OpenConstructionERP

Overview

OpenConstructionERP is a construction cost-estimation and project-management platform. Its workflow covers quantity takeoff, bills of quantities (BOQs), tendering, project execution, quality management and financial control. That makes it relevant to construction teams pricing and managing building work, rather than a tool for choosing paint colours or comparing coatings for a home project.

For estimating, users can organize a BOQ into hierarchical sections, positions, resources and assemblies, with automatic markups. The documentation describes a library of more than 120,000 cost items across 48 market editions, and 36 regional databases ready to import. Digital takeoff, assembly libraries, and labour and material costing are listed capabilities.

OpenConstructionERP also covers planning and project coordination. Scheduling includes Gantt planning, critical path method (CPM), Earned Value Management, S-curves and Monte Carlo simulation. Its Common Data Environment documents ISO 19650 status workflows, revision management and role-based access controls.

One consideration for homeowners and DIY painters is the product's intended scope: the maker presents it for construction teams, including general contractors, specialist subcontractors and quantity-surveying teams. It may suit someone estimating broader construction work, but the listed features do not describe paint-selection guidance or coating-specific recommendations.

Key features

Estimating and takeoff

BOQ structures combine quantities with resources and assemblies, while automatic markups support estimate preparation. The cost-data documentation describes more than 120,000 items across 48 market editions, with 36 regional databases ready to import. A separate CWICR cost-database option is priced per region.

CAD and BIM quantities

Quantity extraction from RVT, IFC, DWG and DGN files is supported through DDC converters. The converter licence is priced separately from the free self-hosted plan.

Planning, collaboration and integrations

Planning tools include Gantt schedules with CPM, Earned Value Management, S-curves and Monte Carlo simulation. The Common Data Environment documents ISO 19650 status workflows, revision control and role-based access. A REST API supports integrations, automation and custom workflows; Excel, CSV and GAEB XML import and export are also documented.

The product lists no accounting integrations. Its API and file exchange options may support custom processes, but they should not be mistaken for a listed accounting integration.

Data control and support

The maker says that self-hosted project data stays on the customer's hardware and that the platform does not upload files or phone home. Community support is available through GitHub, documentation and a community forum. Paid licences also describe email or priority support, depending on the offering.

Pricing

OpenConstructionERP has a free plan and a free trial. The Self-hosted plan is 0.00 EUR per free, billed Free · AGPL-3.0. It includes the full platform, more than 120,000 cost items, more than 190 modules and community support.

• CWICR cost database: 750.00 EUR per once, billed €750 one-time / region; one region and more than 55,000 priced items.
• Priority SLA: 1200.00 EUR per year, billed €1,200 per year; optional upgrade on top of maintenance.
• DDC cad2data converters: 1800.00 EUR per year, billed €1,800 per year; RVT, IFC, DWG and DGN converters, with per-server or embedded SDK licensing.
• Commercial licence: 2500.00 EUR per once, billed €2,500 one-time; one company, unlimited internal users, and the first year of updates and support included, then 20% per year.
• Implementation: 3000.00 EUR per once, billed from €3,000 one-time; onboarding, data migration and training.
• White-label SaaS: 5000.00 EUR per once, billed €5,000 one-time; up to 10 paying organisations, with +€1,500 per extra 10.
• Maintenance: price not listed; billed 20% per year, from year 2; updates and standard support, with the first year included.
• Hosted & licensed: price not listed; billed Get in touch; managed hosting, private deployments and commercial licensing.

Platforms

The listed platforms are API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows, and the product is also classified as hybrid. The desktop download page specifies Windows 10/11 64-bit, macOS 10.15+ on Apple Silicon, and 64-bit Linux as supported systems. Check those requirements against the computers you plan to use, especially if you expect to rely on a desktop installation.

Who it's for

OpenConstructionERP is presented for construction teams working across general contracting, specialist subcontracting and quantity surveying. Its estimating, BOQ, takeoff, scheduling, quality and financial-control workflows point to project teams managing building work from pricing through execution.

For a homeowner focused on selecting a paint, stain or coating for a particular surface, the stated scope is a mismatch: the facts describe construction estimating and project management, not paint or colour selection. Readers looking for tools in the construction-estimating category can browse Painting and construction estimating software.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The free self-hosted plan includes the full platform, substantial cost-item coverage and community support. Estimating, takeoff, scheduling, document workflows and data exchange are described in one platform.
• Pros: Self-hosting gives customers control over where project data is stored, according to the maker.
• Cons: Several capabilities have separately priced licences or services, including regional cost data, DDC converters, implementation and commercial licensing.
• Cons: Desktop support is limited to the operating-system versions and architectures listed on the download page.
• Cons: Accounting integrations are listed as unavailable, and the product is aimed at construction teams rather than paint-selection tasks.

Alternatives

Other construction and estimating tools to consider include Trimble Viewpoint Vista, Bidwright, Trimble Quadri, CostX, Buildxact, HCSS, QuoteSoft and eTakeoff.

Verdict

OpenConstructionERP has a broad construction-workflow scope: the free self-hosted plan is paired with BOQ and takeoff tools, cost data, scheduling, document controls and several import and export paths. Its published pricing also makes clear that particular databases, converters, support levels and services may carry additional charges.

For ThatPainter readers, the deciding point is purpose. This is presented as software for construction teams estimating and managing projects, not as an aid for choosing a colour or coating for walls, concrete, wood or metal. It is worth considering only if your needs extend into construction estimating or project management; otherwise, its listed strengths do not address the paint-selection task.