17, September, 2024
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Best CRM Software for Construction
Biography
At 30 years old, Gary Rossi isn't your average realtor. Building his own real estate business from the ground up, Michael understands the importance of leveraging technology. His blog contributions focus on how CRMs can empower new and established agents alike, streamlining workflows and enhancing client communication - the most important aspects of a successful real estate business.
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Latest Update:
Sep 16, 2024, 8:45 am
In a Nutshell
As a CRM manager, I have worked with a lot of people related to the construction industry throughout the years, and I can’t stress enough how important it is to have good communication not only with your clients but with your partners as well.
Here are the 10 best CRM for construction sales that I found during my investigation:
- Improveit 360 – Best CRM for project management.
- FollowUp CRM – Best for users with little experience with CRM.
- JobTread – Best for time tracking and file editing.
- ContractorPlus – Best CRM for small construction business.
- ServiceDeck – Best for automation.
- Buildern – Best for billing, invoicing and payment management.
- Estimate Rocket – Best CRM for solo construction business.
- SalesBuilder Plus – Best for house builders.
- ClickHome Sales – Best for activity logging and reporting.
- Knowify – Best CRM for a construction fencing business.
Why Construction Companies Need CRM Software
The construction market has always been very competitive. Not ensuring good relationships with the clients might affect your company’s success, even if the projects have good results.
Dedicated CRM software for construction companies can help you make a good sales pipeline and see which projects are currently being done, which are worth working on, and which are not.
Also, with these programs, you can create profiles of everyone in your company, from shareholders to architects and clients.
Now, you might be wondering what’s the point of doing that? After all, you can write them in an Excel spreadsheet and be done with it.
Well, by using a CRM, you can update or insert the profiles of your clients and associates. That information will instantly be available for everyone in the company, improving team communication and effectiveness.
CRM can also help you make better long-term decisions since it will contain information on your previous deals, details of every construction, and everyone involved, giving you the data you need to grow your company.
Key Features For Construction CRM Software
When choosing a CRM for your construction business, you must look for the following features.
- Project Management: this is the most essential feature of any CRM construction software, as it will allow you to keep track of your tasks, organize resources, and prioritize the most important projects.
- Payment Services: Some CRM can work as an intermediary between your company and some payment options like PayPal, credit cards, or others, which can make the entire billing process way faster and easier with any client.
- Customer History: you can use the CRM to create a history for all of your clients, allowing you to see what they have offered and what options have already been proposed by your company, ensuring a more personalized experience.
- Lead Tracking: Some CRMs have lead tracking features that allow you to monitor possible leads to see who they are and their tastes to gain insight into how to attract them and gain more clients as time passes.
Besides these points, there’s something else that often gets overlooked: mobile functionality. Many of these platforms also have an app counterpart that allows you and your team to check up on important info even in the field, avoiding possible mistakes.
Top 10 CRM Software for Construction
I know it can be hard to choose CRM software, since many of these don’t have the features your company is looking for or are too expensive to contract long-term.
However, there’s no need to worry as I’ve narrowed the choice down to these options. These are all CRM programs that I have tested myself, so I can guarantee that they will be valuable for your company.
Free Plan: No
Starting Price: Custom
Why I Like It
Improveit360 has been around the consultant market for decades, helping construction companies like Renaissance Development LLC and repair businesses like Cantey Foundation Specialists. So you can rest easy knowing you’re working with a seasoned company.
One of the features I liked the most about Improveit360 is its UI. Just by opening the main website, you can look at the sales, lists of tasks, and current projects.
I also liked the focus on streamlining, automated activity tracking and duplicate lead prevention that this app offers, since it can save a lot of time for any team.
Most Important Construction Company Features
Besides tracking, Improveit360 also offers scheduling features to organize client meetings and remind you of future appointments.
You can also create custom project templates and save them in the cloud in case you find other clients with similar tastes and watch the state of any current sale.
Improveit360 has an app for Android and iOS that works just fine, but you can also access it directly from any mobile browser, letting you check data or do tasks anywhere as long as there’s an internet connection.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Available without any download
- Access to data can be limited for other workers
- Has support personnel available for training
- The program is updated regularly throughout the year
Cons
- It can be hard to manage for those without experience with CRM
Free Plan: No
Starting Price: Custom
Why I Like It
Founded in 2012, FollowUp CRM has consistently worked with many construction companies during the last decade, offering different services like sales and lead tracking, email integrations, and more.
One of the things I loved (and I’m sure you’ll love too) is how easy it is to use compared to other CRMs in the market. Everything on the app can be accessed with just a few clicks, from your current clients to possible leads, and you customize it too.
Most Important Construction Company Features
FollowUp CRM has many features, like a Bid Log, that allow you to keep track of the entire sale process, from the meeting with the client to the final payment and completion of the project.
