Elevate takeoffs for faster bids and increased project success for FREE. See Details Here.

PlanHub’s Q2 Research Reveals Many Opportunities. Register for the Webinar and Learn More

What to Look for in Construction Project Management Software

A General Contractor

The key to selecting the right construction project management software for your company is to develop a list of “must have’s” and “like to have’s” and prioritize them. By shopping around, you can discover new features you didn’t even know were available.

To help you in your search, here are some key characteristics to look for in construction project management software:

Accessibility

Most construction work, including project management, occurs in the field. For this reason, field workers and office staff both need to have access to project information so they can make critical decisions that affect the project and the company.

Many project management software packages are cloud-based. This makes it easier for teams to access information wherever they’re located. It also reduces costs because companies don’t have to invest in additional computers or servers. They can use existing phones and laptops. Cloud-based software is safe and secure, as the data is backed up regularly and is housed on many servers.

Another option is to have your project management software hosted on your server and provide access to the field through remote connections. This provides additional security and control over your data. If you go this route, make sure your server and connections are up to speed so that field workers can be productive and efficient.

Ease-of-use

Project management software should be reasonably easy for your employees to use. If the program is too complicated that no one understands it, or there’s a lot of steps in each process, employees aren’t going to want to use it. Moreover, complex software requires more time to train employees on how to use it. This can slow down implementation and increase costs.

When assessing ease-of-use, keep in mind what processes you need the software to perform. If you are performing complex jobs or have complex needs, you’ll need more complex software. Using a more straightforward software system will not provide the services you want. If you choose a complex system, make sure it supplies these complex services as simple as possible.

Integration

Create a list of the software systems you currently have and interact with your project management software. These programs may include accounting, payroll, invoicing, timesheets, emailing, or scheduling. Look for systems that will interact with these software programs.

If you choose software that doesn’t integrate, you’ll have to enter information twice or import and export data, which can add time to your work process and cause mistakes. The goal of implementing a software solution is to save time, and integrations will help with that. It’s essential to recognize that often work processes will need to be refined to match the new software’s requirements and workflow.

Cost

The cost of purchasing and implementing new software includes both money and time. Several factors go into determining how much a company will spend in implementation. First, there’s the cost of the software or service itself. Some programs are paid as a subscription, while others are a one-time payment. Look at the expense of each package over time to assess which is the best for your situation.

Next, you’ll need to determine how much training time will be required for your staff. They’ll need to learn how to use the new software and any new work processes that will be required. Recognize that, at first, things will take much longer than they did before you implemented the software. Speed will increase over time as your employees get used to the new processes.

Implementation costs also include time spent on software setup and testing. It’s usually best to start with a small group when implementing new software. They act as a test group, working out the bugs and determining the best workflows for your company. Data may need to be entered twice, once in the old system and again in the new one during this time. You’ll want to include this additional time in your cost estimate.

As you implement the new system, the training and ramp-up time may slow production in the field and the office. Ensure you include potential delays caused by the software into your schedules or authorize overtime to make it up.

Reputation

Before purchasing a software package, it pays to research the company and the software’s history. Find out how long they’ve been in business and how long the software has been in use. The more extended history a program has, the more stable it is. This doesn’t mean that young companies and software should be dismissed; just be cautious when purchasing them.

Check out reviews of the software packages you’re looking at, paying particular attention to those by companies in a similar trade or industry. Ask the software company if they have references you can call to ask questions. This is often the best way to find out how a software package performs since you can ask things that aren’t answered in most reviews or that are specific to your situation.

Another way to research software is to ask contractors that provide similar work what software they use. This will allow you to ask additional questions, get insight into what the implementation process was like, and find out how easy the software is to use for someone in your industry.

Features

Before shopping for project management software, determine what features you need the software to have. These will probably include ones that your current system provides, plus some added ones, which is usually the reason you’re shopping for new software.

Next, create a list that includes features that you would like to have. You may not know at this point what those are unless you’ve done some research to see what’s available. Shop around and then start brainstorming ideas with your team to develop a shortlist of top priorities.

You’ll want your new software to meet as many of your needs as possible. However, you may need to compromise. Prioritize your overall list of features to know what’s most important when it comes time to select one.

Next steps

Choosing construction project management software for your company can be a complicated process. Get off to a good start by assembling potential users and going through this list. Then search for software packages that best meet your needs and schedule a demonstration. Continue to narrow down the list, asking questions and contacting current users. Soon you’ll be able to make a decision and take your business to the next level.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Sign up with PlanHub today to get more construction leads.

Be the first to know

PlanHub insights, resources, and news, sent directly to your inbox.

    planhub
    planhub icon

    Data and Deep Insights

    We make construction smarter by connecting with the right people, at the right time, for the right project.

    With our technology and data intelligence, we empower construction professionals to easily build the right business relationships, streamline pre construction processes, and make efficient decisions.

    From competitive intelligence in each project allowing you to know how many other contractors are downloading or bidding to insights as to contractors’ performance, we provide the data you need to lead your business to success.

    By providing faster, simpler, and unmatched data insights in each step of the pre construction process, PlanHub helps your business lay a strong foundation for the success of the rest of the construction process.

    planhub icon

    Bid Leveler & Proposal builder

    Comparing bids to one another has never been easier. Users can now see bids side by side, compare bid amounts, and review subcontractors’ certifications and qualifications all in one place.

