Top 10 Construction Software Used by General Contractors

With today’s fierce competition and tight labor force, our industry is forced to do more with less. One example is how general contractors use construction software to help speed up their workflows and increase their team productivity.
There are a lot of choices when it comes to finding the ideal construction software, but filtering through dozens of these can be daunting for a busy general contractor whose precious time could be spent elsewhere.

In this article, we’ll be going through a list of the 10 most popular general contractor software, and how these can power up your workflow even further when complemented with AI estimating software such as Togal.AI

Disclaimer: The pricing stated here is based on average data from third-party research as of this writing. Prices may still vary.

The Benefits of General Contractor Software

With the best general contractor software solution, you can streamline much of the project management process, from pre-construction planning to post-construction maintenance, so you can concentrate on project delivery and generating revenue.

These are some of the many case studies that show the impact that construction software has.

Enhanced Collaboration  

Westphal & Co. were relying on fragmented spreadsheets and emails to communicate across the organization resulting in cumbersome processes resulting in costly mistakes. They turned to construction management software from Procore to help strengthen their field-to-office collaboration resulting in more efficient communication, time savings, fewer meetings, and increased accountability.

Reduced Costs 

The Walsh Group attributes their success to a $76 million project with the help of Bluebeam’s software suite. The Walsh Group's project leaders have found Revu for iPad to be especially effective since it has enabled them to bolster their document management workflows while superintendents and engineers are spread out throughout the site's seven-mile expanse.

Streamlined Process 

Balfour Beatty’s preconstruction team faced challenges with standardization and siloed platforms. Before making the transition to Beck Technology’s DESTINI Estimator, their precon teams were using 11 different tools. The switch allowed them to increase trust with their clients, and produce better and more accurate estimates. More importantly, they were able to save time during the preconstruction process which allows them to focus on higher-value activities like value engineering and data analysis.

How to Select General Contractor Software
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‍When you use the right general contracting software, you save time and can focus on what is important, such as growing your contracting business. Here are some of the factors you must consider when evaluating your software solutions.

• Features - Identify the top problems your business is facing, and align those with the features that the software offers. Resist the urge to get software that promises 20+ features that you won’t even need, doing so will help you avoid spending unnecessarily.
  
  
• Integrations - Don’t settle for siloed software that would add additional steps on top of your existing workflows. These integrations make processes much simpler and more intuitive, which leads to a better user experience. Take for example, how easily Togal.AI imports drawings from construction management platforms like Procore.
  
  
• Reviews - Read reviews about the company through sites like Capterra and GetApp. Take a look at the best and worst reviews to see how they may relate to your user experience.
  
  
• Pricing - Evaluate your potential ROI by estimating how much time and resources will this investment possibly give back to your business if you decide to purchase it.
  

Top 10 General Contractor Software

Being a general contractor is no easy feat, when you’re monitoring every aspect of multiple jobs across several sites, the tendency is for some details to slip through the cracks. One of the smartest business decisions you can make is to invest in the best general contractor software if you want to reduce errors and save time.

1. Procore

Procore is a construction management software that manages construction projects, resources, and financials from planning to closeout. Their platform connects various project stakeholders to a single source of truth. This results in a great collaborative experience to monitor the progress of a construction project. 

The Procore App comes with an app marketplace, which offers over 150 partner solutions that integrate seamlessly with the platform. Users of Procore can import drawings from the app directly into our AI estimating software; helping them save time. Click here to access Togal.AI from the Procore marketplace.

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‍Pricing

Procore utilizes a custom pricing model, click here to learn more.

Features

• Document Management
• Contract Management
• Project Management
• Time Tracking
• Time and Materials Tickets
• Bid Management
• BIM
• Centralized Platform
• Versioning
• Document Management
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Technology
• Linkage
• Task Management

• Information Management
• Communication and Collaboration
• Site Management

• Field Service Management
• Field Collaboration
• Mobile App
• Field Reporting
• Photo and Video Uploads
• Site Progress Monitoring
• Mobile Access

2. Bluebeam Revu

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Since 2002, Bluebeam has made desktop, mobile, and cloud-based solutions for paperless workflows that improve project communication and streamline processes across the entire project lifecycle. Revu offers powerful, highly customizable document management, markup and automation tools with a built-in collaboration space, called Studio. 

Revu allows users to transform scanned images into easily searchable documents, and a set of markup tools that enables users to add text, notes, CAD drawings, stamps, and highlights to documents. Photos and videos can also be embedded within markups. 