It’s also worth mentioning its scheduling feature, since, like anything else on the app, it’s very easy to set meetings as well as follow-up calls with it. You can also integrate emails and other software like Spectrum, Sage 300 or Estimating Edge.
Finally, FollowUp has a Proposal Generator that allows you to review and sign up proposals or build them directly from the program.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It allows users to integrate email and other services with ease
- It is very intuitive and easy to handle
- Has a built-in proposal generator that can help save time
- The program can be customized to fit the preferences of the company
Cons
- It takes time to be fully set up and operative
Free Plan: No
Starts from $199 per month + $20 for each additional internal user
Why I Liked It
JobTread is one of the youngest companies on this list, but don’t let that fool you. In just five years, they have worked with many kinds of home builders, specialty contractors, and remodelers, earning themselves quite a reputation in the construction industry.
One of the things I liked about their software is how fluid it is. Whether making a budget or managing leads, the program works fast, allowing you to access and process the data faster than with other CRM.
Most Important Construction Company Features
Regarding construction companies, the most prevalent feature of JobTread has to be their time tracking, which you can use to supervise the working hours of all the employees, their current tasks, and, of course, how much they’re getting paid.
Another feature I’d like to mention is their file management. Using JobTread, you can easily organize photos, videos and any other document needed for your company projects. You can even use a photo editor inside the CRM to fix any picture before sending it.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to handle
- Fast and intuitive U.
- Various features to handle documents and emails
- Feature to handle subcontractors
Cons
- It lacks features compared to other, established CRMs
Free Plan: Yes
Starts at $14 per user per month
Why I Like It
Launched in 2020, Contractor+ has become the ideal CRM for any small or medium construction company that’s still getting the hang of things.
After downloading the app, I found a lot of extra features that you and other workers will appreciate, like showing the weather forecast on the schedule or adding a Bluetooth tag to tools, so your team can know who has which tool.
Most Important Construction Company Features
This CRM focuses on features for the day-to-day worker, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for the organization area. With Contractor+, you can make estimates in minutes, create invoices, and deal with clients.
If your company is on its first steps, Contractor+ offers a website creation service that gets everything set up on any browser and starts drawing clients.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The subscription price is lower compared to other CRMs
- It includes various features for starting construction companies
- Available for mobiles
- It can be integrated with other mobile apps for payments or schedules
Cons
- Some of the features can feel unnecessary for bigger companies with more experience
Free Plan: Yes
Starts at $25 per user per month ( first 5 users are free )
Why I Like It
I liked how simple ServiceDeck is. Despite having so many features, it is very easy to navigate around the platform and access everything you need, from documents to a client’s data.
Another interesting feature I urge you to try on this CRM is its Customer Portal, where clients can keep track of their projects and communicate directly with your company via chat to rearrange any details.
Most Important Construction Company Features
When it comes to features, ServiceDeck focuses on three simple principles: connect, management, and automation. Apart from the Customer Portal I mentioned, this CRM offers file management and a smart schedule to keep everything organized.
Suppose you start to receive too many clients. In that case, you can also opt for using the automated proposals feature, which uses AI to answer the client’s questions and calculate the prices of any project based on the resources available in the company.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Different features for automation
- Has a mobile app available
- Easy to use even for inexperienced workers
- Has features to improve communication between the company and client
Cons
- Few options for customization
Free Plan: Yes
Starts at $250 per 2 users per month ( $90 per additional user added after )
Why I Like It
Buildern is easily one of the best software to use that includes PM and CRM for construction companies. Once I began to use it, I was marveled by how easy it is to access everything on the main page, even from the mobile app.
With just a click, you can easily track and manage all your current leads and build a proposal for each one of them. You can also create estimates and create profiles for any of your clients for future projects.
I also liked how the platform is open about the upcoming features. While they don’t mention when they’ll release them, it still gives you an idea of what will be next.
Most Important Construction Company Features
When it comes to construction companies, Buildern has a lot to offer, from proposals and budgeting to invoice creation.
The software also provides the option to create personalized purchase orders considering created budgets, which can be extremely invaluable for small companies with little resources and big ones with tall orders.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Vast list of features
- Constant updates
- Easy-to-use UI
- Has a very complete mobile app with the majority of function available
Cons
- It can be very expensive for small, newer companies
Free Plan: Yes
Starts at $139 per user per month
Why I Like It
Estimate Rocket has fewer features than other apps on this list, but I believe that’s part of its charm as one of the best CRM. The app allows you to set automatic follow-ups to get notified each time the project gets updated and keep control of schedules.
The built-in message feature allows you to record and adjust hundreds of messages for any situation to give your clients the best attention no matter the hour or moment.
Most Important Construction Company Features
The features of Estimate Rocket are pretty basic, but they cover all the essential areas. You can adjust the daily dashboard for every employee working on projects, and set notifications for text messages or emails sent to your company.
