Construction contractors must deal with many responsibilities, which, depending on their role, can include ensuring that a construction site is safe and overseeing all jobs. It’s important to use construction software to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
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Software for construction can help with various everyday tasks, including estimating and billing, scheduling work, and tracking project progress. Many different types of software are available, so it’s important to choose one that meets your needs.
What is construction software?
Construction software solutions are platforms designed to help manage and streamline the construction process. This can include tasks associated with project, document, and contract management. Software may be used by both small and large construction firms. There are a variety of different programs available on the market today, each offering its own unique set of features and tools.
Project management is one of the most important aspects of construction. Platforms that help with project management focus on task tracking, budgeting, and scheduling.
Meanwhile, document management software helps managers keep track of all documents associated with a project (including drawings, contracts, and specifications).
Programs that offer contract management features allow managers to oversee contracts with subcontractors and suppliers better, helping to ensure that all contracts are up-to-date and compliant with regulations.
Software for construction companies can be a valuable tool for any construction firm, saving companies substantial time and money.
What are the benefits of construction software?
Here’s how construction firms benefit from enlisting the help of software.
Organized work order management
Work order management is critical to projects, and software for construction can make it much easier to keep track of everything. Information becomes easier to access when centralized and organized in a database.
There are several different features that generalized and construction project scheduling software offers for work order management. One of the most important is the ability to create and track work orders. This includes assigning them to specific workers, setting due dates, and adding notes about the work needed.
The best construction management software also typically offers the ability to generate reports on work orders so that you can see at a glance what work needs to be done and when.
Better and more efficient communication
Construction software solutions facilitate better and more efficient communication by providing a platform for all project stakeholders to collaborate. This can help avoid miscommunications and misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the project’s status and progress.
Additionally, software platforms can assist with tracking changes and decisions made throughout the course of the project, which can be valuable for reference later on. Using construction software can improve communication among all parties involved in a construction project, leading to a smoother overall experience.
More detailed project management
Construction software for small businesses and large enterprises helps with more detailed project management by clearly and concisely viewing all progress, costs, and deadlines.
Project managers can better understand the big picture and zero in to see where potential problems may lie. This allows for more efficient time and resource use and can help avoid costly mistakes.
Considering the size of construction projects, every detail counts, and software can be extremely helpful when coordinating a large project with many moving parts.
Construction business scaling opportunities
A scalable business model is crucial to maintaining and improving long-term profit margins. Software is an easy solution scalable to business growth since it automates tasks. Automation reduces the need for manual labor and can not only result in cost savings but also free up resources that can be used to focus on other areas of the business.
Platforms that offer data-driven insights can also help businesses identify areas of opportunity for improvement to optimize resources and save time and money. By leveraging these capabilities, businesses can scale their operations more effectively to meet increasing demand.
What should you consider when choosing construction software
With many options available today, you may wonder how to choose the best construction software for your business. Some things to keep in mind include:
- Ease of use
- Functionality
- Initial cost and maintenance expenses
- Support offered by the company
- Available training
- Compatibility
Before committing to a software platform, consider what pain points you want to address in your construction firm. For example, is the process of compiling reports too time-consuming? Are worker check-ins inefficient?
When shopping around, ensure that the company you’re considering is reputable and has a good track record. You can do this by checking online reviews and talking to workers who have possibly used it in the past.
Ensuring the software is compatible with your business’s existing systems is also important. Check to see if the software company offers a demo so you can verify that it’s user-friendly and suitable for your firm’s needs.
Choosing the right construction software solutions for your business size
There’s a lot of software out there available for construction companies, and the needs of each company will vary depending on their size. Different software programs offer different features, so choosing the right one for your company’s scale is important. Here’s what each business needs to look out for, depending on their size.
Small businesses
- Affordability, as you may not have the budget for expensive software
- Basic features you need to run your business, such as job costing, scheduling, and invoicing
- Training for workers, whether that’s videos, manuals, or articles
Mid-sized businesses
- More features to help you manage your projects and employees with potential growth (e.g., time-tracking capabilities and CRM functionalities)
- Project management tools to oversee current projects
- Construction estimating software and bidding features for new jobs to fuel growth
Large businesses
- Enterprise construction software that can handle all your business needs, encompassing a wide range of functionalities
- Project management capabilities, financial management tools, and HR features should be comprehensive
- Compliance and risk management tools can help immensely when dealing with large-scale operations
Looking to be more strategic with your people?
We partnered with Construction Dive to outline the steps any contractor can take to be more strategic with their workforce management.
Key features of construction software
Regarding software for construction companies, platforms usually focus on key features, including the following.
