The Builders Exchange
The Builders Exchange is an Ohio-based, member-owned construction industry information exchange founded in 1881 that provides online project reporting, BXBid bid management, three physical planrooms, and affiliate benefit programs to over 2,500 member companies including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, owners, and architects.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1881
- HeadquartersMaple Heights, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Builders Exchange does
The Builders Exchange, Inc. is a private membership-based organization founded in 1881 that operates as a construction industry information exchange serving the Ohio market. The organization maintains three physical planroom locations in Cleveland (Valley View, headquarters), Dayton, and Toledo, complemented by a 24/7 cloud-based construction reporting platform accessible to members. The core service provides online access to project information including specifications, addenda, drawings, bidder lists, and apparent low bidder data, with the company reporting 763 projects currently bidding and 19,478 projects added in the trailing year.
The company's product portfolio centers on the Construction Reporting Service and BXBid electronic bid delivery system, which enable general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and owners to coordinate the pre-bid and bidding process. The BXBid system manages invitations to bid, bidder lists, and bid acceptance via fax, email, or online channels, while a cloud-based Toolbox plan viewer supports digital take-offs for subcontractors. The organization also offers twelve-plus affiliate programs spanning health benefits (BXBenefits), workers compensation (Sedgwick, CorVel), surety bonds (RLI Surety), energy procurement (Ampica), supplies (Independence Business Supply), shipping (Unishippers), payment processing (EVO), and telecom discounts (Verizon), creating a bundled value proposition beyond core reporting.
The Builders Exchange operates a subscription membership model with two tiers: Standard at $825 annually ($100 application fee plus $725 dues) covering online news reporting without plans/specs/addenda, and an Upgrade tier at $1,600 annually that adds $775 for full plans, specs, and addenda access. Membership runs July 1 to June 30. Revenue is supplemented by affiliate referral commissions. The organization employs approximately 35 staff across three offices and serves over 2,500 member companies. Ownership is held through a Board of Directors structure with no external private equity or venture capital backing disclosed.
The Builders Exchange firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Builders Exchange
- Legal name
- The Builders Exchange, Inc.
- Website
- https://home.bxohio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1881
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Builders Exchange is an Ohio-based, member-owned construction industry information exchange founded in 1881 that provides online project reporting, BXBid bid management, three physical planrooms, and affiliate benefit programs to over 2,500 member companies including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, owners, and architects.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Builders Exchange industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Construction Information Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Construction, Home Improvement & Building Materials Marketplaces (CRAFABAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- New Construction & Builder Sales (BPAJAAAB)
Keywords
Where The Builders Exchange is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maple Heights
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Builders Exchange business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Standard Membership Dues: Annual company membership dues of $725 covering online construction reporting service (news portion: current projects out for bid, bidders lists, apparent low bidders, projects in pre-bid stage). Plus $100 one-time application fee.
- Online Upgrade for Plans/Specs/Addenda: Additional $775 per year upgrade allowing access to scanned addenda, specs, and drawings. Added on top of standard membership fees.
- Affiliate Program Commissions: The company offers various affiliate programs (health benefits, energy, workers comp, bonds, supplies, etc.) where partner companies provide services to members. These generate referral/commission revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Membership - Online reporting without plans, specs & addenda |
| Subscription | Annual | Upgrade Membership - Full online access including plans, specs, and addenda |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Builders Exchange product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Builders Exchange operates a membership-based construction reporting service providing 24/7 online access to project information including specs, addenda, and drawings. It offers a BXBid electronic bid delivery system for managing invitations to bid, and operates physical planroom facilities in Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo serving 2,500+ member companies across Ohio.
Product overview
The Builders Exchange operates as a construction industry information service providing a core construction reporting platform combined with planroom facilities in Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo. The primary product is the Construction Reporting Service, an online platform offering 24/7 access to project bidding information, specifications, addenda, and drawings. BXBid® serves as an add-on electronic bid management system for members to distribute invitations to bid and collect responses. The company also offers a suite of affiliate benefit programs including BXBenefits (health insurance), the Energy Program (utility management), Workers Comp Program, BXBonds, CorVel claims management, Independence Business Supply, Member Legal Services, EVO Payment Processing, Verizon discounts, Unishippers shipping, R&K Technologies equipment discounts, and the Drug Free Safety Program. Membership tiers include Standard ($825/year) for basic online reporting and an Upgrade membership ($1,600/year) adding full plans, specs, and addenda access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BXBid: A time-saving bid delivery system for managing Invitations to Bid, allowing companies to communicate by fax, email, or both, and accept bids online.
