As the construction tech scene grows, the advantage construction management software offers (greater progress tracking, project management, and more efficient day-to-day workflows), becomes harder to resist.
There’s a little secret we want to let you in on: integrating software into your workflow isn’t about shedding workers, it’s about helping your existing crew do their job better.
It’s about reducing waste (we’re talking time and resources) to make your sites more profitable. In the coming year, over 81% of worksites plan to spend more on technology to make their worksites more efficient.
In today’s competitive market, it’s critical to have the infrastructure in place to manage existing, new, and future business. Usually, that comes down to keeping your team informed, balancing costs, and staying on top of your project timeline.
Embracing technology is pretty intimidating, as it typically is when submerging yourself in uncharted waters for the first time.
The thing is, if you have the right software vendor behind you, digitizing your worksite isn’t as difficult as you think.
The first step is understanding what software’s out there. Below, we’re doing a deep dive into some of the construction management, accounting, ERP, and visualization software disrupting the construction industry this year. At the end, we go through a list of questions you should be asking software vendors to find the platform that best fits your needs.
Software Analysis: Pricing, Features, and More
CoreCon
Construction Management
CoreCon’s a feature-rich, cloud-based construction software specializing in project management, lead tracking, and cost estimating. It advertises an “all-in-one” approach to construction management that greatly reduces time spent on tedious administrative tasks.
Features: Accounting integration, customizable templates, project management, reporting and analytics, team management, webinar training available, contract management, HR, time sheets, and scheduling, mobile app, cloud-based access
Pricing: Pay-per-user, $60/month/user with company-wide plans available starting at $125/month
CoConstruct
Construction Management
CoConstruct is a web-based project management software built around the common pain points of custom builders, remodelers, and design firms. It’s an interactive and collaborative platform that facilitates quick, real-time communication between team members to make sure deadlines are met and contract requirements are fulfilled.
Features: Lead and contract tracking, file sharing, budgeting and forecasting, QuickBooks integration, timesheet management, to-dos, job log, mobile app, progress tracking, responsive customer support, great value for cost, intuitive interface, unlimited training, 30-day money back guarantee
Pricing: Core package at $199/month, Standard package at $249/month, and PLUS package at $299/month
URL: https://www.coconstruct.com
Autodesk BIM 360
Construction Management
Autodesk BIM 360 takes a unified approach to construction management, uniting geographically-separated and disparate teams with real-time collaboration tools. The platform serves a wide spectrum of users by addressing all stages between design and final touches.
Features: Document management, safety management, quality assurance, design collaboration, data and analytics, project performance tracking, risk management, RFIs and submittals, design reviews and version comparison, incident reporting, n-person training, contract management, mobile compatibility
Pricing: Not provided, case-by-case
URL: https://www.autodesk.com/bim-360
RedTeam Software
Construction Management
RedTeam Software is built by contractors, for contractors. Overall, this is an end-to-end project management tool for keeping tabs on submittals, RFIs, and other extraneous requirements. In addition to informational organization, RedTeam also offers robust share capabilities to support cross-role collaboration. Field management, financials, and business development offerings are available as well.
Features: Integrates with Levelset, Plangrid, BIM360, QuickBooks, DocuSign, and Sage, contract management, equipment tracking, estimations and projecting, incident reporting, mobile app
Pricing: Not provided, case-by-case
Raken
Construction Management
Raken is a platform for the day-to-day, in-the-field workflow. They’re focused on delivering the tools contractors need to get their work done quickly and get home for the day without having to worry about whether they completed everything on their agenda. The Raken platform is the bridge between what’s happening in the field and what’s happening in the office, using daily reporting modules to keep everyone informed. Users receive valuable insights and a colorful toolbox to get the most out of their data.
Features: Daily reporting, production tracking, extensive toolbox, time cards, task management, site photo management, personalized dashboards, project summaries delivered to your inbox, mobile app, in-person training, webinars, free trial available
Pricing: Per month, per user pricing; Basic for $12/month/user, Professional for $30/month/user, and Performance for $37/month/user
URL: https://www.rakenapp.com/
PlanGrid
Construction Management
What sets PlanGrid apart from competitors is its simplicity. It’s an easy-to-use, responsive, Autodesk-owned company that serves every stage in the project lifecycle from planning to execution. All reports export to PDF for quick sharing and you can have multiple workspaces at once to keep projects siloed and organized. PlanGrid is on a mission to transform productivity for individuals operating in commercial and heavy civil.
Features: Smart drawings, BIM capabilities, document management, workflow tracking, advanced RFIs and submittals, task management, progress tracking, field reporting, PDF exports, admin console, offline access, subcontractor management, cloud-based, mobile access, in-person training, live troubleshooting, free trial available
Pricing: $39/month/user
URL: https://www.plangrid.com/
Esticom
Bidding and Estimating
Esticom is a cloud-based project planning and estimating tool used to evaluate labor costs, material expenditure, and other outgoing costs. With this information, contractors can determine if they’re charging customers the right amount and getting the most for their outbound costs. Even though they serve individuals across the construction network, their main user base consists of electrical, plumbing, fire safety, and HVAC tradesmen.
Features: Project templates,CRM dashboard, material lists, deadline tracking, real-time access, cloud-based, free trial available, accurate estimates, bid management, on-screen takeoff, demo available
Pricing: $99/user/month
STACK
Bidding and Estimating
STACK serves businesses of all sizes, from individual contractors to enterprise-level behemoths. In fact, they describe themselves as, “one solution, serving many.” Within their portal, users can upload project plans and initiate workflows. STACK gives users the power to create accurate estimates and manage bids. The platform is pre-loaded with common equipment, material, and labor costs that are integral to most construction projects. Another differentiator here is STACK’s customer support system. You get as much support as you need, at no additional cost.
