Beam AI vs Sketchdeck.ai

The #1 alternative steel takeoff software for Sketchdeck.ai in 2026

Beam AI takeoff software is the only leading Sketchdeck.ai alternative with human-reviewed QA for 100% automated AI-based outputs.

Trusted by 1200+ businesses across the US & Canada

Complete AI-based takeoff software for steel estimators: #1 Sketchdeck.ai alternative

Beam AI stands out among top Sketchdeck.ai alternatives by delivering complete and fully automated steel takeoffs.

Features

Beam AI

Sketchdeck.ai

Complete steel takeoffs

Beams, columns, joists, lintels, plates, anchors, stairs, railings & more

Limited to basic beams and columns only

Joist coverage

Different joist types with bifurcation and unit weight

Not supported

Miscellaneous steel coverage

Plates, base caps, kickers, braces, hangers, stiffeners, etc.

Not supported

Connection detailing

Includes shear tabs, moment connections, weld info, and anchoring

Limited connection analysis

Finish details

Differentiates galvanized, powder-coated, and painted steel

Not available

Speed of delivery

Delivered in 24–72 hours, bid-ready

Instant output, but not bid-ready

Estimator effort required

Minimal review time required

High estimator input needed for validation & fixes

In-built bid tracking software

Track every bid, its status, due date, addenda, RFIs, and ITBs in a single, organized dashboard.

No native bid-tracking features

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Beam AI vs. Sketchdeck.ai: Leading Sketchdeck.ai software alternative

Explore how Beam AI stands out among leading alternatives to Sketchdeck.ai. Download the detailed comparison guide to uncover key differences and make an informed choice.

Explore the full comparison

Sketchdeck.ai keeps you away from your bids. And your customer.

Beam AI helps you reclaim the 30-50% of the time during a bid cycle which is spent just on doing takeoffs

Why Beam AI is the best Sketchdeck.ai alternative for steel estimators

Spend more time coordinating with your customer and vendors
The Sketchdeck.ai alternative designed to cut manual work
Beam AI auto-detects specs, notes, and key plan details, reducing manual assumptions and speeding up review time. With just a few clicks, you can resubmit a takeoff and instantly get an updated, bid-ready version. The platform automatically identifies plan changes, tracks revisions, and lets you compare takeoff versions across addenda—ensuring accuracy without the extra effort.
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Spend more time coordinating with your customer and vendors
Save 90% time with a better Sketchdeck.ai alternative
Sketchdeck.ai uses AI to detect a few quantities like beams and columns, but takeoffs require manual corrections and review. Beam AI works as a Sketchdeck.ai alternative by delivering complete, bid-ready steel takeoffs. Every output is validated by a QA team before delivery, making it a stronger alternative software for Sketchdeck.ai.
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Save 90% time with done-for-you concrete takeoffs
Built for complete steel scope - plus more
Unlike many Sketchdeck.ai alternatives that produce partial takeoffs, Beam AI covers the entire steel package, from structural to architectural and miscellaneous steel, including joists, plates, railings, anchoring, and other key construction trades.
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See What Our Customers Have to Say

From saving time on takeoffs to winning more bids, hear from our customers firsthand how we’re helping them succeed

"With Beam AI, we have cut 80% of the time on takeoffs to focus on bigger projects and send on more proposals."

Maxwell Henderson

Maxwell Henderson

Business Owner, Desert Rat Welding, LLC

"We’re saving a week’s worth of time on takeoffs and recording 1.5x business growth after switching to Beam AI."

Roy Caberra

Roy Cabrera

Estimator, Pilkington Construction Co.

"With Beam AI, we’re saving 2 days of work/week. Our bid volume has doubled, and we’ve grown from $900K to $2M in just a couple of months!"

Bryan Ramirez

Bryan Ramirez

Senior Estimator, Rays Stairs Inc.

"We are now bidding 8 more projects/month without increasing our headcount and have recorded a revenue growth of $500K - $ 1M with increased bid capacity."

ryan meers

Ryan Meers

Estimator/Project Manager, Bommarito Construction

"With significantly less time spent on takeoffs, we can now focus more on securing better pricing from suppliers and verifying material availability."

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Laura De Sanctis

Assistant Director, JBG Flooring and Installation Ltd.

"Beam AI is helping us modernize our business and has become a key part of our bidding process, saving up to 2 days on takeoffs."

