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How Much Does On-Screen Takeoff Cost?

Written by Leonard Buzz | Aug 18, 2026, 4:54:32 PM

On-Screen Takeoff Pricing: What to Know Before You Buy

Contractors searching for On-Screen Takeoff pricing quickly discover that ConstructConnect does not publish a standard OST subscription price on its public product page. Instead, prospective buyers are directed to contact ConstructConnect for current pricing and licensing terms.

That can make direct software comparisons difficult. Third-party websites publish a variety of estimated prices for On-Screen Takeoff, but those figures are not official ConstructConnect pricing and can differ significantly from one source to another.

This guide explains what ConstructConnect currently publishes about On-Screen Takeoff licensing, what prospective buyers should ask about before purchasing, and how the approach compares with software vendors such as BuzzBID that publish subscription pricing openly.

Why Isn't On-Screen Takeoff Pricing Published?

ConstructConnect does not currently publish a standard On-Screen Takeoff subscription price on its public OST product page. Prospective customers are directed to contact the company for current pricing and licensing information.

That means contractors comparing OST with other estimating platforms may need to obtain a quote before they can make a complete price comparison.

This is especially relevant in 2026 because ConstructConnect is transitioning On-Screen Takeoff from its historical perpetual-license model to annual subscription licensing.

According to ConstructConnect's current licensing documentation, beginning with On-Screen Takeoff version 4.0.0.805, new versions of OST are sold through an annual subscription model rather than as new perpetual licenses.

Existing customers who previously purchased perpetual licenses are also being migrated into the newer subscription licensing system under terms that may differ from those offered to new customers.

For that reason, contractors evaluating OST today should confirm the exact licensing terms that apply to their organization rather than relying on historical OST pricing or third-party estimates.

How On-Screen Takeoff Licensing Has Changed

For many years, On-Screen Takeoff was sold using a perpetual-license model.

Under that model, customers purchased a software license and could separately maintain an annual maintenance agreement that provided access to software updates and support services.

ConstructConnect is now moving OST to annual subscription licensing.

According to ConstructConnect, an active OST subscription provides ongoing access to the software, including updates and access to support, for as long as the subscription remains active.

Legacy perpetual-license customers with active maintenance agreements are being transitioned into the new system under separate migration terms.

For a new buyer, the practical takeaway is simple:  Ask ConstructConnect for the current annual subscription price, exactly what is included in the quoted subscription level, and the renewal terms that will apply in future years.

What Should You Ask About in an OST Quote?

Because ConstructConnect does not publish a standard OST price publicly, contractors should make sure the quote they receive provides enough information to compare OST fairly with other estimating platforms.

Here are several areas worth clarifying.

Annual Subscription Price

Ask for the total annual subscription price for the number of users your company requires.

Also confirm whether the quote is priced per user, per license, by subscription level, or using another structure.

ConstructConnect currently refers to multiple OST subscription levels in its product documentation, and feature availability can vary by subscription.

Included Features

Confirm exactly which features are included in the subscription being quoted.

On-Screen Takeoff includes a wide range of established takeoff capabilities such as conditions, Multi-Condition Takeoff, Typical Groups, styles, overlays, and other tools used to measure and organize plan quantities.

ConstructConnect has also added AI-assisted functionality under the Takeoff Boost name, including tools such as Auto Takeoff, Auto Count, and Auto Link. Availability and usage limits for these features can vary by subscription level.

Rather than assuming every OST quote includes the same functionality, ask the sales representative to identify the specific features included with the proposed subscription.

Quick Bid

On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid are separate products that can work together.

OST focuses primarily on digital quantity takeoff, while Quick Bid provides estimating functionality for pricing labor, materials, equipment, and other bid components.

If your company needs both takeoff and estimating, ask whether the quote includes Quick Bid or whether it requires a separate license or subscription.

ConstructConnect has announced that Quick Bid is also expected to transition toward subscription licensing, so prospective buyers should confirm its current licensing terms directly with ConstructConnect.