Bluebeam can also import drawings from Bluebeam directly into Togal.AI.

Pricing

Revu Standard: $349 per seat

Revu eXtreme: $599 per seat

Revu CAD: $499 per seat

Revu MAC: $199 per seat

Revu iPad: $9.99

Features

• 3D Imaging
• Assembly Takeoff
• Bid Management
• Collaboration Tools
• Communication Management
• Digital Signature
• Document Capture
• Document Management
• File Management
• Full-Text Search
• Issue Management
• Issue Tracking
• Project Planning
• Project Tracking
• Project Workflow
• Projections
• Subcontractor Management
• Summary Reports
• Tagging
• Text Editing
• Version Control
• Workflow Management

3. Beck Technology’s DESTINI Estimator

DESTINI Estimator is a construction estimating software with 2D and 3D takeoff, integration with Autodesk's BIM 360, integration with Procore, fully customizable filtering, data shaping and analysis, and unlimited sort capabilities. Key features include what-if analysis, accounting integration, building information modeling, and a historical database.

‍DESTINI Estimator teamed up with Togal.AI to transform their 2D takeoffs into AI-driven takeoffs that automate the whole process. With a few clicks of a button, accurate takeoffs are completed in mere seconds.

Pricing

DESTINI Estimator offers custom pricing, click here to request a quote.

Features

• Granular visualization dashboards
• Embedded 2D and 3D takeoff
• Detailed cost reports
• Cloud-based service
• Comparison reporting
• Excel-like interface

4. Houzz Pro

Houzz Pro is a project management solution that streamlines processes for businesses of all sizes by centralizing all needs into one place. Key features include project management, lead management with client dashboards, and individual insights. It also features an integrated online payment system, mood boards for projects, and white labeling for communications. 

Compared to the other software on this list, Houzz Pro was built for small/medium scale builders and specialty contractors who also want the same core functionality as the enterprise-level construction software, but for a fraction of the cost.

‍Pricing

Starter: $65 billed monthly or $59/month billed annually

Essential: $99 billed monthly (after $49 for the first three months) or $65/month billed annually

Ultimate: $399 billed monthly or $349/month billed annually

Features

• Proposal Management 
• CRM
• Estimating
• Takeoffs
• 3D Floor Planner 
• Project Management
• Change Order Management
• Business Analytics
• Invoicing
• Product Library
• Expense Tracking
• Time Tracking
• Internal Notes

5. Buildertrend

Buildertrend is a feature-rich construction management software used by homebuilders, remodelers, and specialty contractors. Their software helps with every step of the build – from the sales process and project planning to financial tracking and client communication. It also bundles bid management, email marketing, and lead management into its pre-sales module.
Compared to the other enterprise-level software in this list, Buildertrend features a clean user interface that makes it easier for smaller contractors to navigate. It packs the same punch as other larger construction management software and features the tools needed by contractors to complete a project from preconstruction through postconstruction. 

Pricing

Essential: $99 billed monthly; $399 after the first 2 months

Advanced: $399 billed monthly; $699 after the first 2 months

Ultimate: $899 billed monthly or $1,299 after the first 2 months

Features

• Appointment Scheduling
• Bid Management
• Billing & Invoicing
• Budget Management
• Budget Tracking/Job Costing
• CRM
• Calendar Management
• Change Order Management
• Client Portal
• Contract/License Management
• Contractor Management
• Cost Estimating
• Cost-to-Completion Tracking
• Document Management
• Email Marketing
• Estimating
• File Sharing
• Invoice Management
• Issue Management
• Job Tracking
• Lead Management
• Permit Management
• Portfolio Management
• Purchase Order Management
• QuickBooks Integration
• Quotes/Estimates
• RFI & Submittals
• Subcontractor Management
• Supplier Management
• Task Management
• Time Tracking
• Timesheet Management

6. Foundation

Foundation Software is a construction accounting software that has all of the back office tools contractors need to run the business side of a construction business. Foundation’s accounting software makes it easy for contractors to monitor their finances through tailored functionalities specifically made for the construction industry.
Foundation enables construction professionals to keep track of every single cost on all operational requirements in a project, it can generate custom reports on your finances as well as smart alerts that inform you when cost overruns are about to occur to help you stay on top of the project’s budget.  

Pricing

Foundation Software offers custom pricing, click here to request a quote.

