It's a busy time for the Canadian construction industry, with non-residential construction up 6% and a 10% increase in building permits. If your construction company is seeing growth, it's probably time to modernize your accounting system to keep up with it.

You might already have several tools you rely on to track inventory, labour hours, and payroll, but integrating all this information with construction accounting software can streamline your workflows.

We'll show you the best construction business software that delivers asset visibility, real-time tracking, and job site coordination, which can help keep costs low.

Table of Contents

• Accounting software for construction inventory and job costs
• Construction project management software
• Takeoff construction software and apps
• Electrical contractor software and apps
• Inventory management systems for construction companies
• Construction scheduling software and apps
• Construction site management software
• Construction communication software
• Construction estimating software
• Construction bidding software
• Construction lead management software
• Construction building information management software
• Time tracking tools for field teams
• How QuickBooks integrates into your construction software stack
• What to look for in construction business software
• Build a smarter construction workflow with Intuit QuickBooks
• Frequently asked questions

Accounting software for construction inventory and job costs

A large part of construction business management software is construction accounting, which includes inventory and job costing software. As your construction company scales up in terms of size or complexity, being able to integrate Intuit QuickBooks construction accounting can make your job much easier. Here's how:

• Job costing features that track fluctuating material costs help you manage project budgets while they're underway. For instance, QuickBooks Online Advanced tracks multiple jobs, unions, locations, and rates automatically.
• Financial tracking is crucial to prevent cash flow problems across work sites, and it can help you determine markup calculations if the cost of the project needs to change.
• Effective accounting software makes it easier to meet CRA compliance requirements since the software automatically meets each province's unique tax rules.
• Automated reporting makes it easy to see real-time data and share it with field crews. By avoiding manual data entry, you save time and reduce errors that can cause costly delays. Plus, programs like QuickBooks Time help you easily track and report timesheets, which can be integrated with payroll and invoicing software.

Construction project management software

The right construction project management software lets you manage key project timelines and track milestones from a centralized platform. Your stack (or integrated solution) should give you access to the following features.

Real-time project dashboards

Intuit QuickBooks integrates with BigTime and Leap CRM, allowing you to spot budget overruns before they escalate. BigTime's dashboard lets you see data on all in-progress jobs and share it, along with alerts, with your team in the field.

Leap CRM is a cloud-based solution that lets you manage your workflow from the dashboard. You can even use the dashboard from the job site since the app works on your mobile device.

Project tracking capability

Support daily operations across job sites by integrating with collaboration tools like PlanGrid. Its rich suite lets you track work assignments and punch lists, complete all job site reports, and file RFIs from the field.

eSUB, a project management app, automates labour communication and tracks costs, which you can integrate with accounting software.

Budgeting software

Software like Buildertrend integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Online. Enter data once, and all of it will flow through every step, including estimating, specs, proposals, change orders, and budgeting. Its CRM features help you manage quotes, sales, time, and contracts, with customizable templates and analytics to support construction estimating.

Resource allocation tools

Pair software like Smartsheet, Fieldwire, or Bolt with Intuit QuickBooks to ensure there are no bottlenecks, so projects can be completed on time and within budget. This way, you can schedule your workforce and communicate directly with your field crew. These tools sync with cloud storage to track each project's daily progress.

Takeoff construction software and apps

You may already have construction management tools you know and love, but you don't have to give them up when you get Intuit QuickBooks. Instead, integrating these programs can help you create a customized hub for your construction company. Here are a few takeoff tools to consider:

