Documents

Upload Files & Photos

Summary

This tutorial covers how to upload files and photos directly into your BuilderPal projects from various sources, helping you keep all job-related documents centralized. Effective uploading ensures quick access for your team, streamlines collaboration, and creates a reliable audit trail for progress tracking and compliance.

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Open the create menu and select upload type. Click the plus button in the bottom center of your screen and select File or Photo from the list of create options.

  2. Choose your upload source. Select whether to upload your photo or document from existing project documents, your device, a Google Drive share link, or a Dropbox share link.

  3. Confirm the project selection. Ensure the correct project is selected to associate the upload properly.

  4. Set sharing options. Choose if you want to share the file with subcontractors and bid packages for broader access.

  5. Verify the upload location. Your document is now accessible in your project documents page.

Confirmation

Your document is now accessible in your project documents page.

FAQ

What if the share option for subcontractors doesn't appear?
This option only shows if your project has active subcontractors or bid packages set up. Add them first via the project settings or bid management tools.

Can I upload files from multiple sources in one session?
No, each upload is handled individually, but you can repeat the process quickly for multiple files.

Why isn't my uploaded file visible to the team?
Check the sharing settings from step 4 and ensure team members have the appropriate permissions as outlined in Document Visibility & Permissions.

What happens if I select the wrong project?
You can edit the file's project association later in the documents page, but selecting correctly during upload saves time.

Are there file size limits for uploads?
BuilderPal supports files up to a reasonable size for construction docs, but very large files may require compression; monitor your account storage in settings.

Can I upload screenshots of my issue into BuilderPal support chat if I need help? In any BuilderPal support chat (or the in-app help chat), just drag & drop your screenshot, or click the paperclip icon and select the image(s). You can upload multiple screenshots at once. This helps our support team see exactly what you’re seeing and solve your issue much faster. (You can also paste images directly with Ctrl+V on desktop.)

Creating and Using Folders

Summary

Learn how to organize and upload files in BuilderPal using folders. This keeps all your project documents (blueprints, contracts, photos, etc.) neatly structured and easy to find.

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Open BuilderPal, select a project, then click Documents.

  2. Create a new folder — Click New folder, type your desired name (e.g., "Blueprints"), then click Create.

  3. Upload files to the folder — Double-click the "Blueprints" folder, click Upload → Add files from device…, select your file (e.g., Townhall-Staircase-Blueprints.pdf), then click Upload.

Confirmation

Your file instantly appears inside the selected folder and is immediately accessible to everyone on the project.

FAQ

Can I create nested folders (subfolders)?

Yes – open any existing folder and repeat the New folder process inside it.

What file types and sizes are supported?

BuilderPal accepts PDFs, images (JPG/PNG), Word/Excel files, and most common formats. Individual files can be up to 20 MB.

How do I rename or delete a folder?

On mobile, long-press a folder and choose Rename or Delete. On web, right-click a folder and choose Rename or Delete.

Can team members see the documents I upload?

Yes – all documents are visible to every member invited to the project.

Is there a way to preview files without downloading?

Most PDFs and images can be previewed directly in BuilderPal by clicking the file name. Other file types must be downloaded in order to preview.

Metadata

Relevant Roles: Builder, Project Manager, Superintendent, Team Member
Feature Area: Documents
Article Type: Workflow / Tutorial

Default Folders Explained

Summary

This tutorial covers the default folders in the Documents section of your project and guides you through uploading files to share with subcontractors or bid packages. Understanding these folders ensures efficient organization and secure sharing of project documents, helping you collaborate effectively with your team and bidders.

Prerequisites

Definitions

Sharing Documents with Subcontractors

Documents that are shared with subcontractors will be visible to all subcontractors in their project documents page. That way it is easy for them to reference any files or links that you want to share across all subcontractors under your project.

Sharing Documents with Bid Packages

Documents that are shared with bid packages will appear on all bid conversations with trades (no matter the bid package). Documents that are attached to individual bid packages will be visible to any trade that is approved to bid on the bid package. However if "Share with Bid Packages" is toggled on for the document, it will be visible to any trade that is approved to bid on ANY bid package. These documents will be visible under the "Document" tab in the Bid Conversation. This is so you can share documents with all prospective bidders on every bid package quickly and easily.

Steps

To begin, navigate to Documents within your project.

Upload a file to share with subcontractors.

Click Upload, select Add files from device..., choose your file, check Share these files with subcontractors, then click Continue and Upload.

Upload a file to share with bid packages.

Click Upload, select Add files from device..., choose your file, check Share these files with bid packages, then click Continue and Upload.

Confirmation

The uploaded file appears in the designated folder under Documents, visible to the selected audience (subcontractors or bid packages).