Features

• Project Management
• Scheduling
• Service Dispatch
• Document Imaging & Routing
• Inventory, Equipment Fixed Assets, Time & Material, Unit Price Billing
• Consolidated General Ledger
• Executive Dashboard 
• CPA Audit/Review

7. Contractor Foreman

Contractor Foreman is one of the most affordable all-in-one solutions for small and medium general contractors who want a better way to manage their projects. Contractor Foreman does away with expensive pricing models and favors simple upfront pricing packages that start at $49 per month, making it a favorite among budget-savvy construction professionals who want no-frills construction management software. Contractor Foreman has all of the essential functionalities to help contractors get the job done from preconstruction through completion. 

Pricing

• Standard - $49 per month 
• Plus - $87 per month
• Pro - $123 per month
• Unlimited - $148 per month
  

Features 

• Project Management: Daily Logs, Scheduling, Work Orders, Inspections, Punchlists, Permit Management, Client Portal, Service Tickets
• Estimating
• Bid Management
• Change Order Management
• Invoicing
• Purchase Order Management
• Contract Management
• Online Payments
• Cost Items Database
• Calendar Management
• Crew Scheduling
• Lead Management
• Team Chat 
• Document Management
• File Sharing
• Reports
• Forms And Checklists
• RFI Management
• Vehicle And Equipment Logs
• Submittals
• Document Writer
• Drawings And PDF Markup

 8. Job Nimbus

JobNimbus is a CRM and project management software. Their end-to-end platform is designed to help contractors streamline their project communication and workflows. From customer contacts to scheduling, boards to lead acquisition, and jobs to payments, JobNimbus acts as a central location to accurately update and track all project information.
It features niche-specific tools designed for the following fields: roofing, restoration, remodeling, solar power, painting, flooring, window, and door installation, deck and patio work, and landscaping.

Pricing

JobNimbus offers custom pricing, click here to request a quote.

Features

• Lead Tracking
• Contact Management
• Tasks
• Notes
• Activity
• Estimating Tools
• Integrations
• Automation
• Financial Reporting
• Analytics
• Customer Support
• Storage 

9. UDA Construction Online

UDA Construction Online is a web-based software that helps contractors streamline project management, scheduling, and client communications. This software aims to be a one-stop shop that bridges your CRM, estimating, financial and scheduling needs in one central hub. Integrated tools help broadcast the latest schedule changes, critical task updates, job site instructions, and more - directly to teams in the field. 

Pricing

• Pro: $405 per month
• Team: $810 per month
• Business: $1,215 per month
• Enterprise: $2,915 per month
  

Features

• Financials: Estimates and Proposal Management, Change Orders, Client Selections, Quickbooks Integration
• Scheduling: Calendar Management, Reminders, Gameplan
• Project Management: Daily Logs, Punch Lists, To-Dos, Reporting, Dashboards
• Sales Management: Lead Tracking, Opportunities, Client Login, Leads Management
• Document Management: RFI Tracking, Submittals, Transmittals
• Team Management: Time Tracker
• Planning: Takeoffs, Markups
• Business Intelligence: Project Scorecard, Resource Tracking, Employee Scorecard, Multi-Project Scheduling
  

10. Knowify

Knowify is a cloud-based construction management software that aims to produce a simple and standardized project management workflow for construction project teams. Knowify features estimating tools like bidding, contract management, and change order management. With a time tracking and scheduling feature, administrators can keep track of staff check-in and check-out time through the Knowify mobile app.

Pricing

• Launch: $99 per month
• Team: $149 per month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing
  

Features

• Lead Management CRM
  
• Job Costing
• Payment Applications
• Project Management
• Profitability and Reporting
• Progress Billing
• Subcontractor Management
• Submittals And RFIs
• Time Tracking

Enhance Your Construction Software Through Togal.AI

Construction software helps reduce costs and enhance efficiency by streamlining different aspects of a construction project. Construction software merges areas like sales, preconstruction, field operations, and back office into one source of truth that encompasses the whole lifecycle of a project.
Togal.AI is the ultimate tool to augment your construction software workflows. Our AI-powered estimating software makes short work of an otherwise lengthy and tedious takeoff process. Plans for major projects can reach up to hundreds of pages and may take weeks to calculate, but with Togal.AI, what once took days or weeks now takes seconds to complete - ultimately reducing your overall costs and improving your bid turnaround times.

To learn how Togal.AI seamlessly integrates with your estimating workflow, book a complimentary demo today.