Updated January 27, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Written by Laura Burgess
Content Analyst
Edited by Caroline Rousseau
Senior Editor
Reviewed by Niko Bernardone
Advisor Manager
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Construction management software (CMS) helps construction professionals with project planning, scheduling, resource management, budgeting, document control, and communication. In the past year, we’ve spoken to nearly 8,000 construction software buyers and gathered more than 6,000 verified user reviews to identify products rated highest for usability, value, functionality, and customer support. Our construction management software advisors can help match your needs with the right products, drawing from over 500 construction management products available on our site.
Our independent and objective research is based on market demand signals along with analysis of our proprietary data, including product information, verified user reviews, and advisor conversations with buyers. We did not consider client status when selecting products in this list. Get a software list tailored to your industry and business needs in 15 minutes.
: Highest Rated
: Best for Small Businesses
: Best for General Contractors
: Best for Residential Remodeling
: Best for Roofing and Siding
: Best for Home Builder
: Most Affordable
: Best Value for Money
: Best Ease of Use
Among construction management products with the most market demand, Autodesk Construction Cloud has the highest customer rating.
Autodesk Construction Cloud is a good fit for various users— from general contractors and project managers to architects and designers. Our reviewers say that Autodesk Construction Cloud is powerful and user-friendly, with many features to suit different use cases. The software’s functionality includes construction management, data management, bidding and contract management, and more.
“This software is useful for construction and has allowed me, among other things, a facility for modeling buildings, making construction plans and monitoring my projects with effective tools.”
Oluwa Locheyi Hountcheme
Agent Commerical
Used for 1-2 years
We analyzed verified 2190 user reviews for Autodesk Construction Cloud to find out what actual users really think.
BIM projects
Users appreciate Autodesk Construction Cloud for its integration with Revit and other software platforms, which streamlines workflows and enhances coordination. They find the model sharing and document management features particularly useful, allowing for real-time updates and efficient collaboration among team members.
Construction management
Reviewers find Autodesk Construction Cloud to be a comprehensive solution for managing construction projects, offering tools for project management, 3D design, and visualization. They highlight the platform's ability to facilitate coordination between trades and ensure quality assurance, making it easier to handle complex projects.
Learning curve
Users have mixed feelings about the learning curve associated with Autodesk Construction Cloud. They appreciate that the software is generally easy to use and offers effective training resources, which help in quickly getting up to speed. However, some users find the platform initially overwhelming and challenging to learn, especially for beginners, indicating a need for more comprehensive training to fully utilize its features.
Multiple Projects
4.61 category average
Project Management
4.50 category average
In our analysis of the most popular construction management products, Buildertrend is the most requested by businesses under $50 million in revenue.
Buildertrend’s construction management software helps users organize and track all their projects with a few clicks. Our reviewers agree that Buildertrend is a solid choice for small and medium-sized businesses, with an easy-to-use software solution that doesn’t compromise features. Buildertrend also includes functionality for managing sales, finances, materials, and client communications.
“I like very much that BuilderTrend makes all operations and procedures of the project clear to all parties, which enables us to implement the work within the specified budgets.”
Abdallah Qattash
Senior Project Engineer
Use for 2+ years
We analyzed verified 1638 user reviews for Buildertrend to find out what actual users really think.
Home construction builder
Users find Buildertrend invaluable for improving communication with homeowners, enhancing project management, and boosting overall efficiency. They appreciate the customizable features that allow them to manage various aspects of home construction, from initial design to final walkthroughs. Reviewers say the platform's ability to provide clients with real-time access to their projects has been a game-changer, making the construction process more transparent and organized for everyone involved.
Scheduling
Reviewers highlight Buildertrend's scheduling capabilities as a standout feature, noting how it simplifies the coordination of tasks and timelines. They value the real-time updates and the ability to create and modify schedule templates, which helps avoid delays and keep projects on track. The integration of reminders and Gantt charts further enhances task management, allowing users to efficiently handle multiple projects and ensure that all team members are aligned with the project schedule.
