Month: November 2022

Construction projects need to be organized so that communication, scheduling, selections, and basic financial information are kept in one place.  A project management software that supports these activities can help a business streamline this process, making workflows easier and more efficient. 

Construction project management software helps to make projects more manageable, no matter if the project is large or small.  This article will dive deeper into some of the most popular ones that can help builders and clients alike. 

1. BuilderPad

BuilderPad is our pick for the best construction project management software overall (ok, ok, we may be a little bias)!

But let’s see why….

Pros & Cons

Pros 

• BuilderPad has outstanding features, such as scheduling and communication tools designed exclusively for home builders and their customers.
• Selection management that provides real-time updates to budget and allowances for clients to reference as they go through the selection process.
• A modern mobile app that sync’s with the web app to have control of your projects while in the field. 
• An easy-to-use platform with almost zero learning curve.

Cons

• Some individuals may find the price point a bit high, however BuilderPad offers a free 14-day trial to allow their customers to find out for themselves if the software is a good fit.

While some construction software apps claim to have “plenty of functionality,” most home builders only use a small portion of the features available because they are clunky and challenging. BuilderPad was created to only offer the features that are most important. 

BuilderPad uses the most advanced technology to enable the home builder to understand what is occurring daily.  The home builder’s leadership and employees spend less time asking for project updates and developments, and the homebuyers are constantly kept “in the know” to prevent misunderstandings.  

Project managers handle several projects and schedules efficiently.  It provides the best daily scheduling tools and automation to help users deliver projects on time.  Furthermore, BuilderPad excels in communication. Project managers may gather and distribute the most current data with the appropriate people using the tools provided by BuilderPad. 

Be it through mobile or the web, BuilderPad does it all! 

2. CoConstruct

Coming in behind BuilderPad, CoConstruct takes second place on our list.  Here’s what we found: 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• A decent estimating feature that integrates with QuickBooks. 
• Proposal templates that look nice and clean.

Cons

• Feature-rich however not very intuititive, to the point where most builders only use a small fraction of what they offer.
• Invoicing is fairly limited and offer limited flexibility.
• The program can only be slightly customized.
• Unable to form internal tagging of teams for communication.

CoConstruct is a project management tool for the construction industry that enables users to integrate information from plans, change orders, proposals, and specs with QuickBooks Desktop or Online. With the help of their selections tool, users can give customers the option to make selections digitally, keep them updated on the project’s cumulative total, and obtain electronic signatures.

If you are looking for a platform that offers reasonable estimating and budgeting, CoConstruct provides decent features in these areas. Unfortunately, CoConstruct lacks an excellent team communication tool that would take it to the top of our list. 

3. BuilderTrend

BuilderTrend is number 3 on our list.  What’s interesting is that BuilderTrend acquired Co-Construct, which seems odd considering they both do similar things. Now the same business operates and maintains two separate apps which spreads internal resources.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good reporting tools are provided by extracting the data while utilizing filters.
• The financing area maintains things on schedule for builders and clients using Change Orders.

Cons

• Limited tools for estimation.
• Lacks the capacity to assess various project data.
• BuilderTrend lacks superb team communication.

Pre-sale solutions are offered by BuilderTrend and include a customer relationship management (CRM) tool, project proposals, and more. The selection, estimating and bidding options offered by BuilderTrend is quite decent. Customers may create estimates, produce polished proposals, and ask for and submit digital signatures.

We found that one downside of BuilderTrend is that a free trial is unavailable. They do offer a 30–day money-back guarantee, but with a price point of nearly $1,000 for the complete package, not having the option to try out the features is worrying. 

4. ProCore

ProCore finds itself the second to last on this list!  While mainly for commercial builders, it does provide a feature-set that targets massive construction projects.

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• The fundamental features of ProCore’s construction project management are relatively solid.
• Easy-to-use mobile app. 

Cons

• Has no thorough accounting ability.
• Lacks the estimating features from other softwares. 
• Workflows for documents are not adjustable.

For commercial construction companies searching for a platform that combines decent project and financial management functions, ProCore is a reasonable construction management software option. 

This software has a learning curve and is designed for commercial construction managers with more excellent expertise and larger teams. ProCore is a good option if you require a lot more capacity and flexibility than typical commercial construction management software can offer. 

ProCore is, unfortunately, very costly. If you would like a free trial, it is also complicated. It’s not as easy as just filling out a form and logging in since you must first get in touch with a representative of the ProCore sales department if you want to sample the software before your purchase.

5. MarkSystems 

MarkSystems is the fifth and last entry on our list! 

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• Contract processing is easy.
• One integrated database for every feature. 

Cons

• Does not provide management-helping statistics or displays.
• The calendar could be more organized and easier to comprehend.

For production homebuilders, an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is a decent solution. MarkSystems has more than 30 years of expertise in bringing an ERP system to home builders. MarkSystems consolidates data from several departments onto a single platform, working to help users in the accounting sector.

