CoConstruct in February 2021, has discontinued CoConstruct, and is moving its customers onto Buildertrend. If you are a CoConstruct user, the real decision is which platform you run next.
Where BuildTools fits
- Explains how Buildertrend and CoConstruct relate today: one company owns both, and CoConstruct customers are being moved onto Buildertrend.
- Frames the move as a platform decision for custom builders and remodelers, not a clerical migration.
- Compares the default path (Buildertrend) with the habits CoConstruct users built around selections, allowances, change orders, and client communication.
- Shows where BuildTools fits: an AI-first, QuickBooks-native operating system for custom home builders and remodelers.
- Lists the questions to answer before you commit to any platform.
Why this comparison matters
CoConstruct earned a loyal following with custom builders and remodelers because it treated owner decisions, selections, allowances, and change orders as first-class workflows. With CoConstruct discontinued, every CoConstruct team has to move — the only open question is where.
Buildertrend is the default destination because it owns CoConstruct. Default is not the same as best fit. A platform move costs the same effort either way — exporting data, retraining the team, moving active jobs — so it is worth comparing the default against the platform you actually want to run for the next several years.
How BuildTools is different from Buildertrend and CoConstruct
- Selections, allowances, change orders, and budgets stay connected, so a client decision flows through to pricing and projected margin.
- AI drafts change orders, RFIs, scopes, and client updates from project context, with the builder reviewing everything before it goes out.
- QuickBooks stays the accounting backbone: invoices, POs, budgets, and draws stay aligned with the books.
- A curated client portal shows homeowners milestones, approvals, photos, and selections without exposing the back office.
Buildertrend vs. CoConstruct, side by side
| Decision point | Buildertrend | CoConstruct | Where BuildTools fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Acquired CoConstruct in February 2021 | Owned by Buildertrend since February 2021 | Bought back from ECI Software Solutions by founder Sven Gustafson, effective January 1, 2026 |
| Product status | Active platform; the default destination for CoConstruct customers | Discontinued by Buildertrend | New AI-first version launched in May 2026 |
| Who it serves | Broad residential construction platform | Historically strong with custom builders and remodelers | Custom home builders and residential remodelers |
| Selections and change orders | Part of a wide residential module set | Core workflows CoConstruct users built habits around | Selections, allowances, and change orders connected to budget and client portal |
| AI workflows | AI features added around established workflows | None — product discontinued | AI drafts change orders, RFIs, scopes, and client updates for builder review |
What evaluating or switching looks like
- List what worked in CoConstruct and what your team worked around before you look at any replacement.
- Shortlist the default path (Buildertrend) alongside at least one alternative built for custom residential work.
- Run one real job through each option: a selection, a change order, and a budget update.
- Plan data migration for historical projects, selections, vendor lists, and cost codes so reporting stays continuous.
- Schedule the cutover for active jobs so the field is not split across two systems mid-project.
Who should consider switching
- CoConstruct users deciding what platform to run next.
- Custom home builders and remodelers who relied on CoConstruct selections and allowances.
- Teams weighing the default move to Buildertrend against an AI-first alternative.
- Owners who want QuickBooks-native financial control in the next platform.
Related BuildTools features
Frequently asked questions
Did Buildertrend buy CoConstruct?
Yes. Buildertrend acquired CoConstruct in February 2021. Buildertrend has since discontinued CoConstruct and is moving its customers onto Buildertrend.
Do CoConstruct users have to move to Buildertrend?
CoConstruct users have to move to a new platform because CoConstruct is discontinued, but Buildertrend is only the default destination. The move is a good moment to compare platforms built for custom residential work before you commit.
What should CoConstruct users compare before switching?
How each platform handles selections, allowances, change orders, client communication, and QuickBooks. Run one real job through each option and plan the cutover for active jobs.
Where does BuildTools fit for CoConstruct users?
BuildTools is AI-first, QuickBooks-native construction management software for custom home builders and remodelers. It keeps selections, allowances, change orders, budgets, and client approvals connected, with AI drafting the paperwork around them.
Is BuildTools for commercial contractors?
No. BuildTools is built for custom home builders and residential remodelers. It is not designed for commercial contractors.
One connected platform for custom builders and remodelers.
BuildTools is the AI-first operating system for custom builders and remodelers: budget control, schedule control, client decisions, field documentation, and project intelligence in one connected platform.