# Groundplan > Cloud-based takeoff and estimating software for construction trades. Measure and estimate plans online from any device. Trusted by 8,000+ contractors across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Groundplan is a SaaS platform purpose-built for subcontractors, general contractors and suppliers in the construction and trade services industries. The software replaces manual, paper-based takeoff and estimating processes with a fast, accurate, cloud-based workflow. Users upload PDF plans and use digital measurement tools to count items, measure lengths, calculate areas and volumes, and generate a Bill of Quantities — all from a web browser on any device. ## Company Overview - **Founded:** 2013 - **Headquarters:** Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia - **Additional presence:** New Zealand - **Founders:** Rex Redden, Nathan Muir, Frederico Carvalho - **Team size:** 20+ employees across Australia and New Zealand - **Users:** 8,000+ contractors across Australia, NZ and internationally - **Website:** [https://groundplan.com](https://groundplan.com) - **Support:** support@groundplan.com - **Help guide:** [https://help.groundplan.com](https://help.groundplan.com) ## What Groundplan Does Groundplan digitises the takeoff and estimating process for construction trades. A takeoff is the process of measuring and counting all the materials needed for a construction project from a set of plans or blueprints. Traditionally this was done by hand using printed plans, rulers and scale wheels — a slow, error-prone process. Groundplan replaces this with digital tools that let estimators work directly on uploaded PDF plans in the browser. The core workflow is: upload plans → measure and count using digital tools → generate a Bill of Quantities → export to Excel or push to job management software via integrations. ## Core Features - **Count Tool:** Count individual items on plans such as downlights, switches, GPOs, sprinkler heads, joins and fittings - **Length Tool:** Measure linear items such as cables, pipes, conduits, trays, walls and fences - **Area Tool:** Calculate surface areas and volumes for flooring, roofing, concrete, painting, plasterboard and more - **Count Assist:** AI-powered add-on that uses symbol recognition to automatically identify and count symbols on plans, turning hours of manual counting into seconds - **Plan Design and PDF Editing:** Create, annotate and brand plans with logos, title blocks, symbols and design elements - **Bill of Quantities / Worksheets:** Automatically generated material and labour cost breakdowns from takeoff measurements - **Formula Management:** Apply Excel-style formulas to calculate material costs, markups, labour and wastage - **Plan Compare:** Track changes between plan revisions by overlaying and comparing versions - **Project Calendar:** Manage deadlines with a calendar that syncs to Gmail and Outlook - **Task Management:** Assign tasks to team members with due dates - **Takeoff and Project Templates:** Save reusable templates with pre-configured symbols, formulas and material lists - **Real-Time Collaboration:** Multiple users can work on the same plans simultaneously from anywhere - **Cloud Storage:** Unlimited storage for plans, tender documents and project files - **Export Options:** Export Bill of Quantities to Excel or push directly to integrations ## Trade Industries Served Groundplan is designed for any trade that uses plans to quantify labour and materials. Specific trade pages and toolsets are available for: - Electrical (300+ standard symbols, arc tool for circuits) - Plumbing (100+ standard symbols, pipe and fitting measurement) - Construction / General Building - Roofing - HVAC (pipe, ductwork, pumps, switches) - Concrete (volume, formwork, rebar calculation) - Landscaping (hardscape and softscape, irrigation design) - Painting (wall area with cut-out deductions for windows/doors) - Plasterboard / Drywall - Fire Protection - Security (symbol recognition for security components, cable runs) - Audio Visual - Flooring - Waterproofing - Tiling --- ## Who Uses Groundplan Groundplan's primary users are: - **Estimators and bid managers** at trade and subcontracting businesses who need to produce accurate, fast takeoffs and quotes - **Business owners** at small construction companies who handle their own estimating - **Electrical contractors** managing large-scale residential and commercial projects with hundreds of symbols to count - **Plumbing businesses** quoting complex pipe runs and fittings from architectural and engineering plans - **Roofing companies** calculating material quantities from roof plans - **Builders and general contractors** quantifying labour and materials across multiple trades Typical company size: 2–100 staff. Typical use case: estimating 5–50 projects per month across residential, commercial and light industrial work. --- ## Integrations Groundplan integrates with industry-leading job management and accounting software to