The software for general contractors and builders is one of the fastest growing spaces because contractors and builders need something to manage their company’s projects. At Clear Concepts we provide software for general contractors and builders. Your needs are important to us, so our team spent months reviewing software from all over the world.
Here are the best softwares for contractors. They pay best.
EasyBuild
EasyBuild is a construction ERP solution that can easily oversee construction projects from end-to-end. On the contract end, EasyBuild offers a customer relationship management (CRM) and document management module built right into the system, so that workers can attach notes and contracts with clients. The construction software also allows subcontractor document management. Each of these contract management systems are easily searchable; you won’t ever lose your contracts in your sea of contacts.
Pros: Document scanning software, high-quality debtor reporting, and the software acts as a complete end-to-end solution.
Cons: Only runs on Windows, only available in English, and a limited number of reviews, so there isn’t a lot of customer feedback for this software just yet.
Price: Starts at $2,000 per user.
Eque2 EVision
EVision bills itself as construction accounting software, but it’s much more than that. The product is based off of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft’s ERP system for small and mid-sized businesses, so it integrates with all of your Microsoft products. One cool feature that EVision offers is embedded reporting. I talked with Chloe Leigh, EVision’s marketing director, who explained, “Embedded Excel reporting tools allow you to create and deliver reports in your own format and are directly linked to source data.” For construction companies with lots of interconnected data that are tied to contracts, this organizational tool definitely stands out.
Pros: The whole system covers everything from project management to cost control. Users can easily run reports and find out which contracts affect the operational and financial health of their construction company.
Cons: Pricey, to the point where small and midsize companies may do better with a cheaper option.
Price: Starts at £50,000 (about $63,000).
Explorer Eclipse
Explorer Software doubled down on DocPro, the document management feature of this construction management software solution. The end result is pretty cool; documents are tagged with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and GPS tagging so users can tag, file, store, and find important documents easily—regardless of if they were initially electronic or not. As an important addition feature, when documents are updated, all related items are updated as well. Explorer Software is an awesome option for heavy construction, general contractors, specialty contractors, sub-trades, architects, and engineers.
Pros: Full ERP solution; Explorer Software doesn’t rely on plugins to function well. Outstanding customer service and in-depth reporting features.
Cons: Requires an extra spend for the document manager and business analytics units. Website is incredibly opaque to new buyers looking for information.
Price: One-time fee of $30,000.
Fluid Contract Manager
This cloud-based, mobile contract manager is built just for construction managers. The software helps you to create documents and contracts with simple templates, as well as store communication and documentation in the cloud for access anywhere. Your subcontractors, stakeholders and employees will receive contracts and documents directly, and respond either through the system or via email. The software also allows you to make and track changes to projections and contracts, with every date-stamped so you know where things stand at any given moment.
Pros: Reviewers said the software was simple to use and made organization of documents easy, in addition to providing clear indication of who is responsible for what on a project. Users also praised Fluid’s customer service and price point.
Cons: Fluid Contract Manager has a relatively low number of reviews, so the sample size is small. Two of the users indicated they would like to have seen more features and functionality in the platform.
Price: Your first two projects for free, then it’s $99 per month afterward for unlimited users and unlimited projects.
GenieBelt
GenieBelt stands out as a personal favorite of mine because they have a free version, are extraordinarily easy to use, are consistent in offering high-quality customer support, and are hell-bent on reforming construction. They are more focused on the middle and smaller range of construction businesses, claiming that they’re best for companies between 5 and 299 contractors. For contract management, their document management system automatically creates a new folder for each project served. The system provides a full audit trail and differing permissions levels, so everyone involved in the project stay informed.
Pros: Intuitive for all users, easily track contracts with a Gantt layout, full-featured mobile app for iOS and Android, well priced. With over 100 reviews, reviewers tend to be happy with the overall product.
Cons: Isn’t a full ERP solution, meaning that it’s missing some features found on other options in this review (ex: accounting) nor does it offer the functionality to sync with third-party solutions.
Price: Starts at $50 per month and scales with project size and plan type.