Budget estimation
Users appreciate Buildertrend's forecasting features, which provide a clear picture of project costs and help in tracking budgets and change orders. However, they find the estimating module cumbersome and difficult to navigate, particularly when dealing with complex projects. The lack of functionality and the complicated nature of the estimating tools have led to frustration, as users struggle to input data and manage budgets effectively within the system.
Multiple Projects
4.61 category average
Project Management
4.50 category average
Based on our analysis of the most popular construction management products, Contractor Foreman is the most requested by general contractors.
Contractor Foreman is specifically designed for the needs of general contractors at small and medium-sized companies. Our reviewers find the software affordable and easy to use, with extensive help and support. It runs on desktops, smartphones, and tablets. General contractors can use Contractor Foreman to keep track of projects, people, finances, and documents.
“I like that you can keep a running total of each project from start to finish, the features in Contractor Foreman are simple, easy to use and allows us to run our business effectively and efficiently from start to finish.”
Terrence Robinson
Manager
Used for 6-12 months
We analyzed verified 663 user reviews for Contractor Foreman to find out what actual users really think.
Project management
Users find Contractor Foreman highly effective for project management due to its comprehensive capabilities and user-friendly interface. They appreciate the ability to manage multiple projects from start to finish, including scheduling, cost management, and workflow customization. The software's organizational tools help keep all project-related information in one place, making it easier to track progress and ensure all team members are on the same page.
Project tracking
Reviewers commend Contractor Foreman for its robust project tracking features, which streamline job, cost, and employee tracking. They find it particularly useful for monitoring progress across multiple projects, tracking time and expenses, and managing employee certifications and daily paperwork.
Email and chat communication
Users appreciate Contractor Foreman's live chat feature for quick support during business hours. However, some users express frustration with slow response times and the lack of phone support, which can hinder timely issue resolution. Some users also report difficulties in communicating effectively with the support team, leading to challenges in resolving technical problems.
Multiple Projects
4.61 category average
Project Management
4.50 category average
Reporting & Statistics
4.30 category average
Among construction management products with the most market demand, Buildxact is the most requested by users in the residential remodeling industry.
Buildxact scores highly among residential remodeling users, with particular strengths in quoting and estimating. The software’s pricing assistant determines the appropriate material and labor costs for your location and integrates with various financial software. Our reviewers say that the Buildxact pricing assistant has saved a great deal of time and made them more confident in their estimates.
“I like that I can use the take-off tool in my role as estimator to assist in the process of our extremely custom & varied business.”
Angela Froude
Senior Estimator
Used for 2+ years
We analyzed verified 156 user reviews for Builderxact to find out what actual users really think.
Quoting
Users appreciate Buildxact's quoting features. They find the quote templates particularly beneficial, allowing them to create organized and visually appealing quotes quickly. Many reviewers highlight the time-saving aspect and the ability to produce high-quality, detailed quotes that satisfy clients and help secure more work.
Costing
Reviewers have mixed feelings about Buildxact's costing features. They praise the takeoff tool for its ability to streamline costing processes; however, some users express concerns about difficulties with the client portal and back costing functionalities.
Project management
Users find Buildxact's project management features effective for managing multiple building projects. They appreciate the comprehensive estimating tools and job management capabilities, which significantly increase productivity and efficiency. Many reviewers note that the software's user-friendly interface and robust features make it easier to estimate, schedule, and stay within budget.
Multiple Projects
4.61 category average
Project Management
4.50 category average
Reporting & Statistics
4.30 category average
In our analysis of the most popular construction management products, AccuLynx is the most requested by roofing and siding industry users.
AccuLynx is a construction management software that helps simplify and streamline the work of roofing contractors. It supports sales, finance, and business management and has an on-the-go mobile app. Our reviewers enjoy the software’s all-in-one dashboards and automation features, and have special praise for the mobile app’s user-friendliness and customer support.
“We use many of the automation features which makes it very easy to keep our customers informed throughout the project and our sales team up-to-date.”
Tim Merseth
Chief Operations Officer
Used for 1-2 years
We analyzed verified 717 user reviews for AccuLynx to find out what actual users really think.