Finally, I would like to mention the Client Library, a feature that registers the data of clients who work with your company for future reference.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Well-rounded features for all areas of construction
- It’s extremely easy to use
- The company offers training sessions to get adjusted to the app
- It’s easy to navigate and find info on the program
Cons
- It’s rather expensive compared to other CRMs on the market
Free Plan: No
Starting Price: Custom
Why I Liked It
Developed by the Contractor Software Group, SalesBuilder Plus is a CRM for general contractors and housebuilders who want to attract new clients and manage their business easily.
During my time with the program, I enjoyed the customization options that allowed me to integrate email services like Outlook and other Office software like Word and Excel.
The program also features an excellent lead-tracking system that will allow you to easily attract and handle future clients, regardless of how big or small your business is.
Most Important Construction Company Features
Now, when it comes to construction features, the program mostly focuses on the organization, sales, and prospect management areas. With that said, there are a few features that home builders can use to make their life easier.
If you choose the Build a Home option, you can easily choose between saved floor plans and lots to create a customer agreement. You can also attach pictures or pre-qualify buyers using loan types, simplifying the entire process of pre-planning the house.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Has great features for home building
- You can integrate various Office apps
- Has a dedicated module for sales
- Allows the users to create customized marketing plans
Cons
- It doesn’t offer that many features to other areas of construction
Free Plan: No
Starting Price: Custom
Why I Liked It
Like SalesBuilder, ClickHome is focused on the home building sector, capturing the details of potential clients and helping them during the whole project process.
I liked all the customization options that this program offers. You can easily edit the workflow so it adjusts to your needs, measure the sales of your staff and house plans, and get a proper idea of which ones generate more income.
Most Important Construction Company Features
Although ClickHome gives priority to house building, there are a lot of features that you can also use if you work in other construction sectors. These include making a list of your most relevant leads and an activity log that can remind you of future activities.
There’s also an auto-reporting feature that can send reports periodically of any activity done with your projects. However, remember that this can take a lot of time to be properly arranged.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Has great features for the house building
- Attractive and simple design
- Has a lot of customization options
- You can register previous activities and projects for future planning
Cons
- Getting used to the software and all its features can take a lot of time
Free Plan: No Free Version Available
Starts at $149 per month ( + $10 per month per additional user )
Why I Liked It
Founded in 2012, Knowify has worked with many construction sectors over the last decade. Thanks to these years of experience, the app has gained recognition as one of the best CRM for a construction fencing business.
At first, I wasn’t sure about Knowify, but as I started using it, I began to see its charms. Everything on the app is very well organized, letting you see everything from contacting the client to settling the project to the final payout.
The CRM also gives you access to full spreadsheets where you can see payments of all your leads, the bids they have rejected, the ones pending payment, and the ones the company has already accepted, helping prioritize the most important clients.
Most Important Construction Company Features
Now, when it comes to features, Knowify has a bit of everything for every construction department. You can use the platform to create budgets, so the company doesn’t enter into losing projects, and make the schedules for your teams.
You can also supervise how much money is spent in all the company areas, especially on equipment, to get where the resources are going and what things are needed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It’s designed to cover different areas of construction
- It can be used to track the costs of projects and equipment
- Users can integrate various other apps for accounting or payments
- Has a very comfortable design
Cons
- The subscription can be expensive for newer companies
Considerations For Small Vs. Large Construction Companies:
Most CRMs require a monthly or yearly subscription to access their full services. Sometimes, you may need to subscribe to the medium or high levels to use the CRM features you most need.
While these subscriptions are fine for a big company with years of experience, they can become a problem for smaller businesses. So before checking out any of these CRMs, you must consider your team’s needs and actual state.
Some CRMs I showed you here offer additional services useful for any starting company, like extra payment options, equipment tracking, or email integration. At the same time, others offer features that will work better with bigger businesses with a high frequency of clients.
Another thing you should consider before buying is how accessible the CRM itself is. It won’t do you any good paying for high-class software if your team doesn’t know how to exploit it to its maximum potential.
There are some CRM businesses that offer courses to teach the employees how to use the programs correctly, but others prefer to simply limit themselves to customer support service.
Finally, some CRMs work as an intermediary for payments, so you should be careful to choose one with options you can work with.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many CRM software options for the construction sector. Each of them offers different services that are useful regardless of the company size.
With that said, I recommend visiting the official websites of all the programs I listed and discussing which ones are affordable and which align more with the interests of your business.
FAQs
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1) What Is A CRM In Construction?A CRM combines software and tools that companies can use to improve communication with possible clients and relationships with active ones.
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2) What Is The Best Software For A Construction Company?Determining the best software for a construction company is impossible since every business has different needs and ways to work. With that said, a good app should have features to help with billing, project managing, lead tracking, and the company’s expenses.
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