1. Stack Estimating software is a takeoff and estimating tool that lets you produce bids that are accurate for costs and pricing. Stack allows you to group up to 10 custom labels to help you find and organize your existing takeoffs.
2. On-Screen Takeoff is designed to help contractors and construction professionals reduce costs and save time. Since it integrates with your construction accounting software, you can access cost management data via a tablet from the field.
3. PlanSwift's takeoff features include the ability to add hyperlinks to your work, drag-and-drop assemblies, and it offers prompts that lead you through the process. Calculate labour and material costs by clicking on the screen, and measure both linear and square footage with a single click.
4. Countfire is a takeoff solution aimed at residential and commercial companies of all sizes, as well as plumbing, mechanical, and electrical contractors. It automates counting from PDF drawings and blueprints, and provides a host of other features, including linear and area measurements, 2-D takeoff, CAD integration, and automatic scaling.
5. Import images from CAD files, Vector PDF, and other image formats using WinEx-GRADE, Roctek's on-premise site development takeoff software. This program is very easy to learn and use, even for those without much technical knowledge.
6. Lumber dealers, home builders, and general contractors can build 3-D views of their sites with PrebuiltML, an on-premise takeoff software that helps you minimize waste and time by automating the takeoff process.

Electrical contractor software and apps

If you're hiring an electrical contractor, take a look at electrical estimating software that integrates with Intuit QuickBooks job costing features. You can use it to compare your contractor's estimate against thousands of prebuilt assemblies.

You can also pull material pricing data specifically for electrical work directly into your Intuit QuickBooks job costing. This saves you the step of manually entering costs, and the data it pulls remains accurate and up to date.

Inventory management systems for construction companies

Construction project management software that integrates with Intuit QuickBooks should include strong inventory management techniques. This lets you track equipment, tools, and onsite materials across job sites, so construction isn't delayed.

With Intuit QuickBooks inventory management, you can immediately see where tools and materials are located across multiple job sites. This makes it easier to schedule the movement of supplies across multiple job sites, so you're not running out of materials on the job.

Inventory management systems should feature:

• Asset visibility that encourages accountability, so fewer tools and equipment are lost or misplaced.
• Job site transfers that make it easy to move inventory between projects with accurate records.
• Integration with accounting to make a direct connection between material usage and job costs.
• Multi-location tracking which allows you to manage inventory across warehouses and job sites.

Construction scheduling software and apps

A lot of construction work is actually scheduling materials and field crews across projects. This can create problems unless you have software that simplifies things:

1. Take care of all your project scheduling with NetPoint, an interactive tool that brings risk management and reliability to scheduling. Its network-based process streamlines collaborative planning and ensures clear communication among everyone on your team. Use this software to help team members focus on the tasks that are critical and to help stakeholders buy into your planning.
2. ControlBoard dispatching and scheduling software wins raves from operations managers who use it to reallocate resources while a job is in progress. Efficiently schedule your resources and track the location of your crews and equipment with this handy app designed primarily for time tracking in commercial construction.

Construction site management software

If you've wondered what construction site management software is, SiteMax is a good example. It provides a user-friendly solution for site management. With digital time cards, geolocation check-in, customized site reports and progress photos, 24/7 weather reporting, and a real-time view of the project, this software demonstrates transparency to your clients, increasing their trust.

Its use of site and safety FlexForms allows you to transform an existing paper process into an electronic system. Because it's an SaaS offering, SiteMax is relatively inexpensive. Book a free demo to get started.

Construction communication software

Procore streamlines project documentation and communication to enhance your efficiency. The software, which you can buy on a subscription basis, works on any mobile device, laptop, or desktop. With it, your crew can share drawings, schedules, contracts, RFIs, and submittals with all your collaborators, including engineers, architects, and owners. This keeps everyone up-to-date on each stage of a project's progress.

Construction estimating software

Before you take on a new construction project, you need to provide an estimate that ensures the project is profitable. These programs can help you generate one:

1. Digital takeoff is built into ProEst estimating software, supporting most digital file formats, including AutoCAD. It lets you work with electronic blueprints on-screen, refine bids, run what-if analyzes, and adjust markups. With a comprehensive materials database and visual assemblies, ProEst streamlines job management through its smooth integration with construction accounting software.
2. Finish your project estimations for light commercial, new residential, remodelling, or service jobs with TurboBid, an estimating software designed specifically for small and medium-sized contractors. This app updates supplier and marketing pricing automatically, reflecting pricing from Trade Service, and you can also add pricing for your five favourite suppliers.
3. Small and medium-sized electrical and tele-data contractors are well-served by Trimble, whose Trimble Accubid estimating software includes two core versions: Accubid Classic, basic hosted software, or Accubid Anywhere, a cloud-based platform that includes 2-D takeoff, automatic scaling, and CAD and digitizer integration.
4. If you're in the plumbing and mechanical piping line, McCormick's Plumbing & Mechanical Estimating software is designed specifically for you, with best-of-breed solutions in estimating, bid management, and takeoff apps. Service management is also available, and the software integrates seamlessly with McCormick's other construction apps.

