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Transitioning from Perpetual to Subscription Licensing

  • February 3, 2026
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Transitioning from Perpetual to Subscription Licensing

In Short

  • ConstructConnect is transitioning On-Screen Takeoff from perpetual licensing to annual subscription licensing beginning with On-Screen Takeoff 4.0.0.805
  • If you have an active maintenance agreement, subscription access is included with your renewal.
  • You retain access to perpetual versions you already purchased until your company completes its migration.
  • On-Screen Takeoff remains a desktop application, your project files stay on your local machine, and subscriptions are available on an annual payment plan.
  • ConstructConnect Bid Center users must share their projects with their Organization’s Admin before accepting the invitation to join.

What’s Happening?

ConstructConnect is moving perpetual licenses, including license keys and server codes, together with their associated maintenance subscriptions, to a subscription based licensing model. Both your product license and your maintenance will be applied to your product using a new login process. The questions below cover On Center products, including On-Screen Takeoff, Digital Production Control, and Quick Bid, as they transition from perpetual to annual subscription licensing, beginning with On-Screen Takeoff 4.0.0.805.

Transition Overview

What is the difference between a perpetual license and a subscription license?

  • A perpetual license lets you use a specific software version indefinitely after a one time purchase; maintenance (which includes updates and support) are included only for a limited time. With a perpetual license, you paid annual maintenance to continue getting access to software updates and support services.
  • A subscription license provides ongoing access to the software (including all updates and access to Support) for as long as your subscription is active. If you don’t renew your subscription, you can still access the software, but in read-only mode.

What does subscription only mean for On-Screen Takeoff?

  • Beginning with the On-Screen Takeoff 4.0.0.805 release, the software is sold through an annual subscription model only, no perpetual licenses are available in 4.0.0.805 and newer. This ensures you have access to all future updates and versions for as long as your subscription remains active. Beginning June 2026, we will start migrating our perpetual license holders to the new subscription model, v. 4.0.0.805 is the expected release version.
  • Perpetual license holders with active maintenance agreements at the time of migration receive “legacy” subscription access. There is no additional cost beyond your usual annual maintenance renewal (and any subsequent annual increases to that). If you fail to renew your legacy subscription agreement or cancel it, you will not be able to renew it in the future, although you can start a new subscription at the then current pricing.

Will On-Screen Takeoff remain a desktop application?

  • Yes. On-Screen Takeoff remains a desktop application and is installed and used the same way as previous versions. The move to a subscription model does not change how the software is delivered or how your project files are stored. System Requirements remain the same.

Why is ConstructConnect transitioning to a subscription pricing model?

  • A perpetual model ties new features and improvements to major release cycles. The subscription model allows ConstructConnect to deliver updates, improvements, and new capabilities to On-Screen Takeoff (and eventually Quick Bid) customers as soon as they are ready, without waiting for the next major version. On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid have served the construction estimating industry for over 30 years, and this transition reflects a commitment to delivering continuous value to existing customers.

Will I still have access to perpetual versions of On-Screen Takeoff I already purchased?

  • Only for a short time. Once your company is transitioned to the subscription system, your licenses for the old versions will be disabled. The licensing system that supported perpetual licensing will be deprecated by the end of 2026. Once transitioned to the subscription-based system, if you choose not to renew your subscription, you will still be able to use your software, but access to subscription-enabled features such as Auto Takeoff, Auto Count, Auto Name, Auto Link, project sharing, and transformation tools will be disabled.

This only applies to holders of a perpetual license. If you purchased a subscription initially, you are bound by a different set of rules, as discussed in your purchasing agreement.

Will perpetual versions of On-Screen Takeoff still be supported?

  • No. Post-migration, all previous versions of On-Screen Takeoff (3.x and  4.0.0.405 and earlier) will no longer be supported.

Will Quick Bid transition to a subscription model?

  • Yes. Quick Bid is planned to follow a similar transition to subscription-only licensing after On-Screen Takeoff. Details about the Quick Bid transition timeline will be communicated to customers in advance.

Maintenance

What is a maintenance agreement?

  • An On-Screen Takeoff maintenance agreement is an annual subscription that provides access to new versions and updates, live support channels, and volume discounts. Your purchase of a perpetual license for On-Screen Takeoff included one year of maintenance (or, for additional license purchases, a pro-rated subscription that co-terminates with previously purchased licenses). As part of this transition, customers with active maintenance will receive access to the subscription-based On-Screen Takeoff 4.0.0.805 (or newer) and all the benefits they previously enjoyed, at the same price as their current maintenance plan (adjusted for usual annual increases) as long as their maintenance remains active.

How do I know if my maintenance agreement is active?

Not every On-Screen Takeoff user can log into the MyAccount portal - only company administrators typically can access that site. 

What if I canceled my maintenance agreement?

  • If you canceled the auto-renew for your maintenance agreement, but it has not expired yet, you can still reinstate it. Sign in to the ConstructConnect MyAccount Customer Portal, locate your order, and select the option to reactivate your agreement. You will then get access to the subscription version of On-Screen Takeoff as indicated above.
  • If you canceled the auto-renew for your maintenance agreement and it has already expired, you will not have access to subscription versions of On-Screen Takeoff, future updates, volume discounts, and premium support. You will not be eligible for the discounted subscription pricing available to active maintenance customers. You will, of course, be able to purchase a new subscription, at the prevailing prices.

What if my maintenance agreement has expired?

