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Stay organized with must-try apps for contractors

Stay organized with must-try apps for contractors

  • Ola Rybacka
  • July 15, 2024
  • 10 min read
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Embracing new technologies in the construction industry isn’t limited to investing in new equipment. It also refers to implementing automation solutions to streamline daily management processes. Wonder how to integrate features like time tracking or task management into the company’s workflow? And what apps for contractors are currently the most often recommended by users themselves?

Check it in our comprehensive guide to apps for contractors! But first…

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Why use a contractor app?

A construction project requires completing a series of complex tasks within the budget and time requested by the client. With so much on the plate, the construction team must focus entirely on all the steps that ensure a successful, hassle-free project delivery.

However, even if the construction industry specifically refers to manufacturing and trade related to building, repairing, renovating, and maintaining infrastructure, construction management itself involves many other non-physical activities that must be taken care of.

Before we get to the main dish, let’s find out how apps for construction management introduce a more data-driven business approach and leverage practices for keeping team members, from management to technicians, on the same page.

Here’s a list of benefits of implementing apps for contractors into a company’s workflow:

  1. Enhanced efficiency: Apps streamline various aspects of project management and save time and effort in tasks like workforce scheduling, communication, and document management.
  2. Accurate time tracking: Time tracking apps provide precise records of labor hours, enabling better project cost estimates and resource allocation and ensuring employees get paid accurately and on time.
  3. Improved project management: a task management app facilitates better organization of tasks, resources, and timelines, leading to smoother project execution and completion on time and within budget.
  4. Enhanced collaboration: Apps enable real-time collaboration among team members, general contractors, subcontractors, and clients, fostering better communication and coordination throughout the project lifecycle.
  5. Better resource allocation: With insights gained from time tracking and project management apps, a contractor can allocate resources more efficiently, minimizing waste and optimizing productivity.
  6. Reduced errors: Automation tools reduce the risk of human error in repetitive tasks such as invoicing, scheduling, and reporting, ensuring accuracy and consistency in project documentation.
  7. Increased accountability: Online apps provide a transparent record of project activities, promoting accountability among team members and subcontractors and facilitating performance evaluation.
  8. Cost savings: Apps can help a contractor save money by improving efficiency, reducing errors, and optimizing resource allocation, which can contribute to higher project profitability.
  9. Remote accessibility: Many apps offer cloud-based platforms, allowing a contractor to access project data and collaborate with employees from anywhere, enhancing job flexibility and adaptability.
  10. Scalability: Apps can scale with the growth of the business, accommodating more jobs and expanding teams without compromising efficiency or effectiveness.
  11. Competitive advantage: Contractors who leverage apps to automate their workflows gain a competitive edge by delivering projects more efficiently, meeting deadlines, and providing better transparency to clients.
  12. Adaptation to industry trends: Embracing technology and online tools helps you stay current with business trends and adopt best practices for construction project management.

Implementing apps into a company’s workflow can revolutionize contractor’s operations, leading to greater productivity, profitability, and success in the construction field.

How to choose a perfect contractor app?

It’s good to do thorough research before purchasing an app. However, trying out blindly all the apps found on the first page of search results will likely lead nowhere, wasting your time and money. Furthermore, it may be impossible to find one app that offers all the features your company needs for smooth operation.

But don’t worry – we won’t let you go app hunting unprepared!

Grab a short checklist of what to consider when choosing the best apps for construction management:

  • Free trial period—a specific amount of time after registering an account when you can try out the full version of the construction app for free. This helps you get to know the tool better and check that the interface is user-friendly and intuitive.
  • Free version—lots of apps for construction offer a free plan that includes basic yet essential features,
  • Annual subscriptions—monthly payments may be tiresome, especially when the workload is heavy. Annual billing is a lifesaver then; moreover, tools often offer special discounts when you purchase a yearly subscription,
  • Payments—a built-invoice generating module streamlines collecting payments from parties controlling interest in the venture,
  • Scheduling – streamlines allocating the workforce to the jobs based on employees’ availability, their skills, and project needs and helps avoid shortages,
  • Budgeting—create accurate estimates of time, workforce, materials, etc., for each venture and track resource usage on a daily basis to make more data-driven adjustments if needed,
  • Integrations—It’s hardly possible to find one app that combines features covering needs related to various management fields, so consider implementing a combination of tools that connect directly with each other. This way, you can ensure the business has a steady data flow and access without generating much paperwork,
  • Files sharing—attach photos and videos of a job site to provide the entire team with real-time updates,
  • Accessibility—Since the workforce hired in the construction sector consists mostly of field workers, make sure each app you choose (especially time tracking software or a scheduling app) has a mobile device version.

This is only the tip of the iceberg of what the SaaS app market currently offers to streamline the intricacies of a general contractor’s job. However, no matter what construction app you choose for your business, you can be sure that it’ll help your team save time and stay organized.

Best apps for contractors in 2024

Time tracking for contractors: TimeCamp

timecamp time tracking for contractors

TimeCamp is a versatile app tailored to streamline time tracking processes within construction businesses. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features empower employees to effortlessly monitor work hours, log attendance, request time off, and analyze labor costs in real-time, all from a centralized platform.

