🔧 Software Watch

New tools for construction, glazing & fabrication — curated for PGC
June 10, 2026

AdamCAD

AI Text-to-CAD

What it does: Turn natural language descriptions into parametric 3D CAD models. Understands wall thickness, draft angles, bolt patterns. YC W25, $4.1M raised.

Legacy alt: Modeling from scratch in SolidWorks/AutoCAD.

Differentiator: Parametric, editable CAD output — not just mesh. Manufacturing-aware geometry.

Pricing: Free tier, Pro ~$29/mo.

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Five free exports — describe a bracket or support shoe.

Zoo Design Studio

Open-Source AI CAD Kernel

What it does: Full CAD environment + AI agent "Zookeeper" for text-to-CAD. REST API for programmatic CAD generation. Open-source geometric kernel.

Legacy alt: Fusion 360, SolidWorks parametric modeling.

Differentiator: Open-source core + ML CAD Generator. Geometry in seconds via API.

Pricing: Free (OSS self-host). Cloud ~$49/mo.

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Run the OSS version locally or try free cloud tier.

OpenConstructionERP

Open-Source Construction ERP

What it does: Full ERP: BOQ, PDF/CAD/BIM takeoff, AI cost matching, 42 regional catalogues, 71 modules, 21 languages. DDC CAD/BIM data converters included.

Legacy alt: Sage 100, Viewpoint, Procore ($400+/mo).

Differentiator: Completely free self-hosted. 55K+ CWICR resource database. BIM takeoff built in.

Pricing: Free (AGPL-3.0). pip install openconstructionerp

Glazing: High

MVP: Install locally, load a sample glazing BOQ.

Togal.AI

AI Quantity Takeoff

What it does: Upload plans — AI identifies walls, doors, windows, rooms. Generates quantities in seconds. 95%+ accuracy, 80-85% faster takeoffs.

Legacy alt: PlanSwift, Bluebeam manual takeoff.

Differentiator: Computer vision works with scanned PDFs — no manual scaling. Auto-detects revisions.

Pricing: Growth Plan ~$299/mo per user.

Glazing: High

MVP: Demo with a recent project PDF. Compare AI vs. manual takeoff time.

STACK

AI-Enhanced Takeoff & PM

What it does: Cloud-based takeoff + estimating with AI auto-counting for doors, windows, walls. Integrated project management module.

Legacy alt: Excel + manual plan measuring.

Differentiator: AI Assist1 auto-detects symbols from blueprints. Connects takeoff to project tracking.

Pricing: Standard ~$2,499/yr, Premium (AI) ~$2,999/yr per user.

Glazing: High

MVP: 14-day free trial. Upload glazing-heavy drawings.

OpenSpace

Visual Intelligence / Field Documentation

What it does: Walk a jobsite with 360° camera — AI maps imagery to floor plans. Progress tracking, BIM comparison, issue tracking. 95K+ projects.

Legacy alt: Manual photo documentation, daily reports.

Differentiator: AI spatial indexing — no manual tagging. 41% fewer claims. Integrates with Procore/BIM 360.

Pricing: Custom (est. $500-2K/mo).

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Demo. Walk a current project with smartphone.

Knowify

Trade Contractor Management

What it does: Estimating, proposals, contracts, scheduling, time tracking, job costing, AI billing, QuickBooks sync. Built for specialty trades.

Legacy alt: Spreadsheets + QB + separate PM tools.

Differentiator: Designed for trade subs. AI Connector for automated billing. Deep QB integration.

Pricing: Starts at ~$99/mo.

Glazing: High

MVP: 14-day free trial. Import a current project to test job costing.

Buildertrend

Cloud Construction PM

What it does: Scheduling, change orders, daily logs, financials, client communication, warranty management. Popular with residential/light commercial GCs.

Legacy alt: Paper logs, spreadsheets, manual change order tracking.

Differentiator: Client portal for approvals. Integrated financial modules. Mobile-first field app.

Pricing: ~$499-799/mo.

Glazing: Medium

MVP: 30-day trial. Test scheduling and change order workflow.

Bild AI

Blueprint Intelligence

What it does: YC-backed AI that reads blueprints → extracts materials + cost data. End-to-end from drawings to procurement lists.

Legacy alt: Manual material takeoff and data entry.

Differentiator: End-to-end pipeline: drawing → material list → cost estimate. Built for builders.

Pricing: Not public. Est. $200-500/mo.

Glazing: High

MVP: Request early access. Upload a glazing shop drawing.

Kreo

AI Estimating & BIM Analytics

What it does: AI-driven takeoff with 2D/3D plan analysis, automated quantification. BIM integration for 5D estimating (cost + time).

Legacy alt: Bluebeam, standalone estimating tools.

Differentiator: Strong on complex commercial projects. BIM-based 5D estimating. Collaborative analytics.

Pricing: ~$149-299/mo per user.

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Demo with a complex commercial curtain wall project.

Buildbite

Field-to-Billing Platform

What it does: Connects daily reports, time tracking, progress photos directly to billing and invoicing. Fieldwire alternative with stronger field-to-office pipeline.

Legacy alt: Fieldwire + separate billing process.

Differentiator: Unified field → office → billing. Mobile-native with offline support.

Pricing: ~$39-89/mo per user.

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Free trial. Test daily reporting from a glazing install site.

Scope AR / Trimble XR10

AR/VR for Construction

What it does: Overlay BIM/IFC models onto physical jobsites with AR headsets. See where panels go before installation. Hard-hat-compatible.

Legacy alt: 2D drawings, manual layout marking.

Differentiator: Works with standard BIM/IFC formats. Trimble ecosystem. Hands-free, hard-hat compatible.

Pricing: Hardware ~$3,500-5,000 + subscription ~$200-500/mo.

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Trimble offers demo units. Test on complex commercial install.