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General Contractor Software
What is General Contractor Software?
Software for general contractors is designed to meet the demands of their unique workflow and business processes. General contractors have many roles and often oversee all phases of a building project from pre-construction to ongoing maintenance and repairs after completion. They need a system to support them through the entire construction contracting process and at the same time help manage their business.
General Contractor-specific Features
Homebuilders need most of the standard features that come with construction management software, but as you’re looking there are a few features for home builders to consider:
| Job Costing & Invoicing | A critical feature of a construction software program is job costing data to improve estimating and billing efficiency and accuracy. Generic accounting systems won’t have anywhere near the same level of functionality, since they’re not usually designed to manage multiple expense streams tied to a single (large) revenue source on a project-by-project basis. |
| Link to Vendors & Subcontractors | A robust construction accounting and ordering program will link directly into vendor and/or subcontractor purchasing and pricing information, which makes it easier to order supplies and schedule subcontractors. |
| Advanced Project Management & Scheduling | Critical path method is a project management algorithm that’s specifically designed to solve the kinds of scheduling challenges faced by a general contractor: performing hundreds of different tasks that each depend on another’s (but not every other’s) completion. A good construction contracting program will incorporate this type of algorithm (though it may not necessarily be called that) to maximize project efficiency and ensure on-time delivery. |
Evaluating Construction Contractor Software
When choosing the top system, it's important to narrow down your needs. Many general contractors need a stand-alone project management system to track key documents. Others will need integrated construction project scheduling, accounting and job costing or bid management.
There are dozens of top-rated programs for general contractors, and each varies tremendously in price, features, and target company size. When selecting your construction software, ask the following questions:
- What features are you looking for? A fully integrated suite is a very different product than a best-of-breed estimating and takeoff system.
- What size is your company? Since most construction programs are geared toward companies of a very specific size-range, this should be one of the first questions to ask before delving too deep into the features.
- Does the software integrate with your existing accounting, CRM, ordering, estimating, or other systems?
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Jonas Construction Software
Jonas is an integrated accounting system for service-intensive subcontractors and general contractors in the US and Canada. We often recommend it to companies with more than 20 employees, outgrowing Quickbooks and Excel.
Viewpoint V6 Software
Viewpoint is differentiated by its ability to sell robust accounting or project management software on a standalone basis. It is typically used by contractors managing $10 million to over $1 billion in total construction volume.
Sage Timberline Office
Sage Timberline Office has been one of the dominant players in the construction software market since its founding in 1971. The robust system offers accounting, job cost, estimating, and project management for all types of trades.
FOUNDATION for Windows
Although Foundation is an especially good fit for subcontractors, we also recommend it to commercial general contractors who self-perform a component (or all) of their work. Offers accounting, project management, and estimating.
Jonas Premier
Jonas Software first came to the construction market in 1990 and over two decades has established itself as a go-to vendor in the industry. Jonas software offers a full-suite of construction and service management applications.
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Spitfire Project Management System
Specifically developed for construction and capital construction project management, document control and project collaboration, Spitfire Project Management System is a browser-based, highly customizable solution.
Maxwell Systems ProContractorMX
Maxwell ProContractorMX is a good fit for both commercial and residential GCs. The system is fairly unique in allowing buyers to purchase only the modules they need, whether they be estimating, accounting, or project management.
ComputerEase
ComputerEase is one of the most popular construction accounting systems on the market, in use by more than 6,000 companies. We often recommend it to small and mid-size subcontractors and GCs looking to grow.
Sage Master Builder
General contractors remain a very strong segment for Sage Master Builder. The program's modules for estimating, project management, accounting, and job costing are adaptable to most building environments and company sizes.
JOBPOWER
We often recommend JOBPOWER to small and mid-sized GCs who are outgrowing their starter accounting programs like Quickbooks and want to transition to an affordable job costing program that will grow with them over time.
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