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7 Great Software for Construction Managers

Overview of best software to manage construction projects.

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Construction software
Choosing the right software can be a daunting task. PHOTO | FILE

Construction project manager softwares are tools that help contractors, supervisors, and owners to create schedules, and to find, share, and update data relating to their projects.

By using software, site managers can effectively keep their teams on schedule, stay within the budget, and guarantee quality, while maintaining a safe work environment.

With numerous construction project manager softwares available in the market, it can be difficult to pick the best project management software for construction.

To help you make the right decision, we have prepared a detailed list of the best software to manage construction projects – based on customer reviews.

Construction project manager softwares

1. Procore

Of all the available construction project manager softwares, Procore is easily the most popular and comprehensive software with an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau and tons of positive reviews on the worldwide web.

Although primarily designed for contractors with $5 million or more in annual revenue, Procore is also useful for project owners, managers, and subcontractors.

The software’s platform is available both as an online, cloud-base application for desktops and as a mobile app for Android, Windows, and iOS devices.

This makes it a perfect choice for highly mobile construction managers as well as teams that require collaboration capabilities.

Procore offers the broadest set of tools compared to any other software listed here. These features include tools for drawing, bidding, scheduling, submittals, transmittals, punch lists, time cards, project photos, RFIs, meetings, daily logs, emails, and project specifications.

The software offers an assortment of third-party integrations including Quickbooks, Primavera P6, Sage 300 CRE, Sage 100 Contractor Connector, Spectrum, ProEst, Microsoft Project, Isqft, and Docusign.

In terms of pricing, Procore sells its software at a starting price of $667 per month, with a combination of its project management and financial management tools starting at $811 per month.

2. Autodesk Construction Cloud

Autodesk Construction Cloud (which includes BIM 360 and Plangrid) is one of the best construction project manager softwares for large projects and teams.

The software offers a range of tools designed for construction work, including Autodesk Docs, Autodesk Takeoff, and Autodesk Build (previously known as BIM 360), among other software modules.

It also offers an integration marketplace where developers can share their integrations or download integrations made by other designers. These integrations include RedTeam, Stack, Bluebeam Revu, eSUB, SmartBid, and CMiC.

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To make things easier for buyers, each module is sold separately but they all work together on the same cloud-based platform. The programmes can also be accessed on a web browser or through Plangrid mobile app.

The ability to select and pay for only the required software module makes Autodesk Construction Cloud one of the best and most popular software for construction project management in the market.

3. RedTeam

Small and midsize firms that use RedTeam software to manage construction projects often praise the program for its smooth user experience, intuitive workflow as well as its clean and modern feel.

The web-based software that is accessible from any web-connected device is loaded with features that help users to easily perform their professional duties – starting with a customer database for handling clients.

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RedTeam also comes with additional tools to create and manage budgets, build RFQs, create estimates, manage contracts, generate bids, handle change orders, and connect with the teams on the ground.

In addition, the software can be used for submittals, handling supplies, RFIs, tracking construction equipment, as well as managing subcontractors.

RedTeam has a platform known as TeamPlayer, which enables subcontractors to access or update project data, track hours, or report incidents and expenses.

4. Buildertrend

Buildertrend is one of the most popular construction project manager softwares especially among homebuilders, remodelers, and specialty contractors.

The software comes with an assortment of tools among them in-platform messaging, work in progress reports, scheduling functionality, to-do lists, and other teamwork features that help to boost efficiency.

It also includes features that handle presales, customer relationship and financial management.

Buildertrend is available as an online, cloud-based application for desktops and as a mobile app for Android and iOS devices.

To enhance its uses, the software offers seamless integration with several other popular software, including Clear Estimates and ProEst for estimating, PlanSwift, eTakeoff, Stack, and PrebuiltML for takeoff, Quickbooks and Xero for accounting, among other design and file-sharing tools.  

Buildertrend is available in two price tiers, Core and Pro.

The Core version starts at $99 per month and includes features such as daily logs, to-do lists, scheduling, client portal, messaging tools, and select integrations.

The Pro version starts at $299 per month and includes all the features of the Core version along with functionalities for bids, surveys, change orders, warranties, etc.

5. Sage 300 CRE

Previously known as Timberline, Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (Sage 300 CRE) is one of the most powerful construction project manager softwares.

The software is designed to meet the needs of large companies that make use of complex workflows to manage huge construction projects.

Sage 300 CRE offers a full suite of software modules, including payroll, accounting, job costing, estimating, property management, project management, service management, file management, and subcontractor compliance.

One the major drawbacks of Sage 300 CRE is that of being an on-premise solution, which means it must be installed on a central company server and accessed from approved workstations by users.

Besides, the software’s project management functionalities are only available on Windows, although some of its modules can be accessed through mobile apps.

6. Sage 100 Contractor

Previously known as Sage Master Builder, Sage 100 Contractor is designed for small and midsized contractors who may feel outsized by the Sage 300 CRE.

The software equally offers a wide set of tools to manage construction businesses, including tools for estimating, accounting, field service, and project management.

Like Sage 300 CRE, Sage 100 Contractor is an on-premise solution, which must be installed on a company server and accessed from approved workstations.

While this software is rated highly by users, some clients complain about a lack of field support, regular update requirements, and limited compatibility with Excel.

7. SmartUse

In less than 10 years, SmartUse has earned its way up to becoming one of the must-have software to manage construction projects.

The cloud-based software offers excellent document management functionalities such as organization, search, and side-by-side viewing – which drive the vendor’s mission of being a “single source of truth” on building projects.

Unlike other software that offer complete suites of project management tools, SmartUse focuses on real-time sharing and marking up of blueprints and files.

The software is now a part of Stack Construction Technologies, one of the top providers of takeoff and estimating software.

This association allows existing users of Stack’s other tools to leverage a unique connection between pre-construction and project work.

In terms of pricing, SmartUse starts at $49 per month for up front annual package, or $65 per month when billed monthly ­ – delivering more value than competitors with similar price points and pricing models.

Jayson Maina is a technology reporter with a degree in Computer Science from JKUAT. He has covered emerging technologies and their impact on the construction industry for more than a decade.