FAQ

Q: What happens if I don't select a sharing option during upload?
A: The file will be uploaded to your private project documents and won't be shared automatically.

Q: Can I share a file with both subcontractors and bid packages?
A: No, each upload is designated for one audience; upload the file twice if needed for both.

Q: How do I know which folder a file is in?
A: Files shared with subcontractors appear in the "Subcontractors" folder, while those for bid packages are in the "Bid Packages" folder.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of files I can upload?
A: Limits depend on your BuilderPal plan; check your account settings for details.

Q: Can I delete or edit uploaded files?
A: Yes, navigate to the file in Documents and use the edit or delete options.

Metadata

Relevant Roles: General Contractor, Project Manager
Feature Area: Documents
Article Type: Workflow / Tutorial

Upload Types

Summary

This tutorial covers the different methods to upload files and links to your BuilderPal project's Documents section, including local files, Google Drive, Dropbox, and external links. Mastering these upload types helps you efficiently organize and share project resources, enhancing collaboration and productivity.

Prerequisites

Upload files from Project Documents

  1. Navigate to Documents — Go to your project in https://app.builderpal.com and select Documents.

  2. Upload local file — Click Upload, then Add files from project documents.... Double-click the file (e.g., Safety-Protocols.pdf), and click Select File.

  3. Select parent folder — Click the folder name to change it, double-click a folder (e.g., Important Documents), click Select Folder, then Upload.

Upload files via Google Drive share link

  1. Prepare Google Drive upload — Click Upload, then Add files via pasting Google Drive share link....

  2. Activate Google Integration — Click Activate Google Integration. Skip if already activated.

  3. Connect Google Account — Click Connect Google Account. Skip if already connected. Select your account or sign in, then agree to the terms by clicking Continue.

  4. Copy Google Drive link — In Google Drive at drive.google.com, select a file or folder, click the three dots for More actions, then Copy link.

  5. Paste Google Drive link — Switch back to BuilderPal, paste the link into the field, and click Save.

Upload files via Dropbox share link

  1. Prepare Dropbox upload — Click Upload, then Add files via pasting Dropbox share link.... Switch to www.dropbox.com to get the link.

  2. Copy Dropbox link — In Dropbox, find the file or folder and click the Copy link icon next to it.

  3. Paste Dropbox link — Return to BuilderPal, paste the link into the field, and click Save.

Upload files via external link

  1. Prepare external link upload — Click Upload, then Add files via external link....

  2. Copy external URL — Visit the website (e.g., www.builderpal.com/contact), copy the URL, then in BuilderPal paste it into the top field.

  3. Name external link — Click the Link Name field, enter a name (e.g., BuilderPal Contact), and click Save.

Confirmation

The uploaded file or link appears in the selected folder within your project's Documents section.

FAQ

What if the Google Integration is already activated?
You can skip the activation step and proceed directly to copying the share link from Google Drive.

How do I handle the account selection dialog for Google?
Select your Google account or sign in, then click Continue to grant permissions for sharing files.

Can I upload folders as well as files from Google Drive or Dropbox?
Yes, the process supports sharing both files and folders via the copied link.

What happens if I paste an invalid Google Drive / Dropbox link?
BuilderPal will not upload the file; ensure the link is a valid share link from Google Drive or Dropbox. If it is not a Google Drive or Dropbox link, upload it as a direct external URL instead.

Metadata

Relevant Roles: Project Managers, Team Members
Feature Area: Documents
Article Type: Workflow / Tutorial

Rename / Delete Documents

Summary

Rename and delete files to keep your documents organized in BuilderPal.

Prerequisites

Rename Documents

  1. Navigate to "Documents" in your project.

  2. Rename a file.

    Select a file, click Rename in the toolbar, type the new name (e.g., Unknown Blueprint.jpg), then click Save.

Delete Documents

  1. Navigate to "Documents" in your project.

  2. Delete a file.

    Select a file, click Delete in the toolbar, then click Yes.

Confirmation

The selected file is renamed or removed from the Documents list.

FAQ

Can I recover a deleted file?
Deleted files are permanently removed, but if deleted recently, contact support at support@builderpal.com for assistance with potential recovery.

Is bulk renaming or deletion available?
Currently, files must be renamed or deleted one at a time. Bulk actions are not supported.

What if the "Rename" or "Delete" options are grayed out?
This may occur if you lack edit permissions for the project. Check your role or contact the project owner to grant access.

Are there limits on file name length or characters?
File names can be up to 255 characters and should avoid special characters like / \ : * ? " < > | to prevent issues.

Can I organize documents into folders?
Yes you can. See Creating and Using Folders

Metadata

Relevant Roles: All users Feature Area: Documents Article Type: Workflow / Tutorial