Picking the right management software is essential to construction projects. This can be especially true for construction projects where communication and organization are the key to success and optimization.
Finding the right software is tough with so many tools and the large price tag they have attached. Although there are a ton to choose from, not all software is made with small businesses in mind. So, what is the solution? Finding the best construction software for small businesses.
We’ve curated a list of the best construction software for small businesses to help your team crush its next project. For each software, we will compare prices, stand-out features, limitations, and reviews so that you can spend less time searching for the best software for contractors and more time running your team smoothly.
What Is Construction Project Management Software for Small Businesses?
Contractor software for small businesses is a digital tool to help contractors manage and organize their business projects and provide better communication to their teams. The software provides tools for budgeting, planning, project assignments, and document tracking all within a single platform.
The best construction software for small businesses should make your construction manager’s life easier by adopting a one-stop shop for all things project-related. The software you choose for your team is the easiest way to streamline workflows and organize feedback, making team collaboration the best it can be.
What Should You Look For in Construction Project Management Software for Small Businesses?
When choosing the best construction software for small businesses, some features and priorities to keep in mind are:
- Budgeting: Does the software allow you to plan your finances and costs for a project?
- Task Assignment: Is it easy to assign tasks to your team and track due dates?
- Document Tracking & Sharing: Can you easily tack documents your team is sharing and using for a project and integrate outside tools?
- Easy Use: How easy is it to manage your workspace and feel confident your team will be able to use it no matter their technical skills?
- Team and Client Collaboration: Does the software prioritize collaboration among your team and make it easy to include clients when needed as well? Does it make feedback easy and seamless?
- Reviews: What are other contractors saying about this tool? Do they feel it has improved their business or not?
Why is Construction Project Management Software for Small Businesses Important?
There seem to be a couple of problems today within the construction industry: communication and organization. The solution? Utilizing the best construction software for small businesses.
Lack of communication and organization drives rework by up to 52% during construction projects. This can cause frustration and teamwork issues that may lead to poor efficiency, especially for a small business.
However, poor efficiency and communication issues can be mitigated by choosing the best construction software for small businesses for your team. Now that we know what contractor software for small businesses is and why it is integral to your business, let’s compare and contrast our top 8 construction project management software for small businesses.
Top Best Construction Software for Small Businesses
1. Punchlist
Punchlist is the #1 best construction software for small businesses designed to streamline workflows for construction managers, interior designers, architects, and creative professionals. Construction managers trust Punchlist as their software of choice not only because it helps them connect with contractors, clients, and stakeholders, but also because its robust feedback tools make the QA’ing process a breeze.
Punchlist eliminates the need for QA spreadsheets and long email chains that cause delays and inaccuracies going from the design to build phases. Plus, Punchlist makes collecting feedback on g PDFs, image files, video files, Figma boards, Webflow, live websites, and PowerPoints quick and stress-free.
Key Features of Punchlist:
- Actionable Feedback Pins: Upload blueprints, site plans, or checklists and pin comments directly onto the plans or images to eliminate confusion and provide clarity.
- Task Assignment and Timeline Tracking: Assign tasks to subcontractors, track status updates, and maintain accountability with real-time progress tracking.
- Integration Capabilities: Connect Punchlist to your other task management tools such as Asana, ClickUp, Monday.com, Slack, and more to seamlessly turn feedback into tasks to streamline workflow.
- Role Managing: Designate roles and task holders to ensure accountability, data security, and proper task oversight and direction.
- Markup Tool: Bring pen-and-paper feedback into the digital world. Draw freehand, add shapes, and highlight details directly on PDFs and images.
- Tablet Mode: Seamlessly work on-site with tablet mode. Review designs, drop comments, and leave quick markups while walking through your project site.
- Private Client Access: Provide clients with a dedicated portal to view only the projects, photos, contracts, or plans you choose. Easily manage and control access—all in one secure place.
Benefits:
- Get Feedback Quicker: Get feedback directly on designs and in real-time to mitigate lost information and confusion on directions.
- Finish Projects On Time: Keep your projects organized with designated tasks for each team member with progress updates to streamline your workflow and maximize efficiency.
- Works With Other Tools: Seamlessly integrate your outside tools into Punchlist to turn feedback into actionable items for your team with each tool working together to make your life easier.
- Assign Responsibilities With Ease: Delegating roles for each task to keep work streamlined and accounted for, leaving little room for forgotten work.
Limitations Include:
- Punchlist does not offer a budgeting tool
- The free plan on Punchlist limits up to 25 comments per project
Free Trial:
- Not sure where to begin when picking a plan? Punchlist has you covered with a free trial offer. Choose which plan you’d like to start a trial for and then begin enhancing clarity with visual feedback and align your team throughout the QA process. For 30 days, access all of Punchlist’s tools for free and gain the benefits of our features to truly see why Punchlist is the best construction software for small businesses.
Testimonials:
“What I love the most about Punchlist is that it’s an easy way for our clients to interact with our presentations by adding notes, changing or approving items, and keeping a list saved that our whole team can access at any time.”
- Stella O., Interior Designer and Architectural Drafter
“Punchlist serves as one consistent place to direct your clients and team members. It doesn’t require any buy-in or work on the client side. It streamlines decision-making and helps me get to the building phase much quicker.”
- Danielle S., Owner and Principal Designer
2. RedTeam
RedTeam is a cloud-based construction management software that offers multiple tools including Fieldlens which fosters real-time collaboration, RedTeam Go which makes project management easier, and RedTeam Flex for managing construction. RedTeam also offers an integration with QuickBooks to support financial planning and tracking.
Key Features Include:
- Project Management: Includes tools for scheduling, data movement into one place, and document management.
- Built-in Task Automation: Automates over 100+ tasks in one place with built-in automation.