Lead tracking
Users appreciate AccuLynx's lead tracking capabilities, highlighting the ease of entering leads and organizing them efficiently. They find the lead pipeline and tracking features particularly useful for keeping track of job progress and ensuring no leads fall through the cracks.
Customer communication
Reviewers commend AccuLynx for its automation features, which facilitate seamless communication with customers and keep everyone informed throughout a project. Users also value the comprehensive customer information management, which allows them to track customer interactions, organize documents, and manage billing efficiently.
Photo uploads
Users find AccuLynx's photo upload feature beneficial for maintaining customer file consistency and storing documents and photos in one place. They appreciate the field app for its ease of use in adding photos and notes directly from the job site. However, some users experience issues with photo uploads freezing, limitations in photo editing, and problems with uploading large photos or maintaining the desired order of uploads.
Multiple Projects
4.61 category average
Project Management
4.50 category average
Reporting & Statistics
4.30 category average
Based on our analysis of the most popular construction management products, home builders request Houzz Pro most.
Houzz Pro is a comprehensive solution for home remodeling and design professionals, with functionality for estimating, scheduling, project management, invoicing, reporting, and more. The software includes advanced features like augmented reality to help users envision proposed changes and renovations. Houzz Pro also offers a learning and resource hub with articles, books, and videos so that users can stay up-to-date on the industry’s latest developments.
“It offered me strong project management tools that helped me organize & track all aspects of my projects, from initial client contact to final invoicing.”
Rita Saliba
Interior Designer - Project Manager
Used for 2+ years
We analyzed verified 959 user reviews for Houzz Pro to find out what actual users really think.
Lead generation
Users have mixed feelings about Houzz Pro's lead generation capabilities. Some users appreciate the platform's ability to acquire and track leads, often mentioning that the leads received are of high quality and have helped grow their business. However, other users express frustration with the cost and return on investment, noting that many leads are unresponsive or not aligned with their business needs, leading to wasted time and resources.
Client management
Reviewers find Houzz Pro's client management features highly beneficial for their business operations. They value the ability to communicate easily with clients, organize client information, and track project progress all in one place, which enhances client satisfaction and project efficiency.
Invoicing
Users have mixed experiences with Houzz Pro's invoicing features. They enjoy the ease of creating and managing invoices, which helps streamline their billing processes and maintain financial tracking. However, some users find the invoice system complex and cumbersome, particularly when adjusting invoices or navigating the workflow for creating purchase orders and proposals.
Multiple Projects
4.61 category average
Project Management
4.50 category average
Reporting & Statistics
4.30 category average
Jobber offers the lowest-priced paid plan among construction management products with the most market demand.
Jobber is a field service management solution for businesses offering home and commercial services. The core plan, Jobber’s budget option, costs $29 per month when paid annually, or $39 per month when billed monthly. Our reviewers praise Jobber’s cost-effectiveness, saying that the software’s “price is right” while praising its features and ease of use.
“From getting customers info at the request stage, creating quotes that collect deposits, seamless transition to work orders, to effortless collection on invoices Jobber makes running a business a lot easier then it normally is.”
David Popa
Owner
Used for 1-2 years
We analyzed verified 816 user reviews for Jobber to find out what actual users really think.
Invoicing and quoting
Users find Jobber's invoicing and quoting features highly efficient and user-friendly. They appreciate the seamless transition from quotes to work orders and invoices, which simplifies their workflow and improves cash flow. Additionally, the ability to create professional-looking invoices, batch invoicing, and automated payment reminders enhances their business operations and client interactions.
Customer service
Reviewers consistently praise Jobber's customer service for its responsiveness and helpfulness. They value the integration of customer information management and communication tools, which streamline their daily operations and improve customer satisfaction. The platform's ongoing updates and improvements, along with the dedicated support team, ensure that users feel well-supported and their needs are met promptly.
Payment processing
While users appreciate some aspects of Jobber, they express significant concerns regarding payment processing. They report frequent payment processing failures and high credit card processing fees, which impact their business operations. Additionally, issues with subscription cancellations and refund policies have led to frustration, as users find it difficult to resolve these problems efficiently.
