Home › Toolie vs Buildertrend
Made in NZ · For NZ buildersThe NZ-built Buildertrend alternative
Buildertrend's selections, client portal and scheduling — priced in NZD, with NZS 3604 take-off, H1 zones, CCA 2002 retentions and NZ contracts built around the NZ residential build.
No credit card · Cancel anytime · Works offline on site · Flat NZD pricing
The honest answer
Buildertrend is a capable, popular tool that does the job-admin basics well. It is a comprehensive US residential construction platform — client portal, selections, scheduling, budgets and document management. If that is all you need, it is a fine choice.
Where Toolie is different: Toolie is built around the New Zealand Building Code itself, not bolted onto a generic global product. Describe a job in plain English or drop in a PDF plan and Toolie runs the NZS 3604 take-off, prices it off a real NZ QS pricebook, keeps the crew compliant (H1 6th edition, Healthy Homes, CCA 2002 retentions), and does it for one flat price for your whole crew — not per user.
Why builders move from Buildertrend to Toolie
- Buildertrend is a US product priced in USD and built around US codes and practices — it has no NZS 3604 take-off, H1 zones, Healthy Homes or CCA 2002 retentions.
- Buildertrend prices in USD on its own plans — check their current pricing. Toolie is one flat price from NZ$49/mo, ex-GST, in NZD.
- Toolie's quote starts from a plain-English description or a PDF plan and applies NZ wind, coastal and seismic site intelligence; it speaks NZ contracts and consents.
- Both do client portals, selections, scheduling and budgets — Toolie does them built around the NZ Building Code.
Buildertrend vs Toolie, side by side
| Capability | Toolie | Buildertrend |
|---|---|---|
| Client portal, selections, scheduling, budgets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built & priced for New Zealand, in NZD | ✓ | — |
| Entry price under NZ$199/mo, flat | ✓ | — |
| NZS 3604-aware priced quote from a description or PDF plan | ✓ | — |
| Automatic NZS 3604 take-off | ✓ | — |
| H1 & Healthy Homes compliance | ✓ | — |
| CCA 2002 retention ledger | ✓ | — |
| 16 on-site NZ builder calculators | ✓ | — |
| NZ contracts & LBP Records of Work | ✓ | — |
| Works offline on site | ✓ | Partial |
Comparison compiled May 2026 and re-checked October 2026 from public competitor information; competitor features and pricing change — check their current sites.
Switching is low-risk
Toolie’s Move from another app importer recognises Buildertrend exports. Drop in the files you export — clients, sites, staff, suppliers, price list, jobs, quotes, invoices (paid history too), timesheets and notes, depending on what Buildertrend lets you export — check the preview, then import. Duplicates are skipped and any import can be undone. QS/BOQ schedules import too. Run the 14-day free trial alongside Buildertrend (it works offline on site) and export your data any time. No lock-in contract, no per-user billing surprises when you put on another chippie.
See the full picture on the feature guide, try the on-site calculators, or read why Toolie exists.
Common questions
Does Buildertrend work for NZ builders?
It can, but it's a US product in USD built around US codes and practices — no NZS 3604, H1, Healthy Homes or CCA 2002. Toolie is built and priced for New Zealand.
Is Toolie cheaper than Buildertrend?
Toolie is flat from NZ$49/mo (ex-GST) in NZD. Buildertrend prices in USD — check their current plans.
What does Toolie add over Buildertrend for NZ?
The NZ Building Code: automatic NZS 3604 take-off, H1 and Healthy Homes, CCA 2002 retentions, NZ contracts, consents and 17 builder calculators — with NZD flat pricing.
Can I move my data from Buildertrend to Toolie?
Yes. Toolie’s Move from another app importer recognises Buildertrend exports: clients, sites, staff, suppliers, price list, jobs, quotes, invoices (including paid history), timesheets and notes, depending on what you can export from Buildertrend. You see a preview first, duplicates are skipped and you can undo any import. Photos and attachments do not come across. There is no lock-in contract and you can export your data any time.
Quote, comply and get paid — in one place
Start free today. Built around NZS 3604, H1, Healthy Homes & CCA 2002. One flat price for your whole crew.
Try Toolie on a job free →