Master Builders of Iowa

Looking to increase your knowledge of iSqFt? Want to know more about the capabilities of the software? iSqFt offers a variety of online training opportunities geared to help you understand the software more thoroughly. Knowing how to use the software will make your job easier. To register for a training course, simply log onto www.isqft.com and go to “Training & Events” tab located on the top of the page. Then you can choose from seven different demonstrations.

One year ago, MBI was able to pass a law that we thought at the time would provide clarity to a process by which paper plans would be distributed to prospective bidders at no charge.  This had been a time-honored policy that worked well for architects, engineers, contractors, public owners and most importantly…the Iowa taxpayer.  However, owner representatives (architects and engineers) had a different interpretation of the new law in that paper plans would be provided to prospective bidders, but a non-refundable deposit would be applied to paper plan documents.  Therefore, rather than have the courts and the lawyers determine paper plan distribution policies, MBI decided to take a proactive legislative effort and amend the law so that there was a clear standard on paper plan distribution. 

So, you see the project details are already online, but then you go to pull up the plans or specs and nothing is there. You may be asking yourself, “Well, where are they?” To upload plans and specifications to iSqFt, several steps are involved, starting in the physical Plan Rooms themselves. Typically, when each Plan Room receives plans and specifications or a notice to bidders for a specific project, the respective Plan Room reporter puts in all details of that project which appears immediately onto iSqFt.

While the vast majority of plans are made available for viewing and printing in each of The Construction Update Plan Room Network’s ten Physical Plan Rooms, there are a few plans which differentiate from this standard. On occasion, the Physical Plan Rooms may only receive a set of plans on CD. Typically in this circumstance, electronic files are sent to iSqFt for uploading and made viewable online.

Q: What is the difference between the MBIonline Private Construction Office Powered by iSqFt and the Construction Update Online Internet Plan Room (CUonline) Powered by iSqFt? What are the advantages of being a member of the MBIonline Private Construction Office Powered by iSqFt?

A:  iSqFt is the technology partner of Master Builders of Iowa’s electronic bidding network.  

As margins shrink and competition grows, more and more contractors are turning to the internet to give them an extra edge to help increase their chances for success.  The Master Builders of Iowa in partnership with iSqFt provides two different internet based services to meet MBI members’ needs.