Accurate time tracking is essential for construction businesses of all sizes. It helps contractors stay on budget, ensure projects are completed on time, and accurately bill clients.
There are a number of time-tracking apps available on the market, but some are better suited for construction trades than others.
Best time-tracking apps
1. Best for small construction trade businesses: ClockShark
2. Best for midsize construction trade businesses: Simpro
3. Best for large construction trade businesses: Raken
4. Best for office crews: Connecteam
5. Best for remote workers: Hubstaff
6. Best for companies already using QuickBooks for payroll: QuickBooks Time
7. Best for equipment management: BusyBusy
8. Best for HR management: ExakTime
9. Best for material tracking: Workyard
What to consider when choosing a time-tracking app for construction trades
Choosing the right time-tracking app for your trade business is important. It can help you track your crew’s time, bill clients accurately, and identify areas where you can improve efficiency.
However, with so many different solutions available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
Here are some things to look for in a time-tracking app for construction trades.
Ease of use
The app should be easy to use for both employees and managers. Employees should be able to clock in and out quickly and easily, even if they don't have access to a computer. Managers should be able to generate reports and view data easily.
Mobile app
Construction workers are often on the go, so it is important to have a time-tracking app that is accessible from mobile devices. This allows workers to clock in and out from anywhere, even if they do not have access to a computer.
Crew and job scheduling
Shift and job scheduling can help construction businesses improve efficiency and productivity by ensuring that the right crew is assigned to the right job at the right time. This can be done by creating schedules that take into account factors such as crew skills, experience, availability, and job requirements.
GPS tracking
GPS tracking can help ensure that employees are working on the correct project and during the correct hours. This is especially important for construction companies with employees working at multiple locations.
Job tracking
The app should allow you to track employee hours by project, so you can see how much time is being spent on each job. This information can be used to estimate costs and track progress.
Integration with other software
If you use other software for payroll, accounting, or project management, it's important to choose a time-tracking app that integrates with these systems. This will save you time and effort by eliminating the need to enter data manually into multiple systems.
Billing
Cash flow problems can be especially devastating for small businesses. Having a time-tracking app with billing capabilities will help you avoid delayed payments and significantly reduce financial strain.
Here are some additional tips for choosing a time-tracking app for construction trades:
- Read reviews: Before you choose a time-tracking app, read reviews from other businesses in the construction trade. This can help you learn about the pros and cons of different apps.
- Ask for recommendations: Talk to other trade business owners and see what time-tracking apps they recommend.
- Try out a free trial: Many time-tracking apps offer a free trial. This is a great way to try out the app before you commit to a paid plan.
The best time-tracking apps for construction trades
There are several different time-tracking apps for construction trades available. Here are a few of the best.
1. ClockShark
Best for: small construction trade businesses
Are you tired of manually tracking your team's time and creating timesheets? Do you want to improve your job management and boost efficiency?
Then you need to check out ClockShark, a time-tracking software built for construction trades.
Get accurate time tracking
ClockShark makes it easy to track your crew's time accurately, even when they're on the go. With the mobile time clock, your team can clock in and out right from their phones, and you can track their location using GPS to ensure they're where they're supposed to be.
ClockShark automatically generates timesheets based on the time clock data. This saves you time and hassle, and it helps to ensure that your team is paid accurately. It also integrates seamlessly with popular payroll software, such as QuickBooks and Xero, so you can export timesheets directly to payroll with just a few clicks.
Schedule jobs
With ClockShark, it's easy to create and manage schedules, even for businesses with multiple locations and crew members who work different shifts. You can easily drag and drop employees onto shifts, and you can set up recurring schedules to save even more time.
Manage jobs
The job management feature helps you manage all your jobs in one place. You can easily assign tasks, track progress, and communicate with your team in real time. You’ll have the tools you need to identify and address any potential problems early on and to keep projects on track and on budget.
Get paid faster
ClockShark also makes it easy to get paid for your jobs. You can create and send customized quotes, get notified of approvals and changes, and generate invoices with just a few clicks. Your clients can pay online directly from the invoice, so you can get paid faster and with less hassle. No more paper quotes, payment delays, or worries about money flow.
Sign up for a free trial with ClockShark today and see the difference it can make in your business.
Save Time and Money with ClockShark
2. Simpro
Best for: midsize construction trade businesses
Simpro's time-tracking app is a mobile-first solution that helps construction businesses track employee hours, manage timesheets, and improve workforce productivity. It is easy to use and affordable, making it a good choice for companies in the midsize range that operate in multiple locations.
3. Raken
Best for: large construction trade businesses
Raken is a good option for businesses that need to create customized checklists and reports. It also offers features such as time tracking, photo documentation, and task management. However, it can be more expensive than some other options.
4. Connecteam
Best for: Office crews
Connecteam is an all-in-one time tracking, task management, and communication app well-suited for businesses of all sizes with a larger office crew. It offers a variety of features that are important for construction businesses, such as GPS tracking, project tracking, time-off tracking, and employee communication tools.
5. Hubstaff
Best for: remote workers
Hubstaff is a time-tracking and employee-monitoring app that is well-suited for construction companies with remote workers. It offers a variety of features that are important for construction businesses, such as GPS tracking, project tracking, and employee activity monitoring.
6. QuickBooks Time
Best for: companies already using QuickBooks for payroll
QuickBooks Time is a good option for construction companies that are already using QuickBooks for payroll. It offers features such as time tracking, project tracking, and labor estimates. However, it can be expensive, especially for larger companies.
7. BusyBusy
Best for: equipment management
BusyBusy is a time-tracking and job-costing app for construction companies. It helps them track employee hours, manage projects, and invoice clients.
8. ExakTime
Best for: HR management
ExakTime is a time-tracking app designed specifically for the construction industry. It offers a variety of features, such as GPS tracking, geofencing, and photo time tracking, to help businesses track employee hours accurately and efficiently.
9. Workyard
Best for: mileage tracking
Workyard is a construction time-tracking app that uses GPS tracking and geofencing to accurately track employee hours. It integrates with construction software programs to streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
Which time-tracking app is right for you?
The best time-tracking app for your trade business will depend on your specific needs and budget. Consider the features that are important to you, and consider how easy to use and affordable the solution is.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, try ClockShark for free today and see why it is the trusted choice of over 100,000 field service and construction professionals worldwide.
Compare the best time-tracking apps for construction trades
Best for | Free Trial | |
small construction trade businesses | ||
midsize construction trade businesses | ||
large construction trade businesses | ||
office crews | ||
remote workers | ||
companies already using QuickBooks for payroll | ||
equipment management | ||
HR management | ||
material tracking |