Takeoff Boost

ConstructConnect's Takeoff Boost functionality adds AI-assisted automation to On-Screen Takeoff.

Current ConstructConnect documentation describes Takeoff Boost as including tools such as Auto Takeoff, Auto Count, and Auto Link, with different levels of access depending on the customer's subscription.

If automated takeoff is important to your workflow, ask whether the OST subscription you are considering includes Takeoff Boost, whether any usage limitations apply, and whether a higher subscription level is required for unlimited use of particular features.

Training

ConstructConnect provides a variety of training resources for On-Screen Takeoff, including training videos, online resources, webinars, and classroom instruction.

Some resources are available without a separate classroom fee, while ConstructConnect's in-person classroom training requires registration and purchase of a seat.

Before purchasing, ask which training resources are included with your subscription and whether your team expects to use any separately priced classroom or customized training.

This makes it easier to compare the complete onboarding experience among competing products.

Renewal Terms

Ask for the renewal terms associated with the proposed subscription.  At minimum, confirm:

  • the initial subscription term;
  • the renewal frequency;
  • whether the quoted price is introductory or ongoing;
  • what happens if the subscription is not renewed; and
  • whether any optional products or services renew separately.

ConstructConnect states that OST subscriptions provide continued access to software updates and support while the subscription remains active. If a subscription is not renewed, certain functionality may become unavailable or operate differently depending on the applicable licensing arrangement.

Getting renewal terms in writing makes long-term budgeting easier.

How Much Does On-Screen Takeoff Cost per User?

ConstructConnect does not currently publish a standard per-user On-Screen Takeoff subscription price on its public product page.

Several third-party software websites publish estimated OST prices, but those figures vary and should not be treated as official ConstructConnect pricing.

Because OST's licensing model has also changed over time, older perpetual-license prices and maintenance costs may not accurately represent what a new customer would pay today.

For budgeting purposes, the most reliable approach is to request a current written quote directly from ConstructConnect.

When requesting that quote, ask for:

  • the annual subscription price;
  • the number of users or licenses included;
  • the OST subscription level;
  • Takeoff Boost availability and usage limits;
  • any separately purchased products such as Quick Bid;
  • optional training costs; and
  • renewal terms.

That gives you a much more useful comparison number than relying on historical pricing or third-party estimates.

What's Included in an On-Screen Takeoff Subscription?

On-Screen Takeoff remains a Windows-based desktop takeoff application and includes established digital takeoff functionality for measuring and organizing construction quantities.

Depending on the subscription level, OST functionality can include tools such as:

  • linear, area, and count takeoff;
  • Multi-Condition Takeoff;
  • Typical Groups and repeating takeoff;
  • overlays;
  • styles and templates;
  • Auto Count;
  • Auto Name;
  • Auto Link; and
  • AI-assisted Auto Takeoff through Takeoff Boost.

ConstructConnect states that its annual OST subscription model provides access to software updates and support while the subscription remains active.

Because feature access can vary by subscription level, prospective customers should verify the exact capabilities included in their quote rather than assuming every OST subscription contains the same feature set.

Does On-Screen Takeoff Offer Training?

Yes.  ConstructConnect provides multiple training options for On-Screen Takeoff, including training videos, online documentation, webinars, curricula, and classroom training.

Some training resources are available as part of ConstructConnect's online learning resources.

ConstructConnect also offers paid in-person classroom training. Its classroom-training documentation states that attendees must register and purchase a seat in advance.

If training is an important part of your software evaluation, compare not only whether training exists, but also which training options are included with the subscription and which require an additional purchase.

Does On-Screen Takeoff Have a Free Trial?

Yes.  ConstructConnect currently advertises a 14-day free trial of On-Screen Takeoff.

That gives contractors an opportunity to evaluate the software before purchasing and can be particularly useful for comparing OST's traditional takeoff workflow and newer Takeoff Boost automation with other platforms.

