14 Must-Have Software and Tools for Modern Construction Businesses

If you want your construction business to stay competitive, investing in tech and software will be a necessity and not a supplementary option. With that in mind, here are some must-have software and tools that any modern construction company should have.

Estimating and Takeoff Tools

Let’s first cover some examples of construction estimate software that can help create accurate construction costs for your potential customers. Here are some examples:

1. Bluebeam Revu

One of the most popular software for more accurate takeoff and estimating would be Bluebeam Revu.

Bluebeam Revu has a discerning takeoff ability that makes it easier to provide an accurate estimate of how much your construction projects are going to cost. This software makes collaboration more manageable as you can leave markups and edit PDFs easily and in real time.

Also, the measurement tools available in the software itself are accurate, which is how they can create precise project planning calculations. You can then show your potential clients accurate estimates so you don’t surprise them by underestimating the project’s costs.

Right now, the lowest pricing tier of Bluebeam Revu starts at $240/user in their Basic plan annually.

2. ProEst

With reliable cost-estimating software, you can have a continuous pipeline of projects you’re working on. But if you want your cost estimators to win those bids for you, they need to use estimating and takeoff tools like ProEst to make getting more competitive bids in real time more accessible.

This cloud-based platform will make collaborating on these calculations and measurements easier. It can also provide reports that would analyze the previous bids that you’ve made so you can tweak your approaches moving forward.

To get an accurate estimate of the pricing for ProEst, you will need to contact their implementation expert. Some online reviews say that it costs around $5,000 per year.

3. STACK

Another cloud-based software for takeoff and estimating needs would be STACK.

Its versatile software can accommodate different types of people in the construction industry, like subcontractors, general contractors, suppliers, distributors, and more.

With this tool, you can get fast and accurate measurements and create templates while going as detailed as possible with the costs. You can also create client proposals faster with the help of this tool so that you can send out bids to potential clients faster.

This tool will cost you around $2,499/year per user.

Project Management Software

Construction projects require you to juggle multiple moving parts at the same time. With the help of project management software, you can easily manage this complicated coordination.

Here are some examples of tools to try:

4. Buildertrend

Buildertrend is a valuable customer relationship management or CRM software that will make dealing with all client communications in one place much more accessible. One great example of how you can use that ability is by giving your daily logs that your clients can look at to see how the construction project is going.

You can also use this to track other things like material orders, equipment, and every other aspect of managing your construction project.

5. Monday.com

A popular project management software that isn’t just for use in the construction industry would be monday.com.

You can use this tool for planning. For example, you can set timelines, goals, and your company’s objectives for each quarter. It’s also a helpful tool for organizing the day-to-day tasks of your projects, assigning the right tasks, and ensuring that everything is going promptly.

What’s excellent about Monday is that its interface isn’t complicated, so you can intuitively use it if you’re interested in implementing it soon.

6. ClickUp

ClickUp is another popular project management software even outside the construction industry.

This tool has everything you need to manage projects, like an overview of timelines, projects, goals, and task management. What’s extra great about ClickUp is that they come with an app, so your crew doesn’t have to rely on a laptop or desktop to be able to use the project management tool.

Since some of your crew would be in the field rather than the offices, the app can be helpful for mobility.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software

If you’re looking for software to help you create structural details or product specifications, then building information modeling software will be a huge help. Here are some examples of BIM software to try:

7. Autodesk Revit

Part of preplanning would be to design the infrastructure and buildings, and Autodesk Revit can be a helpful tool. Not only can you make 3D plans, but you can also collaborate more easily with other designers through this software.

Your team can also have a single data environment, which makes it convenient to plan accordingly and consistently across your multidisciplinary teams.

8. AutoCAD

AutoCAD is one of the most beloved design and BIM tools in the construction industry.

Not only does AutoCAD provide you with the ability to design from scratch, but it has libraries of various features that you can use for your design. Its comprehensive library makes it much easier to be as specific and accurate with your designs.

9. Archicad

Archicad is a useful BIM tool that would be the perfect companion for architects.

This software is more intuitive than many other BIM options, so it’s user-friendly, making it easier to integrate for your team. This tool will help with design needs and be a helpful project management tool, given some of its built-in tools that deal with this task.

The lowest price of this tool starts at $33.33 + tax/month.

Construction Scheduling Software

As mentioned earlier, construction projects are complicated and have many moving parts. One of the issues would be the scheduling conflicts you want to avoid with deliveries, workforce, construction equipment, etc. With the help of construction scheduling software, you can easily schedule these things and avoid conflicts.

Here are some examples of construction scheduling software:

10. ProjectManager

ProjectManager is one of the most comprehensive construction scheduling software because it will help with vigorous plans for your projects. It will help with task management, and you can view how many tasks are ongoing, completed, or haven’t even started yet. They also have an app version, so your team in the field can still use the app even when they’re not in the office.

The lowest price for this software would be $13/user per month if you pay it off annually.

11. GanttPRO

If Gantt charts are the most effective way to schedule project timelines for your construction projects, then the tool that will be most helpful to you is GanttPRO.

With GanttPRO, you can have an intuitive Gantt chart to help you visualize how timely you and your teams are with your construction projects. You can also create separate publicly shown Gantt charts for your clients without giving them access to your in-house Gantt charts.

The price of this software starts as low as $7.99/user per month if you have five users on board.

12. CoConstruct

CoConstruct is an overall construction project management software, but its scheduling abilities are worth noting.

This tool has a built-in timesheet management system so you can clock in and out. That way, tracking who has entered your construction site’s offices and critical sections is more manageable.

Aside from that, it has a Gantt chart ability that connects with various calendar tools such as Google Calendar and Outlook. That way, you can ensure that schedules are appropriately aligned.

Financial and Accounting Software

You want to ensure that your accounting is on point to avoid any potential setbacks due to poor financial decisions. You can get economic and accounting software to help you with that.

These are some examples of such software that your construction company may need:

13. Jonas Premier

Jonas Premier is a comprehensive accounting system that can help you process and generate billing reports faster without compromising accuracy.

Since this software relates to your company’s finances, it makes sense that accounting software should also care about security. Luckily, Jonas Premier also has secure cloud-based storage so that you can avoid unwanted people from accessing these financing reports.

14. QuickBooks

One of the most beloved and well-used accounting software for various industries would be QuickBooks.

QuickBooks also has an angle explicitly catering to those in the construction industry. They can help identify which construction projects should be in your attention based on profitability. They can also track overall costs, and at the end, they can give an overall report so you can better see how you have managed your costs.

Your accounting team can also use this tool to keep track of payments for your team and any necessary tax filings.

Conclusion

All these tools can create a practical tech ecosystem that your construction company can rely on to help you be more efficient in your projects without reducing the quality of work. So, if you plan on reinvesting in your construction company, consider adding these software tools to your team’s digital toolkit.

About the Author

Marcus Lowes is a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the construction industry. He has spearheaded the development of numerous high-profile projects, ranging from commercial properties to luxury residential homes. His expertise in sustainable building practices and innovative construction technologies has positioned him as a leader in the field, earning numerous awards for design excellence and environmental stewardship.