Introduction
BuildNFO turns WordPress into a construction estimating tool. Instead of selling “a pile of calculators,” it solves the everyday problems contractors and builders actually face:
Drop a calculator on any page with one shortcode.
Deterministic, server-side formulas — no spreadsheet errors.
Send clients branded PDF and Excel reports with your logo.
Save custom calculators and keep a history of every estimate.
Installation
- In WordPress go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
- Upload the plugin ZIP and click Install Now.
- Click Activate. The bundled Core Engine loads automatically.
- Open BuildNFO → Setup & Sample Data and click Install sample data.
Editions
Free
Essential calculators: concrete, bricks, paint, flooring, excavation, rebar, roofing and more.
Pro
Everything in Free plus steel takeoff, MEP, labor & cost estimating, finishing and BOQ tools.
Enterprise
Everything in Pro plus whole-building cost, commercial/financial tools, planning and AI estimators.
Shortcodes
Add any calculator to a page or post with its shortcode:
[buildnfo id="concrete-volume"]Replace the id with any calculator slug, found under BuildNFO → Free 30 / Pro 70 / Enterprise 180.
Common slugs
| Slug | Calculator |
|---|---|
concrete-volume | Concrete Slab Volume |
bricks-needed | Bricks Needed |
paint-coverage | Paint Calculator |
tile-flooring | Tile & Flooring |
rebar-weight | Rebar Weight |
cost-estimator | Material Cost Estimator |
Saved Calculators
Build a reusable calculator card once and place it anywhere unlimited times.
- Go to BuildNFO → Saved Calculators → Add New.
- Give it a title, choose the source calculator, add an optional note.
- Publish, then use the generated shortcode:
[buildnfo_saved id="123"]Branded Reports
Make every exported client estimate look like it came from your company.
- Open BuildNFO → Branding.
- Enter your company name, logo URL, brand color and report footer.
- Save. Your branding appears on PDF and shared client reports.
ProEnterprise
Estimate History
Every estimate visitors or your team save is stored on your server — nothing is lost if a browser is cleared. View the full list under BuildNFO → Estimate History.
Import / Export
Move your Saved Calculators between sites.
- Open BuildNFO → Import / Export.
- Click Download export file to save all Saved Calculators as JSON.
- On another site, upload that JSON to import them.
Sample Data & AI Calculator Generation
One-click sample data
Under BuildNFO → Setup & Sample Data, click Install sample data to create a ready-made demo page.
Generate a calculator with AI
Describe the calculator you need in plain English and BuildNFO drafts a working calculator, using your connected AI provider when available with a deterministic builder as fallback.
Enterprise
AI Assistant
The optional BuildNFO AI Assistant answers construction and estimating questions inside your site.
- A built-in local assistant works for everyone with no API key.
- Pro and Enterprise can connect OpenAI or Anthropic Claude using your own API key.
- Keys are stored server-side only and never exposed to the browser.
- Responses are restricted to construction and plugin-usage topics.
FAQ
Do I need any other plugin?
No. Each package bundles everything it needs.
Are the calculations accurate?
All formulas are deterministic and use standard construction conventions. Always verify against local codes and project specifications.
Do AI features cost extra?
The local assistant is free. External providers require your own API key and are billed by that provider; no AI credits are included.
Is my data safe?
API keys are stored as WordPress options and used only server-side. Estimate history is stored in your own database.
Support
For support, updates and upgrade options, visit adnanthemes.com/buildnfo.