Overview
At Planyard, we love spreadsheets and use them for numerous processes. However, for job costing in construction projects, spreadsheets can lead to time-consuming processes with much double data entry. Despite spending multiple hours or even days on the spreadsheet, inaccuracies still occur, potentially causing significant financial losses for companies. This is where Construction job costing software enters the picture.
Construction job costing software allows for more efficient processes as well as better forecasting accuracy. In this article, we will walk you through some of the most popular job-costing solutions on the market.
In this guide you’ll get a short overview, core features, what they might be best used for, and pros & cons (based on reviews from users) for 7 of the best construction job costing software of 2024 for small construction companies.
Planyard
Overview
Planyard offers a one-stop shop for continuous project budget management and processes related to the budget. The system is developed with quantity surveyors and project managers to ensure ease of use and that industry professionals can feel familiar with it.
Integrating core functionality directly into the budget, along with compatibility with the most commonly used accounting systems, Planyard minimizes the need for double data entry, streamlining business processes.
Planyard allows users to manage budget-related processes such as issuing purchase orders, managing subcontracts, change orders, and processing invoices. Since all of these processes interlink directly with the budget, you can eliminate a majority of the double data entry that usually is connected to the pre-mentioned processes.
This approach enables project-related company functions to save hours, or even days, every month on budget-related processes, such as CVR reporting and processing of sales invoices.
The implementation of Planyard is a swift process; adjust company settings to best suit your company, set up the inflow of purchase invoices, and integrate with accounting. Instead of taking weeks or months, the system can be set up and operational within hours.,
Core features
- Subcontractor valuation/progress reports
Procore
Overview
Procore is one of the most recognized construction software on the market. Procore offers a broad range of modules and aims to provide construction companies with all-in-one construction management. One of the packages provided is the Financial Management.
Procore will interlink processes directly with your budget to streamline workflows and give you a live overview of the economic health of your construction projects.
The software will help you set up collaborative processes between the teams involved in the project. Just like Planyard, procore will help your company automate a lot of the manual tasks associated with financial management.
Core features
- Invoice management
- Tender management
- Workforce planning
- Estimating
Pros based on reviews
- Top-of-the-line support
- Allows for numerous integrations with other relevant software
- Optional notifications and reminders
Cons based on reviews
- Could turn out cumbersome to implement
- Can be a costly endeavor based on what modules utilised
- Steep learning curve
Jobber
Overview
Jobber is well-suited for companies primarily engaged in-home service projects, including but not limited to plumbing, roofing, and electrical work. Its main focus is on client management, but it also offers features that support job costing.
By utilizing features for quotes and payments, Jobber can significantly save time on the job-costing aspects of client management. Invoices can be generated based on the time worked and materials used, enabling professionals to compare projected costs with the actual outcomes for completed jobs.
Jobber assists home service companies in staying on top of client communications, quotes, and invoicing.
Core Features
- Quoting and Estimates
- Time Tracking
- Expense Tracking
- Invoicing and Payments
- Budget vs. Actual Reporting
Pros based on reviews
- Field personnel can easily track time on different jobs
- Great features for daily processes
- Automated options for communication with clients
Cons based on reviews
- Can be costly for small business owners
- Not always easy to get support
- Limited customisation
Core features
BigTime
Overview
The software aims to supply companies with job costing capabilities that would allow for project success enhance as well as financial management. Big time allows for a detailed job reporting which further allows companies to do thural analysis of costs to save money in future projects.
The platform supply companies with various reports to make insights into revenue, costs and gross margins. Other reports enable users to compare results against projected budget. Utilisation by Month/Staffer reports will help firms assesing labor utilisation for the entire company, making it easier to optimise resources.
By integrating job costing and reporting features BigTime will support proactive project planning and metric tracking and help construction companies enhance workflow processes.
Core features
- Custom Reports
- Clock Out Questions
- Gate Log Processing
- Signature Approvals
- Injury Tracking
Pros based on reviews
- Specific project-based time tracking.
- Invoicing is fairly easy and customisable.
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
Cons based on reviews
- Project management features can be clunky.
- Limitations on customising invoices for certain project types.
- Difficulty in navigating invoice payment features.
Buildops
Overview
Buildops is an all-in-one platform for companies within commercial contracting. The software includes features for business management, project management, customer management, and scheduling. From a job-costing perspective, Buildops will supply you with tools to streamline operations.