TimeCamp simplifies time tracking, enabling a contractor to allocate resources efficiently and make data-driven decisions to enhance project efficiency and profitability.

Key features of TimeCamp as a project time tracking for construction industries:

  • Automatic time tracking to capture working hours automatically using desktop and mobile applications, minimizing manual data entry and ensuring accurate time logs.
  • Timesheet management to generate detailed timesheets to track billable and non-billable hours, facilitating payroll processing and client invoicing.
  • Project tracking to monitor project progress and resource utilization in real-time, allowing for proactive management and timely intervention.
  • Attendance tracking to log employee attendance and time-off requests, ensuring compliance with work schedules and labor regulations.
  • Reporting and analytics to generate customizable reports and analytics to analyze venture costs, monitor productivity, and identify opportunities for optimization.
  • Time Kiosk for saving time by simply clocking in and out
  • Expense tracking to log and categorize spending for more accurate job costing.
  • Invoicing to create invoices based on project hours and issue them straight to clients.
  • Budgeting to create accurate estimates and monitor resource usage.

Pricing

Free

$

0.00

billed annually

Free plan includes all the essentials (accurate time tracking, unlimited projects, a time clock kiosk, desktop, and mobile apps, idle time detection, and many more).

Starter

$

2.99

billed annually

Starter plan includes unlimited tasks, excel reports export, attendance, time-off, overtime tracking.

Premium

$

4.99

billed annually

Premium plan includes one integration, billable time, budget and estimates, apps and websites tracking, project archiving, and more.

Ultimate

$

7.99

billed annually

Ultimate plan includes unlimited integrations, billable rates, labor costs, invoicing, timesheet approvals, custom user roles, and more.

Enterprise

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Enterprise Plan, designed for companies with 50+ employees, includes priority support with SLA, self-hosted and private cloud instances, custom integrations, and more.

Alternatives:

ClockShark, Workyard, ConstructionClock

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Scheduling app for contractors: Connectteam

connectteam app for contractors

Connecteam is a comprehensive solution tailored to meet construction management workers’ scheduling needs with precision and ease. With Connecteam, general contractors can efficiently create, manage, and communicate well-organized schedules, all within a single intuitive platform.

Featuring customizable shift templates, real-time notifications, and seamless communication tools, Connecteam empowers construction teams to coordinate effectively and stay on track.

Additionally, robust reporting capabilities enable users to monitor attendance, keep an eye on productivity, and make informed decisions to optimize project management processes.

Connecteam’s key features for workforce scheduling in construction include:

  • Customizable shift templates to accommodate various job roles and venture requirements.
  • Real-time notifications for receiving schedule updates, ensuring timely communication across the team.
  • Instant messaging functionality for efficient team collaboration and problem-solving.
  • Comprehensive reporting tools to monitor attendance, assess productivity, and identify areas for improvement.
  • Integration capabilities with other construction management software for enhanced efficiency and collaboration.

Pricing

The basic plan starts at approximately $29 per user per month and offers fundamental features for workforce management and communication. For more advanced functionality and customization, the premium plan extends to around $59 per user per month. Connectteam also offers custom pricing options for enterprise-level clients with specific needs.

A free trial period is available.

Alternatives

Workforce, ScheduleBase, Agendrix

Project management app for contractors: Procore

procore app for contractors

Procore serves as a comprehensive project management solution, offering a centralized platform to oversee every aspect of construction ventures, from planning to completion. Its intuitive interface and robust features empower a contractor and other employees to streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and ensure project success.

Procore’s RFI feature simplifies communication and issue resolution in construction projects. It offers a structured process for submitting, tracking, and resolving RFIs, ensuring clarity and accountability. Users can create RFIs, attach documents, assign tasks, and collaborate on responses within the platform. By streamlining the RFI process, Procore enhances projects efficiency and decision-making.

Key features of Procore for project management in construction:

  • Document management to centralize projects documentation, drawings, and specifications for easy access and collaboration.
  • Submittal management to anage submittals efficiently, from creation to approval, ensuring compliance and quality control.
  • Change order management to track and manage change orders seamlessly, minimizing delays and cost overruns.
  • Maintain a comprehensive daily log of activities, including weather conditions, manpower, and equipment usage, to manage progress and mitigate risks.
  • Task management to easily assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
  • Mobile access to keep project information handy and collaborate with team members from anywhere, anytime, using mobile devices.

Pricing

Procore’s entry-level plan, which includes essential project management features, starts at around $375 per user per month. For larger teams or those requiring additional functionality, the more comprehensive plan, offering advanced tools and dedicated support, can range up to $550 per user per month. Procore also offers custom pricing options for enterprise-level customers with specific requirements.

A free trial is available.

Alternatives

Buildertrend, Clickup, STACK

Job site management for contractors: Fieldwire

fieldwire app for contractors

In the bustling world of construction, effective job site management is paramount, and Fieldwire emerges as a top-tier app tailored to meet this demand with finesse. Designed to streamline projects coordination and communication, Fieldwire serves as a digital hub for construction teams, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to enhance efficiency and productivity on the job site.