  • If your maintenance agreement has expired, you can purchase a new subscription to On-Screen Takeoff. There are several tiers of subscriptions available, please discuss with your Account Manager which is right for you and your team.

Can I cancel or modify my subscription after the transition?

  • Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time. Canceling means you will lose access to subscription versions of On-Screen Takeoff when your current subscription period ends, along with maintenance benefits on previously purchased perpetual versions, priority support, volume discounts, and discounted renewal pricing. If you cancel and later decide to resubscribe, you will pay the full list subscription rate.

What additional benefits are included with a subscription?

A subscription to On-Screen Takeoff ensures you receive the latest features and updates as soon as they are released, together with the following benefits:

  • Access to all future versions (updates) of On-Screen Takeoff at no additional cost while your subscription is active
  • Users on Standard Maintenance have access to all of On-Screen Takeoff’s core features (takeoff, exports, printing) and Auto Name (until further notice)
  • Users on Advanced Maintenance also have access to Takeoff Boost’s Auto Takeoff (5 projects), Auto Count, and Auto Link, and Auto Name
  • Users on Premium Maintenance also have access to Takeoff Boost’s Auto Takeoff (unlimited use), Auto Count, and Auto Link, and Auto Name
  • Premium customer support
  • Volume discounts on additional seats
  • Discounted renewal pricing for customers converting from active maintenance agreements

Does this change affect the timing of On-Screen Takeoff releases?

  • Yes. The shift to a subscription model allows ConstructConnect to release new features and improvements to On-Screen Takeoff on a continuous basis, without waiting for a major annual release cycle. After On-Screen Takeoff 4.0, you can expect more frequent, smaller updates rather than one large yearly release.

What if I purchased On-Screen Takeoff through a reseller?

  • If you purchased On-Screen Takeoff through a reseller and have an active maintenance agreement, you will still receive subscription access to On-Screen Takeoff 4.0 and future versions. You can renew your maintenance agreement and add seats through your preferred reseller.

Purchasing and Costs

Will there be additional costs associated with this transition?

  • For customers with active maintenance agreements, there are no additional costs for On-Screen Takeoff 4.0 or future subscription versions. As long as your maintenance agreement remains active, you have access to all future versions at your current maintenance renewal rate.

Will I pay my current maintenance rate for my subscription every year?

  • While maintenance renewal rates are subject to periodic increases, customers converting from active maintenance agreements will continue to pay significantly less than the full subscription list price for a guaranteed period. Contact ConstructConnect Sales for details on your renewal pricing.

Can I pay monthly?

  • No. On-Screen Takeoff subscriptions are available on an annual payment plan only.

What if I do not have an active maintenance agreement?

  • If you do not have an active maintenance agreement, you can purchase a new On-Screen Takeoff subscription.

Will I be able to purchase a perpetual upgrade to On-Screen Takeoff 4.0?

  • No. On-Screen Takeoff is available only as a subscription now. Perpetual upgrade licenses are no longer available. Customers with active maintenance agreements receive subscription access at no additional cost when their maintenance renews.

Do education and government discounts still apply after the transition?

  • Yes. ConstructConnect will continue to honor active maintenance agreements through this transition, including any applicable education or government discounts. Contact ConstructConnect Sales if you have questions about your specific agreement.

I pay for On-Screen Takeoff via purchase order. What changes should I expect?

  • The purchase order process remains the same. You will receive advance notification before your renewal is due. Once ConstructConnect receives your purchase order for the renewal, you will receive a receipt and an agreement renewal confirmation. ConstructConnect will then invoice you. If ConstructConnect does not receive your renewal order within 60 days of the renewal date, you may lose access to subscription versions of On-Screen Takeoff unless other arrangements have been made with your account manager.

As an admin, how do I distribute licenses?

Installation, Activation, and Updates

Will I still need a license key to use On-Screen Takeoff?

How will installation work for organizations?

  • There’s no difference to how On-Screen Takeoff is installed, a local, Windows admin must install the application. From there, the biggest difference is instead of launching On-Screen Takeoff and then activating a License Key or Server Code, you’ll just sign in using your email address and password.

Will new features and updates be pushed to my machine automatically?

  • Users are notified of new releases in the Resources Panel on the Takeoff Tab and possibly pop-up notifications, but installation remains in your control. Your company may also be notified by email when updates are available. You can always check the current Release Notes to see what’s new.

Can I install On-Screen Takeoff on multiple machines?

  • Sure, for example, if you have a home computer and a work computer, you can install On-Screen Takeoff on both. However, you can only sign into one machine at a time.

What happens to my On-Screen Takeoff projects and data if my subscription ends?

  • Your On-Screen Takeoff project files are stored locally on your computer (or wherever you choose to store them) and are not deleted if your subscription ends. If you lose subscription access, you will still be able to open your project files, but most features will be unavailable and the projects themselves will be in read-only mode. See the On-Screen Takeoff User Guide for guidance on exporting or archiving project data if needed.

What if my organization does not allow internet access on machines?

  • Internet access has always been required to license On-Screen Takeoff. Continuous internet access is not required to use On-Screen Takeoff, however, it is needed for initial activation and periodically thereafter to maintain product functionality. Offline login is not supported.

How is data security and privacy handled under the subscription model?

  • ConstructConnect is committed to following global data privacy standards. The transition to a subscription model does not change where your project data is stored or how it is accessed. On-Screen Takeoff project files remain on your local machine. See the ConstructConnect Privacy Policy for information on what data ConstructConnect collects and how it is used.

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