10 Best Apps For Construction That You’ll Actually Use
byConstruction management is complicated.
From start to finish, you need to hire the best construction workers available, manage those employees, communicate clearly, monitor supplies, track project benchmarks, manage equipment, and keep an eye on your budget.
That’s a lot of information coming in, being processed, and moving out to stakeholders. And that’s why we found some of the best apps for construction that can help simplify those tasks, giving you the most capability and lessening your workload. Whether you need workforce management or blueprint storage and access, there’s an app for that.
1. When I Work
When I Work makes managing employees and scheduling shifts for multiple locations easy, combining the right automation features—like templates—with an internal messaging and communication system.
Managers can quickly schedule shifts based on skill or certification requirements and employee preferences, while employees are empowered to swap shifts and request time off directly in the app. Included in the software are a time clock, time sheets, and payroll integrations. These include tracking systems that use GPS to let you know where your employees are clocking in at. Pay rules that integrate with your schedule help you control labor costs.
A team communication app is a privacy-protected system that lets you send messages to the whole team, groups, or individuals.
When I Work is available on the desktop through a browser for all operating systems, as well as apps for mobile devices. Managers and employees have their own version that gives them access to the tools in the app that apply to them, including the ability to turn any device into a time clock. For construction crew management, When I Work is a perfect fit.
When I Work offers a free trial. Pricing is then based on the number of users, starting at $2.50/user/month up to $6/user/month. Each tier has different feature sets.
2. iNeoSyte
Taking notes on the progress being made at a construction site is necessary. It’s also something that can slow you down if you find you have to run back to the office to get it done.
iNeoSyte allows you to create reports from the field, right at the construction site, including the addition of photos. Pre-defined reports that are specific to your project let you update those who need to know what’s happening on site.
You can create a project report, generate a PDF, and share it to popular cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive.
iNeoSyte has a free plan with limited features, and then paid plans based on the number of users. The basic plan is $9.99 per month per user, while the advanced plan is $19.99 per month per user.
3. LetsBuild
LetsBuild is an app that tracks information on project progression and process and shares it in real time, whether you’re in the field or in the office.
It has the ability to track QHSE (quality, health, safety, and environment) as well as generate progress reports and other necessary documents.
For construction managers who find their days filled with repetitive tasks, LetsBuild can help them monitor and adjust the project plan, see fast access to project data and construction drawings on the building site, and stay in compliance with regulations.
LetsBuild offers a free trial, and then annual subscriptions. You must contact them to find the right package for what you need.
4. DeWalt Mobile Pro
DeWalt Mobile Pro offers standard construction calculators. Whatever area of construction you’re in, the calculator you need to finish the job is found in this app. Select what you need to do, and the right formulas are built into the app to help you quickly get the right answer.
In addition to the core package of construction calculators, you can purchase add-on calculators or calculator packs for math conversions, carpentry, business and finance, electrical, finish work, and much more.
This mobile app is available for both iOS and Android, and its basic version is a free download. Additional add-on packs are a paid option.
5. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a project management app that helps give you an accurate overview of your construction project. Though Smartsheet can be used by several industries, it has features that make it useful for construction project management.
Smartsheet allows you to connect your office and on-site teams, as well as subcontractors, so communication is clear. Pre-construction planning all the way through safety planning, field operations, and resource management is contained in this one app.
The at-a-glance dashboard makes it possible to track all aspects of a construction project (including delays or cost overruns) in one place.
Smartsheet is ideal for any size construction team or project. There is a free trial, with several tiers of paid plans based on feature sets, starting at $7/user/month up to an enterprise version with pricing available upon request.
6. magicplan
Magicplan is the perfect app for you if you need to create and share both 2D and 3D floor plans with your team.
You can also create field reports that include those sketches, your notes, and even 360° photos. It also includes the ability to create and share estimates for labor and materials. That means you can provide clients with the information they need to make the decision to close the deal.
Share a PDF and keep the data in your account for future reference should there be any client disputes.
Client disputes are also more easily handled with all details and dimensions stored and organized, so you can access them if needed.
Magicplan comes with a free plan for up to two projects, with subscription-based plans starting at $9.99/month up to $89.99/month, based on desired features. Reduced yearly subscriptions are available as well.
7. Safety Meeting App
Staying in compliance with OSHA, federal and state labor laws, and company safety requirements can be tricky. Construction is a dangerous industry, so Safety Meeting App makes it easier to manage all of those concerns and keep your employees safe on the job.
Employees are reminded of risks related to their work through over 1,000 safety meeting topics that you can discuss with your team. You can also create safety checklists using pre-built lists or your own custom versions. Checklists range from a bloodborne pathogen checklist to welding and cutting checklists, and everything in between. All checklists are OSHA compliant.
You can also document safety meetings and attendance as well as safety incidents, creating reports from your mobile device. These reports are available in the cloud for fast access as needed, and can include photos.
This app is available in both English and Spanish, available on your computer or via your mobile device. There is a free trial, with yearly subscriptions based on number of users ranging from $199 to $1169.
8. Fieldwire
Fieldwire is a project management tool that focuses on blueprint management. It makes it easy to share and edit drawings whether in the office or on the job site, through a mobile device. Users are able to markup drawings, add notes, and attach or view photos of the project progress directly on the drawings.
Fieldwire also offers task management features, as well as scheduling the construction work (and noting issues that need attention) for the day in accordance with the project plan. Generate a punch list while doing a walkthrough to make notes about items that need fixing, allowing your team to message and attach photos in response.
There is a free basic plan with a five-user limit. Plans then start at $29/user/month up to $89/user/month based on feature sets.
9. Procore
For larger contracting companies, or those specializing in large-scale or commercial construction, Procore connects the many entities involved. That includes general contractors, specialty contractors, architects, and engineers. It also helps with pre-construction planning, project management, workforce management, and financial management.
That means managing bids, estimates, quality, safety, BIM, design, and your workforce falls under one roof and entire complex projects are managed in one place.
Designed specifically for mobile devices on a cloud-based platform, Procore requires you to contact them for a customized quote based on what you need. They offer free training and 24/7 support with their paid contracts.
10. DroneDeploy
The use of drones is becoming increasingly common (and necessary) in many construction projects, and DroneDeploy makes managing that data much easier. It integrates with common construction drones and project management apps to capture visual data, both interior and exterior, and any altitude or angle. You can even process radiometric thermal data to detect hot spots.
That means you can create real-time maps on-site to get an interactive view. You can also create virtual tours or models, sharing them on a visual timeline for anyone involved in the project. Generate reports, and use permissions to control who sees them.
For teams or enterprise users, you will need to contact DroneDeploy for pricing. For individuals, there is a free trial period followed by either $329/month or $599/month, based on feature sets.
Conclusion
For construction, you need the best small-business apps available. What that is for you depends on your team, your projects, and what you actually need.
Generally, you want an app that:
- Integrates with other systems you use.
- Makes compliance easy (if applicable).
- Improves communication between all stakeholders.
- Makes management easy, including document storage and report generation.
- Documents progress and preserves data for historical review.
- Provides analytics to give you an overview of what’s happening.
It helps to start with team management before delving into project management and construction-specific tools to use on the job. That means employee scheduling software is first on your checklist.
Download the When I Work mobile app today and take it for a spin with a 14-day FREE trial. You’ll quickly see why getting team management under control is the first step, and also one of the easiest.
From there, select just the best apps for construction management you need to make your work easier. Streamline your processes and only use the apps you need to get the job done efficiently.