From task assignment and progress tracking to document management and issue resolution, Fieldwire provides a centralized platform for seamless collaboration and streamlined workflows.

Key features of Fieldwire for job site management and workforce tracking in construction:

  • Task management to efficiently assign, prioritize, and manage tasks to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
  • Document management for easy access, sharing, and updating projects documents, blueprints, and plans in real-time.
  • Plan viewing for viewing and annotating drawings and blueprints directly within the app, facilitating on-site decision-making and coordination.
  • Punch list management to create and assign punch list items to accurately log and monitor labor hours to monitor workforce productivity and projects costs.
  • Issue tracking to report, document, and resolve issues promptly to minimize delays and maintain projects progress.
  • Reporting and analytics for generating detailed reports and analytics to evaluate project performance, identify trends, and optimize workflows for future projects.

Pricing

Typically starts at around $29 per user per month for the Pro plan, which includes essential features for small teams. For larger teams or those requiring advanced functionality, the Business plan, priced at approximately $39 per user per month, offers additional features such as priority support and enhanced reporting capabilities. Fieldwire also provides custom pricing options for enterprise-level customers with specific requirements.

Additionally, a free trial is available.

Alternatives

ConstructionOnline, AutoDesk Construction Cloud, eSUB

Accounting app for contractors: Quickbooks

quickbooks app for contractors

QuickBooks is a powerful app designed to revolutionize job accounting in industries like construction. It simplifies financial management by providing the business with a comprehensive platform to manage expenses, manage invoices, and monitor cash flow seamlessly.

Its user-friendly interface and robust functionality make it a go-to solution for businesses that want to streamline their bookkeeping processes and gain deeper insights into their financial health.

Key features of QuickBooks for bookkeeping in the construction business:

  • Expense tracking to easily record and categorize expenses, including materials, labor, and overhead costs, for accurate job costing.
  • Invoicing to create and send professional invoices to clients, with options for progress billing and recurring invoices.
  • Bank reconciliation to automatically reconcile bank transactions with accounting records to ensure accuracy and identify discrepancies.
  • Financial reporting to generate customizable reports, such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets, to gain insights into business performance.
  • Payroll management for simplifying payroll processing by calculating wages, managing taxes, and issuing paychecks or direct deposits for employees and subcontractors.
  • Pricing

QuickBooks offers several subscription plans tailored to businesses’ needs, with options for a self-employed contractor and small to medium-sized enterprises. Pricing typically starts at around $15 per month for the Self-Employed plan, which includes basic features for invoicing and expense tracking. For more advanced functionality, such as payroll management and advanced reporting, pricing can range up to $150 per month for the Advanced plan.

QuickBooks also offers a free trial period.

Alternatives

Freshbooks, Sage, Zoho

Payments app for contractors: Venmo

Venmo has emerged as a convenient and user-friendly solution for facilitating payments within the construction industry. Leveraging Venmo’s platform, contractors can seamlessly send and receive payments, whether for materials, subcontractor services, or client invoices, with just a few taps on their mobile devices.

With its intuitive interface and robust security features, Venmo simplifies the payment process and provides contractors with peace of mind regarding their financial transactions.

Key features of Venmo for payments in the construction industry:

  • Instant transfers to send and receive payments instantly, allowing for quick settlement of invoices and expenses.
  • Split payments to easily split bills and expenses among multiple parties, streamlining cost-sharing arrangements with subcontractors or project partners.
  • Payment requests to send payment requests to clients or suppliers directly through the app, facilitating prompt payment collection.
  • Transaction history to keep tracking of all payment activity with detailed transaction histories, providing transparency and accountability.
  • Security measures for maximum data and transaction safety, including encryption and authentication protocols, to safeguard financial transactions and sensitive information.

Pricing

Venmo offers its basic payment services free of charge for personal use. However, businesses utilizing Venmo for commercial transactions may incur fees for certain features, such as instant transfers or credit card payments. These fees typically range from 1.5% to 3% per transaction, depending on the payment method and transaction type.

While Venmo does not offer a traditional free trial, contractors can sign up for an account and explore the platform’s features at no cost. They can also upgrade to premium services as needed.

Alternatives

Tipalti, GCPay, PayApps

Contractor apps ease construction company management

Contractors these days may choose from a range of web applications designed to enhance their operational efficiency. From preparing cost estimates to managing tasks, sending photos, and recording important notes, these tools offer comprehensive support throughout the venture lifecycle.

While some applications offer free versions, opting for paid subscriptions can provide access to advanced features, ensuring that projects are meticulously managed and executed to meet client expectations.

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Ola Rybacka Product Marketer and Content Specialist at TimeCamp. Remote worker advocate; has been working from home for 10+ years so far. Knows TimeCamp far and wide and does her best to translate the technical jargon into more plain English so that the users can understand the product better. Besides writing blog articles and shorter content types, she’s open to creating product-related videos like tutorials and feature explainers. Privately, passionate about any form of Japanese culture and learns 日本語 to consume mangas and animes in their native language.

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