Goldenseal by Turtle Creek Software
If your construction business is on the smaller end, consider Goldenseal. The Mac- and Windows-compatible construction management software is locally-hosted, so you can be assured that all of your information is kept safely in house. The software’s database manages the existing status of your contracts and continually updates it. You can use Goldenseal to not only balance your contracts with your clients, but also with your subcontractors and heavy-machine rentals. The software is integrated with accounting and estimating features. While it’s not a complete construction ERP software, Goldenseal will definitely get the job done at a cheaper price point than any other solution on this list.
Pros: Reviewers rave about their satisfaction with the software, excellent software option for companies with a limited budget, provides full construction management functionality.
Cons: Website is off-putting and software startup can take a while.
Price: Fixed at $395.
CMiC (Best Overall)
CMiCBest Overall Get Price Watch Demo
CMiC is an excellent all-around software for your construction accounting and financial management needs. CMiC’s construction-specific accounting systems include core functionality around budgeting, corporate and project forecasting, general ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Further, CMiC includes robust tools for project management, human capital management, and asset management. CMiC combines all of the business’s data into a single database that allows users to generate a variety of sophisticated reports that help shed light on project costs and minimize potential risks.
CMiC is offered as both a cloud-based and on-premise solution. With either option, CMiC is able to provide in-depth training to help facilitate the transition to the new system. CMiC also has a strong customer support operation and an extensive library of on-demand reference materials for users to answer questions or troubleshoot themselves.
CMiC also has the benefit of being a scalable solution, just as useful for small construction businesses as it is for larger organizations—and with hundreds of customers at different sizes in the market. While you need to contact CMiC for pricing information, CMiC is a highly customizable solution and its different options for features and deployment help ensure that you can scale it to your business’s needs.
CMiC’s focus on and deep knowledge of the construction industry, strong collection of features, flexibility, and appropriateness for companies of all sizes makes it our Best Overall pick.
FOUNDATION (Runner-Up)
FOUNDATIONRunner-Up
Started in 1985, FOUNDATION is one of the best construction accounting software vendors available. FOUNDATION offers robust features with a wide range of modules for businesses of all sizes. Like many other construction accounting software options, FOUNDATION’s base modules include job costing, payroll, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and purchase order/subcontractor management.
FOUNDATION goes further with the comprehensiveness of additional modules for project management, scheduling, inventory and equipment tracking, document imaging, and many other aspects of construction financial management. Another benefit of FOUNDATION is its integration with DataGenie, which strengthens FOUNDATION’s functionality around reporting. FOUNDATION offers a number of predefined reports, but DataGenie offers the ability to easily customize and design your own reports.
FOUNDATION is also well-regarded for its customer service, with industry expertise, quick response times, and helpfulness in resolving problems. With so many different features and modules available, this customer support can help you and your team members make sure that you are maximizing the software.
FOUNDATION’s customizability means that its pricing will vary according to your specific needs. You should contact a FOUNDATION sales representative to help determine which modules are right for you and get a quote for your customized package.
FOUNDATION’s strong features and customer service make it one of our leading picks for construction accounting software.
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (Best for Construction Accounting & Project Management)
Sage 300 CREBest for Accounting & Project ManagementGet PriceWatch Demo
With thousands of customers, Sage 300 CRE is one of the most prominent tools available on the market, supporting complex financial management needs for midsize and large construction firms. Sage 300 CRE distinguishes itself with a full suite of features that include sophisticated accounting tools and reports for job costing, payroll and HR, and billing and invoicing, along with features for estimating, document management, project management, and business intelligence. Sage also has a well-regarded customer support team who can help ensure that your business makes the best use of Sage 300 CRE’s many tools and features.
Sage 300 CRE’s comprehensive tools come at a fairly high price, which means that it may not be a good fit for smaller companies. While exact pricing will depend on factors specific to your business, Sage 300 CRE can easily cost thousands of dollars per year between implementation and ongoing subscription fees. But for larger companies with complex operations who are looking for some of the most comprehensive accounting and financial management tools in the industry, Sage 300 CRE is an excellent choice.
