The construction industry is on the precipice of a much-needed digital evolution. As technological advancements like 3D modeling, generative AI, and automation reshape operations, the construction ecosystem is set to become more efficient, productive, and safe.
There’s just one problem.
Despite leaps and bounds in digital tools, many construction teams fail at a foundational hurdle: effective communication. As the FMI Corp found, communication issues and poor data management cost the construction industry more than $177 billion annually.
Whether it’s working from outdated blueprints, struggling to track tasks across disjointed communication channels, or stakeholder misalignment, many construction firms face costly delays and errors as a result of communication mishaps.
Thankfully, there’s a powerful remedy. Just as 3D modeling and AI are revolutionizing the sector, so too are industry-specific collaboration tools. Below, we’ll look at the benefits of using construction communication software, and explore the leading providers on the market.
Benefits of using construction software
Construction communication and collaboration software empowers construction teams with the tools they need to communicate in real time on all project matters from one centralized interface.
Instead of relying on a confusing, disjointed mix of paper-based systems, texts, emails, and siloed apps, construction software unifies all project data and team communications in one place. This improves visibility and control for all teams involved in achieving project success.
But that’s just the beginning. Alongside enhanced visibility, construction software has several more game-changing benefits, including:
- Enhanced collaboration: The best construction tools facilitate real-time, in-app communication, making it effortless and simple to collaborate with the entire project team in one place. This way, teams don’t have to move between email, text, and different messaging applications, which can lead to miscommunication and mistakes.
- Increased productivity: With a clear understanding of the scope of work and tasks to be done, construction software skyrockets team productivity and confidence, so everyone knows what they need to do and when.
- Cost efficiency: Delays, errors, and slow communication can all slow a project down and erode profitability for construction companies. By fostering clarity, construction software helps teams to minimize errors, proactively identify issues, and manage budgets effectively.
- Improved project planning and scheduling: Thanks to deep visibility over project progress, project managers can plan and schedule works effectively and agilely, responding to changes brought about by bad weather or material shortages with minimal disruption.
- Better document organization: Leading construction communication tools also act as a single source of truth; a digital place that stores all project documents for review and editing, leading to maximum clarity amongst team members.
Key features of construction communication software
Any new piece of software is an investment, so you’ll want to make sure your software meets your needs holistically and completely. Otherwise, you risk purchasing something that your team won’t use — or worse, adds to your administrative burdens instead of reducing them.
With that in mind, here are the key features to look for when surveying construction communication software providers:
Document collaboration
Research from the IOP Conference Series shows that document disarray is the leading cause of construction project errors — and it’s easy to see why. A combination of outdated documents and siloed teams is a recipe for friction and mistakes.
Construction communication and collaboration software addresses this issue. By streamlining the process of managing, sharing, and accessing construction project documents in one place, project teams feel confident that they’re working from the most recent versions of their plan, promoting accuracy and efficiency across the project lifecycle.
Task management and tracking
Relying on phone calls and emails to track project progress and check timelines reduces project visibility and increases the likelihood of delays and errors. With construction communication and collaboration software, you no longer have to worry about juggling several forms of communication to understand the team’s workflow.
These solutions streamline project execution, equipping you with the capability to create and assign tasks to specific team members, who can then easily provide real-time updates in-app. The result is a reliable, deep understanding of project progress both holistically and at the individual task level.
Real-time collaboration
With construction communication and collaboration software, you no longer need to be onsite, on the phone, or in the same room to share updates and collaborate. These browser-based platforms facilitate real-time communication — no matter how far apart your team is.
Markup and annotation
A lack of clarity around floor plan markups and annotations can lead to costly errors for construction companies, especially when markups aren’t shared and communicated with the entire project team.
Leading construction software platforms have built-in markup and annotation functionality, making it intuitive and simple for project managers to edit construction plans and share them with the wider team and stakeholders in real time.
