Groundplan

Groundplan uses a transparent subscription model with minimal hidden costs. Here's a breakdown:

• Base Subscription:
  • $75/month per seat (USD)

  • Includes unlimited projects and plans, free training, and support.

• Count Assist Add-On (AI-powered symbol counting):
  • Standard Plan: Up to 2,000 counts – $55/month
  • Plus Plan: Up to 20,000 counts – $152/month

  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing (POA)

• Setup Fees:

  • Setup is self-service with optional free training.

• Training & Support:

  • Free 1-hour training for every new paying company

  • Ongoing support via chat, email, and phone is included in the subscription.

• Maintenance:

  • Covered under the subscription. No separate maintenance fees.

• Licensing Model:

  • Concurrent licensing allows multiple users to share a seat if not used simultaneously.

• Trial Period:

  • 7-day free trial with full feature access and optional expert demo.

Groundplan emphasizes no contracts, pay-as-you-go, and easy cancellation, making it flexible for businesses of all sizes.

Groundplan provides comprehensive training and multi-channel support to ensure users get the most out of the platform:

Training

• Free 1-Hour Training: Every new paying company receives one hour of free online training with a Groundplan expert.

• Tailored Sessions: Training is customized based on the user's trade (e.g., electrical, plumbing, HVAC) and workflow.

• Topics Covered:
  • Takeoff workflows
  • Plan and project management
  • Integrated formulas and worksheets
  • Exporting options

  • Integration with job management software

• Self-Paced Learning:
  • Access to Groundplan Academy with self-paced courses

  • Introductory training videos and help articles are available 24/7.

Support

• Multiple Channels:
  • Phone
  • In-app chat

  • Email

• Live Assistance:
  • Real-time screen-sharing sessions

  • Fast response times with real people on the other end.

• Award-Winning:

  • Won the Software Advice award for Best Customer Support in 2023

This robust support system ensures users, from beginners to advanced estimators, can quickly become proficient.

Groundplan implements several security features to protect user data:

Cloud-Based Security

• Groundplan is a cloud-native platform, which means all data is stored securely online with no local installations required.

User Roles & Permissions

• Admins can assign role-based access controls to restrict who can view or modify sensitive project data.

• New user roles introduced in 2024 enhance account security by ensuring only authorized personnel can access specific features.

Data Retention & Access

• If a user cancels their subscription, Groundplan retains their data for 30 days, allowing reactivation without data loss.

Secure Access

• Accessible from any device with internet, ensuring secure and encrypted connections across platforms

Groundplan follows a continuous improvement model, releasing frequent updates throughout the year. These updates include both backend performance enhancements and front-end feature improvements visible to users.

Update Frequency & Management

• Monthly to Quarterly Updates: Groundplan regularly rolls out new features, UI improvements, and integrations. For example, in 2024 alone, they introduced:
  • Plan-wide symbol resizing
  • Enhanced eraser tool with color matching
  • Length labelling for better clarity
  • New user roles for security

  • Improved navigation and plan management

• 2025 Enhancements: Updates included:
  • Simpro V2 integration
  • New editor interface
  • Comment tool for collaboration
  • Drops and wastage tracking

  • Groundplan Academy for training

• No Manual Updates Required: As a cloud-based platform, all updates are applied automatically. Users always access the latest version without needing to install anything.

Groundplan has a clear and user-centric approach to data ownership and portability:

Data Ownership

• Customer-Owned Data: All data entered into Groundplan by the user remains the property of the customer. Groundplan acts as the service provider and does not claim ownership of user data.

Data Portability

• Users can export their data at any time, including:
  • Plans
  • Measurements
  • Bill of Quantities

  • CSV and Excel exports for integration with other systems

• Upon Cancellation:
  • Data is retained for up to 90 days after subscription cancellation.

  • During this period, users can reactivate their account and retrieve their data.

These policies ensure that businesses maintain full control over their information and can transition smoothly if needed.

Groundplan offers flexible licensing and user management, allowing organizations to scale usage up or down easily:

• Concurrent Licensing: Licenses are not tied to individual users. Multiple team members can share a seat as long as they’re not logged in simultaneously.
• Role-Based Access: Admins can assign roles (Owner, Admin, Billing, etc.) to manage access and billing permissions.
• Adding/Removing Licenses: Admins can increase or decrease the number of seats directly from the billing dashboard. Charges adjust accordingly.

• No Contracts: Groundplan operates on a month-to-month basis, so scaling does not require renegotiation or long-term commitments.

This setup is ideal for seasonal businesses or teams with fluctuating project loads.

Groundplan’s terms are designed for maximum flexibility:

• Subscription Model: Charged in advance every month.

• Cancellation:
  • Can be done at any time by users with Owner, Admin, or Billing roles.
  • The account remains active until the end of the current billing period.

  • Data is retained for up to 90 days post-cancellation for reactivation.

• Reactivation: Users can log in and update payment details to resume service.
• Refunds: Groundplan offers a 7-day free trial. Refunds after payment are subject to their refund policy, which is not guaranteed.

There are no penalties or fees for cancellation, making it easy to pause or stop service as needed.

It does implement several best practices:

• Cloud-Based Security: All data is stored securely online with encrypted access.
• Role-Based Permissions: Admins can control access to sensitive data through user roles.
• Data Retention Policy: Data is retained for 30–90 days after cancellation, ensuring portability and recovery.
• Privacy Terms: Groundplan’s terms and conditions outline data ownership, confidentiality, and usage rights, ensuring that customer data remains protected.

For organizations requiring formal compliance documentation, it’s recommended to contact Groundplan directly to request their security and compliance overview.