- Bid Management: Clears the way for bid solicitation and management that helps contractors manage proposals and communications between subcontractors.
- Finance Management: Organizes finances and shares them easily with clients for transparency made easy with the integration of QuickBooks.
Limitations Include:
- According to some users, there can be a learning curve when first adopting the software.
- Some users have reported performance issues and buffering which may slow down processes.
Pricing:
- RedTeam Fieldlens: $39/month per user
- RedTeam Go: $450/month with unlimited users
- RedTeam Flex: $450/month with unlimited users
Reviews:
- G2: 4.3/5
- Capterra: 4.2/5
3. ProjectManager
ProjectManager is a project management tool designed to work for multiple industries, including construction. It houses features for contractors to plan projects, track progress, and report in real-time.
Key Features Include:
- Scheduling and Planning: Utilizes Gantt Charts, Kanban boards, and project schedules.
- Task Management: Manages tasks with dependencies and works together with your team in multiple project views.
- Time Tracking: Real-time tracking and dashboards.
Limitations Include:
- ProjectManager may lack some contractor and construction-specific tools
- Has limited offline access
Pricing:
- Team: $13 per user/month
- Business: $24 per user/month
- Enterprise: Contact them to get a custom quote
Reviews:
- G2: 4.4/5
- Capterra: 4.⅕
4. Buildertrend
Buildertrend is a cloud-based construction project management software designed specifically for home contractors, commercial contractors, and remodelers. It offers features to manage projects, plan finances, and update clients.
Key Features Include:
- Financial Management: Buildertrend has features for invoicing, tracking, and change orders as well as the opportunity to receive rebates from brand names.
- Advanced Reporting: Provides easy-to-understand data for better business decisions.
- Exclusive Insurance: Provides insurance plans to cover contractor businesses.
Limitations Include:
- Higher price points can be expensive for small businesses
- Can come with a learning curve when first adopting the software
Pricing:
- Entry Package: $199 monthly for contractors, including free 2-day training
Reviews:
- G2: 4.2/5
- Capterra: 4.5/5
5. 123worx
123worx is tailored for small to mid-size construction businesses and offers tools for financial planning, CRM, and project management.
Key Features Include:
- Project Management: Provides document tracking, labor and material estimates, budget tracking, change order management, and scheduling.
- CRM Management: 123worx CRM tracks every lead from start to finish and uses construction management tools such as estimating, scheduling, RFPs, RFIs, client proposals, and communication tracking.
- Collaboration Tools: Provide CRM and document collaboration between the team and clients.
Limitations Include:
- Limited third-party integrations
- High prices which may not be best for small business construction companies
Pricing:
- Base Package: $575/mo
Reviews:
- G2: 5/5
- Capterra: 5/5
6. Fieldwire by Hilti
Fieldwire is a field management solution for construction teams to collaborate and communicate from the field with office staff.
Key Features Include:
- Messaging Capabilities: Have conversations connected to specific tasks with push notifications.
- Plan Markups: View, edit, and record inconsistencies directly on blueprints.
- Report Customization: Create and schedule customized PDF reports with project details.
Limitations Include:
- Limited third-party integrations
- Some advanced features require higher-priced plans
Pricing:
- Basic Plan: Free with limited features
- Pro: $39/mo
- Business: $59/mo
- Business Plus: $89/mo
Reviews:
- G2: 4.5/5
- Capterra: 4.6/5
7. Procore
Procore is a comprehensive construction management platform that specializes in minimizing risk and connects teams, applications, and safety tools in one platform.
Key Features Include:
- Quality and Safety Tools: Uses real-time data from the field to mitigate risks, and manages inspections and incidents.
- Bid Management: Distributes information, collects bids, and tracks coverage during the bidding process.
- Financial Management: Features include managing invoices, budgets, and billing.
Limitations Include:
- May be a complex program to implement
- Pricing is not transparent online
Pricing:
- Each plan is customized based on business needs and size, contact a representative for more information.
Reviews:
- G2: 4.6/5
- Capterra: 4.5/5
8. Raken
Raken is a field-management solution software built for construction companies of all sizes to streamline workflows and track projects for contractors.
Key Features Include:
- Daily Progress Reporting: Provides segmented daily reports, photo and video tracking, collaborator reports, and task scheduling.
- Time and Production Management: Track materials, equipment, production, and more.
- Toolbox Talks: An app that connects contractors within the field to promote best practices and safety as well as complete safety tasks that get uploaded to the cloud.
Limitations Include:
- Limited offline functionality
- Limited integrations
Pricing:
- Each plan is customized based on business needs and size, contact Raken personally for a quote or try it for free.
Reviews:
- G2: 4.6/5
- Capterra: 4.5/5
Choosing the Best Construction Software for Small Businesses
Every construction management software wants to be the best software for contractors, but not every program will be the best for you. That’s why choosing the best construction software for small businesses depends completely on your budget, needs, and experience level. Whether you want to centralize your feedback process, mitigate risks on the field, or manage finances, there’s an ideal tool for you on this list.
As a software company that prioritizes making the QA process streamlined and stress-free, Punchlist is our best construction software for small businesses. Its feedback features are robust and updated in real-time, eliminating confusion and guaranteeing clarity for your team and client.
Choose the best construction software for small businesses and start a 30-day free trial to enhance your team’s workflow today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to implement construction project management software for small businesses?
Implementation will vary by software choice, but many software companies will provide training, customer service help, or onboarding periods to alleviate the pain of implementation. However, the best construction software for small businesses should be easy to use and not require a lot of training.
How secure is contractor software for small businesses?
Most modern software will be encrypted to keep your information private and safe within your business. Contractor software for small businesses should also look for secure cloud storage and user access controls to protect project information.