Mobile accessibility
For on-site teams or stakeholders on the go, being able to access documentation and communicate with other team members via mobile phone or tablet is essential. Therefore, your chosen software needs to have good mobile app functionality — ideally on both iOS and Android. That way, your team can receive and send notifications no matter where they are or what devices they use.
The 6 best construction communication software solutions
By now, we’re sure you’re ready to harness the power of software to boost profitability, productivity, and collaboration.
To help you decide what might work best for your team, let’s take a look at six of the leading providers on the market and their features.
1. ActiveDraft
ActiveDraft is a leading comprehensive construction communication and collaboration platform that simplifies document and file management, facilitates real-time collaboration, and enables the live creation and editing of PDF markups.
The intuitive platform makes it simple and effortless to manage the entire project lifecycle from inception through to completion, ensuring swift, accurate execution across your project lifecycle.
Key features
- Easily create, assign, and monitor task progression.
- Communicate with teams and stakeholders in-app through an intuitive chat interface.
- Convert a variety of file types into PDFs for seamless markups.
- Mobile functionally keeps you in sync with your team anytime, anywhere.
- Organize and store documents in a secure, browser-based file management system.
2. Buildertrend
Buildertrend is a project management platform that includes construction communication functionality. However, its primary focus is on finance management, with tools to assist with bids, invoicing, and estimates.
While it does have capabilities for markups and document management, the platform’s breadth of finance features could be overwhelming to builders and architects.
Key features
- Includes financial planning capabilities
- Offers an in-app time clock feature
- Stores documents in a cloud-based file repository
- Enhances task management through a robust scheduling solution
- Allows you to draft contracts with proposal management feature
3. CoConstruct
CoConstruction is a construction communication software platform specifically designed for home-building teams. With features to share files online, coordinate schedules, and annotate files, it’s a solid piece of construction software. However, the platform doesn’t facilitate real-time messaging in-app.
Key features
- To-do list function offers a basic means for task scheduling and tracking
- Lead management tool helps homebuilders track and convert leads
- Client portal facilitates enhanced customer support
- Online file-sharing system reduces the risk of document confusion
- On-the-go functionality means your team can access the platform from anywhere
4. Jobber
Jobber is an invoicing and communication platform designed to help small service-based businesses streamline the process of managing clients and organizing job operations.
While it can be useful for construction project managers, Jobber isn’t industry-specific to construction, so it lacks key features like document collaboration and in-app markup capabilities.
Key features
- Easily assign contractors to jobs.
- Organize all client and job details within the app.
- Track progress across tasks.
- Invoice templates make invoicing easy.
- Client hub facilitates 24/7 customer support.
5. Raken
Construction project management software provider Raken helps general contractors and sub-contractors improve on-site communication. Like ActiveDraft, it allows you to easily assign and manage tasks, and also features a document management feature.
However, Raken’s document features are limited. For example, it doesn’t facilitate markups and annotations. Moreover, to access document management capabilities, you’ll need to use an integration like Google Workspace.
Key features
- Manage documentation in one place through integrations.
- Invite contractors to complete tasks and daily reports.
- Track materials, production, and time in-app.
- Access a library of construction safety checklists.
- Use in-app messaging on web and mobile.
6. Connecteam
Connecteam is an employee communication app, rather than a construction communication app. It has features to support document uploads, team task tracking, and in-app communication, but none of these features are designed specifically for the construction sector and its specific nuances.
While the platform’s in-app messaging features are intuitive, the lack of construction-specific features means this app is not precise enough to meet architects’ and project managers’ needs.
Key features
- Facilitate business messaging directly within the app.
- Schedule and delegate tasks in real time.
- Store employee HR documents online.
- Share company updates via the app.
- Rollout employee training and onboarding.
Lift your project communication to new heights with ActiveDraft
Construction communication and collaboration software transforms how project leads initiate, manage, and complete their construction projects for the better. With the right software, you can accelerate project delivery while boosting profitability.
Ready to empower your team to work together more effectively? Get started with ActiveDraft today.