Quotes and invoicing can all be handled through the platform. Buildops also integrates with several accounting systems to streamline the flow of financial information and eliminate double data entry.
With the scheduling feature, you’ll get a full overview of the availability of field personnel and can easily allocate resources.
Core features
- Smart Scheduling & Dispatching
- Report Generation
- Field Service App
- Quote Creation
- Invoicing
Pros based on reviews
- Enhances communication between field and office
- Provides data-driven insights
- Enables mobile workforce management
Cons Based on reviews
- Limited mobile app functionality
- May not scale for very large businesses
- Limited reporting features
BigChange
Overview
BigChange, similar to Buildops and Jobber, provides an all-in-one solution to streamline operations for construction companies in the service business. Financial management features include invoicing, which will help your company boost cash flow and control over the financial side of the business.
A full project overview in the mobile app ensures that all billable activities are captured and charged. With the features for scheduling field personnel, you enable smart and efficient resource planning and cost optimization to boost profitability.
By utilizing the BigChange, businesses will be analyse job performance and profitability. Moreover, detailed analysis is available to identify areas for cost reduction and make sure that decisions made are well informed.
Core features
- Job Scheduling
- Financial Management
- Mobile App
- Reporting
Pros based on reviews
- Streamlines job costing and financial reporting
- Enhances field service management with mobile app
- Supports efficient resource allocation and scheduling
Cons Based on reviews
- Initial setup and customization may require time
- Learning curve for new users
- Potential limitations in integration with existing systems
Sage 300
Overview
Integrates accounting and project management data to give a comprehensive overview of business performance. Well suited for companies that will run construction projects over a long period.
The software ensures precise budgeting, keeping track of expenses against budget and live adjustments of forecasts. By utilising Sage you can keep track of labor costs, materials, subcontractor costs, and more.
By automating tasks related to accounting and job costing activities, Sage 300 enables teams to save a significant amount of time compared to managing these processes in spreadsheets.
Core features
- Detailed Cost Tracking
- Budget Management
- Change Order Management
- Reporting and Analysis
Pros based on reviews
- Offers flexibility in project costing and management.
- Enables customisation for accurate and detailed report generation.
- Supports integration with multiple applications for enhanced data connectivity.
Cons based on reviews
- The user interface could benefit from modernisation to meet current user expectations.
- Full utilisation may require extensive training or expertise in Sage software.
- The complexity of the application can make it challenging for users to discover and utilize all available features effectively.
Key factors to consider.
When deciding what construction job costing software to go for, there are a lot of aspects to consider to make the right choice. What elements should you keep an eye out for when scouring the market? Naturally, this can vary between organisations. Below, you will find a list of considerations to help ensure a smooth implementation and a quick return on investment (ROI).
- Ease of use: Most likely, there will be several colleagues using the system, and most likely there will be differences in how “tech-savvy” the colleagues will be. By emphasising ease of use, you can cut heavy lead times during the implementation as well as minimize internal resistance.
- Ease of implementation: How much time will we have to spend on the implementation of the software? What’s the lead time between the decision to utilisation? It’s important to understand the effort that would go into implementing the software, hours spent, company functions involved, etc.
- Core functionality: Kind of an obvious one, but, it’s easy to get lost in the features offered. Make sure that the core functionality addresses the main challenges you hope to solve with the software.
- Growth potential: More often than not, there is a plan for your business to grow. Make sure to take into consideration whether the software would fit your business if you were to grow, say, tenfold. For example, are there additional features that could be used further down the road, when our company size is more suitable?
- Support: When the system is up and running, how are support queries handled? Is there a sufficient knowledge base to support the end users?
In conclusion
Planyard will make sure that the transition from spreadsheets will be a swift journey. With a user-friendly interface combined with easy account set-up, you’ll have the system up and running in no time and can get rid of spreadsheets once and for all. The core functionality enables companies to save days on administrative tasks a month while also having a more accurate process for forecasting, making sure that projects in the end are profitable. When getting started, companies can choose from various feature packages, enabling them to activate additional functionalities throughout the journey. Planyard will support companies in the implementation, ensuring quick results. Continuous support is available via chat, directly on the platform. For smaller construction companies, Planyard construction job costing software is a great choice.