Top Apps for Construction Businesses: Boost Efficiency
Staying organized in the modern construction industry is key to success. Fortunately, the best apps for the construction business are available to enhance that productivity. From project management to scheduling, they optimize contractors’ workflows. We’ll explore the best time tracking software for the construction business, helping you find out what is the best app for contractors. You can also look for mobile apps for construction that fit your specific needs. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or just starting, finding the right app can make all the difference in boosting your bottom line.
Key Criteria for Choosing the Best Apps for Construction Business
🏗️ Functionality: Ensure the general contractor apps offer basic features like PM and scheduling.
💼 Ease of use: Opt for intuitive navigation to minimize training time.
📱 Mobile compatibility: Look for a mobile app for the construction industry for on-the-go access.
🛠️ Integration: Choose tools that integrate with your existing software ecosystem for enhanced efficiency.
🛡️ Security: Select apps for general contractors that safeguard sensitive project data.
⭐ Reviews & recommendations: Lastly, rely on unbiased reviews from trusted sources to gauge reliability.
🚫 No paid entries: Our recommendations are based on merit. We don’t accept paid entries to maintain impartiality.
Comparison Table
| Tool | Pricing | Key Features | Pros | Cons | Free Trial |
| Everhour | Free or $8.50/month per user | Time tracking, project budgeting, reporting | Flexible time tracking, robust reporting | Learning curve for new users | Yes |
| Shifts | Subscription-based pricing | Schedule management, resource allocation | Seamless integration with Everhour, intuitive UI | May lack some advanced features | Yes |
| ClockShark | Starting at $15/month per user | Mobile time tracking, GPS tracking, project/task tracking | User-friendly mobile app, detailed reporting | Some users may find pricing high | Yes |
| Simpro | Custom pricing | Project management, job costing, invoicing | Comprehensive features, scalable for large businesses | High cost, may be complex for small teams | Yes |
| LetsBuild | Custom pricing | Construction planning, progress tracking, quality management | Real-time collaboration, detailed progress tracking | Expensive for small businesses | Yes |
| Magicplan | Free or premium plans starting at $9.99/month | 3D floor plans, virtual tours, material lists | User-friendly interface, versatile functionality | Limited features in free version | Yes |
| Safety Meeting | Free or premium plans starting at $19/month | Safety meeting management, incident reporting | Comprehensive safety features, customizable templates | Limited features in free version | Yes |
| DroneDeploy | Custom pricing | Drone mapping, aerial insights, progress tracking | Advanced drone capabilities, detailed analytics | High cost, specialized for drone use | Yes |
| ShareMyToolbox | Starting at $5/month per user | Tool inventory management, asset tracking | Simple interface, easy tool tracking | Basic features compared to competitors | Yes |
| Fieldwire | Starting at $29/month per user | Task management, plan viewing, issue tracking | Intuitive interface, robust collaboration features | May be expensive for small teams | Yes |
| SmartBid | Contact for pricing | Bid management, subcontractor management | Comprehensive bid management tools | Custom pricing can be expensive | Yes |
Best Apps for Construction Business: Top 11 Solutions
1. Everhour
❓ Best for: construction businesses seeking a time tracker that integrates with project management tools and provides efficient resource allocation & best app for small construction businesses.
Everhour is one of the best contractors and manufacturing time tracking software tools. With its countless integrations with tools such as Asana, Basecamp, and Jira, this time tracking software for contractors streamlines time management processes. It allows construction teams to focus more on project execution and less on administrative tasks.
Key features
- Time tracking: Precise time tracking capabilities such as a work hours tracker and a timesheet app. Construction workers can log hours spent on various tasks and projects accurately.
- Project management: With PM tools, Everhour helps organize tasks, set deadlines, and track progress.
- Budgeting: Construction businesses can set budgets, track expenses, and manage costs.
- Reporting and analytics: Furthermore, detailed reports and analytics deliver insights into project performance.
- Integration: Everhour integrates with popular platforms like Trello, Asana, Notion, Pipedrive (being one of the best integrations for Pipedrive time tracking), and Basecamp.
Pricing
- Free plan with basic time tracking features for up to 5 users.
- The Team plan is $8.50 per user per month. Includes advanced time tracking, project management, and reporting features.
2. Shifts by Everhour
❓ Best for: Construction businesses that want to optimize their scheduling processes and staffing.
Shifts by Everhour offers a holistic solution for workforce management. It is tailored to enhance scheduling and optimize staffing within the construction sector. Construction teams can manage shifts, allocate resources, and ultimately enhance project outcomes.
Key features
- Shift scheduling: As one of the best scheduling apps for small businesses, Shifts offers flexible shift scheduling tools. They allow construction managers to create, manage, and assign shifts with ease.