Takeoff measuring and estimating
Takeoff measuring is the process of estimating the amount of labor and materials needed for a construction project. This is important because it prevents waste and ensures you have enough for a given job. Some construction software solutions have tools that assist with accurately measuring and estimating takeoffs.
Project planning and management
Construction scheduling software’s project planning and management features allow you to track progress and budget for a given project. It can also help you more effectively communicate with other team members and customers or clients based on your information.
Estimating
Estimating is a critical part of construction and allows you to determine the total cost of a project before it begins. Most software for construction companies offer estimating features that allow you to quickly and easily estimate the cost of materials, labor, and other expenses for a total project cost.
Time and attendance tracking
Time and attendance tracking features from construction software should allow you to track employees’ time on a job site. This information can be used to improve efficiency and productivity.
Types of construction software
In general, software for construction can be very beneficial, but it’s important to weigh both the pros and cons before deciding whether to use it. Here are the most common types of software you’ll find, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
Regular construction software
This software may be web-based or programs you download onto a desktop.
Advantages
- More organized jobs
- The ability to track work progress
- A better understanding of the construction process
- Streamlined work processes
- Automated tasks
- Easy to access as long as you have the right device
Disadvantages
- In some cases, you may not be able to customize the software to your specific needs
- Not all employees may be technologically savvy, so there can be a learning curve associated with using new software
- Some programs are incompatible and may clash with others
Cloud-based construction software
Cloud-based construction software syncs automatically, storing all files in a centralized location.
Advantages
- Ability to access the software from anywhere with an internet connection
- If there’s an auto-update function, you don’t have to worry about manually installing substantial updates
- These platforms may have a lower overall cost compared to traditional construction software solutions
Disadvantages
- Unless there’s also an offline version, you need a reliable internet connection to use the software.
- There can be potential security concerns with storing data in the cloud
- You may not have as much control over the software as you would if it were installed locally
Mobile construction software
Mobile software for construction can be used with iOS and Android phones.
Advantages
- On-the-go use means users can access information from anywhere and at any time
- Mobile phones are used primarily for communication, so having software to improve this can be beneficial for information exchange
Disadvantages
- Mobile platforms may not have all of the features and functionalities of traditional desktop software programs. This can limit its usefulness for certain tasks or projects
- An internet connection may be required for the platform to function properly. This can be a problem if there is no reliable internet connection on the job site
- May only be compatible with certain types of mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets
6 best construction software for your business
Here’s the best software for construction companies.
1. Bridgit Bench
Bridgit Bench is a workforce management software solution that allows users to manage human capital and track project progress from an organizational dashboard.
You can access an overview of your projects in list and Gantt chart forms and delve deeper into more comprehensive reports regarding project and manpower details. Use the platform to assess projects based on labor availability and plan accordingly.
The platform also provides real-time updates and integrates with various CRM, HRIS, and project management programs for a more seamless workflow, making it among the top construction software platforms on the market.
Key features
- Manage construction project workforces, with suggestions for role assignment
- Capacity and project demand management
- Workforce utilization analysis for productivity improvement
- Workforce forecasting to plan ahead
- Project tracking and project pipeline maintenance
- Custom permissions
Advantages
- Easy to use and very intuitive
- Highly customizable
- Improves collaboration through unlimited users
- Built specifically for construction labor management
- Integrations are available with major platforms
- Web and cloud-based for convenience
- Mobile applications are available for iOS and Android
Disadvantages
- Availability is currently limited to North America, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand
2. Viewpoint
Pricing: Depends on several factors, including company size. Must contact the company for tailored pricing
Founded in 1976, Trimble Viewpoint offers software for construction companies. Viewpoint’s software and main product is a platform with construction accounting and project management tools. Users can plan, deliver, and manage construction projects with a platform that offers job costing, employee management, and reporting capabilities.
This platform services multiple industries, including general and specialty contractors, HVAC, plumbing, industrial, and more.
Viewpoint For Projects, as a construction software, is focused on document and information sharing for streamlining collaboration and bringing together all the moving parts of complex projects.
Key features
- Project estimating
- Business reporting
- Document control for construction
- Communication and collaboration tools
- Resource management
- Tools for financial planning
Advantages
- Centralized database for better access across projects
- Helps mitigate the risk of clashes
- Easy sharing of project drawings and documents
Disadvantages
- Some users consider the appearance of the program to be dated
- Interface can be clunky, unreliable, and non-user friendly
- Users have expressed a learning curve when first using the platform
3. monday.com
Pricing:
- Free plan (up to 2 seats)
- Basic plan: Total $24 USD per month, or $8 USD per seat per month
- Standard plan: Total $30 USD per month, or $10 USD per seat per month
- Pro plan: Total $16 USD per month or $16 USD per seat per month
- Enterprise plan: Must contact the company for tailored pricing
Founded in 2012 and launched in 2014, monday.com is a platform that allows users to organize their workflows and manage how tasks are completed. Collaboration is central to this software program, with features focused on better team management.