- BXBonds
Products and services
- Construction Reporting Service Online construction reporting platform providing 24/7 access to project information including specs, addenda, and drawings for member companies across Ohio. Includes current projects out for bid, bidders lists, apparent low bidders, and projects in pre-bid stage.
- BXBid Electronic bid delivery system enabling general contractors to manage invitations to bid, communicate with bidders via fax or email, accept bids online, and track bid responses. Includes complimentary set-up and expert customer service.
- Toolbox Plan Viewer Cloud-based online take-off tool for subcontractors to perform digital take-offs and view plans for construction projects.
- Planroom Services Physical planroom facilities located in Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo providing access to construction documents and project information for members unable to access digital tools.
Companies that use The Builders Exchange
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Builders Exchange technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Builders Exchange partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BXBenefits (Builders Exchange Benefits)corePreferred broker for health benefits for Builders Exchange members. Provides discounted group medical, dental, and optical coverage, discounted group life and disability plans, Medicare, Profit Sharing and 401(K) Plans. Contact: Scott Tovissi at 412-586-0300.
- Ampica Energy SolutionscoreEnergy management partnership providing full suite of energy services to BX Members. Utilizes competitive bid process for best rates. Also provides efficiency and infrastructure upgrades through capital-free project structures for lighting, HVAC, power quality systems. Contact: Ashley Grandetti at 216-393-6300.
- SedgwickcoreProgram administrator for workers' compensation, representing employers across industry classifications. Manages group rating programs and other BWC discount programs. Contact: Ashley Grandetti at 216-393-6300.
- R&K TechnologiesminorProvides 30% discount on HP wide-format equipment and 25% discount on inks, toners and paper for wide-format equipment. Also offers all ink and paper at no charge with HP wide-format device acquisition. Contact: Tim Rollins at 440-327-1530.
- RLI Surety (MyBondApp)coreProvides quick access to Contractor's and License Permit Bonds through BXBonds program. MyBondApp allows purchasing bonds directly from project reports. Apply, pay and receive bond documents in few steps. Contact: Ashley Grandetti at 216-393-6300.
- CorVelcoreManaged healthcare and disability management services for workers' compensation. Partnered with Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) through Health Partnership Program (HPP). Contact: Ashley Grandetti at 216-393-6300.
- Independence Business SupplyminorOver 50,000 items available with specially negotiated pricing for BX Members. Includes plotter paper discounts and free shipping. Contact: Lennie Brown at 440-525-0784.
- EVO Payment ProcessingminorProvides specialized B2B payment processing technology with cost savings and concierge service for members. Contact: Ashley Grandetti at 216-393-6300.
- NPP (National Provider Portal) / VerizonminorEligible businesses receive 22% off monthly access fees and up to 35% off select accessories through Verizon partnership. Contact: Ashley Grandetti at 216-393-6300.
- UnishippersminorPlatinum Shipping Program providing savings on UPS and heavy freight. Leverages combined shipping volume for best rates. Access to over 30 freight carriers for LTL and FTL shipping. Contact: Jeff Williams at 800-998-6335.
- Working PartnersminorDrug-free workplace compliance assistance. Helps qualify for workers' compensation and insurance discounts, grants, and special funding. Provides policy development, employee education, supervisor training, and ongoing consultation. Contact: (614) 337-8200.
- SOCA (Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance) / Anthem Blue Cross and Blue ShieldcoreSOCA Benefit Plan offering small group employers participation in a large, self-funded pool backed by Anthem. Health plan option through BXBenefits broker. Contact: Scott Tovissi at 412-586-0300.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Builders Exchange competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BuildingConnected (Autodesk): BuildingConnected, now part of Autodesk Construction Cloud, is a digital bid management platform connecting general contractors with subcontractors for invitation-to-bid workflows. It is directly comparable to BXBid and the Builders Exchange's reporting platform, offering similar functionality (bid invitations, bid lists, document distribution) but at national scale and with deeper integration into Autodesk's preconstruction stack.