Project Management
4.50 category average
Reporting & Statistics
4.30 category average
In our analysis of the most popular construction management products, RAKEN has the highest value-for-money rating.
RAKEN is a construction management solution with a web and mobile app that can be used at the office or in the field. Users enjoy daily progress reports and detailed time, money, equipment, and materials tracking. While pricing is available on request, our reviewers agree that cost is one of the biggest pros of RAKEN—and, for many, the deciding factor over its competitors.
“The daily reporting feature makes it easier for our site supervisors to efficiently provide clear, accurate reports.”
Kent Pihrag
Project Manager
Used for 6-12 months
We analyzed verified 228 user reviews for RAKEN to find out what actual users really think.
Daily reporting
Users appreciate RAKEN's daily reporting feature for its ease of use and ability to create accurate, detailed reports. They find it convenient to track daily activities directly from their phones, which helps streamline the reporting process and save time. Additionally, users highlight the professional appearance of the reports and the ability to share them easily with project managers and other stakeholders.
Project tracking
Reviewers find RAKEN's project tracking capabilities beneficial for payroll processing, manpower tracking, and jobsite tracking. They note that the software simplifies the process of uploading pay hours and generating reports, making payroll management more efficient.
Construction site management
Users value RAKEN for its integration of construction and management tasks, reliability, and construction inspection features. They find the software helpful for simplifying construction reports and tracking the state of work with photos. However, some users struggle with producing quality reports, ensuring clerical procedure adherence, and note the absence of a safety sign-in feature.
Multiple Projects
4.61 category average
Project Management
4.50 category average
Reporting & Statistics
4.30 category average
Based on our analysis of the most popular construction management products, Procore has the highest rating for ease of use.
Procore’s construction management software helps unify the needs of general and specialty contractors and owners under one roof. Construction firms across diverse industries have used Procore for bidding, estimating, project and workforce management, accounting, and invoicing. Our reviewers have given Procore a score of 4.4 out of 5 for its ease of use, praising the software’s user-friendly interface.
“I can have closer communication with my work team to keep track and monitor the tasks carried out, better coordination in each process from start to finish, managing to have the tasks on time for delivery, I liked it because I manage many projects in one just software that helps me have order.”
Dylan Carter
Marketing
Used for 1-2 years
We analyzed verified 2741 user reviews for Procore to find out what actual users really think.
Project management
Users find Procore invaluable for project management, particularly appreciating its ability to centralize all project documents and communication in one place. They highlight the software's robust document control and tracking features, which streamline collaboration among team members, contractors, and stakeholders. Additionally, users highlight the ease of tracking tasks and scheduling.
Construction management
Reviewers praise Procore for its comprehensive construction management capabilities, noting that it effectively streamlines workflows and improves communication. They find the software's mobile application particularly useful for managing projects on-site, allowing for efficient project delivery and real-time updates. Users appreciate Procore's ease of use, which helps them manage complex construction tasks and ensures projects are completed on time and within budget.
Email notifications
Users acknowledge the benefits of Procore's email integration and automated notifications, which facilitate communication and collaboration by keeping everyone informed. However, they express frustration with the excessive number of email notifications, which can become overwhelming and difficult to manage. Additionally, users find the email functionality lacking in flexibility, particularly when it comes to managing email addresses and sending notifications to non-registered users, which can hinder efficient communication.
Multiple Projects
4.61 category average
Project Management
4.50 category average
Reporting & Statistics
4.30 category average
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This detailed guide will help you find and buy the right construction project management software for you and your business.
Last Updated on February 04, 2025Here's what we'll cover:
What you need to know about construction management software
What is construction management software?
Essential features of construction management software
Benefits and competitive advantages of using construction management software
How to choose the best construction management software for your business
Software related to construction management software
More resources for your construction management journey
Construction management software is a tool for scheduling and tracking worker to-dos, punch lists, and client billing. These systems provide firms with the appropriate oversight and document control required to monitor requests for information (RFIs), change orders, and purchase orders so they can adhere to project budgets and timelines.