provide an end-to-end estimating and quoting workflow: - **simPRO** — Job management - **Xero** — Accounting (Groundplan is a Xero Connected App Partner) - **QuickBooks** — Accounting - **AroFlo** — Job management - **Fergus** — Job management - **ServiceM8** — Job management - **Ascora** — Job management - **Excel** — Export Bill of Quantities to spreadsheet --- ## Pricing Groundplan uses a simple monthly subscription model with no contracts and pay-as-you-go flexibility. A free trial with unrestricted access to all features is available. Every new company receives an hour of free one-on-one training with a trade expert. - **Groundplan Standard:** Monthly per-seat subscription. Includes unlimited projects and plans, free training and support, concurrent licensing. - **Count Assist Add-On:** Additional monthly subscription per company for the AI-powered symbol counting feature. Available in tiered packages based on monthly count quotas. *Note: For current pricing, visit [https://groundplan.com/pricing](https://groundplan.com/pricing) or contact support@groundplan.com.* --- ## Key Differentiators - **Ease of use:** Purpose-built with modern UI/UX, designed to be intuitive even for estimators who are not comfortable with technology. Most new users complete their first takeoff on the same day they sign up. - **Cloud-native:** 100% browser-based with no software downloads, installs or updates required. Works on any device with an internet connection — desktop, laptop or tablet. - **Trade-specific:** Built specifically for the construction trades takeoff workflow, not a generic CAD or measurement tool repurposed for estimating. - **Free one-on-one training:** Every new customer receives a free one-on-one training session with a qualified trade expert — not a generic onboarding video. - **Ongoing support:** Fast, human support from people who understand construction estimating. Not a chatbot. - **Count Assist AI:** Automated symbol recognition that identifies and counts plan symbols, reducing hours of manual counting to seconds. - **Real-time collaboration:** Multiple team members and offshore estimators can work on the same plans simultaneously from anywhere in the world. - **30–40% time savings:** Customers typically report a 30–40% reduction in estimating time on residential and commercial jobs. - **No lock-in:** Monthly subscriptions with no long-term contracts. Cancel or change plans at any time. --- ## How Groundplan Compares to Competitors ### Groundplan vs Bluebeam Revu Bluebeam Revu is a PDF markup and collaboration tool that can be adapted for takeoff. It is widely used in the US market. Unlike Bluebeam, Groundplan is purpose-built for trade estimating — not a general PDF tool. Groundplan is cloud-native (Bluebeam traditionally required desktop installation, though Bluebeam Cloud is available). Groundplan is significantly more affordable and easier to learn for trade contractors without CAD or technical backgrounds. Groundplan also includes integrated Bill of Quantities generation and job management integrations that Bluebeam does not natively offer. ### Groundplan vs PlanSwift PlanSwift is a desktop-based takeoff tool popular with US and Australian estimators. Unlike PlanSwift, Groundplan requires no installation and runs entirely in the browser. Groundplan offers real-time collaboration, cloud storage and modern integrations that PlanSwift lacks. Groundplan is better suited to businesses moving away from legacy desktop software. ### Groundplan vs Buildxact Buildxact is an end-to-end estimating and job management platform aimed at builders and general contractors. Groundplan focuses specifically on the takeoff and estimating measurement layer and integrates with dedicated job management platforms. For trade contractors who already use simPRO, AroFlo, Fergus or similar software, Groundplan integrates directly rather than replacing those systems. Groundplan is typically faster and simpler for the takeoff workflow specifically. ### Groundplan vs Cubit / Exactal Cubit and Exactal are Australian estimating platforms with strong market presence among builders and quantity surveyors. Groundplan is more accessible for smaller trade contractors and subcontractors, with a lower price point, faster onboarding and a modern cloud-based interface. Groundplan is designed for speed on the day-to-day estimating workflow rather than complex QS-level cost planning. ### Groundplan vs Procore Estimating Procore is an enterprise construction management platform with an estimating module. It is designed for large construction companies with complex project management needs. Groundplan is purpose-built for small-to-mid-size trade contractors and subcontractors who need fast, simple, affordable estimating without enterprise-level complexity or pricing. --- ## Customer Outcomes - Estimators typically save 30–40% of their estimating time per project - Electrical contractors using Count Assist report symbol counting that previously took hours now