BuildScan

What BuildScan does

BuildScan is a multi-platform defect management and snagging inspection application launched in November 2020 by Harry Yates, who previously founded what is now the UK's leading professional snagging inspection company (HouseScan). The platform serves the construction and property ecosystem across the UK and US through three commercial layers: a free Personal Use package for individual new build buyers managing one plot, a Professional Use subscription tier priced by number of active plots for homebuilders, surveyors, and construction companies, and a custom API integration service for enterprise partners requiring data synchronization with internal IT systems. The product is delivered across iOS, Android, and web browsers with real-time cloud synchronization, offline capability, and unlimited collaborator access governed by customizable permissions.

The underlying technology combines a hierarchical workspace architecture (Workspaces > Projects > Plots > Defects) with proprietary AI-powered inspection checklists that surface contextually relevant checkpoints based on a user's location within a property. Core functional modules include defect logging with photo/video evidence and priority/due-date assignment, customizable PDF and Excel report generation with shareable report codes, and—most distinctively—full integration of the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) Pre-Completion Inspection Checklist, which BuildScan's founder helped create. The platform supports multi-stakeholder collaboration between homeowners, contractors, surveyors, and developers through granular permissioning at the plot or project level.

BuildScan operates a hybrid go-to-market combining product-led growth (freemium personal tier driving top-of-funnel via app stores) with enterprise field sales targeting homebuilders and surveying firms through demo bookings and quote requests. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding, employs 1–10 staff, and is headquartered at Soho Works, 180 Strand, London. Cumulative platform usage includes 3,497 registered users, 3,072 managed projects, and 250,574 logged defects, with reported customer outcomes of 86% improvement in onsite performance for site teams and 48% reduction in inspection time for professional users.

Name

BuildScan

Legal name

BuildScan

Website

https://buildscan.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BuildScan is a multi-platform defect management and snagging inspection app serving UK and US new build buyers, homebuilders, and surveyors with AI-powered checklists, real-time collaboration, and subscription-based professional tools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Quality Management Software

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Data App Builders (Forms, Portals & Internal Tools) (HDAEAKAK)

Keywords

• Defect management software
• Snagging inspection app
• Construction quality management
• New build inspection
• Property inspection tool

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Personal/Freemium Tier: Free use of BuildScan for one plot or property with basic functionality including the New Build Essentials Checklist. Additional plots can be unlocked for a monthly fee. Revenue comes from upselling additional plot purchases to personal users.
2. Professional Subscription: Monthly or annual subscription calculated by number of active plots in use. Includes unlimited team members and collaborators, access to professional resources including NHQB PCI Checklist, and unlimited technical support. Professional users include homebuilders, surveyors, construction companies.
3. API Integration: Annual fee for API integration services. Development team integrates BuildScan with partners' in-house IT systems, allowing collected data to be imported, viewed and managed within their own database as well as BuildScan.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

BuildScan is a multi-platform defect management and snagging application delivered as iOS, Android, and web apps that enables users to log defects with photo/video evidence, run inspection checklists, manage projects and plots, and collaborate in real time across stakeholders. It serves both individual new-build buyers via a free single-plot tier and professional homebuilders, surveyors, and construction companies via paid subscriptions and enterprise API integrations.

Product overview

BuildScan is a multi-platform defect management and inspection app that allows users to manage snag lists, checklists, and project workflow in full synchronization with unlimited collaboration. The product portfolio consists of the BuildScan Mobile App (iOS and Android), the BuildScan Web Platform (browser-accessible dashboard and management system), and the BuildScan API Integration (custom enterprise integration service). These core products are supported by subscription tiers (Personal Use free tier and Professional Use paid subscription) and specialized checklists including the New Build Essentials Checklist for homeowners and the NHQB Pre-Completion Inspection Checklist for professional users. The platform also incorporates intelligent AI-powered inspection checklists that guide users through property checks based on their location within a property.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BuildScan Mobile App Multi-platform defect management and inspection mobile application for iOS and Android that allows users to manage snag lists, checklists, and project workflow with cloud synchronization, offline capability, and unlimited collaboration across stakeholders.
• BuildScan Web Platform Browser-based platform accessible via any internet browser with a platform-exclusive dashboard and management area for centralized project, plot, and defect management, including the web-only Workspace Management Tab.
• BuildScan API Integration Custom enterprise API integration service that allows BuildScan data to be imported, viewed, and managed within partners' existing in-house IT systems, with annual-fee pricing and early access to new and custom features.

Quantifiable outcome

• 86% increase in onsite performance for site teams using BuildScan
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New Homes Quality Board (NHQB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuildScan's founder Harry Yates played a direct role in creating the NHQB Pre-Completion Inspection Checklist. The checklist is now fully integrated into BuildScan, allowing professional users and snagging companies who are part of a recognised professional body to complete inspections within the app. The NHQB Pre-Completion Inspection is required for UK home builders activated onto the New Homes Ombudsman Service to allow customers to appoint a suitably qualified professional.
• NatWest AcceleratorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBuildScan participated in the NatWest Accelerator programme in Birmingham and London, which helped shape the company's tech focus and product development. The accelerator provided mentorship and resources during the startup phase.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PlanRadar: PlanRadar is a SaaS platform for construction defect, snag and punch-list management with mobile and web apps, used by contractors, surveyors and property managers. Directly comparable to BuildScan in core defect/snag workflow, evidence capture, and reporting, with a much larger international footprint.
• Fieldwire: Fieldwire provides mobile-first construction task, punch list and inspection management for general contractors and specialty trades. Overlaps with BuildScan in field defect logging, photo evidence, and task assignment, but is positioned for larger commercial projects.
• SnagR: SnagR is a defect and snag tracking tool used by UK housebuilders and contractors for handover and quality management. Closely comparable to BuildScan's core snagging workflow and target buyer profile in UK residential construction.
• iSnag: iSnag is a UK-focused snagging and inspection reporting app used by professional snagging surveyors and homebuilders. Head-to-head competitor to BuildScan in the UK new-build snagging segment with comparable features for inspection reporting.
• LetsBuild: LetsBuild is a construction quality and site management platform covering snagging, inspections and field reporting. Directly comparable to BuildScan in defect workflows and target contractor/developer segments, with European market presence.
• Novade: Novade provides mobile quality, safety and maintenance software for construction and building operations, including snagging and inspection modules. Comparable to BuildScan in field defect capture and reporting, primarily serving commercial and infrastructure projects.

Broad incumbents

• Procore: Procore is a broad construction management suite covering project management, quality & safety, and field collaboration. Its Quality & Safety module competes with BuildScan at the enterprise homebuilder tier, although Procore does not specialise in consumer-facing snagging or UK PCI workflows.
• Autodesk Construction Cloud: Autodesk Construction Cloud (including Build and Ops modules) provides issue, defect and quality management for large construction projects. An incumbent platform whose issue-tracking features overlap with BuildScan for enterprise builders.

Emerging players

• SnagBot: SnagBot is a UK-focused snagging app targetting new build buyers and inspectors. Early-stage direct competitor to BuildScan's Personal Use and surveyor tiers with overlap in checklist and report functionality.

Others

• HouseScan: HouseScan is the UK professional snagging inspection company previously founded by BuildScan's founder Harry Yates. Not a software peer but the most contextually relevant industry entity, sharing customer base and inspection methodology with BuildScan's professional workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/buildscan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BuildScan