To give you an idea of the market, our site has over 500 different construction management vendors, and we’ve published more than 6,000 reviews for construction management products in the past year alone.
Our analysis of the dataset reveals that 20% of construction management software reviewers are involved in residential remodeling, while 15% are general contractors.
Most systems on the market are priced on a “per month” subscription basis as construction software pricing models can vary. Costs for popular platforms can range from around $280 per month for a basic system all the way up to around $1,200 per month for a more advanced and customized construction management software suite. As cost increases, more functionality and more users are added. [1]
First-time buyers should begin evaluating with a budget, number of users, specific use cases, and necessary integrations in mind. Ensure you've consulted with stakeholders on a list of critical questions to help you evaluate systems based on your needs, such as:
What features are available for managing project budgets, timelines, and tasks?
What types of documents does the platform support?
How easy is it to adjust schedules based on changing project demands?
Are there tools for prioritizing or categorizing projects?
Does the software support offline access on mobile devices?
Because there are so many different vendors, choosing the right option can be a long, daunting process. In this guide, you'll learn about the essential components of construction management software, get step-by-step guidance on how to choose the right solution for your business operations, and into the expertise of our experienced construction management software advisors, such as Niko Bernardone, an advisor manager, and Matthew “Cliff” Clifford, who has led buyers to the right construction management software for 15 years. Schedule a call or start a chat with us.
Construction management software manages and coordinates construction projects for contractors and builders. It offers document management, project tracking, and scheduling tools. The software can also help monitor project status, start and finish dates, budgets, and expenditures.
Various construction professionals—including project managers, architects, engineers, and developers—use construction management software to streamline project workflows, improve communication and collaboration, and increase the overall efficiency of construction projects.
All construction management tools include document, project, and scheduling features, and most share a variety of common features such as budget tracking, change order management, and timesheet management.
Each year, we speak to hundreds of construction professionals looking for construction management software and analyze their conversations to better understand which features are critical to them. Based on those discussions and analysis of our review data, here are the features we believe are core to construction management software.
Project management | Plan and coordinate all the resources, costs, and time needed to execute assignments. 92% rate this feature as critical or highly important. |
Document management | Store, manage, and track all electronic documents in a centralized location. 83% of reviewers rate this feature as critical or highly important. |
Scheduling | Plan availability and assign specific time slots for tasks and resources. 64% rate this feature as critical or highly important. |
Based on our research and conversations with construction professionals, here are the features that are common, but not absolutely necessary.
Multiple projects | Centralize project data, documents, schedules, and communication in one platform and allow for better resource allocation across construction projects. 92% of reviewers rate this feature highly. |
Task management | Organize project activities and deadlines systematically. Tasks can be prioritized and assigned to team members, ensuring clarity on project progress and responsibilities. 82% rate this feature highly. |
Mobile access | Access project information, plans, schedules, and updates instantly from anywhere to ensure everyone is working with the most current data. 80% of reviewers rate this feature highly. |
Budget tracking | Track actual spending to ensure it aligns with the planned budget. Record accurate forecasting of project costs based on past expenditures to make informed financial decisions. 71% of users rate this feature highly. |
Change order management | Track all change orders submitted across projects and update the budget to reflect the most recent costs. 66% of users rate this feature highly. |
Timesheet management | Record time spent on various project tasks and activities. Provides transparency into labor costs so managers can make informed budgeting decisions. |
Beyond these, Clifford adds that another feature that construction business owners talk about being critical for their business is the ability to generate fluid Gantt charts. A Gantt chart is a bar chart that illustrates a project schedule, and some construction management systems provide ones that automatically schedule, reschedule, and notify any affected team members.
For example, let’s say construction materials are still being shipped and don’t get to the job site on time—you have to make a call to your drywall guys and tell them that they need to wait a day. And then you’ll have to call your painters the next day to push them back. However, construction management software notifies these stakeholders through real-time updates, notifications or emails and collaborative dashboards. This automation keeps everyone informed and minimizes delays.