Features: Document management easy project document uploads, share project plans with entire team, markup, sharing, and invitation features, cloud-based access, quantity and material takeoff, project reporting and analytics, build material lists, customizable reports, automation tools, estimating toolbox
Pricing: $999/user/year
Sage
Accounting and ERP
Sage is one of the only solutions we’re covering that doesn’t serve the construction industry exclusively. Their reach expands into manufacturing, chemical, food and beverage, and nonprofit ecosystems. As a whole, sage is an all-inclusive accounting and estimating software with all the tools users need to maximize profit and get control over project financials.
Features: Accounts payable and receivable, billing and invoicing, budgeting and forecasting, payroll management, order management, quotes and estimates, in-person training, webinars available
Pricing: Pricing starts at $45/month
URL: https://www.sage.com/en-us/
Vista
Accounting and ERP
Vista is a Trimble-owned fully-integrated ERP software that scales to your construction operation. The platform gives users total visibility over their financials so they know exactly where they’re at with revenue, at any given point. Vista is where field, office, and project planning teams collide and collaborate.
Features: Accounts payable and receivable, general ledger tracking, payroll and cash management, equipment management, templates for income statements and balance sheets, HR management, cost projections, reporting system, productivity analysis, cloud-based
Pricing: Not provided, case-by-case
URL: https://viewpoint.com/products/vista
AutoCAD
Visualization, 3D Modeling, Design
AutoCAD is most likely one of the most familiar on this list, since it’s been around since 1989. As an enterprise-grade design and drafting software, it’s found its way into millions of construction project workflows. Users prepare visuals that guide project planning and lay the foundation for everything to follow. The platform integrates GIS and mapping functionalities to help engineers design the future. AutoCAD has six, niche toolsets: Architecture, Electrical, Mechanical, Plant 3D, MEP, and Map 3D.
Features: Architectural drawing, document management, scheduling, drafting task automation, role-specific toolboxes, create and edit 2D and 3D models, export object data to tables, upload and export to PDF, annotation and markup capabilities, mobile app available
Pricing: $200/month
Trimble Business Center
Visualization, 3D Modeling, Design
Trimble Business Center is a powerful design planning and tracking platform that helps users engineer accurate and intuitive 3D project models. With interactive design data, you can make more informed decisions, prevent mistakes, and drive productivity. Trimble and Propeller (mentioned below) work closely together in an official partnership to help power connected worksites around the world.
Features: Data preparation for machine control, quantity estimating, utility modeling, up-to-date visuals, 3D models, share capabilities, customizable features, point cloud processing, orthophotos
Pricing: Not provided, case-by-case
URL: https://construction.trimble.com/products-and-solutions/trimble-business-center
Propeller
Visualization, 3D Modeling, Design
Propeller is a global leader in 3D mapping and data analytics solutions that give worksites the power to track, map, and measure their earthwork projects visually. Propeller’s innovative hardware and software products solve real problems for real people.
Features: Cloud-based access, measurable 3D site surveys, virtual walkthroughs, robust toolbox, road-grade calculations, stockpile measurements, progress tracking, design conformance checks, volumetric capabilities, visual project timeline, 24-hour drone data processing, photogrammetric renderings, unlimited users, responsive customer support
Pricing: Flexible, scalable pricing
Asking the right questions
Now, you have a pretty good idea of what’s out there. It’s time to start vetting vendors to zero in on the platforms that make the most sense for you and your unique workflow. Sometimes it’s not a matter of choosing one over another, but instead combining multiple solutions to form the perfect construction management concoction.
The solution with the most features isn’t always the best. It’s often better to choose a product that does a few things really well over a product that does a million things you’ll never use. Do a little digging beneath the surface and make connections between their tools and your pain points.
Here’s the five questions you should be asking.
1. How easy will the transition be?
No one likes a learning curve that lingers. Your main objective is to finish jobs on budget and on time, and your construction management software shouldn’t make that more difficult.
2. Do the features fit your needs?
One word for you here: relevancy. Vendors upsell their best features and downplay their shortcomings. Don’t be dazzled by buzzwords. Instead, consider how each feature will play in practice, rather than just in theory. If you’re going to use less than 50% of the platform’s offerings, it’s probably not the platform for you.
3. What sets the solution apart from its competitors?
Look for differentiators. As we can see from the breakdown above, there’s a lot of overlap. Pinpoint where the platforms diverge and decide from there.
4. Is it generic or construction-specific?
Vertical-specific software always does a better job of addressing pain points exclusive to the corresponding industry. Choose your technology like you choose your workers on-site—based on successes they’ve had with companies and environments like yours. You won’t choose a general subcontractor to wire an entire new build, you’d call an electrician. Apply the same logic in your search for a software suite.
5. Where’s the ROI?
Lastly, make sure you reduce your selection to a clear ROI. If you don’t have a clear path to operational or financial gains before you dive in, odds are you’ll never see returns funnel in.
Finding a software combination that works for you
If you use these questions as a roadmap, you’ll find a solution that mirrors your needs and gets you (and your team) the project information you need to get jobs done on budget and on time.
The best construction management software is a direct reflection of your day-to-day, where data is accessible and available to everyone who needs it, 100% of the time.
Download the ebook below to learn about the future of construction. Understanding where the industry is heading will help you make an informed decision about your worksite software.
