OpenConstructionERP
What it is
OpenConstructionERP is a construction estimating and project management platform covering quantity takeoff, bills of quantities, tendering, project execution, quality management and financial control. Its BOQ tools organize sections, positions, resources and assemblies, with automatic markups. The documentation describes more than 120,000 cost items across 48 market editions, with 36 regional databases ready to import. Quantity extraction from RVT, IFC, DWG and DGN files is supported through DDC converters. Planning tools include Gantt schedules with CPM, Earned Value Management, S-curves and Monte Carlo simulation. The platform also offers a REST API and documents Excel, CSV and GAEB XML import and export. It is available as self-hosted software, and the maker says project data remains on the customer's hardware. The self-hosted plan is free under AGPL-3.0; other listed offerings include paid databases, licences, converters and implementation. Desktop downloads list Windows 10/11 64-bit, macOS 10.15+ on Apple Silicon and 64-bit Linux.
For and against
For
- Free self-hosted plan includes the full platform.
- BOQ tools include resources and assemblies.
- Imports and exports Excel, CSV and GAEB XML.
- Supports quantity extraction from four CAD/BIM formats.
- Project data can remain on customer hardware.
Against
- Some offerings have substantial one-time or annual fees.
- CAD converters are a separate paid offering.
- Desktop download systems have specified requirements.
- Accounting integrations are listed as unavailable.
Who it suits
It is aimed at construction teams, including general contractors, specialist subcontractors and quantity surveying teams. It may suit teams that need estimating, project controls and self-hosted data management.
Getting started
- Visit https://openconstructionerp.com.
- Choose the free Self-hosted plan under AGPL-3.0.
- Download the desktop version for Windows 10/11 64-bit, macOS 10.15+ on Apple Silicon or 64-bit Linux.
- Use the documentation, GitHub or community forum for community support.
- Contact the maker about hosted and licensed deployments or paid services.
Limits to know
The free self-hosted plan includes community support. The listed desktop downloads support Windows 10/11 64-bit, macOS 10.15+ on Apple Silicon and 64-bit Linux; DDC converters are a separate €1,800 per year offering.
The verdict
OpenConstructionERP combines estimating, scheduling and project controls, with a free self-hosted option and paid extras for specific services. Its breadth is suited to construction workflows rather than choosing paint for a single home project.
Questions
Is OpenConstructionERP free?
Yes. The Self-hosted plan is free under AGPL-3.0 and includes the full platform, cost items, modules and community support.
What paid offerings are listed?
Offerings include a CWICR cost database at €750 one-time per region, DDC converters at €1,800 per year, a commercial licence at €2,500 one-time, and implementation from €3,000 one-time. Priority SLA is €1,200 per year.
Which operating systems are supported for desktop downloads?
The download page lists Windows 10/11 64-bit, macOS 10.15+ on Apple Silicon and 64-bit Linux.
Can project data stay on our own hardware?
The maker says self-hosted project data stays on the customer's hardware and the platform does not upload files or phone home.
Does it have an API and file import or export?
It exposes a REST API and documents Excel, CSV and GAEB XML import and export.
What support is available?
Community support is available through GitHub, documentation and the community forum. Paid licences also describe email or priority support.
The long read
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.
Facts on the record
- API scope
- Documented endpoints cover authentication, projects, BOQs, cost search, AI quick estimates, CAD extraction and health checks.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Built-in modules
- The product advertises more than 190 built-in modules that can be enabled or extended.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- CAD and BIM
- The platform supports quantity extraction from RVT, IFC, DWG and DGN via DDC converters.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- Commercial management
- The platform includes RFIs, variations, submittals, contracts, inspections, punch lists, non-conformance records, cash flow and payment applications.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal setup
- The imprint identifies OpenConstructionERP as an AGPL-3.0 project represented by founder and developer Artem Boiko in Graben-Neudorf, Germany.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company profile
- LinkedIn lists DataDrivenConstruction as a public software-development company founded in 2023 with 2–10 employees and headquarters in Bruchsal-Untergrombach, Germany.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Compliance workflow
- Its Common Data Environment documents ISO 19650 status workflows, revision management and role-based access controls.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- Cost data
- The documentation describes 120,000+ cost items across 48 market editions, with 36 regional databases ready to import.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- Cost estimating
- Its rate library stores minimum, average and maximum values and can price bills from regional unit and composite rates.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Data library
- The documentation describes more than 120,000 priced items spanning more than 40 regions and 44 interface languages.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The documentation covers installation, BOQ editing, cost databases, CAD/BIM takeoff, AI estimation, scheduling, finance, procurement, quality, safety, BIM, reporting, modules and API configuration.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Estimating
- Its BOQ tools include hierarchical sections, positions, resources, assemblies and automatic markups.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- Extensibility
- Modules are Python packages with manifests and can be scaffolded with oe-sdk or make module-new; hooks, events, permissions and validation are exposed to extensions.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The product lists IFC, DWG, DGN, RVT, DXF, GLB, GAEB XML, BC3, BCF, XER, XLSX, CSV, JSON, Parquet and PDF exchange.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent community praise
