OpenConstructionERP review
A free, open-source estimating platform with unusually broad takeoff, modeling, and tendering coverage.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
OpenConstructionERP is an open-source, self-hosted construction ERP for companies managing estimating and project workflows. Its core scope covers bills of quantities, hierarchical cost estimates, construction cost databases, resource catalogs, reusable assemblies, quantity takeoff, scheduling, cost modeling, tendering, validation, reporting, and exports. Teams can access it through the web, Windows, macOS, Linux, a REST API, or a self-hosted installation. It suits open-source teams that need more than a basic bid calculator and want estimating connected to broader construction processes.
The published pricing model is free forever under the AGPL-3.0 license, with no subscriptions or per-seat fees. That makes the product particularly relevant for organizations able to manage their own deployment and workflows. Its estimating depth extends from reusable cost recipes and labor or material resources to CAD/BIM takeoff for RVT, IFC, DWG, and DGN files, plus PDF measurement. AI-assisted BOQ generation and cost matching can connect with Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, Mistral, Groq, and DeepSeek. Exports to Excel, CSV, PDF, and GAEB XML support handoff and reporting.
OpenConstructionERP stands out when estimating must connect with scheduling, cost modeling, and tender preparation. Its 4D scheduling, 5D cost modeling, validation rules, and REST API give technically capable teams room to shape a wider estimating workflow. The trade-off is scope: a small contractor seeking only straightforward takeoff and bid preparation may find the ERP breadth unnecessary. Teams that depend on accounting integrations should choose another product. For open-source organizations that want extensive estimating and takeoff capabilities without subscription or per-seat fees, OpenConstructionERP is a strong fit.
OpenConstructionERP pros and cons
- Where it wins
- BOQ, cost databases, assemblies, and hierarchical estimate management
- CAD/BIM and PDF takeoff across major construction file formats
- Free AGPL-3.0 model with web, desktop, API, and self-hosted options
- Where it doesn't
- Accounting integrations are not included
- The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple estimating teams
- AI-assisted workflows require connections to external LLM providers
OpenConstructionERP fact sheet, pricing and score →
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