When people think of essential tools in the construction industry, a hammer and nails might come to mind. But these days, some of the most important tools can’t be placed in a toolbox, as advances in technology have made smartphone applications essential for contractors to use on the job. Depending on your role in the construction industry, you’re probably already familiar with some top apps meant for streamlining various aspects of construction management, project planning, communication, and safety at jobsites. Of course, technology is always evolving, so there may be a few new apps you haven’t tried yet. Take a look at some of the top construction apps for 2023.
1. Procore
For years, Procore has been known as one of the most popular construction management solutions, and it’s still a must-have app for anyone working in the construction industry. Procore’s mobile app offers on-the-go access to project management tools that make it easy to stay organized during any construction job.
This app’s features focus on helping contractors track schedules, budgets, and resources for every project, as it’s easy to use the app to make and manage bids and estimates. Additionally, Procore lets team members stay in constant communication with general contractors and anyone else on the job. With real-time updates, Procore ensures that everyone involved in a project can access the most up-to-date information about the job, allowing for more efficiency and accountability.
2. Fieldwire
Fieldwire is another construction app that strives to make it easy for construction teams to easily communicate with each other from anywhere in real time. Contractors can create, assign, and monitor tasks on this mobile app, with the ability to get push notifications about certain essential tasks within a project so they can make important decisions faster.
This app also makes it possible for construction teams to view plans from their phone so they can make edits or leave notes on them from anywhere, whether in the office or at the jobsite. This improves communication, accountability, and efficiency at jobsites, enabling projects to go more smoothly.
3. ProEst
Estimating projects and managing bids are essential duties before starting any construction project, but if you dread these tasks, you’re not alone. They can be time consuming and difficult to keep organized unless you have help from an app like ProEst. As the name suggests, this app is able to create accurate estimates and bids quickly, increasing your chances of winning projects without spending an exorbitant amount of time on these steps.
ProEst also simplifies the management of subcontractor bids and material costs. With mobile access to estimates and project data, contractors are able to promptly respond to potential clients, making this a valuable app for business growth in the construction field.
4. iAuditor
SafetyCulture’s iAuditor app is a top choice for ensuring safety compliance on construction sites this year. After all, safety is a huge concern in the construction industry, so contractors tend to appreciate any help they can get conducting safety inspections, making checklists, and reporting incidents efficiently.
When you use this construction app, you can easily document your safety concerns about a project, complete with photos and videos that explain any issues so you can get them solved quickly. In short, this app makes it possible for teams to collaborate to record important data and determine any improvements that can increase the safety of a project. So, if it’s your goal to keep your work environment safe while minimizing any legal and financial risks, iAuditor is a good choice.
5. MagicPlan
Taking measurements is often an essential part of your day in construction, but this can take a lot of time and energy that you don’t always have. If you’ve ever wished there was a way to visualize the final result of your project so you could take measurements more easily, you should use MagicPlan. This construction app uses artificial intelligence to create floor plans and 3D models within minutes.
When you install this app on your smartphone or tablet, you can use it to scan rooms and spaces, at which point it will generate accurate floor plans and measurements. This saves you time and money by eliminating the need to take manual measurements and put together drawings. It’s especially valuable when you need to create detailed project plans and give clients visual representations of what you have in mind.
This app even makes it possible for you to add pictures, comments, and objects to your drawings. You can also use it to get estimates of the materials you’ll need, which you can then share with clients during the planning stage of the job.
This is just a small sample of the construction apps available for you to use to make your job easier. As technology advances, expect to see even more virtual solutions that can simplify your role in the construction industry. Embracing these and other apps will allow you to boost productivity, profitability, and client satisfaction while also making your workday go more smoothly than ever. So, if you’ve ever hoped for help with project management, safety compliance, communication, and other critical aspects of this job, it may be time to install a few more construction apps on your phone or tablet.