Scheduling view shown in construction management platform Buildertrend
For more information on construction management software features and recommendations, feel free to schedule an appointment with Clifford or one of his colleagues.
Clifford often hears from construction business owners that they’re “constantly buried in paperwork and emails, and that construction management software gives them the ability to scale their business while also minimizing the amount of time they have to spend working on administrative items.”
Construction project management (PM) software, as opposed to more general kinds of project management software, helps with construction-specific tasks, such as job costing from first contact to submittal, as well as the ability to give detailed reports that can help business owners understand trends in their work.
Adopting construction PM management software can benefit your firm in several ways, including:
Improved accountability: Document control capabilities help minimize liability by creating a virtual paper trail for plans, RFIs, change orders, submittals etc. All documentation is stored in a centralized repository with tracking and version control, so all parties know when something is added or updated.
Financial visibility: With a budgeting and cost control module in place, managers can track actual costs relative to estimates, and set up notifications to alert them if a project is in danger of exceeding the budget. If the system is integrated into accounting and job costing systems, the data will be even more accurate and offer increasingly valuable financial insights over time.
Improved collaboration: Because most construction PM systems are online, team members can collaborate even when not at the job site. Parties can review and markup plans, submit RFIs and receive responses, and execute a change order—on the web and all in real-time.
Firms that implement and make use of these systems can gain the following competitive advantages:
Scale your business: Most firms start out using manual methods—pen and paper or spreadsheets—to track projects, but eventually reach a breaking point. Either they take on more jobs, hire more people or they suffer a claim or a lawsuit from a mistake that could have been prevented. Construction PM software offers a more disciplined approach to managing projects and people.
Operate more efficiently: If you had a way to standardize processes on job sites, reduce confusion around change orders and track purchase orders and job costs, why wouldn't you use it? Construction PM software can offer this and more, helping your firm adhere to regulations and streamline communications among workers and clients. With access to a centralized repository of pictures, blueprints, punch lists and other job documentation, you can make operations more efficient and cut down on costly mistakes.
Increase the number of jobs completed on time and on budget: One of the greatest advantages these systems offer is increased visibility into estimated versus actual project costs. This transparency can help you adhere to budgets and schedules and alert managers and executives when projects are in danger of exceeding those benchmarks. Ultimately, these tools help firms complete more projects on time and on budget.
The primary issues that tend to surface with new construction management software result from poor selection and implementation processes. Many buyers see technology as a quick fix to their challenges. Only a combination of the right solution, a well-executed implementation, and an adoption process will fix their problems.
When selecting a new system, construction professionals need to reconsider their business process first, and then find the application provider that will most closely map to those processes or automate a new, more effective set of processes. They also need to get a wide set of users involved in the selection process so that each user feels invested in the new program and will adopt it when it goes live. Finally, you need to invest in proper training so that new users get up to speed on the system quickly and realize early benefits from the new system.
When you start the process of checking out potential construction management software solutions, you should detail all your requirements and categorize them based on their importance. Nice-to-have features, such as change order management, can come at the very end. Therefore, the solutions you’re considering should address all your crucial needs first.
Clifford had some advice for construction owners: “If you need a piece of software more geared for job costing, look for ones specializing in that. Whatever your main need is should be the focus of your software search.”
Before you start the construction management software selection process, begin outlining the requirements that are unique to your business. Not only will these guide you to the platform that meets your current demands—you will end up with software that supports your long-term goals as well.
The two common types of system architecture are on-premise and cloud-based. On-premise deployment involves installing the solutions on servers that are housed in your building. While this solution gives you more security because your licensing isn’t reliant on cloud-based services, it can be tiresome and expensive to maintain and upgrade the hardware over time.
On the other hand, the cloud gives users the flexibility of anytime, anywhere access, but the internet connection needs to be fast and steady all the time.
In general, most construction management software solutions are cloud-based, but on-premise solutions still exist if your business requires them.
When construction management is implemented as part of a broader suite of applications, the system will often be integrated with service management, accounting, project scheduling, document management, cost estimating, fixed asset accounting, equipment tracking, inventory management, and time tracking.
