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Construction software helps professionals manage different pieces of the construction process, from planning to execution. Construction software is not yet ubiquitous within the construction industry; many companies still rely on pen and paper. However, adoption of the software has been expanding as construction firms’ IT budgets increase. Users include general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects, and building companies in a variety of industries.
Products in this category typically handle one or more of the following processes:
Construction takeoff software
Project management and scheduling
Project design
Cost accounting
Bid management
Field service management
Safety and reporting
In the construction industry, estimating is the process of calculating the cost of a project. This includes monitoring and updating price during the job. Many construction companies use estimating software to calculate costs at various phases of the project. This includes:
Pre-estimating - forecasting the cost of the job
Job costing - monitoring expenses during the project
Database comparison - using databases to compare material prices
Takeoff is another important part of the cost estimating process. Construction takeoff software allows contractors and project managers to estimate the cost and quantities of materials needed for the project using either hard copy or digital blueprints.
Many products include both estimating and takeoff capabilities, especially construction suite software such as Procore and Viewpoint Spectrum. However, there are a few construction takeoff point solutions such as On-Screen Takeoff and PlanSwift that often have trade-specific takeoff tools.
Many construction software products include project management, job site data collection & reporting, and collaboration features:
Plan distribution & viewing
Document sharing
Jobsite reports
Submittal management
Collaboration & approvals
Photo documentation
Time cards
Project management tools
Job costing
Building information modeling (BIM)
Issue tracking & punchlists
Mobile & cloud functionality
Estimating the cost of a project is an essential part of the construction process, and construction estimating software offers features such as:
Takeoff tools
Job Costing
Cost databases
Estimation calculator
Bid creation
The software enables construction business processes in a variety of areas. Sometimes these overlap with other software categories on TrustRadius that are not industry-specific. But here you can find vendors that cater to the construction industry:
Accounting: Sage, Viewpoint, Quickbooks, CMiC, Jonas Software and Deltek Vision.
Prequalification/Bidding: CMiC, iSqFt, Procore, SmartBidNet, Textura, Viewpoint, eBid Exchange and Pipeline Suite.
Estimating Software: This includes takeoff or materials estimation and features vendors such as On-Screen Takeoff, HeavyBid, Bluebeam Revu, Planswift, B2W Estimate, Trimble Accubid, ProEst, Sage Estimating and WinEst. This is by far the most crowded area of construction software.
Project Management: Viewpoint, Prolog, Procore, PlanGrid, Constructware, and CMiC. Non-industry specific solutions, like Primavera and Microsoft Project are also commonly used.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computer-aided Design (CAD): Revit (Autodesk), Navisworks (Autodesk), Sketchup(Trimble), Tekla (Trimble), QTO (Autodesk), and Assemble Systems.
Job Site Data Collection & Reporting: Autodesk's BIM360, B2W, HCSS, Procore, PlanGrid, NoteVault, and Viewpoint.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Cosential and FollowUp Power. CRM for construction is still not a focus for software vendors. Horizontal solutions can work in some cases.
Cloud Storage, Collaboration, and Web Conferencing: These areas are a crucial part of the construction software stack. Many companies do not use industry-specific solutions. Construction software solutions include PlanGrid and Bluebeam Revu. Both have cloud storage and collaboration capabilities. They are tailored to construction needs as a go-between for the office and field. Industry-specific options have more robust features than horizontal tools (DropBox, Adobe Acrobat DC, etc.). Additional features allow better handling of drawings, markups and file sharing.
Other Emerging Technologies: Augmented reality, virtual reality, drones and 3D printers hold promise for construction.
Construction software pricing depends on the purpose of the tool and the scale of its deployment and varies widely. For example, tools designed for cloud-based project management are typically priced on a subscription model. Prices start at around $40/mo. Other tools focused on bidding and approval maybe priced with a much larger, one-time license fee. Licenses are usually at least $10,000.
Procore is a project management software designed specifically for the construction industry. Procore is cloud-based and allows unlimited users per instance, so that construction team members and stakeholders can all access project information and documents.
PlanGrid is construction productivity software. The company provides tools to collaborate, collect, and manage project information throughout the project’s construction and operations lifespan. It enables document centralization and tracking.