When evaluating any takeoff application, using the same plan set in each product can make the comparison more meaningful.

What to Ask the OST Sales Representative

Before purchasing On-Screen Takeoff, consider asking the following questions:

  1. What is the total annual subscription price for the number of users we need?
  2. Which OST subscription level does this quote include?
  3. Which Takeoff Boost features are included, and are there usage limits?
  4. Is Quick Bid included or licensed separately?
  5. What training resources are included with the subscription?
  6. What separately priced training options are available?
  7. Are software updates and technical support included?
  8. What will the subscription renewal terms be?
  9. What happens to our software access and project data if we do not renew?
  10. Are there any other optional products or services included in the quote?

Getting these answers in writing gives your team a clearer basis for comparing OST with competing platforms.

On-Screen Takeoff Pricing vs. BuzzBID's Published Pricing

BuzzBID takes a different approach to software pricing.

BuzzBID publishes all three subscription tiers directly on its website, and the published rates are the same regardless of whether the customer is a single estimator or a larger contractor.

BuzzBID Standard

$100 per month or $1,050 per year

Standard includes BuzzBID's ClickONCE™ computer-vision takeoff functionality and related takeoff tools.

BuzzBID Advanced

$250 per month or $1,750 per year

Advanced adds assembly-based estimating, Work in Place tracking, bid proposal generation, and other estimating functionality to the takeoff platform.

BuzzBID FireShield

$300 per month or $2,450 per year

FireShield includes the capabilities of BuzzBID Advanced and adds specialized functionality for cementitious, intumescent, and spray-foam fireproofing estimating.

See the complete feature and pricing breakdown on the BuzzBID pricing page.

Every BuzzBID subscription includes software updates, support, and unlimited training.

BuzzBID also publishes its monthly and annual subscription prices openly, so contractors can determine the software cost before requesting a demonstration or speaking with the sales team.

That does not necessarily make one pricing model right for every contractor. Some companies prefer working directly with a vendor to configure a software package, while others prefer to see standardized pricing before beginning the evaluation process.

The important thing is to compare the complete product configuration and total expected cost, not simply one advertised or estimated number.

For a broader product comparison, see BuzzBID vs. On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid: An Honest Comparison.

You can also review the Best Quick Bid Alternatives for Construction Estimating.

Is On-Screen Takeoff Worth the Money?

For many contractors, it can be.  On-Screen Takeoff has been used in the construction industry for decades and offers mature digital takeoff tools, established workflows, integrations with other ConstructConnect products, and newer AI-assisted capabilities through Takeoff Boost.

Organizations with existing OST databases, workflows, training, or Quick Bid integrations may place significant value on maintaining that environment.  Contractors evaluating a new estimating platform should consider a broader set of factors, including:

  • total subscription cost;
  • takeoff speed and workflow;
  • estimating capabilities;
  • automation;
  • training;
  • support;
  • deployment requirements;
  • integrations;
  • migration effort; and
  • the trades their company estimates.

For specialty commercial contractors, BuzzBID may be worth evaluating because it combines computer-vision takeoff with trade-focused estimating capabilities in a single application and publishes its subscription pricing openly.

The best choice depends on the estimator's workflow, trade, existing software environment, and business requirements.

Why Do Third-Party Websites Show Different OST Prices?

Third-party software websites often display pricing estimates for products whose vendors do not publish standard pricing publicly.  Those figures may come from historical information, user reports, previous quotes, or other sources that are difficult to verify.

That is particularly important with On-Screen Takeoff because ConstructConnect has recently changed the product's licensing model from new perpetual licenses to annual subscriptions.  As a result, a price found on a third-party site may refer to:

  • an older perpetual license;
  • a historical maintenance agreement;
  • an earlier subscription;
  • a particular number of users;
  • a particular subscription level; or
  • an estimate rather than an actual current quote.

Third-party estimates can be useful as background information, but contractors should obtain current pricing directly from ConstructConnect before relying on a number for budgeting or purchasing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't ConstructConnect publish an On-Screen Takeoff price?

