Blog

Construction data,
decoded.

Guides, comparisons, and technical deep-dives on construction data APIs — from the team building Substrata.

All articles
Build a Construction Cost Estimator with the Substrata API
A hands-on Node.js walkthrough — fetch categories, search products by category, read price_min/price_max fields, and wire up a script that takes room dimensions and material selections and outputs a cost estimate. ~50 lines of code.
Building Product Specifications API — Query SEER, R-Value, U-Value Data Programmatically
Building product specs are locked in manufacturer PDFs with no unified API. Here's how to query SEER ratings, R-values, U-values, compressive strength, and fire resistance data programmatically — with working code examples.
Substrata vs RSMeans vs 1build: Construction Data APIs Compared (2026)
The construction data landscape is fragmented — no single source covers specs, pricing, sustainability, and logistics. We compared five platforms across API access, data types, pricing, and developer experience so you don't have to.