Construction bidding software

Bidding for a project usually happens quickly, so you want software like the following to help you secure work:

1. BuildingConnected streamlines the bidding process and helps you manage all preconstruction stages, including supplier qualification and bid invitations. You can monitor everything that's going on in real-time. Project teams can also collaborate as they go through bidder notes or review bidder history, so everyone in the office is on the same page. Upgrading products gives you access to supplier relationship tracking, historical cost data, and performance analytics.
2. Transportation, utility, oil and gas, and heavy civil industry construction companies can benefit from HCSS HeavyBid estimating and bidding software. Use it to automate repetitive tasks based on data, past estimates, and historical costs. Building estimates and managing bids is easy with this software, as is identifying any errors, thanks to its ability to break complex tasks into manageable pieces.

Construction lead management software

Contractor's Cloud is sales and lead management software. Sales-oriented general contractors can customize workflows to meet the needs of their marketplace. The app offers a dedicated client portal that lets customers view job progress, track task status in real time, and communicate smoothly with you.

Construction building information management software

Graphisoft's building information modelling solution, ArchiCAD, is a useful program. Choose between on-premise deployment or cloud-based software to calculate floor area, extract still images and animations, and generate building views. In addition, the app's Solibri Model Checker analyzes the building information model to identify design weaknesses.

Time tracking tools for field teams

It's hard to fulfill a construction company's software needs without addressing field operations and workforce tracking. QuickBooks Time tools are some of the most valuable for your business as you manage field crews across multiple job sites. Since you can't be everywhere at once, you need systems in place that accurately capture time and have these capabilities:

• GPS tracking uses geofencing and mobile devices to verify that the person clocking in is physically at the job site.
• Mobile tracking allows you to keep tabs on inventory like tools and equipment, so you know where supplies are when you need them.
• Job-based time tracking allows you to see clock-in/clock-out information and promotes field accountability, so workers are less likely to buddy punch.

How Intuit QuickBooks integrates into your construction software stack

Intuit QuickBooks is designed to complement your existing tech stack by automating data. Instead of manually entering information across multiple tools, use QuickBooks as your primary software.

Here's how to maximize Intuit QuickBooks as your hub:

• Decide which external tools don't offer enough value, and use the equivalent tools in Intuit QuickBooks to save time and reduce costs.
• Use a mix of Intuit QuickBooks features with tools you'd like to keep. For instance, integrate your current time tracking tool so the data flows directly into QuickBooks Payroll.
• Allow Intuit QuickBooks to automate processes across your tech stack, so you're not entering data multiple times across tools.

What to look for in construction business software

The best construction business software needs to meet your exact business needs, especially as you take on more clients or larger projects. Since many software programs offer free demos, it's easier than ever to narrow down your options.

You want a platform that:

• Integrates with the apps you already use, to directly transfer data from programs you're comfortable using to.
• Makes it easy to onboard clients and contractors, so you can take on more work without adding to your accounting workload.
• Is easy to use and automates processes to save you time. Intuit QuickBooks is known for its user-friendly design, and its AI capabilities offer custom business insights.

Build a smarter construction workflow with Intuit QuickBooks

Part of what makes QuickBooks the best construction software is that it integrates with apps and tools you might already be using, like inventory tracking software, and offers its own suite of tools.

If you're ready to simplify your workflows and automate accounting, see how Intuit QuickBooks software helps you handle everything from bidding and supplier estimates to project management and accounting.