Best Construction Management Software

Construction management software is a parent category, containing categories of solutions that help users effectively manage construction projects, resources, and customers. Construction management software increases the efficiency and accountability of construction firms and businesses while streamlining previously manual processes, such as daily internal communications, job scheduling, punch listing, and QA/QC list creation. Construction management software is designed to work with or without an internet connection, bridging the gap between the onsite construction crew, project owner, and other stakeholders in real time. Construction management solutions may be comprehensive solutions that offer a full slate of functionality across all subcategories, or point solutions that contain the features of one or two categories. 

What Types of Construction Management Software Exist?

Construction data analytics software

Construction data analytics solutions provide real-time insights on construction projects. These tools build data-driven reports so managers can save time and stay up to date on active projects with jobsite data.

Construction drawing management software

Construction drawing management tools, also known as building information modeling (BIM) for construction, allow users to upload, edit, and markup construction drawing plans. These solutions facilitate collaboration between site owners, builders, and contractors during the planning and building process. 

Construction ERP software

Construction ERP solutions act as the centralized information systems for disparate points of construction projects. These tools include both back-office functions like invoicing, accounting, and document management as well as jobsite-focused features. 

Construction estimating software

Construction estimating solutions, sometimes known as job costing solutions, manage the proposal and estimate building process for construction professionals. These tools can be specialty (HVAC, electrical, etc.) focused, or specialty agnostic. 

Construction project management software

Construction project management solutions handle the lifecycle of construction projects. These project management tools manage project workflows, handle document management, product punch lists, and facilitate task assignments for the teams involved in a project. 

Construction risk & safety software

Construction risk and safety solutions manage and mitigate construction site risks. These tools provide templates to facilitate data collection during site walkthroughs, produce reports on collected data, and alert project managers to potential risks to compliance. 

Jobsite management software

Jobsite management solutions are mobile-focused tools designed to facilitate communication between the back office and the jobsite. These tools allow workers to track hours via a mobile app, coordinate between teams, and keep an eye on site resources.

Takeoff software

Takeoff solutions manage the preconstruction process of cataloging and pricing any and all items a construction project requires. Takeoff tools measure site dimensions, leverage digitized blueprints to count specific items, and be used to fuel accurate cost estimates.

Within each type of construction management software, deployment method (on premises or in the cloud) is another differentiator.

Cloud-based software: Online or cloud-based construction management software facilitates the easy access of project information on the field, outside of normal work hours, or in any setting where the user has a web browser and working internet connection. Cloud-based construction management software empowers project managers and contractors by providing access to data any time, anywhere. Cloud-based solutions typically use a subscription model, usually the vendor of the solution upgrades the software and performs regular maintenance. Smaller construction firms with little money to burn often turn to cloud-based construction management software.

On-premises software: A construction management system deployed on premises equips construction professionals with more control than cloud-based solutions. Like any other type of on-premises software, all information stored on computers and servers is bought and uploaded on the company’s own dime. That information and software is managed and organized by an internal IT team. On-premise construction management software, like in any industry, comes with a hefty fee—however, that fee is one time and upfront, and generally, the cost of maintenance and upkeep is cheaper than SaaS offerings. Larger construction firms utilize on-premises construction management software to mitigate the risks of storing data on third-party servers.

Construction management software provides owners and managers a bird’s eye view over operations and logistics, from the start to finish of a construction project. The software facilitates and encourages cross-team collaboration, external communication, resolution of conflicts, and integration of third-party solutions. Construction management software makes it possible for a construction business to set timelines and budgets for projects, no matter how many projects a contractor, engineer, or business owner has. This software alleviates concern about the smoothness of workflows and accuracy of estimates and improves decision-making. Construction management software streamlines both individual phases of a construction project as well as the entire project lifecycle.

Streamline project management: Construction projects are made up of numerous individual tasks and assignments. Construction management software allows users to delegate specific project objectives and milestones, change orders, set up and track budgets, coordinate scheduling, and generate reports. Contractors, architects, and engineers can depend on the construction management software to track labor and equipment, create and send out bids and takeoffs, estimate job cost, log work hours, and generate reports about the progress of projects. Construction projects rely on drawings, blueprints, and contracts to verify the progress of projects. Construction management software that supports the import and export of drafts, facilitates versioning, allows easy sharing of relevant documents, and provides editing functionality are comprehensive platforms that can be used in any stage of the construction project lifecycle.

Improve estimating and bidding: Bid management software may be sold as point solutions, but construction management software that offers estimating, budgeting, and forecasting functionality along with bid proposal and bid management functionality leads to a significant boost of productivity. 

Reduce risk: Construction job sites are full of hazards and potential OSHA violations. Construction risk and safety software can measure and assess risk, conduct safety regulations, and ensure sites are up to code, protecting construction teams.

Streamline collaboration: Scheduling of crew, equipment, and other resources plays a crucial role in the management process. Construction projects often take longer and become more expensive than anticipated. Construction management software offers work scheduling, attendance tracking, features to deal with change orders, and more that make it easier for managers to improve their people and resource management. Implementing a construction management tool can improve communication with both team members and customers, increase accountability and transparency within a company, and ensure the timely completion of construction projects. 

Reduce costs: Construction management software helps cut down operational costs, improve profitability, and leverage cloud technologies. Because many construction management solutions take cues from general project management software, they greatly benefit project managers when coordinating purchase orders and following up with contractors, suppliers, engineers, and other key players. Financial management is a key function of certain construction management systems. Lots of money is routed through construction projects and it all has to be kept organized. Certain construction management solutions help keep track of estimated and actual money spent, allowing users to identify potential areas where costs can be cut. These solutions generally integrate with accounting software or provide their own construction accounting features to streamline the process.

Construction management software can, and is, used by any construction professional involved in a project. Products offer different permission levels, making it easy to share plans with both collaborators and stakeholders, without worrying about unsanctioned markups and changes. The users of construction management software include owners, managers, home builders, general contractors, remodelers, subcontractors, architects, and engineers.

Software Related to Construction Management Software

Related solutions that can be used together with construction management software include:

Building design and building information modeling (BIM) software: All construction projects start with a design plan. It’s much easier to make design plans with BIM software. While some construction management solutions provide organic BIM functionality within their platform, many others have built their systems to allow easy integration with products in the BIM industry.

Capital project management software: Construction projects, especially commercial ones, can turn into long-term capital intensive projects. With capital project management software, owners and managers of capital projects can rest easy, knowing all their resources and processes are tracked, stored, and analyzed in a central repository.

Project-based ERP software: Project-based ERP software facilitates transparency within revenue-generating companies via the recording of project-related information. Construction firms are revenue-generating businesses, therefore, smart and adaptable construction management solutions help maximize profits, effectively budget, realistically forecast, and automate tasks.

Environmental health and safety software: Construction job sites are full of risk. Construction projects must adapt to and resolve any hurdles or issues that crop up that can delay the progress of a project. Environmental health and safety software is used by any type of business that reduces risks and logs workplace incidents in case of an audit. Many construction management solutions include a risk and safety module, for both the calculation of risk factors that can hamper the completion of a project, as well as overseeing safety and risk measures on a construction jobsite.

Architectural rendering software: Architects and interior designers utilize architectural rendering software to visualize and enhance their 2D or 3D architectural plans. Because many architectural rendering solutions are designed to interface with BIM software and extend the scope of its functionality, this type of software can enhance the preconstruction part of the project.