Bluebeam Revu is a PDF management, control, and editing tool. It enables collaboration and markup within shared documents across projects’ life cycles and has takeoff and bid creation capabilities.
HCSS is a construction software suite. It includes functionality for bidding, time card and project management, safety, planning, scheduling, equipment management, and data warehousing and reporting. Each module can be purchased separately. The suite can be hosted in the cloud.
Autodesk’s Revit is a Building Information Modelling (BIM) tool. It enables architectural, MEP, structural, and engineering design, and provides analysis to support iterative workflows
WorkflowMax is a web-based project management solution.The platform offers end-to-end functionality standard to project management software, including time tracking, lead management, collaboration with external stakeholders, invoicing, integrations, and customizable reporting.
Viewpoint’s Vista is a construction accounting software. Vista’s core accounting features include accounts receivable and payable, general ledger, payroll and time management, and cash management. It also provides tools for document management, including document templates and reporting.
Viewpoint Spectrum is a cloud-based construction ERP suite with project management, accounting, resource management, and reporting and analytics. Key features include workflow automation and collaboration tools, document imaging and sharing, cost estimating tools, and RFI management tools.
NoteVault is a construction reporting tool with three components. The Notes! app is supported by an audio-to-text translation service, and the Crew! app allows users to track labor, materials, and equipment quantities. The AlertMe! app supports group calls for issue notification.
FollowUp Power CRM for Construction is a CRM system for the construction industry. Features include lead tracking, sales pipeline analysis, closing ratios, quota management, project management, and dashboards. It can integrate with other marketing and accounting products.
On-Screen Takeoff is a construction takeoff and estimating solution. It is intended to streamline takeoff, RFI, and bidding processes.
Oracle’s Primavera is a software suite designed for construction and other asset-intensive industries. It contains a variety of project planning, management, and execution components for buyers to select from.
AutoCAD mobile (formerly AutoCAD 360) is an easy to use drawing and drafting app from Autodesk. It enables users in design, construction, and engineering industries to view, create, mark-up, edit, and share drawings on mobile devices.
InEight offers construction project management software solutions. InEight solutions focus on project cost management, field execution, project administration, and document management and control. It is intended to integrate with other construction software for real-time information and insights.
BIM360 is a construction software for project managers, site managers, and Building Information Modelling (BIM) managers. It is designed to connect the office and site components of construction, providing cloud-based access to plans and models.
Autodesk's Navisworks is a construction project review and simulation software to improve BIM (Building Information Modeling) coordination, allowing the user to combine design and construction data into a single model, and identify and resolve clash and interference problems before construction.
e-Builder is a cloud-based construction program management solution that manages capital program cost, schedule, and documents. It allows owners to measure and manage the capital project delivery process from planning, design, procurement, construction and operations.
PlanSwift is a quantity takeoff software for construction estimating. It features a drag-and-drop interface and automatically calculates material and labor estimations in exportable formats.
BuildingConnected is an online preconstruction platform supporting communication and collaboration with contractors, subcontractors, and real estate owners. The platform supports bid management with cost tracking and analytics, relationship tracking, alerting, and unlimited bid invitations.
BuilderTrend is a construction management system. It includes functionality for pre-sale, project management, financial management, and customer management processes. It also provides mobile accessibility.
CMiC Project Management is a construction project collaboration and management solution. It centralizes project-related communications and documents onto one platform, and connects the job site with the back-end office.
Sage 100 Contractor is a construction accounting and project management software. It is intended to provide primary accounting and other management capabilities across a construction project lifecycle, including estimating, service management, and reporting.
SmartBid is a construction bid management software for general contractors. SmartBid provides a web-based and mobile platform to streamline their bid project data, documents, and subcontractor communications. It also supports user permissions control for data security.
Newforma Project Center is web-based construction project information management software for collaboration. Users can access a drag and drop interface, relate emails to documents, markup and review designs, track meeting minutes and action items, and search across projects. It has mobile accessi...
Trimble SysQue is a software design software which enables designers and contractors to design in Autodesk Revit with real-world, manufacturing-specific MEP content that is ready for fabrication.