ConstructConnect currently directs prospective On-Screen Takeoff customers to contact the company for pricing rather than displaying a standard OST subscription price publicly.

Because OST is now offered in multiple subscription levels and is undergoing a transition from legacy perpetual licensing, prospective buyers should request current pricing and licensing terms directly from ConstructConnect.

Is On-Screen Takeoff sold as a subscription?

Yes.  ConstructConnect states that beginning with On-Screen Takeoff version 4.0.0.805, new versions of OST are sold through an annual subscription model rather than as new perpetual licenses.

Legacy perpetual-license customers are being migrated into the newer subscription licensing system under separate transition terms.

Does an OST subscription include software updates and support?

ConstructConnect states that its subscription licensing model provides ongoing access to On-Screen Takeoff, including software updates and access to support, for as long as the subscription remains active.

Prospective customers should still confirm the exact service and support terms contained in their individual purchasing agreement.

Is Takeoff Boost included with On-Screen Takeoff?

Takeoff Boost is ConstructConnect's name for a collection of AI-powered OST features, including Auto Takeoff, Auto Count, and Auto Link.

Current ConstructConnect documentation indicates that Takeoff Boost access and usage limits vary by OST subscription level.

Ask which Takeoff Boost capabilities are included in the subscription you are considering.

Does On-Screen Takeoff have a free trial?

Yes. ConstructConnect currently advertises a 14-day free trial of On-Screen Takeoff.

How much does On-Screen Takeoff plus Quick Bid cost?

ConstructConnect does not publish a standard combined OST and Quick Bid price on the public OST product page.

Because the two products have separate functionality and Quick Bid is also undergoing licensing changes, prospective customers should contact ConstructConnect for current pricing and licensing terms for the specific combination they need.

Is there a free alternative to On-Screen Takeoff?

There are free or limited-function takeoff tools available in the market, but whether they are practical replacements for OST depends on the contractor's workflow, trade, estimating requirements, project volume, and collaboration needs.

Contractors comparing professional estimating platforms should evaluate functionality and total workflow requirements in addition to subscription price.

The Bottom Line

ConstructConnect does not currently publish a standard On-Screen Takeoff subscription price on its public OST product page.  At the same time, OST is going through a significant licensing transition. New versions are now sold through annual subscriptions, while legacy perpetual-license customers are being migrated from earlier licensing and maintenance arrangements.

That makes current written pricing more useful than historical OST prices or third-party estimates.  Before purchasing, ask ConstructConnect to provide:

  • the annual subscription price;
  • the subscription level;
  • the number of users included;
  • Takeoff Boost access and usage limits;
  • Quick Bid pricing if needed;
  • separately priced training options; and
  • renewal terms.

Then compare that complete package against the functionality and pricing of the other platforms you are considering.

BuzzBID publishes its complete subscription pricing on the BuzzBID pricing page, including software updates, support, and unlimited training.  The goal is not simply to find the lowest number. It is to understand exactly what you are buying, what your team needs, and what the software will cost over time.

Contact the BuzzBID team to schedule a personalized demonstration and see BuzzBID run on one of your own plan sets.

On-Screen Takeoff®, Quick Bid®, Takeoff Boost™, and other third-party product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. BuzzBID is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or otherwise associated with ConstructConnect or any other third-party company or product referenced in this article. Third-party product features, licensing information, and other details are based on publicly available information as of August 18, 2026 and are subject to change.

 

 

 

 

Anyone searching "On-Screen Takeoff pricing" runs into the same frustration: the answer is not on OnCenter's own product page, the aggregator sites disagree with each other by an order of magnitude, and none of them publish a real total. That is not an accident. OnCenter sells OST through a commissioned sales team, which means the price is a moving target by design. This guide walks through why OST pricing works that way, what actually shows up on a real quote, what to ask before you sign, and how BuzzBID publishes complete pricing openly on the same page you are reading now.

