400K+ projects

GC invitations

What is the best construction bid site overall?

ConstructionBids.ai ranks #1 in our 2025 analysis for overall effectiveness. It aggregates opportunities from 1,000+ government portals with AI-powered matching, making it the most comprehensive option. For free sites, SAM.gov (federal) and PlanetBids (state/local) are essential starting points.

Which construction bid sites are free?

Several excellent bid sites are free: SAM.gov (all federal contracts), PlanetBids (California and many other agencies), Bonfire (municipal focus), OpenGov Procurement, and BuildingConnected (basic tier). Most government portals are free to access; paid aggregators add convenience and coverage.

How many bid sites should I use?

Most successful contractors use 2-4 sources: one aggregator for broad coverage, plus direct registration on key government portals for their area. Using too many creates information overload; using too few means missing opportunities. Quality over quantity.

Are paid bid sites worth the cost?

For active bidders, paid sites typically pay for themselves quickly. At $100-300/month, you need to win just one small bid to cover a year's subscription. The real ROI is time savings—15-20 hours/week searching manually vs. checking one dashboard. For occasional bidders, free sites may suffice.

What is the best bid site for small contractors?

Small contractors should start with: SAM.gov (free, required for federal), PlanetBids or similar state platform (free), and BuildingConnected basic tier (free). Once bidding volume increases, consider an aggregator like BidClerk ($50-75/mo) or ConstructionBids.ai ($49/mo starter) for better coverage.

How do I find local construction bids?

For local bids: 1) Register directly on your city/county procurement website, 2) Check your state portal for local agency postings, 3) Look for regional platforms like PlanetBids, and 4) Consider local plan rooms. Aggregators like ConstructionBids.ai also filter by location to show nearby opportunities.

What bid sites are best for subcontractors?

Subcontractors benefit most from: BuildingConnected (direct GC invitations), SmartBidNet (free GC platform), and PlanHub (regional plan room). For government prime contracts, use aggregators or direct portal access. Network-based platforms help subs connect with GCs for private work.

Which bid sites cover federal contracts?

SAM.gov is the official source for all federal contracts over $25,000. GovWin provides federal market intelligence and forecasting. ConstructionBids.ai and other aggregators also include federal opportunities. Registration on SAM.gov is mandatory for any federal contract work.

How do bid aggregators work?

Bid aggregators use automated systems to scan hundreds or thousands of government procurement websites daily. They compile opportunities into a searchable database, filter by your criteria (trade, location, size), and send alerts when matching bids are posted. This saves the manual effort of checking each portal individually.

What features should I look for in a bid site?

Essential features: comprehensive coverage of your target geography, filtering by trade/NAICS codes, email or SMS alerts, deadline tracking, and document download capability. Advanced features worth considering: AI matching, competitor tracking, historical bid data, and integration with estimating software.