- A Reddit construction commenter recommended it as open-source, construction-focused software with native job costing, purchase orders, financials and project management without licensing costs.reddit.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent description
- OpenSourceTools.org calls it the most complete of three construction-specific open-source options, combining estimates, schedules, tenders, contracts, site tasks, reports, BOQ, 4D scheduling, 5D control and CAD/BIM takeoff.opensourcetools.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent maturity limit
- OpenSourceTools.org characterizes the project as ambitious, recently released and not yet a mature all-in-one replacement for commercial suites.opensourcetools.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Listed connections include Excel, SAP, DATEV, Xero, Revit, AutoCAD, MicroStation, SharePoint, Google Drive, Dropbox, Nextcloud, Power BI, Tableau, Metabase, MS Project, n8n, Zapier and Make.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker presents the product for construction teams and describes workflows spanning general contractors, specialist subcontractors and quantity surveying teams.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- Known bug report
- GitHub issue 342 reported a sales-target form bug, a client-portal BIM-share login redirect and Telegram notifications not being delivered.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The core is released under AGPL-3.0, with a separate commercial licence offered for users that cannot use AGPL.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: commercial accounting depth
- OpenSourceTools.org says the depth of pay applications, retainage and lien-waiver workflows remains uncertain and recommends piloting a real project.opensourcetools.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: regional databases
- A G2 reviewer said cost databases for regions such as Latin America still need to be built.g2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: self-hosting workload
- OpenSourceTools.org warns that operators must handle backups, updates and uptime themselves and should test multi-user field reconciliation.opensourcetools.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Local operation
- The desktop app includes its database, needs no account or cloud service, stores projects locally and works with the network disconnected.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The desktop download page lists Windows 10/11 64-bit, macOS 10.15+ on Apple Silicon, and 64-bit Linux as supported systems.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- Planning
- Scheduling includes Gantt planning with CPM, Earned Value Management, S-curve and Monte Carlo simulation.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- Platform limitation
- The download page says the macOS application is not yet notarized by Apple and requires removing the quarantine attribute before first launch.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Praise: comprehensive features
- A G2 reviewer praised the product's breadth, cost-data feature and easy initial setup.g2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Praise: open and customizable
- Another G2 reviewer described it as open-source, customizable software built by professionals and valued its centralized project information.g2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Public API
- Every UI action is exposed through a versioned REST API under /api/v1, with interactive Swagger documentation available at /api/docs.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenConstructionERP is a construction cost estimation and project management platform covering quantity takeoff, BOQ preparation, tendering, project execution, quality management and financial control.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- Quantity takeoff
- Users can scale and trace PDF drawings, measure DWG layers, and link countable BIM elements directly to BOQ positions.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Rating on G2
- 4.5 out of 5 from 2 reviewsg2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Release news
- Version 18.6.0 was announced on 2026-10-15 with an Owner's Project Control pack, German demo projects, a Türkiye MEP pack and payment-entry changes.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Scheduling and cost control
- A 4D programme is generated from BOQ positions, while the 5D model tracks budget, committed, actual and forecast amounts with earned-value measures.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Security and data control
- The maker says self-hosted project data stays on the customer's hardware and the platform does not upload files or phone home.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- Security controls
- The security policy lists JWT authentication, bcrypt passwords, CORS controls, rate limiting, RBAC, signed builds and SQLAlchemy/Pydantic protections.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Security limitation
- Self-hosters are instructed to replace the development JWT secret, enforce HTTPS, disable production API documentation, restrict origins and maintain backups.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The software runs on a laptop, office machine or rented server, with PostgreSQL and Docker or a packaged desktop build.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Support
- Community support is available through GitHub, documentation and the community forum; paid licences also describe email or priority support.openconstructionerp.com · read 29 Sept 2026
- System requirements
- Supported desktop systems are 64-bit Windows 10/11, macOS 10.15+ on Apple Silicon and 64-bit Linux; pip installation requires Python 3.12+.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- What it does
- OpenConstructionERP combines construction estimating, BIM and CAD takeoff, BOQs, tendering, scheduling, contracts, site work, quality, safety, finance and reporting in one self-hosted ERP.openconstructionerp.com · read 15 Oct 2026