    Bid Leveler’s apples-to-apples approach allows you to easily drill down and see detailed, easy-to-scan cost breakdowns. Indicate bid preference, hide bids that don’t meet your needs, and request needed information from subs.

    planhub icon

    Full Bid Management

    From the initial decision to pursue a project to the final bid submission and follow up, bid management plays a central role in pre construction.

    Effectively managed bids during the preconstruction phase set the stage for a successful project execution and satisfied clients.

    Streamline bid management from project posting to estimating, bidding, and awarding in one place with easy project posting, project-contractor automatic matching based on trades, location, and qualification with PlanHub.

    Use bid planner, bid builder, bid leveler, and award tools to always know what’s going on with each project and bid.

    planhub icon

    Estimation and TakeOff

    Let’s face it—time is money. And the more time it takes to perform takeoffs and submit bids, the more you risk losing out on valuable revenue opportunities. Manual methods and locally installed desktop software slow your takeoff process, and many digital solutions currently on the market can be overly complex and not user-friendly. 

    Build faster takeoffs, get more bids out the door, and win more projects. Forget pen and paper, outdated desktop software, and overly complicated digital takeoff solutions. PlanHub’s easy-to-use Takeoff tool helps you and your team build accurate takeoffs faster, minimize errors and material waste, and win more projects that boost your business growth. Performing your takeoffs with PlanHub allows you to:

    • Streamline and integrate your process: Perform your takeoffs in the same platform you use to manage your network and bids.
    • Avoid costly estimating errors: Get better accuracy with digital tools instead of traditional, mistake-prone pen and paper.
    • Collaborate easily: Share and work with your team, no matter where you—or they—are located.
    • Submit more bids and win more projects: Get quality bids in front of general contractors faster and get ahead of your competition.
    planhub
    planhub icon

    Document Management

    Organize, store, and manage various documents, blueprints, drawings and other information related to projects before the actual construction phase begins.

    This phase is crucial for setting the foundation of a successful construction project, and effective document management plays a significant role in ensuring that all necessary information is accessible, accurate, and up-to-date to all interested parties.

    Access, review, work on, and share large complex documents in one platform with amazing speed. From project definition, drawing management, takeoff, estimation, bid management, and contracts, everything happens in PlanHub.

    planhub crm
    planhub icon

    CRM

    Be part of a construction professionals’ ecosystem that enhances collaboration, streamlines project management, and fosters smart relationships between companies, construction professionals, and projects.

    Enjoy seamless communication, build strong relationships, and streamlines project management. By leveraging the power of connections and collaboration, we enhance efficiency, save time and resources, and drive collective growth in the industry.

    planhub network
    planhub icon

    1M+ pre-qualified network

    PlanHub is the leading platform that connects companies, construction professionals, and projects in the pre-construction industry, focusing on building and developing meaningful relationships to enhance efficiency and productivity.

    We have integrated general contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers’ workflows in one platform to simplify the complex back and forth usually present in preconstruction. By allowing all interactions to be done through PlanHub, tracking projects and relationships is much easier, saving contractors and material suppliers time and money. Interactions in the platform are tagged and measured to provide insights to users.

    General contractors create bid packages that are shared in PlanHub as projects. They can include templatized lists of all CSI cost items as part of the new Baseline feature. Baseline allows for faster and more accurate bid requests, facilitates homogenization of subcontractors’ bids, and simplifies the comparison of incoming bids.

    Subcontractors are automatically matched with relevant projects based on their profile, preferences, and pre-qualification information saving hours of research to both sides. They can review project details, documentation, and blueprints.

    planhub icon

    High-quality projects

    Your one-stop job for qualified hard-to-find private project leads in varying stages like pre-planning, bidding, etc., and across different geographies, zip codes, or distance to your office.

    Projects include plans, specifications, bid dates, and other relevant project information.

    You can segment project leads by type of project, status, project building use, trades and sub trades, or create your own list of keywords — and be notified when one of them is found in a posted project’s documentation or plans.

    We make it simple to find projects that match your business — and make sure you are notified right away.

    				
    					<script src='https://planhub.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js' id='jquery-core-js'></script>
    <script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/embed/v2.js"></script>
    <script>
      hbspt.forms.create({
        region: "na1",
        portalId: "7063061",
        formId: "ced7254f-5c61-49b9-9ce0-6f870b79a958"
      });
    </script>
    				
    			

    Get the report!

    From the very beginning, PlanHub has been a place where people can do meaningful work and build strong relationships.

    Come grow with us! We’re building innovative technologies that simplify preconstruction for everyone.

    Expand your network and connect with general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and suppliers – not to mention thousands of relevant projects at your fingertips.

    Generate relevant leads, faster and with precision. With access to private, hard-to-find projects, you can connect with architects and owners on projects still in the pre-design and design stages.

    PlanHub’s advanced suite of bid management tools allows you to increase productivity, identify relevant projects using data, build bids with Takeoff, and manage bids through the entire process.

    Create quicker, improved takeoffs effortlessly. PlanHub’s Takeoff Core aids your team in accurate, faster estimates, minimizing errors, and driving business growth.

    Expand your network and connect with general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and suppliers – not to mention thousands of relevant projects at your fingertips.

    Generate relevant leads, faster and with precision. With access to private, hard-to-find projects, you can connect with architects and owners on projects still in the pre-design and design stages.

    PlanHub’s advanced suite of bid management tools allows you to increase productivity, identify relevant projects using data, build bids with Takeoff, and manage bids through the entire process.