Everyone's Selling You Construction Tech. Here's What Actually Works

Gil Rosa
May 20
3 min read

Let's cut through the noise.

Right now, there's a gold rush in construction tech. Every week, a new platform pops up, promising to solve your problems, save time, and scale your company overnight. Most of it is noise. Expensive noise.

You've got jobs to run, crews to lead, clients to keep calm, and budgets tighter than a chalk line. The last thing you need is another slick pitch for software you'll abandon by next month.

So here's a field-tested review of what actually works.

Start with the Real Problem

Most builders don't have a tech problem.

They have a system problem.

They adopt new tools to fix broken processes and end up creating new problems instead. Before you buy anything, ask yourself:

Do I have a repeatable system that this tool supports?
Will my team actually use this?
Is this solving something I already understand or just distracting me from doing the hard work?

No app can replace good leadership and clear communication. But the right tool can amplify them. Here are the ones we've seen make a real difference.

Tools That Actually Work in the Field

1. Google Workspace or Microsoft 365

Simple. Cloud-based. Reliable.

If your team can't access documents, templates, or specs in real time, you're bleeding time. These suites are the foundation. Use them to standardize file naming, set up shared folders, and store your SOPs.

2. CompanyCam

Photo documentation made for construction.

Instead of texting blurry progress shots or digging through your gallery, use this to organize, tag, and share jobsite photos in real time. It's great for field-to-office communication and CYA documentation.

3. Buildertrend or CoConstruct

If you're running jobs and need scheduling, selections, and client communication in one place, these are still solid choices.

Just don't overbuild the process. Pick the features that solve a current pain point and ignore the fluff.

4. Monday.com or ClickUp

For internal coordination, tracking estimates, following up with subs, or planning the next quarter's workload.

It's clean, customizable, and can grow with your systems. But again, your team must be trained and accountable, or it's just a pretty checklist graveyard.

Tools That Look Great and Waste Your Time

"AI Estimating Tools" with No Construction Background

If the app doesn't understand trades, sequence, labor availability, or code issues, it's just math dressed up like magic. Trust your real-world experience over silicon hype.

Field Tracking Apps That Require Too Many Steps

If laborers need three screens to log eight hours, they'll skip it.

Field tools should take under 30 seconds to update. Period.

Overbuilt ERP Systems for Small Teams

You don't need an enterprise resource planning system if you're running three jobs and two trucks. These are built for giants. You're not a failure if QuickBooks and a well-set-up spreadsheet still work.

How to Choose the Right Tech for Your Business

Here's the rule:

One tool per problem. One champion per tool. One SOP to back it up.

Most tech fails not because it's bad but because no one owns it. Assign a team lead, build a five-minute training, and reinforce it with a weekly meeting. That's how adoption sticks.