Choose CableFi if
Managing your own bid pipeline from any source.
Bid Network · Run them side by side
CableFi vs BuildingConnected
BuildingConnected (Autodesk) is a bid network where GCs invite subs to bid. CableFi has an internal Bid Board for managing bids you've received or found — it's not a bid-lead network.
The verdict
You typically use both — receive invites in BuildingConnected, manage them in CableFi's Bid Board.
Choose BuildingConnected if
Getting invited to bids by GCs on the BuildingConnected network.
CableFi, on screen
Every client, bid and email in one place.
Each client's sites, contacts, estimates and projects sit in one record, next to the Bid Board.
Estimating · Summary
- Client, site and due date on the bid
- Atticus checks a catalog price
At a glance
The two, side by side.
| Feature | CableFi | BuildingConnected |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Starter Monthly is $200 a month for shops doing up to $500,000 a year, with up to 10 users. Or a one-time lifetime license: Starter $2,500 or Professional $5,000, unlimited users. No per-seat fees, no free trial. | Free for subs (Bid Board), paid for GCs |
| Built for | Multi-trade low-voltage and structured cabling contractors | Sub bid invitations from GCs |
| How to try it | 30-minute demo | Free tier |
| Works offline | Yes: the field app works offline | No |
| Phone app | Installs on any phone | Partial |
| Founded | 2022 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Wilmington, NC | San Francisco, CA (Autodesk) |
What is CableFi?
Bid Board + CRM + estimating in one platform.
Starter Monthly is $200 a month for shops doing up to $500,000 a year, with up to 10 users. Or a one-time lifetime license: Starter $2,500 or Professional $5,000, unlimited users. No per-seat fees, no free trial.
What is BuildingConnected?
BuildingConnected is a network where GCs send bid invitations to subs and manage responses.
Pricing: Free for subs; GC pricing custom.
Feature by feature
What CableFi and BuildingConnected each do.
The CableFi column is checked against the product itself. Where we couldn't verify what the other tool does, we say so.
| Feature | CableFi | BuildingConnected |
|---|---|---|
| Sales & CRM | ||
| Bid Board / opportunity pipeline | Included | Yes: As a bid inbox from GCs |
| CRM contacts & companies | Included | Partial |
| Estimating | ||
| Manual estimating & materials catalog | Included | Not included |
| Project Management | ||
| Projects, tasks, scheduling | Included | Not included |
* Partial support. “Not verified” means we couldn't confirm it from the vendor's public material.
Which should you pick?
Strengths, gaps and the jobs each one fits.
CableFi strengths
- Bid Board + estimating + PM together
- Not tied to a single GC network
BuildingConnected strengths
- Real bid invitations from GCs
- Large network
Where CableFi falls short
- No bid invitation network
Where BuildingConnected falls short
- Not a full estimating or PM tool
- You want more bid invitationsNetwork effect.Best fit: BuildingConnected
- You want to manage all bids in one pipelineBid Board handles any source.Best fit: CableFi
- BothCommon combo.Best fit: either one
Questions
CableFi vs BuildingConnected: common questions
Does CableFi connect to BuildingConnected?
Not directly today. Bids can be exported/imported via CSV.
Weighing CableFi against BuildingConnected? See it in 30 minutes.
Your operation will run 20% more efficient in 12 months or your money back. Applies to the Starter and Professional lifetime licenses. See the terms
30-minute demo · Both guarantees in writing