When asked what one of the most important integrations is, Advisor Manager Niko Bernardone immediately mentioned estimating software, but warned against having too many systems integrated into one.
“There are programs that do have everything, but the more applications you start to add, the more clunky the system becomes,” he says. “I recommend that business owners keep accounting, project management, and estimating software separate, but there are systems that can do all three if that’s the best solution for your business.”
When adopting a construction management system, it’s beneficial to focus on other tools that complement different areas of your business, such as construction estimating software, with integration capabilities. This allows for a seamless flow of data between the different tools used in construction projects. Changes in one tool are automatically reflected in others, maintaining accuracy and coherence throughout the project lifecycle.
With so many construction management options to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your list, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by making a list of must-have and nice-to-have features. Your must-have features should be your primary focus, and every vendor on your shortlist must include those features. Nice-to-have features are not necessary to the success of your business but might make certain aspects easier; these might be features that aren’t included in every piece of software and might cost extra.
Once you have settled your list of features, start looking at vendors. Find ones that have the right features you like, and narrow your list of potential vendors to no more than five.
For more help and information about how to select your software, check out these resources:
Make Your Software Search More Seamless With a Software Advisor
After Your Advisor Call: 4 Tips to Keep Your Software Purchase on Track
At Software Advice, our advisors have experience helping hundreds of construction professionals identify solutions that match their needs and budgets.
If you need guidance, you can chat online now with an advisor or schedule a phone call. In just a few minutes, your advisor will help you identify a shortlist of options that align with your practice’s requirements.
You’ve compiled a list of your top choices, so now you need to start scheduling vendor demos. During your demos, you can explore features, understand pricing better, and ultimately make the right choice for your business. However, don’t go into these vendor demos without a plan, or you will be wasting your time.
Once you’ve compiled your shortlist of construction management software systems, schedule demo sessions with each vendor in order to learn more about their product. Our advisors are often able to schedule these for you. This is your chance to ask questions about specific features they offer, pricing, technical support, training tools, and anything else that might be an important factor in choosing the right system.
Some questions you should consider asking vendors in each demo include:
What kind of customer support do you offer during implementation?
How easy is it to track equipment and inventory in your system?
How can you migrate existing data to the tool?
What accounting integrations do you offer?
Does your product offer or include support for building information modeling (BIM) technology?
Does your product include a mobile app?
What is your typical response time for support requests?
Is there a limit to the number of email notifications that can be sent or received?
Can forms be customized (e.g., branding, fields and logic, etc.)?
"Construction software" refers to a class of applications that help firms manage the entire project lifecycle, from pre-sale through the actual build process and onto final billing. Increasingly, firms are looking to purchase an integrated software suite to help them manage this entire process.
However, if you choose to use a best-of-breed construction PM system, you'll need to know about the software related to this process to ensure each system can integrate and transfer data between applications.
Takeoff software: Takeoff is a pre-sale process in which the estimator measures construction plans (blueprints and drawings) to determine the amount of materials and labor required for a job. Takeoff software is commonly sold as a standalone application or grouped together with estimating. It is less common to find takeoff within a construction PM tool.
Construction estimating software: Another pre-sale process, construction estimating software calculates the costs for the material and labor takeoff and then produces detailed bid proposals from those estimates. Sold either as a standalone system or grouped with takeoff, it's less common for estimating to be included within a construction PM system unless, of course, each application is included as part of a comprehensive, integrated suite.
Construction bidding software: Bid management, wherein a contractor solicits bids from subcontractors and suppliers before submitting a job quote to a building owner, is a process that, in part, bridges the gap between pre-sale and project management. As such, bidding can be found as an application within many construction PM systems or can be purchased as standalone software.
Construction accounting software: Construction accounting software helps firms manage their job costing, core accounting, fixed asset accounting, and payroll. It's common to find some job costing and budgeting in construction PM software; however, if the PM systems you're evaluating don't offer core accounting, you should look for integrations with general accounting systems, such as QuickBooks or Xero.
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Laura Burgess is a content analyst at Software Advice with more than a decade of journalism experience and particular knowledge of human resources-related topics.
