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Whether you’re working in architecture, construction, or real estate development, or you’re a homeowner with a vision, having the right tools to design and edit a site plan can help visualize, analyze, and optimize your design with precision. It can also help with permit applications and project collaboration.
There’s just one problem. With so many site planning software providers out there, how do you know which is right for you?
Here, we discuss the key features you should look for when choosing site plan software. We also compare six of the best software for site plans currently available.
The best site plan software is easy to use and provides all the features and integrations you need. Here are the key features you should look for when deciding which DIY site planning software solution is right for you.
Think carefully about the design tools you need for your project.
Do you need 3D site plan software? Or would 2D suffice? Ask yourself whether you want to add text annotation to explain specific design features in more detail. Or, if you want to highlight important elements within the design.
Perhaps you’d like to add custom symbols and icons to represent various site elements, or have access to tools that support precise distance and area measurements, as well as scaling.
Software that allows you to add an automated base layer can really speed up the design process. It means you can populate your design with satellite images, property lines, and building footprints from Geographical Information System (GIS) data.
Different tools provide different features. So, figure out which design tools will come in handy before assessing software.
It’s rare that a site plan doesn’t undergo some changes during the course of a project. Unforeseen site conditions, regulatory adjustments, and design modifications all impact your site design.
So, with that in mind, it’s important to look for site plan drawing software with user-friendly editing capabilities. You should be able to adjust property lines and move or edit structure dimensions with ease. And — if you’re working as part of a team — multi-user editing functions are essential for easy collaboration.
Site plan software is supposed to make your life easier. So, any software you choose should be easy to use. You don’t want to spend ages learning how to use the platform when your time could be better spent elsewhere.
The best platforms offer intuitive functionality. They provide a simple-to-understand interface that users can navigate with ease. They may also allow you to drag and drop site plan elements, speeding up the design process and the software learning curve too.
The best site plan software integrates seamlessly with your current workflow. It connects with popular project management and design tools and streamlines your process.
Mobile compatibility is another important site plan software feature. It means you can access and edit site plans from mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, enjoying the same great functionality no matter which devices you or your collaborators are using.
Your chosen site plan software should provide all the features you need. That means bearing in mind the following considerations:
The functionality you require will depend on the size and scope of your project. If you’re working on a small-scale residential project your software needs are likely to be different than if you were working on a large real estate project. So, think about the type of project or projects you tend to complete — and the number of site plans you need to create.
Cost is another important consideration when choosing the right site plan software. Find out prices for the level of use and functionality you need. Also, assess whether you’ll need training to use the software and get the most out of it. This inevitably comes at a cost — either because you pay for training or you devote time to training that you could be spending on other areas of your project.
Different software providers have different pricing models. This may include a free trial, a one-time purchase, or subscription options. You tend to get a greater range of features the more you’re willing to pay.
Another thing to look for with any site planning software is the level of customer support provided. You don’t want to run into problems with your software only to find that getting in touch with the customer support team is difficult.
So, ask your software provider what level of support they provide — and which methods of communication you can use if you need assistance. The best providers offer ongoing support, helping you get the most from the software and listening to your suggestions for improvements.
They also provide self-serve resources, like software tutorials and FAQs, that help you get the answers you need fast.
So now we know what you’re looking for in a site planning software solution, here are six of the best providers currently on the market.
Best for: Homeowners, contractors, real estate professionals, and enterprises looking to effortlessly create site plans in 3 minutes or less
We are the only site plan software that offers everything you need in one seamless platform.
Unlike other software, which requires you to manually locate and import property information, we simplify the entire process. Our software automatically pulls all the GIS data, satellite imagery, and available property information directly into your design, saving you time and effort.
This makes it incredibly quick and easy to create your plan. From there, you simply drag and drop property features, remove the satellite background, and your site plan is ready for submission.
Enterprise pricing is also available upon request.
Best for: Enterprise use
For large organizations, where lots of people collaborate on site plans, SmartDraw is a good solution. You can use one license to cover all users within your organization and you can go beyond floor plans to create things like flow charts and maps.
From $5 per user per month
Best for: Residential properties
Cedreo site plan software allows you to create a floor plan in two hours. You can build realistic 3D views of your project and create photorealistic designs. There’s also a library of customizable 3D objects to speed up the design process. It’s one of the more expensive options on this list but it comes with a range of useful design tools.
Free trial available.
Best for: Home builders who want to share plans with clients
Presite is a cloud-based site planning software solution provided by Landconnect. This platform has been around since 2014 and it’s a popular choice with home builders.
Various subscription packages starting from $98 + GST per month
Best for: Small-to-medium projects
SketchUp is a user-friendly site plan architecture software developed by Trimble. It’s a great option for 3D designs and is typically used for architecture and interior design projects.
Free trial available.
Best for: Drawing floor plans and visualizing home interior design
With RoomSketcher design software you can create floor plans, 3D renderings, and interactive walkthroughs. It has a library of residential furniture you can add to your plans and it’s easy for beginner designers to use.
With the right site plan software, you can speed up the design process. Stop relying on third-party site plan designers and their schedules and — instead — create, edit, and share site plans as and when you need them.
When it comes to choosing the best site plan design software, 3-Minute Site Plan is a versatile tool, suited to beginner designers and seasoned pros. Our software is uniquely capable of pulling GIS data, satellite imagery, and other property information directly into our design tool. There’s no need to track down property information and handle imports on your own. We do all that hard work for you!
Want to see our software in action? Try 3-Minute Site Plan today!