What is Construction Scheduling Software?
Pro Tips

What is Construction Scheduling Software?

BuildBook Team
February 22, 2023
Updated:
April 21, 2023

In the construction business, staying organized and on schedule is key to a successful project. That's why more and more contractors are turning to construction scheduling software. This type of software can help streamline projects and keep them on track, leading to better job satisfaction for both workers and clients. Let’s take a closer look at what construction scheduling software is and how it can help your business. 

What is construction scheduling software? 

Construction scheduling software is a digital program used to plan, manage, and track jobsite progress in real-time. It keeps all your information in one place and helps you create and manage an organized timeline for your project. The goal is to make the process easier to understand while also helping you meet deadlines, stay on budget, and avoid costly mistakes or delays. 

The benefits of construction scheduling software 

Using construction scheduling software has several benefits that can help your business succeed. Here are just a few examples of how this type of program can help: 

Save time – Automating tasks like creating schedules, tracking materials, and monitoring job progress can save time by eliminating manual processes like data entry.  

Track progress – Real-time updates allow managers to quickly see where the job stands at any given moment so they can adjust their planning accordingly.

Reduce errors – Automating processes helps reduce errors from manual data entry or incorrect calculations that may happen when using traditional methods.

Improve communication – By having all project information stored in one place with easy access for everyone involved in the project, communication between team members is improved significantly.

Increase efficiency – Streamlining processes leads to increased efficiency, which means more projects can be completed faster with fewer resources needed.

Gain visibility – With detailed reports generated by the software, it’s much easier to get an overview of how each project is progressing. This way, managers have better visibility into their business operations.  

Construction scheduling software offers many benefits that no other tool or method can match. For general contractors, subcontractors, residential builders, and remodelers alike, having an automated solution such as this will help manage projects more efficiently while reducing errors and improving visibility into job progress and overall operations. This will ultimately lead to greater job satisfaction for both workers and clients alike! 

Whether you're just getting started or already have experience with construction scheduling software, learning about its features and advantages will ensure you're making the best decision for your business moving forward!

Construction scheduling software features

Construction scheduling software can make a huge difference in your construction projects. The right construction scheduling software will give you access to features that make planning, scheduling, and managing projects easier than ever before. Let’s take a look at some of the most important features that are available with today’s best construction scheduling software. 

Project scheduling

The most fundamental feature of any scheduling software is the ability to create a complete project timeline from beginning to end - including all phases, milestones, and tasks. 

Task creation and scheduling

Every phase of a project is made up of individual tasks and subtasks that need to be completed. Construction scheduling software allows you to create and schedule each of these items on an individual basis. 

Schedule dependencies

There are often tasks or phases within a project that are dependent on another task or phase being completed before they can begin. Construction scheduling software allows you to set these dependencies to ensure that everything is being done in the right order. 

Calendar and gantt views

A project schedule isn’t complete without a clear way for it to be understood and followed. The best way to do that is using calendars and Gantt charts. This is just another reason why construction scheduling software is so important for keeping everyone on the same page. 

Global project calendar

If your construction business runs more than one project at a time, a global project calendar combines all your project schedules into a single view. This isn’t a feature that every construction scheduling software offers, but some platforms even go one step further by including scheduled sales activities, making it even more helpful. 

Color coding

There are a lot of unique components that need to be scheduled within any given project, and construction scheduling software makes each component easily identifiable with different icons and colors. 

Drag and drop functionality

Schedule delays and changes are inevitable in construction, so it’s important that making updates to the calendar is quick and easy to accomplish. This is where drag and drop functionality is essential - rather than adjusting dates for every individual phase and task that’s affected by the change, you simply drag the next item ahead on your timeline, and all other items and dependencies that follow get moved as well. 

Activity dashboard

One of the biggest advantages of construction scheduling software is the ability to keep everything in one place, making things quick and easy to access. Going even one step further, an activity dashboard consolidates everything happening within your project into a single view for even quicker access.  

Construction project management

Scheduling is just one part of managing a construction project from start to finish, so ideally, you want to find construction management software that includes scheduling as a primary feature. This type of software will allow you to manage every aspect of your project in a single place. 

Team and client messaging

Collaboration and clear communication are essential requirements for any successful project. And this can be tough to manage when it’s being done over text messages, emails, and phone calls. The best construction scheduling software provides tools to communicate with your team and clients within the project, keeping all of the messaging in one place and easy to follow. 

Desktop and mobile access

Most construction scheduling software today is cloud-based, meaning you can access it online from any location or device. More importantly, a good construction scheduling platform will have its application available to you in both desktop and mobile formats, so you and your team don’t have to struggle using a desktop application on a mobile device while you’re on the job site.     