- Employee availability: Construction teams can manage employee availability and preferences. This ensures optimal staffing levels and effective resource allocation. Managers can accommodate individual schedules and preferences, enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity.
- Real-time communication: A construction communication app eases communication between managers and team members. With Shifts, managers can communicate shift details and changes, ensuring everyone stays informed.
- Mobile accessibility: It allows managers and employees to access schedules on the go. Whether in the field or on-site, mobile access ensures efficient scheduling and collaboration.
Pricing
Free.
3. ClockShark
❓ Best for: self-employed individuals and small businesses
ClockShark is a dedicated solution that meets the needs of small businesses in the construction industry. It offers a complex solution for tracking time, managing projects, and streamlining operations.
Key features
- Mobile time tracking: With the mobile app, employees can clock in and out, log breaks, and track time against specific projects and tasks.
- GPS and geofencing: Businesses can track employee movements and ensure they are working at designated job sites.
- Project and task tracking: Users can divide time between projects and tasks, which els precise billing. Businesses can track time spent on different activities and allocate resources efficiently.
- Time off management: Submit time-off requests directly through the app. Managers can easily review and approve requests, streamlining the leave management process.
Pricing
Plans start at $20 per user per month.
4. SimPRO
❓ Best for: Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, security, and maintenance services
SimPRO is a cloud-based job management software for trade and service businesses. It simplifies day-to-day tasks for businesses in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and maintenance services.
Key features
- Quoting and estimating: Create professional quotes and estimates, including materials and labor.
- Job scheduling: Schedule jobs for field technicians, ensuring timely service delivery.
- Project management: Manage projects from start to finish and communicate with team members in real-time.
- Invoicing and billing: Generate invoices based on completed jobs or progress billing. Streamline the billing process for faster payments.
- Inventory management: Track stock levels to ensure the right materials are available.
Pricing
Custom.
5. LetsBuild
❓ Best for: Construction companies and project teams
LetsBuild is a construction project management platform for improved efficiency on construction sites. It aims to streamline construction processes, reduce delays, and improve project outcomes.
Key features
- Task management: Assign tasks, track progress, and manage deadlines.
- Daily reports: Create and share daily reports to identify issues and inform all stakeholders about the project’s status.
- Quality and safety inspections: Conduct inspections using customizable checklists. This ensures compliance with regulations and standards.
- Document management: Organize project documents, drawings, plans, and specifications in a centralized repository.
- Schedule management: Manage project schedules, track milestones, and adjust timelines as needed.
- Photo documentation: Annotate the construction site photos to document progress and highlight issues.
- Integration with BIM: Information Modeling software enhances the visualization of construction projects.
Pricing
Custom.
6. Magicplan
❓ Best for: creating floor plans, conducting virtual tours, and estimating project costs.
Magicplan is a versatile floor plan and interior design app. It allows users to create floor plans, conduct virtual tours, and estimate project costs. It is a valuable tool for architects, interior designers, contractors, and homeowners alike.
Key features
- Floor plan creation: Create accurate floor plans by taking pictures of rooms and spaces using your smartphone or tablet.
- Virtual tours: Generate 3D property tours to show designs and renovations to clients & stakeholders.
- Project estimation: Input measurements and specify materials in the app.
- Integration with CAD software: Export floor plans and project data to popular CAD software for further editing.
- Augmented reality (AR): Use AR technology to visualize furniture, fixtures, and finishes within a space.
- Room scanning: Scan rooms to capture detailed measurements, including dimensions, angles, and surfaces.
Pricing
- Free plan
- Paid plans range from $9.99/month up to $89.99/month
7. Safety Meeting
❓ Best for: enhancing safety culture and streamlining safety meetings and inspections.
Safety Meeting is a comprehensive safety management software. It’s perfect for safety meetings, inspections, and incident reporting in the construction industry. Focusing on risk mitigation, Safety Meeting helps construction companies prioritize worker safety.
Key features
- Meeting management: Schedule, organize, and conduct safety meetings with ease. Ensure that all relevant topics are covered and documented.
- Inspection checklist: Create customizable inspection checklists. Assess job site hazards, equipment safety, and compliance with safety regulations.
- Incident reporting: Allow workers to report hazards and incidents using a mobile app.
- Safety training: Deliver safety training materials, videos, and resources to employees. Ensure they are properly trained and informed about safety protocols and procedures.
- Regulatory compliance: Stay updated with OSHA by accessing built-in compliance tools and resources.
Pricing
- Free trial
- Paid subscriptions range from $199 to $1169.
8. DroneDeploy
❓ Best for: leveraging drone technology for site surveying, mapping, and progress monitoring.
DroneDeploy is a leading drone mapping and analytics platform. It enables users to capture, process, and analyze aerial data for construction, agriculture, and mining. It revolutionizes site surveying, mapping, and progress tracking for construction projects.