Why Isn't On-Screen Takeoff Pricing Published?

OnCenter does not publish On-Screen Takeoff pricing because it sells OST through a commissioned sales team, and the model depends on individual quotes that vary by team size, license count, add-ons, negotiation, and renewal terms. The current On-Screen Takeoff product page directs shoppers to call a sales line (866-386-5177) rather than list prices, and the same pattern holds true across the QuickBid, PlanSwift, and Project Intelligence pages inside the ConstructConnect portfolio.

The commissioned sales model made sense when specialty contractors evaluated one or two options every few years and expected a negotiated relationship. In today's market, buyers evaluate five or six alternatives in a compressed renewal window, so opacity slows the whole process down. That gap between the legacy model and modern buying behavior is exactly why the SERP for "on-screen takeoff pricing" is a mess of inconsistent third-party estimates.

How On-Screen Takeoff Pricing Actually Works

An OST quote typically breaks into three cost components. Understanding each one before the sales call helps you avoid surprises at renewal.

The License Fee

The license fee is the base subscription cost, which OnCenter charges per user per year. This is the number aggregator sites try to publish, but they disagree because the number changes based on team size, subscription tier, and negotiated discount. OST offers multiple subscription configurations (OST alone, OST with Takeoff Boost, OST paired with QuickBid, and OST with Takeoff Boost plus QuickBid), and each configuration carries its own base rate before any team-size or discount adjustments apply.

Annual Maintenance

Annual maintenance covers software updates, technical support, and version upgrades, and it usually shows up as a separate line item or percentage on top of the license fee. Not every contractor budgets for this correctly the first year, which is where the "hidden cost" complaints on review sites originate. Ask directly whether the base subscription includes maintenance or charges for it separately, and whether the renewal rate stays flat or steps up in year two.

Live Training and Onboarding

Live training and onboarding cover instructor-led sessions, custom training days, and hands-on classroom time. OnCenter publishes free self-paced training videos and instructor-led webinars on their University pages, but custom individual sessions, custom classroom training, and onsite training carry additional fees. Contractors ramping up new estimators or migrating from another platform should ask exactly how many training hours the quote includes and what the hourly rate looks like beyond that.

How Much Does On-Screen Takeoff Cost per User?

The honest answer is that no reliable public per-user figure exists for On-Screen Takeoff. Third-party aggregator sites report widely different numbers on the same product: one site publishes $87 per user per month and $995 per user per year on separate pages of the same domain, another lists $1,850 per user per year, and a third estimates $50 to $150 per month. One aggregator page even attributes OST to the wrong parent company. None of these figures come from OnCenter, and none can serve as a reliable planning number.

What you can rely on is the quote the OST sales team builds for your specific team size and configuration. Ask the rep for a full year-one total including license, annual maintenance, and training, and ask for the year-two renewal rate in writing. That gives you a defensible budget number to compare against transparent alternatives.

What's Included in an On-Screen Takeoff Subscription?

An On-Screen Takeoff subscription includes access to the OST desktop application, Multi-Condition Takeoff, Typical Groups, Overlay, Auto Count, Auto Name, styles and templates, and a 14-day free trial for evaluation before purchase. Depending on the tier and add-ons, the subscription may also include Takeoff Boost (the AI-assisted takeoff layer OnCenter added to OST) and integration with QuickBid for estimating. Software updates, technical support, and training vary by contract and often show up as separate line items rather than as part of the base subscription.

The gap between what the subscription includes and what OnCenter bills separately is where most surprise costs live. Contractors coming from another platform sometimes assume unlimited training is standard because that is how modern SaaS works. In the OST model, OnCenter meters training hours, and hitting overage rates during ramp-up adds meaningfully to year-one costs.