Jonas Enterprise (Best for Enterprise Customers)
Jonas EnterpriseBest for Enterprise CustomersGet PriceWatch Demo
For large companies looking to add construction accounting software that will meet the complex business needs of multiple simultaneous projects running in various states and localities, Jonas Enterprise is a good pick. Jonas Enterprise is tailored toward commercial construction companies. In addition to the essential job costing elements included in construction accounting software, Jonas Enterprise also has modules suited to general contracting and specialized building trades alike.
Jonas Enterprise can be installed on-premise with a Windows operating system or as a cloud-based service, depending on the company’s preference. They offer a variety of training during implementation like training videos, lectures, webinars, and documentation. They also have 24/7 customer support hotlines and emailed support.
Jonas Enterprise can be costly, with an implementation fee of $20,000 and per-user subscription costs of $200 per month or more. However, as a comprehensive solution for many aspects of construction management, Jonas Enterprise is a worthwhile pick for larger companies and our choice for Best for Enterprise Customers.
Hygger
Hygger is a new generation of project management tools for product makers. The outstanding platform with built-in prioritization, tasks lists, custom fields, and multiple projects support perfectly suits for construction projects of any size and format.
Construction project managers are fond of using this tool that helps them to create and share high-level roadmaps, prioritize ideas and features, and execute their tasks on Kanban boards (or Scrum boards) or tasks lists. They can track and manage performance and balance resources through a convenient workload view.
Hygger also offers visual timelines where construction project managers can visualize plans and schedules, set dependencies in real-time, and do adjustments to keep construction people on track.
The solution has a set of comprehensive integrations. All the features and capabilities provided by Hygger.io are meant to give you the flexibility you need to effectively manage your construction team and outstanding projects.
Procore
This project management software is designed specifically for the construction industry. Signing in, you get the latest web technologies to provide a powerful and secure cloud-based app.
Procore enhances teams to manage multiple projects and lets users track progress across devices.
Here you will find common project management features as well as specific tools including a drawing management system or a change order tool.
Procore construction project management app keeps everyone on the same page without requiring extra skills and special knowledge.
PlanGrid
PlanGrid proposes construction project managers to use complex tools to meet all construction project management needs.
This construction project manager software provides contractors, managers, owners, and architects with access to information in real-time, enables great collaboration and gives actionable ideas.
Any team member can manage specs, blueprints, photos, RFIs, reports, punch lists, and other info from any device.
Project managers involved in commercial, heavy civil, and other industries all over the world use Plan Grid as the main construction management system that helps to build and manage from the current set, and controls the challenges in schedule and cost.
Aconex
One of the popular cloud project management platforms is designed to help constructors manage processes and data across their complex projects.
Oracle Aconex can be proud of its enterprise users from 70+ countries. The tool perfectly unifies processes on a project-wide basis and connects workflow and communication processes.
Construction project managers, who choose this software, get complete visibility and accountability as well as a full audit for every action. You’ll also get great functional solutions for document management, project controls, workflow management, quality and safety, bids, and tenders. Integration with a dozen apps and services are also available (SharePoint, Google Maps, Quickbooks, etc.)
Wrike
Wrike is well-known as a general PM solution. However, the service can be easily applied to the most complex construction management challenges.
The project management tool is good for large teams, it provides them with such useful features as custom dashboards, Gantt charts, workload view for resource management, structuring via folders, projects, and tasks and auto-assignment.
Construction companies leverage the powerful features of Wrike to gain full visibility of their projects, streamline planning processes, optimize workflows, and centralize communication. All these features allow organizing all that you need and lets you break down large goals into manageable tasks.
Corecon
This construction project management software for small businesses provides powerful end-to-end management functionality. The service is built to give you and your workforce real-time access to data through its native Android and iOS applications.
If you need contract administration and procurement management solutions or require workforce scheduling and quality control functionality, Corecon can provide you with the great features that you need.
Constructors also highlight the advanced analytics module that Corecon also provides. It helps to generate detailed reports of cash flows, billings, and procurement costs.
Conclusion
General contractors (g.c) are integrators of building products, services, and systems for residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation construction. These products and systems typically fall into one of two categories: traditional building trades (e.g., plumbing) and nonbuilding related (e.g., environmental mitigation). Arc Arc General Contractor Software is a general contractor software solution that will address all aspects of your g.c. operations – estimating, management reports and analysis, scheduling and job tracking – from planning through completion.