Key features
- Aerial mapping: Capture HQ aerial imagery and create detailed maps, 3D models, and point clouds of construction sites. Provide valuable insights into project progress and site conditions.
- Flight planning: Plan drone flights. Use tools that allow users to define flight paths, altitude, and image capture settings.
- Data processing: Process drone-captured data into maps, orthomosaics, and digital elevation models (DEMs).
- Integration: Integrate leading construction software platforms, such as Procore and Autodesk BIM 360. Streamline workflows and share drone data with project stakeholders.
- Mobile app: DroneDeploy is among the best mobile apps for the construction industry that allows you to work on the go. Plan flights, capture data, and view maps directly from their mobile devices.
Pricing
From $329/month.
❓ Best for: streamlining tool management, improving accountability, and reducing tool loss on sites
Another cloud-based tool on the list, ShareMyToolbox is one of the best contractor apps. It covers tool management and inventory tracking for construction businesses. ShareMyToolbox reduces tool loss, improves accountability, and increases productivity on job sites.
Key features
- Tool inventory management: Maintain a digital inventory of tools, equipment, and assets. Include details such as serial numbers, purchase dates, and maintenance records.
- Tool check-in/check-out: Allow employees to check tools in and out using the ShareMyToolbox mobile app.
- Maintenance scheduling: Schedule routine maintenance for equipment to ensure safety compliance and longevity.
- Tool tracking and location: Track the real-time location of tools and equipment using QR codes, RFID tags, or GPS tracking devices. Minimize loss and theft and optimize resource allocation.
- Integration with accounting software: Integrate with QuickBooks and Xero to streamline financial reporting.
Pricing
$80/monthly for the first user with $10 for each additional user.
10. Fieldwire
❓ Best for: improving collaboration and productivity on projects of any size or complexity.
Fieldwire streamlines project collaboration, task management, and document control for construction teams. Moreover, it helps construction professionals coordinate tasks, communicate, and manage data in real-time.
Key features
- Plan viewing: View and markup project plans and blueprints directly within the Fieldwire platform.
- Document management: Organize documents in a centralized repository accessible to all team members.
- Issue tracking: Identify and track project issues, defects, and discrepancies using customizable tools.
- Daily reporting: Allow field teams to submit progress reports, field notes, and photos from the Fieldwire mobile app.
Pricing
The Basic plan is free, subscription-based plans start at £33 per user/month.
11. SmartBid
❓ Best for: bid management process.
Lastly, SmartBid is a leading construction bid management software. Its primary focus is on the bidding process for general (sub)contractors. It helps construction professionals manage bids, solicit subcontractor quotes, and evaluate project proposals.
Key features
- Bid management: Create, organize, and manage bid packages and documents in one place.
- Subcontractor management: Subcontractors can bid on projects and manage their submissions and performance.
- Bid solicitation: Send bid invitations to subcontractors and suppliers. Track their responses, and compare bids side by side to evaluate costs, qualifications, and scope of work.
- Document control: Control bid documents, specifications, and addenda by managing document versions, revisions, and updates.
- Integrations: Integrate SmartBid with leading construction software platforms, such as Procore and Autodesk BIM 360.
Pricing
Custom.
FAQs: Best Apps for Construction Business
1. What are construction apps?
Construction apps are software and mobile construction apps designed for the construction industry. They streamline various aspects of project management, communication, collaboration, and productivity.
2. How can construction apps benefit my business?
Construction apps can also benefit your business by improving project management and organization. They increase productivity and efficiency, and better resource allocation and cost control.
3. What types of construction apps are available?
Obviously, there are various types of construction apps available. There are apps for project management, task management, scheduling, document management and sharing, safety and compliance, equipment and inventory management, and many others.
4. How do I choose the right construction app for my business?
When choosing a construction app for your business, consider factors such as your specific business needs, the app functionality, compatibility with your existing software, ease of use, and pricing.
5. Can I integrate construction apps with other software or tools?
The best apps for the construction business often integrate with other software used in construction. For example, project management platforms, accounting software, scheduling tools, and document management systems. Integrations allow the sharing of data, workflow automation, or efficiency and productivity enhancement.
Best Apps for the Construction Business: Conclusion
In conclusion, many best apps for the construction business address many needs particular to the industry. From PM to safety compliance, these apps enhance productivity, efficiency, and project success. Among the options here, Everhour and Shifts take the top. Both offer rich functionality, easy UI, and great integrations that will help optimize the performance of your team.
In case you’re looking for a seamless way to improve shift planning, Shifts by Everhour is the perfect solution. Real-time monitoring, easy scheduling, and mobile accessibility make your workforce management much simpler.