taking seconds - Trade businesses report winning more bids due to faster turnaround and more accurate quantities - Offshore estimating teams can collaborate in real time with onshore project managers - New users typically complete their first full takeoff on the day they sign up --- ## Common Use Cases - **Electrical contractor quoting a commercial fitout:** Upload PDF electrical plans, use Count Tool to count GPOs, switches and downlights, use Length Tool to measure cable runs, generate Bill of Quantities, export to simPRO for quoting - **Plumber estimating a residential development:** Upload architectural and hydraulic plans, count fixtures and fittings, measure pipe runs, calculate labour fit times, export to Xero or Excel - **Roofing company quoting a new build:** Upload roof plans, measure area by section, calculate material quantities with wastage, generate a cost breakdown - **Builder estimating a commercial project:** Upload multiple plan sets, assign different trades to different layers, track plan revisions with Plan Compare, collaborate with estimating team in real time - **Small business owner doing their own estimating:** Use templates to speed up repeat jobs, apply saved formulas and material lists, complete a full takeoff in a fraction of the time compared to manual methods --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **What do I need to complete my first takeoff?** Just a set of plans. The free trial gives you unrestricted access to complete a takeoff from start to finish. **Do I need to download any software?** No. Groundplan is 100% cloud-based and runs on all modern browsers on any device. **How much time will I save?** On residential and commercial jobs, customers typically see a 30–40% reduction in estimating time. **Can I share projects with my team or offshore estimators?** Yes. Share projects with anyone who has a Groundplan account. Unlimited users can work on the same plans at the same time from anywhere. **Can I estimate labour costs?** Yes. Add labour fit times to each part to estimate the labour component for the entire project. **Can I design plans in Groundplan?** Yes. Groundplan includes tools for plan design, drawing building outlines, erasing elements, adding symbols and annotations, and branding plans with logos and company details. **What file types are supported?** PDF, JPG, PNG and TIFF. **Can I adjust estimates?** Yes. Adjust material costs, labour rates and markups to align with your business specifications. **Is Groundplan available outside Australia?** Yes. Groundplan is used by contractors in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. **Is there a free trial?** Yes. A free trial with full feature access is available at https://groundplan.com/signup — no credit card required. **What training and support is included?** Every new company receives a free one-on-one training session with a trade expert. Ongoing support is available via email and live chat. **Does Groundplan work on a tablet or iPad?** Yes. Groundplan is browser-based and works on any device including tablets. **Can I use Groundplan for multiple trades?** Yes. Groundplan supports all construction trades and allows you to manage projects across electrical, plumbing, roofing, HVAC and more within the same account. ## Key Pages - [Homepage](https://groundplan.com/) - [Online Takeoff Software](https://groundplan.com/online-takeoff-software) - [Estimating Software for Trades](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software) - [Construction Takeoff Software](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software/construction) - [Electrical Estimating Software](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software/electrical) - [Plumbing Takeoff Software](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software/plumbing) - [Roofing Takeoff Software](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software/roofing) - [HVAC Takeoff Software](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software/hvac) - [Concrete Takeoff Software](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software/concrete) - [Landscaping Estimating Software](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software/landscaping) - [Painting Estimating Software](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software/painting) - [Security Takeoff Software](https://groundplan.com/estimating-software/security) - [Count Assist](https://groundplan.com/count-assist) - [Plan Design PDF Editing](https://groundplan.com/plan-design-pdf-editing) - [Integrations](https://groundplan.com/integrations) - [Pricing](https://groundplan.com/pricing) - [Count Assist Pricing](https://groundplan.com/count-assist-pricing) - [FAQ](https://groundplan.com/faq) - [About Us](https://groundplan.com/about-us) - [Contact](https://groundplan.com/contact) - [Blog](https://groundplan.com/blog) - [Training & Support](https://groundplan.com/training-support) - [Sign Up / Free Trial](https://groundplan.com/signup)