Architects/Engineers
The Construction Update Plan Room Network has been providing an invaluable service to the architectural community since 1918. The plan room network helps architects by posting important information such as bid dates, mandatory pre-bid conferences, addendums and other bidding requirements to those reviewing the plans and specs. The plan room gives maximum notice and exposure to projects which will help architects obtain competitive bids for the owners.
MBI has nearly 2200 plan room members in 10 plan rooms strategically located across the state and approximately 5000 online users accessing pre- and post-bid information on more than 4500 projects each year. The online plan room is the fastest growing segment of our Plan Room Network. The ability to access secure bidding information from anywhere an internet connection is available, 24 hours a day – 7 days a week insures that owners get the maximum possible exposure and best price for their projects.
Architects and engineers are able to access their projects within the electronic plan room system at no charge. This option for online access and the distribution/transfer of electronic files will provide architects and engineers with a new tool to better serve the owner. This development improves upon the quality of the online plans and specs and enables your project to go online sooner by eliminating the time needed to scan the projects into the system.
Online access gives the design professional:
- Free Access to The CU Online Network
- Free Uploading Electronic Files to Secure Online Plan Room
- Free Access to Online “Workspace” to View Own Projects in CU Online Network
- Free Access to Continually Updated Plan Holder/Bidder Lists!
- Ability to see who has viewed your projects, plan pages, and addenda.
- Free Connectivity for Project Owner
In order to gain free access to your project information and plans online or to directly upload project files to the Construction Update Online Plan Room please complete the Online Activation Request form.
To submit a project, click here!
For more information call Mona Dvorak at (515)288-8904 or (800)362-2578.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MBI’S CONSTRUCTION UPDATE ONLINE PLAN ROOM™
Common Questions Received From Architect and Engineering Firms:
1. Are owners or design professionals charged fees for placing projects on the Construction Update Online Plan Room™?
No, the service is paid for by member subscriptions purchased by construction firms.
2. Can the Construction Update Online Plan Room™ accept electronic plan files from owners and design professionals?
Yes, Construction Update Online Plan Room™ is able to upload all documents for a project through a specially designed Architect/Engineer login from our website.
3. How do I get Internet access to my project?
Signing up to access your plans is simple. Complete the Online Activation Request form and email/fax it in to Mona Dvorak @ MBI (mdvorak@mbionline.com or Fax: 515.288.8718), or you can call in with your information to (515)288-8904 or (800)362-2578.
4. Are there support services for owner and design professionals?
Yes, a professional staff of 25 is available to provide design professionals continual updates on bidders’ lists, issuance of addendum, troubleshooting and communicating bidder issues on plans and specs, competitive bidding and the like.
5. Are my plans safeguarded once they are put online?
Yes, our security safeguards meet or exceed other project information electronic services in the industry. A license agreement containing provisions against fraudulent use is required of all users in addition to intellectual property rights protection under state and federal statutes.
6. Does Master Builders of Iowa promote this service with owners?
Yes, MBI promotes the fact that our physical and online plan rooms create a “bidders market” for owners at no cost or hidden fees.
7. Should I discontinue issuing paper copies of plans?
No, distribution of paper plans fills a large demand from prospective bidders to see the plans and prepare estimates. Many construction firms do not use or cannot access electronic bidding information systems to get their project information. Plan rooms assist in the efficient distribution of plan documents and assist design professionals and owners in soliciting interest in the project.
8. What type of project coverage does Construction Update Online Plan Room™ have?
The Construction Update Online Plan Room™ covers projects in the planning / bidding / postbid stages in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Kansas. Last year nearly 4,000 projects were available in the Network’s ten (10) plan rooms and Internet plan service. Member subscribers have online access to all of the projects covered in the Plan Room Network.
9. How many members/subscribers are there in the Construction Update Plan Room Network™?
There are approximately 2,200 member companies using the Construction Update Plan Room Network™; approximately 1,000 of which are online members. 1,200 members still rely exclusively on paper plans made available through the Construction Update Plan Room Network™.
10. Who is CST / iSqFt?
CST is the national software provider that Construction Update and Master Builders of Iowa has teamed up with to operate the online plan room.
