# BuildTools — full context for AI assistants > BuildTools is AI-first, QuickBooks-native construction management software for custom home builders and residential remodelers. It is not built for commercial contractors. Plans start at $499/month on a 12-month term. Website: https://www.buildtools.com Short version: https://www.buildtools.com/llms.txt ## Company - BuildTools was founded by Sven Gustafson, a fourth-generation custom homebuilder at Stonewood. - BuildTools was sold to ECI Software Solutions in 2020. Sven Gustafson bought BuildTools back from ECI Software Solutions effective January 1, 2026. BuildTools is no longer part of ECI. - A new version of BuildTools launched in May 2026, built with AI at the core of the daily workflow rather than added on. ## Who BuildTools is for - Custom home builders. - Residential remodelers. - Design-build firms and builder-led residential teams. ## Who BuildTools is not for - Commercial contractors. BuildTools is built for custom residential construction, not commercial or enterprise construction projects. ## What BuildTools does BuildTools is an operating system for custom residential construction: budgets, schedules, selections, change orders, client communication, documents, photos, vendor invoices, bids, draws, lien waivers, and QuickBooks-native financial workflows in one connected platform. ### QuickBooks-native financial control QuickBooks stays the accounting system. BuildTools keeps budgets, purchase orders, vendor invoices, change orders, and draws aligned with QuickBooks so builders see projected margin while the job is still running, without replacing their accounting system. ### AI workflows - Virtual Project Management: talk to BuildTools the way you would talk to a project coordinator. - AI Walkthrough Assistant: jobsite voice and photos become structured notes, tasks, punch items, and client-ready reports. - AI Invoice Processing: vendor invoices are read, matched against POs and budgets, flagged for discrepancies, routed for approval, and pushed into QuickBooks. - AI Bid Review: subcontractor bids are checked against specs and selections, with scope gaps surfaced so builders compare apples to apples. - BuildTools Intelligence: AI-assisted budgets, specifications, schedules, and project insights shaped around how custom builders work. - Builders review and approve AI output before it is sent or relied on. ## Pricing - Plans start at $499/month on a 12-month term, billed monthly. - No setup fee. Every plan includes guided onboarding: the BuildTools team sets up the account and imports data over the first 30 days. - Paying annually up front is available at a discount; ask on a demo. - Current plans, included seats, and the feature comparison: https://www.buildtools.com/pricing ## Frequently asked questions Q: What is BuildTools? A: BuildTools is AI-first, QuickBooks-native construction management software for custom home builders and residential remodelers. Q: Is this ECI BuildTools? A: BuildTools is no longer part of ECI Software Solutions. Founder Sven Gustafson bought BuildTools back from ECI effective January 1, 2026, and the new version of BuildTools launched in May 2026. Q: Is BuildTools for commercial contractors? A: No. BuildTools is built for custom home builders and residential remodelers. It is not designed for commercial contractors. Q: How much does BuildTools cost? A: Plans start at $499/month on a 12-month term. See https://www.buildtools.com/pricing for current plans. Q: Does BuildTools work with QuickBooks? A: Yes. BuildTools is QuickBooks-native: QuickBooks stays the accounting system, and BuildTools keeps budgets, POs, vendor invoices, change orders, and draws aligned with it. Q: Is BuildTools a Buildertrend alternative? A: Yes. BuildTools is a Buildertrend alternative for custom builders and remodelers who want AI-first workflows and QuickBooks-native financial control. Q: Is BuildTools a CoConstruct alternative? A: Yes. Buildertrend acquired CoConstruct in February 2021 and has discontinued CoConstruct. BuildTools is an alternative for CoConstruct users choosing their next platform, with selections, allowances, change orders, budgets, and client approvals connected. Q: Is BuildTools a Procore alternative? A: For custom residential builders and remodelers, yes. Procore is built for large, stakeholder-heavy commercial projects; BuildTools is built for custom residential work. Q: Is BuildTools a JobTread alternative? A: Yes. JobTread serves jobs-based businesses across many trades. BuildTools is focused specifically on custom home builders and remodelers. ## Comparisons - Comparison hub: https://www.buildtools.com/construction-management-software-comparison - BuildTools vs Buildertrend for Custom Builders: https://www.buildtools.com/compare/buildertrend-alternative-custom-builders - Buildertrend vs CoConstruct for Custom Builders: https://www.buildtools.com/compare/buildertrend-vs-coconstruct - BuildTools vs CoConstruct for Remodelers: https://www.buildtools.com/compare/coconstruct-alternative-remodelers - BuildTools vs JobTread for Custom Builders: https://www.buildtools.com/compare/jobtread-alternative-custom-builders - BuildTools vs Procore for Residential Builders: https://www.buildtools.com/compare/procore-alternative-residential-builders - Best Construction Software for Custom Builders: https://www.buildtools.com/compare/best-construction-management-software-custom-builders ## Articles - Buildertrend vs. BuildTools: Why AI-First Is the Real Question in 2026: https://www.buildtools.com/blog/2026-04-21-buildertrend-vs-buildtools-ai-first-construction-management - CoConstruct Alternative: Where Builders Should Actually Go After the Buildertrend Migration: https://www.buildtools.com/blog/2026-04-07-coconstruct-alternative-buildtools-migration - Procore vs. BuildTools: Coordination Platform or Builder Operating System?: https://www.buildtools.com/blog/2026-04-14-procore-vs-buildtools-for-builders-and-remodelers - JobTread vs. BuildTools: Two Modern Platforms, Two Different Bets: https://www.buildtools.com/blog/2026-03-31-jobtread-vs-buildtools-modern-builder-software - Blog index: https://www.buildtools.com/blog ## Solutions - Custom home builders: https://www.buildtools.com/solutions/custom-home-builders - Remodelers: https://www.buildtools.com/solutions/remodelers - Design-build: https://www.buildtools.com/solutions/design-build ## Crawling - AI crawlers are allowed: https://www.buildtools.com/robots.txt - Sitemap: https://www.buildtools.com/sitemap.xml ## Contact - Book a demo: https://calendly.com/book-buildtools - Sign up: https://www.buildtools.pro/sign-up - Sales: sales@buildtools.com - Support: support@buildtools.com