Managing projects, resources, and communications can be overwhelming for subcontractors if they don’t have the proper tools. Between schedules, order delivery, equipment maintenance, safety tests, client communications—there’s no shortage of tasks assigned to construction management subcontractors.
Using the top construction management software for subcontractors, you can develop a building both you and your clients are proud to call your own. Let’s dive into what you can do to find the best project management software for construction subcontractors and start delivering exceptionally high-quality work for clients.
What to Look for in Construction Management Software for Subcontractors
If you’re just discovering residential subcontractor software, you might feel a little overwhelmed by the possibilities. That’s why this guide is here to help you. Here are some essential items to look for as you search for the top construction software for subcontractors and put that solution to good use for your business.
Essential Features
The most essential features for construction software have to do with project management. These capabilities are designed to make your life easier as you pursue construction project management for your clients.
- Financial management and budgeting. Every construction project comes with a budget. The value of construction management software for subcontractors is that, unlike other construction budgeting tools, your schedules, resources, orders, and accounting solutions are all located in one centralized platform. This makes it easy to stick to your budget and keep your clients happy about costs.
- Compliance with building code standards. Maintaining compliance with building code standards protects you and your clients from any legal consequences. The best project management software for subcontractors includes all your documents—from building specs to BMI drawings—all in one location. If there are any concerns about compliance, you can quickly refer to your records and verify everything is up to code.
- Customized project management for residential builds. Some clients have very specific requests. Having the capacity to customize your work means you can expand your client base and challenge yourself with new and interesting developments.
- Resource and inventory management. After the budget, the second most important part of any construction project is to manage your equipment inventory and your resources. Having the ability to provide clear, transparent communication to all your workers about safety protocols ensures every job site is safe and productive—all of which is achievable using your top construction management software.
- Integration with other tools. The best construction management software for subcontractors is designed to make lives easier. When your software fully integrates with other tools like accounting software or daily calendars, it allows you to focus on doing what you do best as a subcontractor without worrying about lost or misplaced data.
Non-Negotiable Criteria
It’s not just the features of construction management software that matter. You also want an easy-to-use platform so you can efficiently manage your project. Here are some non-negotiable criteria for the usability function of your chosen software.
- Intuitive user-friendly interface that helps you make quick decisions
- Mobile accessibility so your entire crew can always communicate on the platform
- Reliable customer support so technical difficulties don’t bog down your productivity
A useful knowledge base with frequently asked questions and answers about the platform is also a helpful asset. Anything that will make your life easier as you manage your construction project is worth the investment.
Top Construction Management Software Products for Subcontractors
When evaluating the best construction management software for subcontractors, there are certain things you want to include in your vetting process. Pricing, features, and platform integrations will help you determine which platform is the top project management tool for subcontractors.
You should also look at subcontractor management software reviews from other customers. These testimonials are direct user feedback that give you a better idea of what to experience should you onboard with one of those platforms.
Here are a few prominent examples of construction software rankings from leading construction management solutions on the market.
| Pricing | Features | Integrations | User Reviews | |
| Contractor Foreman | $49-$249 per month | 35+ features (i.e. Time Cards, GPS Tracking, Estimates, Quick Payments) | External integration with Quickbooks Online | Learning program was simple. Cost was great. Ease of use and love the variety of options. No negatives. This is a really great product. |
| Smartsheet | $25-$32 per month, per user | Dashboards, formulas, reports, forms | SAP, Workday, ServiceNow | Smartsheet helped us automate workflows and manage requests remotely. |
| Stack | $2,999-$5,499 per year | Document management, cost estimating, material estimates | Autodesk, Quickbooks, BNI | I have been very pleased with the time and cost savings for missed changes on projects. The overlay feature has been a lifesaver when reviewing plan revisions. |
Benefits of Using Construction Management Software for Subcontractors
As you begin your platform evaluation process, keep in mind the prime advantages that subcontractors should experience by adopting construction management software into their workflows. These are some of the most prominent benefits to keep in mind.
The platform should make you more efficient and productive
Increased efficiencies and productivity are the main reasons why subcontractors invest in construction management software. Your chosen platform should help you streamline your workflows and automate tasks, especially your administrative and project management tasks. It means you can spend less time managing the project and more time in development.
You should be able to communicate and collaborate with co-workers
Another of the main advantages of using construction management software is that it helps improve communication among your team members. You should be able to improve how you coordinate with your fellow contractors and other stakeholders. In platforms that have real-time updates and easy information sharing, everyone stays on the same page.
Make more fiscally prudent financial decisions
Budgets are obviously a critical element of any construction project. With the right project productivity software, you can manage your budgets and track costs accurately. You’ll also find invoicing and payment processes smoother and more efficient—keeping costs in line and clients satisfied with the outcome.
Improve how you track and monitor project updates
Construction management software functions as one of several subcontractor efficiency tools. Among those efficiencies is that you’ll be able to gain real-time visibility into your project’s status and progress. As a result, you can spot potential issues and delays early, keeping everything on track, on budget, and up to client expectations.
Build healthier client relationships with higher satisfaction rates
Finally, any construction project productivity software should ultimately serve the purpose of supporting healthier client relationships. You can offer transparent reporting and clear communication to your clients throughout the project. As a result, clients feel more at peace by having real-time updates, leading to higher satisfaction rates and the likelihood of greater referral business.
Conclusion
If your contracting or subcontracting business is growing, and you’re in need of a project management application to help streamline project management, Contractor Foreman has everything you’ll need to run successful client projects.
Ready to give construction management software a real shot? Visit Contractor Foreman for a free trial today.