Additional construction schedule software features

  • Schedule templating
  • Client-friendly schedule
  • Progress tracking
  • Document and image importing
  • Team management 
  • Custom task libraries for repeated tasks
  • Customizable work weeks (weekends and holidays)
  • Exportable and printable schedules
  • Schedule automation
  • Filtered calendar views
  • Instant notifications

By using these features effectively, you can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize delays to ensure successful completion of every project on time and on budget!

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How much does construction scheduling software cost? 

The cost of construction scheduling software can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of construction it’s needed for, the specific features and tools included, the number of users, and any customization needed. 

On average, scheduling software can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year, with enterprise-level solutions potentially costing tens of thousands of dollars or more per year. Some platforms, such as BuildBook, offer free trials and lower-cost options for smaller-size companies - while others offer custom pricing based on specific needs and requirements.

What is the best construction scheduling software? 

The best construction scheduling software options will depend on your specific needs, budgets, and requirements. Here are some of the most popular and highly-rated construction scheduling software options out there:

BuildBook

BuildBook construction scheduling software

Construction management software designed to be fast and simple to use. Offers tools to create and manage projects and schedules with less stress.

Pros

  • Dead simple to use with no training required
  • Everything in one place
  • Fast and modern interface that’s intuitive to use
  • All features included in every plan
  • Affordable pricing with no additional fees

Cons

  • Doesn’t include accounting tools (time tracking, purchase orders, etc)
  • Is not suited for commercial construction projects

Pricing

Buildertrend

A construction management platform that offers project scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and collaboration tools.

Pros

  • Customer management
  • QuickBooks integration
  • Control and forecast costs
  • Manage jobs in one place
  • Accessible from anywhere
  • Email marketing

Cons

  • Outdated interface and difficult to use
  • Expensive monthly pricing
  • Features limited on lower-tier plans
  • Long ramp-up time that often requires expensive training

Pricing 

  • Introductory pricing starts at $99/month for 3 months
  • Pricing starts at $339/month

CoConstruct

A construction management platform that offers project scheduling, document management, and field collaboration tools.

Pros 

  • Offline time clock
  • Manage projects on the go
  • Generate invoices based on either budget actuals or a percentage of an estimate
  • QuickBooks integration
  • 360-degree photo view for virtual tours
  • Pricing plans include a dedicated implementation coach

Cons 

  • Owned by Buildertrend and will no longer be supported
  • Clunky, cumbersome software that makes for a poor user experience
  • Expensive monthly pricing
  • Features limited on lower-tier plans

Pricing 

  • Introductory pricing starts at $99/month for 3 months
  • Pricing starts at $339/month

Houzz Pro

A marketing-focused platform that offers project management tools for project scheduling, resource allocation, and budgeting.

Pros 

  • Marketing tools like custom website and advertising
  • Communication and lead progress tracking
  • Provides an easy place for past clients to provide testimonials
  • Gives professionals a place to share work online with homeowners looking for ideas
  • Easy to learn
  • User-friendly interface

Cons 

  • Not built as a true project management platform for builders and remodelers
  • Features are limited on lower-tier plans
  • Must commit and pay upfront for 1 year
  • Features like estimating, purchase orders, and invoicing are very basic

Pricing 

These are just a few examples and there are many other options available on the market, each with their own set of features and capabilities. It's important to evaluate the needs of the specific construction project and choose a solution that best fits those needs.

How to evaluate which construction scheduling software is best for your business 

When looking at which construction scheduling software is best for your residential construction business, think about these six factors:

  1. Project requirements: Keep in mind the size, complexity, and unique needs of your projects. Does the software meet your specific scheduling requirements and provide the features you need to manage your projects effectively?
  1. User experience: Consider the ease of use, intuitive interface, and user-friendly features. Can your team effectively use the software to manage projects and collaborate with one another?
  1. Integration: Notice if the software integrates with other tools and systems you use, such as project management, financial management, and document management software.
  1. Cost: Think about the cost of the software, including upfront costs, ongoing costs, and any hidden costs, such as training and support.
  1. Technical support: Consider the level of technical support offered by the software vendor, including availability, response time, and quality of support.
  1. Security: Take note of the software’s security features and data protection measures, such as data encryption and access controls.

By considering these factors, you can narrow down your options and choose the best construction scheduling software for your residential construction business. It’s also a good idea to do a trial of the software first to test its functionality and ensure that it meets your needs before making a purchase.

At the end of the day, construction scheduling software is there to make the daily workflow easier on you and your business. And with the help of solid construction scheduling software like BuildBook, you can get the streamlined focus you need to meet deadlines, stay on budget, and avoid costly mistakes and project delays. Take your construction company to the next level with software that supports you every step of the way.

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