What to Ask the OST Sales Rep

Bring the following questions to the sales call so the quote you receive covers the full cost picture, not just the license fee:

  • What is the total year-one cost for [X] users, including license, maintenance, and training? This forces the rep to build a real number instead of a starter-tier headline.
  • Does the quote include annual maintenance, or show it as a separate charge? If separate, what percentage of the license fee, and does it change at renewal?
  • How many live training hours does the quote include? What is the hourly rate beyond the included hours?
  • What is the year-two renewal rate in writing? Legacy pricing models sometimes step renewals up meaningfully once you've sunk the switching cost.
  • Which OST subscription tier does the quote reflect (OST, OST + Takeoff Boost, OST + QuickBid, OST + Takeoff Boost + QuickBid)? The bundle the rep quotes you is not always the bundle you actually need.
  • What are the multi-user or team discounts? These vary by rep and by month, and almost always leave room to negotiate.
  • Is there a long-term contract, or can we cancel at renewal? Some OST configurations lock in multi-year terms with early-termination penalties.

Ask for every answer in writing. The gap between a verbal quote and a signed contract is where legacy pricing models earn their reputation.

On-Screen Takeoff Pricing vs. BuzzBID's Published Pricing

BuzzBID takes the opposite approach on pricing. The website lists all three tiers openly, every customer pays the same rate, and no one negotiates. Standard runs $100 per month or $1,050 per year for computer vision takeoff. Advanced runs $250 per month or $1,750 per year and adds assembly-based estimating, WIP tracking, and bid proposal generation. FireShield runs $300 per month or $2,450 per year and adds specialized fireproofing capabilities for cementitious, intumescent, and spray foam systems. See the full breakdown on the BuzzBID pricing page.

Every BuzzBID subscription includes software updates, live support, and unlimited training, with no long-term contract. That means the number on the pricing page is the number you actually pay, and unlimited training removes the metered-hours line item that shows up on many OST quotes. For the full head-to-head, see the BuzzBID vs. On-Screen Takeoff and QuickBid honest comparison. For a wider category view, see the best QuickBid alternatives for construction estimating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does On-Screen Takeoff have a free trial?

Yes, On-Screen Takeoff offers a 14-day free trial. OnCenter promotes the trial prominently on the OST product page and offers a no-download preview of the Takeoff Boost AI-assisted layer, though the full OST desktop application does require installation.

How much does the OST plus QuickBid bundle cost?

OnCenter does not publish the OST plus QuickBid bundle price on its website. The bundle is one of four subscription configurations OST offers, and the price depends on user count, add-ons like Takeoff Boost, annual maintenance, training, and negotiated terms. Ask the OST sales rep for a total year-one number covering all three cost components (license, maintenance, and training) for both products combined.

Is On-Screen Takeoff worth the money?

On-Screen Takeoff remains worth the money for contractors deeply integrated with ConstructConnect Project Intelligence and the QuickBid estimating layer, especially teams with years of custom OST files and workflows already built out. For contractors evaluating modern alternatives, the value question centers on whether the OST legacy model justifies its opaque pricing and metered training compared to platforms that publish transparent tiers.

Why do aggregator sites disagree so much on OST pricing?

Aggregator sites disagree because none of them source pricing from OnCenter directly, and the numbers they publish come from a mix of user submissions, partial quotes, and outdated data. One prominent aggregator even attributes OST to the wrong parent company across its pricing pages, which is a useful reminder to treat those figures as directional at best.

The Bottom Line

OnCenter does not publish On-Screen Takeoff pricing because the commissioned sales model negotiates every quote individually. That model made sense in the 1990s and still makes sense for buyers who want a customized deal, but it slows down modern buying cycles that compare five or six alternatives in a week. The best way to protect your budget is to ask the OST sales rep for a full year-one total (license, maintenance, and training) with the year-two renewal rate in writing, then compare that total against alternatives that publish complete pricing openly.

BuzzBID publishes complete pricing on the pricing page for exactly that reason: modern buyers deserve to see the number before they book a call. Contact the BuzzBID team to schedule a personalized demonstration and see BuzzBID run on a real plan set.