Notable aspects of this software program are its time-tracking capabilities and dashboard views for data collection and insights. Certain aspects of projects can also be automated to streamline operations and meet deadlines.
monday.com integrates with platforms like Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, and so on to help with communications and overseeing teams.
Key features
- Overviews and Gantt charts to manage people and projects
- Project, client, task, and process lists
- Communication tools
- Document uploading
Advantages
- Visual interface to view things at a glance
- Can see which team members are responsible for what
- Customizable workflow templates
- Increased transparency in communications
Disadvantages
- The platform isn’t specifically designed as construction software and so does not address the industry’s pain points.
- Users have complained about a lack of sufficient training for the program
- Pricey for smaller organizations
4. Contractor Foreman
Pricing:
- Standard plan: $49 USD per month
- Plus plan: $87 USD per month
- Pro: $123 USD per month
- Unlimited: $148 USD per month
Launched in 2014, Contractor Foreman is an all-in-one construction management software offering accounting, project management, and document management features. The platform services general contractors and subcontractors and is best suited for small and medium-sized businesses.
Users can track their projects from different devices and share files and photos. This platform is focused on management, so most of its offerings center on overseeing projects, including their progress and intricacies, from documentation to financials.
It’s cloud-based and integrates with programs like Excel and Revit.
Key features
- Project management tools (daily logs, scheduling, work orders, etc.)
- Financials (estimates, bid management, invoices, etc.)
- People management features (directory, calendars, crew scheduling, etc.)
- Features to oversee documents (reports, forms, RFIs, etc.)
Advantages
- Covers a large scope for overseeing projects
- Best suited for project managers
- Accounting features can be convenient
Disadvantages
- Not suited for large enterprises and bigger construction companies
- The labor management features leave much to be desired
- A more generalized software platform means that if you’re looking for something more specialized, you may be better off opting for another program
5. InEight
Pricing: Depends on a number of factors, including company size. Must contact the company for tailored pricing
InEight is a construction management software platform for owners, contractors, and engineers designed to increase visibility for larger complex projects. It’s intended to span across every phase of the construction process, from design to turnover. This platform is mainly used for capital projects, including infrastructure and industries like mining, oil, and energy.
Features are designed to manage expenses and control risk through cost forecasting, budgeting, analytics, and reporting. InEight leverages BIM technology for design and integrated workflows.
Integrations include Autodesk, Salesforce, Excel, and more.
Key features
- Project dashboard views
- Centralized documentation and information
- Automated reports
- Connected estimates and schedules to visualize resource utilization
Advantages
- Best suited for commercial projects
- Managing project life cycles becomes easier
- Simplified sorting, filtering, and organizing of information
Disadvantages
- Users have complained that the excessive amount of customization can be overwhelming at first
- Hard to learn and train workers on
- Interface is a bit outdated
6. Procore
Pricing: Depends on several factors, including company size. Must contact the company for tailored pricing
Founded in 2022, Procore is an all-in-one construction software platform designed for project, resource, and financial management. It intends to connect owners, general contractors, and subcontractors to ensure smoother workflows. Features are focused on overseeing projects, from preconstruction to closeout.
This includes, for example, tender management, estimating, safety assurance, design coordination, and invoice management. A centralized database can keep stakeholders in the loop about project happenings.
Procore is known for its many integrations, including labor-management platforms like Bridgit Bench.
Key features
- Data management across projects
- Real-time budget monitoring
- Mobile collaboration tools
- Standardized templates
Advantages
- Increased visibility in managing projects
- Connects office and field teams
- Many integrations mean that additional features can be added on
Disadvantages
- Workforce management tools are less comprehensive
- Users have expressed concerns about the pricing
- According to customers, it takes some time to get used to
Conclusion
The software landscape is constantly evolving, and there are various options available to meet the needs of your project, whether that’s the best software for construction project management or scheduling. Researching and selecting the right software to address your construction firm’s pain points is important.
Hopefully, this guide will provide an overview of some of the most popular construction software options and their key features and benefits. With this information, you can make an informed decision about which software is right for your construction company.
Are you looking for construction software solutions to oversee your company’s workforce? Upgrade to Bridgit Bench today.
