BuildTools

Name: BuildTools
Brand: ECI Software Solutions, Inc
SKU: 68a1c42540dc6753ba95067a
Rating: 4.3 (150 reviews)

Overview of BuildTools Software Company

BuildTools is a cloud-based construction management software developed specifically for residential builders and remodelers. It centralizes project scheduling, budgeting, communication, and documentation to streamline operations and reduce costly delays. The platform is now part of the ECI Software Solutions portfolio, which focuses on business management tools for small to mid-sized companies.

Headquarters: Wayzata, Minnesota, USA

Industry: Construction SaaS

Parent Company: ECI Software Solutions (acquired in 2020)

Primary Market: North America, with growing traction in Australia and New Zealand

Founding and Growth

Founded: 2010 by J. Sven Gustafson, a custom home builder frustrated by the lack of tailored software solutions.

Growth Trajectory:
- Initially bootstrapped and focused on solving real-world builder pain points.
- Gained traction among small-volume custom builders and remodelers.
- Acquired by ECI Software Solutions in May 2020 to accelerate development and market reach

Product Offerings and Features

BuildTools offers a robust suite of tools for managing every phase of a residential construction project:

Project Management: Task tracking, milestone planning, and live scheduling.

Budgeting & Financials: Real-time cost tracking, purchase orders, and WIP reports.

Estimating & Proposals: Branded quotes that convert directly into budgets.

Change Orders & Selections: Online approval workflows with budget code integration.

Communication Hub: Centralized messaging, meeting minutes, and client updates.

Document Control: Unlimited cloud storage with permission-based access.

Mobile App: Field teams can access updates without logging in.

Accounting Integration: Syncs with QuickBooks Desktop/Online and Xero.

Analyzed By Zoftware•

Last Updated: 18th Nov 2025

Acquisitions and Product Expansion

Acquisition by ECI Software Solutions: Closed in May 2020. BuildTools was integrated into ECI’s Residential Home Construction Group.

Expansion Goals:
- ECI committed to investing in BuildTools’ development, go-to-market strategy, and customer success.
- The acquisition allowed BuildTools to serve a broader market of small and mid-sized builders.

BuildTools AI and New Features

Recent enhancements and innovations include:

Project Posters: Share key project details with field teams without requiring logins.

Live Scheduling: Real-time updates with automatic dependency adjustments.

Cost Catalogs: Standardized pricing for faster, more accurate estimates.

Client Portal: Streamlined selection approvals and communication.

BIM & VR Integration Potential: ECI has hinted at future integration with Building Information Modeling and Virtual Reality tools

Company Culture and Values

BuildTools was founded by builders, for builders—its culture reflects that:

Builder-Centric Philosophy: The platform was born out of real-world frustrations and built to solve practical problems.

Customer Empowerment: Emphasis on helping builders grow profitably without adding staff.

Transparency & Accountability: Features like audit trails and centralized communication promote trust and clarity.

Innovation-Driven: ECI’s acquisition brought a renewed focus on product innovation and user experience.

User Base and Community

Target Users: Custom home builders, remodelers, subcontractors, and project managers.

Customer Examples: Regency Builders, Stonewood LLC, Bradford Builders, Platinum Series Homes.

Community Feedback:
- Rated 4.1/5 across major review platforms.
- Users praise its scheduling, budgeting, and communication tools.
- Some commercial contractors find it too niche for broader use cases.

Claim Your Profile

BuildTools

By ECI Software Solutions, Inc

Alternatives

Categories Associated

Construction Scheduling Software