For Mark Systems to continue to be helpful in the management department, access to its data will need to be improved. Currently, no metrics on display can help clients with their project management. This is a significant downside in the ECi MarkSystems book. But if you are just looking for an ERP which will help you with daily inventory control, MarkSystems is a pretty decent software. 

Building a home can be a stressful and a confusing process. The proper steps will help you get the home you want, within your budget.  This article covers the typical steps you take throughout the construction of a new house, how to keep in contact with your chosen builder, and what occurs at crucial development moments of your new property. 

1. Choose What Kind Of House You Seek 

Tract, speculative, and entirely custom are three primary forms of home construction. The degree of customization is what distinguishes these options most from one another.

• Tract Homes – A developer buys a piece of property and divides it into separate lots to create a tract home. One builder builds the homes in that planned neighborhood. There will be shared amenities and similar-looking residences in most of the community. Condos, townhouses, or detached homes can all be considered tract homes.
• Customized Homes – Custom homes give you the most alternatives. You have total power over every detail when you build your own home. The property, floor plan, and all utilities are up to the buyer.
• Speculative Homes are comparable to tract homes, but if you buy early enough during the construction process, some personalization is possible. Early purchasers could choose customized details, like the color scheme, whereas the builder chooses the floor design.

2. Construction Site Readiness

Workers will clear rocks, debris, or trees during the construction site preparation phase. Before building the foundation, they want to properly grade the land to ensure water runoff and a flat area for where the house will go.

3. Creating The Substructure And Foundation

Poured concrete with steel rod reinforcement is what most builders will use for your foundation. You might have a concrete footing, a crawl space, or a full basement, depending on the region of the country you’re making in and the layout of your house. Regardless of the type of foundation, it will be waterproofed and inspected by the town before construction can start.

4. Framing

During this phase, the builder will put up the floor and rooftops, in addition to the walls, windows, and entrances. The “bones” of your future home are beginning to form. The contractor will apply a house wrap shield to insulate the building from water penetration, preventing mold and wood decay growth.

5. HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing Rough-ins

Workers will begin roughing in the home’s primary utilities, such as pipework, wiring, and heating and air conditioning vents. Final connections are not made until other stages of the project are completed. An inspection is required to approve the rough-ins before moving to the next stage in the construction process.

6. Drywall

Drywall pieces are screwed into place, sealed, mudded, and given a paint finish. A second and final coat of paint is applied, typically towards the end of the construction process.

7. Interior Decor

The majority of the inside elements of the house will be incorporated in this phase. This comprises of kitchen countertops, cupboards, casings, window frames, staircase handrails, baths, vanities, and hard-surfaced floors. Occasionally, throughout this stage, inside painting and hardwood installation are carried out; however, if it poses a risk of destruction, they might be completed afterward.

8. Outer Surfaces

Things are finally beginning to come together outside your new house. The builder will finish the outside leveling to guarantee appropriate outflow away from the residence and ensure your new garden is taking shape well.

9. Installation of fixtures

Toilets, sinks, lighting fixtures, heating vent coverings, electric water heaters, power lines, and HVAC systems are all installed. The second round of inspection is necessary for a lot of these components. The placement of glass fittings, including shower doors and mirrors, is another work carried out in this stage.

10. Putting in Flooring

The next step is for your contractor to install carpets, tile or wooden floors. When making decisions, its important to keep your budget and utility in mind. For instance, buying hardwood flooring might be a great option if you have allergies or don’t have pets. However, LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) is a popular vinyl option that are more durable and easy to clean. Afterward flooring, your dream house will appear to be almost ready for occupancy!

11. Last Inspection 

A building code inspector will give you a certificate of occupation following this last examination, indicating you can now settle inside. They will arrange a secondary inspection if they discover any flaws to be sure the builder fixes them. Getting an impartial examiner as well when constructing your home is wise advice.

12. Final Walkthrough

The builder will take you on a tour of your brand-new house to familiarize you with its characteristics, the functionality of multiple components, and your duties for repair and care. They will also go over the details of your guarantee and how to take advantage of it. This is frequently alluded to as a walk-through before moving in. Be alert and perceptive to identify anything that needs to be fixed or rectified.

How To Keep An Eye On Your Property? 

Maintaining continual contact with your builder is the best approach to obtaining an exact timeframe and feedback for your venture. Building a home takes around 7-8 months and staying in contact is more complex than it looks. 

But do not worry; we have the perfect solution to help connect builders and clients, BuilderPad. This one-of-a-kind platform is a cutting-edge, cloud-native software program that aids in the digital transformation of the building industry for property developers. 

BuilderPad is made to facilitate excellent client engagement while assisting house builders in completing projects on schedule and under budget. This project uses contemporary technologies to give owners insight into daily operations and helps with project management overall. 

It offers a free 14-day trial, so if you wish to take advantage of this unique platform, sign up now!