Dylan Wiman_Rocky Mountain

Dylan Wiman

CEO & President, Rocky Mountain Steel, Inc

"By adopting Beam AI, we have halved our takeoff time while significantly improving bid accuracy. It is an integral part of our business growth now."

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Lead Estimator at a large-sized concrete services company based in Texas

"It has helped us turn around bids faster and free up 5–8 hours a week, time we now spend on pricing strategy and customer needs."

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Brent Wright

Senior Estimator, Merritt Contracting

"We are now saving 40+ man-hours per takeoff while ensuring no critical details are missed. Beam AI is helping us build better estimates, faster."

Ricardo Pacheco

Ricardo Pacheco

CTO, Building Preservation Material Technologies

"I’m saving 4-6 hours a day, and now, I can focus on clients, visit job sites, and grow the business instead of just keeping it running."

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Vice President, South Florida-based demolition contractor

"I used to spend 25 hours a week on takeoffs, now it's just 5. Beam AI has freed up enough time that I could potentially handle 800 projects a year instead of 400, without hiring another estimator."

Henry Greenberg Guardian Roofing & Exteriors

Henry Greenberg

President, Guardian Roofing & Exteriors Inc. and Director of Sales & Marketing, T.U.F.F. Exteriors Inc.

"Since switching to Beam AI, we’ve submitted 10X more bids. I used to spend 2–3 hours per takeoff, but now I’m done in 30 minutes."

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Mike Gibson

President, New View Roofing

"We went from 2 bids a week to 8–9, with no extra hires, thanks to Beam AI."

Danell Zarrelli Harner Plumbing

Danell Zarrelli

Assistant Project Manager, Harner Plumbing

"With Beam AI, we’re submitting 25% more bids, without adding another estimator to the team."

Stephen Mendoza

Stephen Mendoza

Outside Sales Representative, Cape Cod Winwater

"We’re winning more jobs, growing the business, and doing it all without expanding our team. Beam AI has become an essential part of how we operate."

Viri

Viri Ramirez

Co-owner, Cart Construction

"We’re now sending up to 5 bids a week, have taken on larger projects, and even repurposed an estimator to focus on inventory and purchasing."

Dylan Kaminski

Dylan Kaminski

Business Development Manager, Tactical Construction Inc.

"With Beam AI, we’ve doubled our revenue from $6M to $12M and cut our bid turnaround from five days to just two. Beam AI has been exceptionally helpful!"

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Project Manager & Business Development Services, Minnesota-based HVAC Contractor

Experience the next generation of AI-based takeoff software

Talk to us and get your first steel takeoff done. Check out the best Sketchdeck.ai alternative.

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FAQs

What is the main difference between Beam AI and Sketchdeck.ai?

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Beam AI is built as a complete Sketchdeck.ai alternative, delivering 100% automated, bid-ready steel takeoffs across structural, architectural, miscellaneous steel, and other key construction trades. Sketchdeck.ai primarily detects basic beams and columns and often requires manual review and correction. Beam AI gives you QA-checked outputs, making it a stronger alternative software for Sketchdeck.ai.

Does Sketchdeck.ai support Mac, and what are the alternatives?

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Sketchdeck.ai supports Mac, but many teams still look for a Sketchdeck.ai Mac alternative or Sketchdeck.ai alternative for Mac when they need more automation and broader trade coverage. Beam AI runs in the browser and works across devices, making it a practical option among Sketchdeck.ai alternatives.

Are there free alternatives to Sketchdeck.ai?

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There are limited tools positioned as a free alternative to Sketchdeck.ai or Sketchdeck.ai free alternative, but most only support basic measurements or partial automation. If you’re looking to scale your estimating capacity, explore Beam AI annual pricing. Your investment directly translates into higher revenue growth.

Which option works better for beginners with no estimating background?

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Beam AI is easier for beginners because it removes manual steps. As an alternative software for Sketchdeck.ai, Beam AI only requires users to upload plans and define scope. Sketchdeck.ai still requires manual QA and corrections. Teams evaluating alternatives to Sketchdeck.ai often find Beam AI faster to adopt.

How do AI features compare between both platforms?

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Sketchdeck.ai uses AI to detect a limited number of elements (mostly beams and columns). Beam AI goes further as a complete Sketchdeck.ai software alternative, automatically detecting specs, notes, addenda, and multi-trade quantities. This makes Beam AI one of the most advanced Sketchdeck.ai alternatives.

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