Laura’s research and analysis is informed by more than 350,000 authentic user reviews on Software Advice and over 60,000 interactions between Software Advice software advisors and software buyers. Laura also regularly analyzes market sentiment by conducting surveys of business leaders in the HR, sales, and construction tech spaces so she can provide the most up-to-date and helpful information to small and midsize businesses purchasing software or services.
She has written for various industries on technology trends. Laura's research has been featured in Australian publications such as ABC News, HR Leader, Inside Retail, Dynamic Business, Retail Biz, and Technology Decisions. She has also appeared in various news segments on Ticker News, Channel 9 News, and SBS Mandarin, quoting her research.
When Laura isn't helping small to midsize businesses with insight on tech trends, she enjoys traveling and seeing her favorite music artists live.
Caroline Rousseau is a content editor at Software Advice.
A former content analyst, Caroline has, for the past five years, built, written and edited research reports about technological trends, opportunities, and challenges with a SMB audience in mind. Her content has been featured in French Tier 1 media including Le Monde, L’Express and Le Figaro, among other publications.
Her previous experience as a graphic designer, translator and LQA specialist in various industries converged into a skill set that allows her to create compelling content about today’s business matters. Caroline’s personal interests include literature and art and she has a passion for Albert Camus, graphic novels and drawing.
Niko Bernardone is an advisor manager. He joined Software Advice in 2020 as a software advisor, and now he manages a team of eight software advisors. He is based in Fort Myers, FL.
Niko and his team help small businesses find the right accounting, project management, manufacturing, and learning management software for their needs each year. They’re able to do this through one-to-one conversations designed to narrow down the list of potential tools to only those that are the best fit.
His favorite part of being a Software Advice advisor team manager is the opportunity to help buyers navigate complex issues and help them find the solutions that drive the results they need.
Matthew Clifford is a software advisor. He joined Software Advice in 2023, and he is based in Fort Myers, FL.
Matthew works directly with small-business leaders to connect them with best fit software providers. He assesses the technology needs of small businesses seeking construction and field service software through one-to-one conversations and provides a short list of potential matches.
For Matthew, the most enjoyable part of being a software advisor is getting to help buyers determine the best fit for them among the overwhelming amount of products on the market.
Software Advice software pricing data: Products evaluated for the pricing calculation were taken from our construction software directory. The pricing ranges exclude freemium versions of the products. The features highlighted were identified based on their relevance and the percentage of products in our directory that offer them.
Software Advice advisor call notes: Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Software Advice’s advisor team had with small-to-midsize businesses seeking general contractor tools. For this report, we analyzed phone interactions up until the date of production. Read the complete methodology.
Software Advice reviews data: Software Advice reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. For this report, we analyzed reviews from October, 2023 to October, 2024.
Contractors use manual methods like calendars and spreadsheets, general project management software tools, or construction-specific software tools to manage their projects efficiently and effectively. These tools can improve project coordination and maintain project budgets. The choice of software often depends on the specific needs and size of the project, as well as the types of services offered by the contractor.
As you might guess, construction management software is the most used type of software in construction management. However, construction estimating, takeoff, accounting, and general project management software are also typically used within the industry. These tools optimize project timelines, track costs, and improve cross-team collaboration.
According to our analysis of products with high market demand and reviews, Autodesk Construction Cloud has the highest overall customer rating from verified reviewers on Software Advice. The construction platform is a good fit for project managers and general contractors, as it offers project tracking and document management capabilities throughout the project lifecycle.
Construction platforms offer project tracking and document management capabilities throughout the project lifecycle. According to our analysis of products with high market demand and reviews, Contractor Foreman is most requested by general contractors, Buildxact for residential remodelling, AccuLynx for roofing and siding, and Houzz Pro is most requested by home builders.
Most construction management software on the market are priced on a per user, per month subscription basis. Popular platforms can range from about $200 per month for a basic system to around $1,200 per month for a mid-tier, and up to nearly $2,000 per month for a more advanced and customized construction management software suite. As the cost increases, more features and users are added.