- ConstructConnect: ConstructConnect is a leading national construction bidding platform providing project leads, bid management, and prequalification tools to GCs and subcontractors. It is directly comparable to The Builders Exchange because both monetize construction project information and bidding workflows through subscription models serving overlapping customer segments (GCs, subs, suppliers).
- BidClerk: BidClerk is an online construction project lead service providing commercial construction project data, plans, and specifications to subcontractors and suppliers. It is comparable to The Builders Exchange's online reporting service as both monetize subscription access to project leads and construction documents for the subcontractor and supplier audience.
- SmartBid (ConstructConnect): SmartBid is a web-based invitation-to-bid and bid management platform used by general contractors to distribute bid invitations and manage subcontractor responses. It is directly comparable to BXBid for bid delivery functionality, though SmartBid focuses exclusively on this workflow rather than the broader construction reporting and planroom services the Builders Exchange offers.
- PlanHub: PlanHub is a construction bidding and project management platform that helps subcontractors find projects, perform digital take-offs, and submit bids. It is directly comparable to The Builders Exchange's online reporting and BXBid offerings, serving the same subcontractor customer base with similar subscription-based access to project leads.
- iSqFt (ConstructConnect): iSqFt is a construction bid management platform (now part of ConstructConnect) that provides take-off, project leads, and bid invitation tools to commercial subcontractors and general contractors. It is comparable to The Builders Exchange in serving subs and GCs through subscription-based access to project information and bidding tools, but operates nationally.
Emerging players
- Bluebeam (Nemetschek): Bluebeam (part of Nemetschek) provides digital markup, take-off, and collaboration tools widely used in construction preconstruction and project document review. It is comparable to The Builders Exchange at the workflow level (digital take-offs, plan review), serving overlapping subcontractor and GC customers, though Bluebeam focuses on document collaboration software rather than project reporting.
Regional players
- AGC of Ohio (Associated General Contractors): AGC of Ohio is the Ohio chapter of the national Associated General Contractors association, serving general contractors in Ohio with advocacy, education, and member services. It is comparable to The Builders Exchange as a regional Ohio construction membership organization serving overlapping GC and subcontractor audiences, though AGC's focus is advocacy and education rather than project reporting and bidding.
Broad incumbents
- Reed Construction Data / CMD Group: Reed Construction Data (now part of CMD Group/Hubexo/Byggfakta) historically provided national construction project leads, bidding data, and analytics to commercial construction firms. It is comparable to The Builders Exchange as a historical peer in construction information services, though it operated at national/international scale with broader analytics and data products.
- Dodge Construction (Dodge Data & Analytics): Dodge Construction is a national construction project information and analytics platform serving general contractors, subcontractors, and owners across the U.S. It is directly comparable to The Builders Exchange as both provide construction reporting, project leads, and bidding intelligence, but Dodge operates nationally and at significantly greater scale with broader data and analytics offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Builders Exchange social profiles
Digital presenceThe Builders Exchange financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Builders Exchange leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
The Builders Exchange funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Builders Exchange M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Builders Exchange
What does The Builders Exchange do?
The Builders Exchange operates a membership-based construction reporting service providing 24/7 online access to project information including specs, addenda, and drawings. It offers a BXBid electronic bid delivery system for managing invitations to bid, and operates physical planroom facilities in Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo serving 2,500+ member companies across Ohio.
Is The Builders Exchange a public or private company?
The Builders Exchange is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Builders Exchange founded?
The Builders Exchange was founded in 1881. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Builders Exchange based?
The Builders Exchange is headquartered in Maple Heights, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Builders Exchange make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Standard Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are online Upgrade for Plans/Specs/Addenda and affiliate Program Commissions.
Who are The Builders Exchange's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BuildingConnected (Autodesk), ConstructConnect, BidClerk, SmartBid (ConstructConnect), PlanHub and iSqFt (ConstructConnect). Bluebeam (Nemetschek) is listed as an emerging player. AGC of Ohio (Associated General Contractors) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Reed Construction Data / CMD Group and Dodge Construction (Dodge Data & Analytics).
Does The Builders Exchange have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Builders Exchange.
What industry is The Builders Exchange in?
The Builders Exchange's product category is Construction Information Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAFABAO, Construction, Home Improvement & Building Materials Marketplaces, with a secondary code of BPAJAAAB, New Construction & Builder Sales.