There’s a CRM for every industry. Yes, that includes construction.
Why do you need one? Well, construction is probably the industry with the most stakeholders. You need a centralized system to keep track of all the clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal teams. So, no more frustrated phone calls or emails because someone missed an important update.
Also, most customer relationship management platforms are multi-purpose. They can be used for more than just keeping tabs on your contacts. For example, a good CRM will help you manage your projects more efficiently by providing a comprehensive view of all project timelines, milestones, and tasks.
So, what is the best CRM system for the construction industry? We list and compare the 15 leading tools on the market below. But if you’re just looking for names, here’s who is on our top 10 list (in no particular order).
Best construction CRM:
- Procore
- ConstructionOnline
- Cosential
- Buildertrend
- BuilderConsole
- Keep In Touch (Builders CRM)
- TopBuilder
- JobNimbus
- JobProgress CRM
- amoCRM
Benefits of construction CRM software
Why should you use construction CRM software?
The most basic benefit is improved customer relationships. CRM helps sales teams have better interactions with clients. Better customer experience means more deals closed, more loyalty, and more word-of-mouth referrals.
On the business side of things, CRMs promise better organization and collaboration.
CRMs have project management tools. They keep a record of your contacts, bids, and invoices. They let you manage teams. And your relationships with architects, engineers, and other project stakeholders.
What is a CRM going to do for your construction company? CRM streamlines all your work processes. Centralize all your information to generate a “single source of truth.” Run effective email marketing campaigns with automation and analytics.
Here’s a rundown of the key benefits.
Streamline process
CRMs are built to streamline work processes. This includes all customer-facing interactions. Like scheduling appointments and doing customer service and support.
Everything is accessible via a series of dashboards. Contact management, contract management, analytical tools, reporting, forecasting, and more.
You’ll be able to identify sales trends. See where your marketing and sales strategies are working, and where your pain points are. This means more efficiency, improved interactions, and a bigger bottom line.
Automation
CRM automation covers virtually all aspects of the construction business. Track sales, gain context on relationships, design and implement marketing campaigns. Manage the warranty process too.
Marketing automation offers powerful capabilities when integrated with your sales funnel. You can collect and analyze data over time to build effective email marketing sequences. Automate follow-up notifications to make sure team members attend to deals with best practice timing.
Enhanced organization
A CRM software solution keeps track of work orders, quotes, deals, and customer data. With a shared knowledge base, you can establish best practice repeatable workflows. With the ability to identify areas that need attention, you can shift team members efficiently.
Having a centralized contact record reduces the need for inter-team communication. Contact records are updated in real-time, and aggregate information across channels. Team members can retrieve accurate information on customers quickly, when they need it.
Meet deadlines
A CRM helps construction firms organize, schedule, and plan workflows. This goes a long way towards ensuring deadlines are met.
Use a calendar to sync all your critical data, so that all the moving parts of your work are accounted for. This eliminates guesstimates and furthers the professionalism of your business.
Selling opportunities
Construction CRMs have great value as a sales tool. They help contractors know which type of customer they’re dealing with, and what they’re likely to be interested in.
Lead management and sales management tools can drive increased revenue, with less overhead. By knowing what your customer base wants, you can increase repeat sales. Rather than launching costly, broad marketing efforts, you can reach out to individuals one-on-one and get results.
Key features of construction CRM software
Project management
Having good project management crm is key. A CRM solution lets you manage construction projects from the bidding process to post-sale.
It also minimizes the need for site visits and hands-on interventions. Track different projects and monitor progress in real-time. Change orders easily, and make sure everyone gets the same updates for co-ordinated messaging.
Integration
Integration extends the usefulness of a CRM further. For example, your construction management tools can be synced with Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, and Google G Suite tools. This allows customer data from everyday email and productivity apps to real-time sync with your CRM.
Integration with a VoIP solution lets you log calls more effectively. Connection with QuickBooks automates book-keeping, speeding invoicing, billing, and expense accounting.
Integrations with heavyweight CRMs like Salesforce open up vast new functionality. In analytics, sales forecasting, reporting, and more.
Centralized data storage
Centralized data storage allows construction firms to access their data anytime, anywhere. This eliminates data duplication, and by extension task duplication. Menial data entry is cut down substantially as well.
Customer support and service benefits. You'll have easy access to past cross-channel communications, sales, and deals.
Data migration from other platforms and .CSV files means you can quickly add old records to your new CRM.
Sales pipeline management
Sales pipeline tools keep track of sales from opportunity found to deal closed. Visually track sales by stage, and build custom flows for complex sales processes. Engineer best practice sales step-by-step to achieve repeatable, sustainable results.
Make your sales goals clear and accessible to everyone on the team. Use sales forecasting to set realistic targets and properly allocate team members.
Customization
No two construction businesses are the same, which is why CRM customization options exist. Customizable features help you tailor software to your specific business needs.
Modify contact and opportunity fields. Change dashboards to display the most relevant information and leave out features erroneous to you.
Build web forms to capture contact information and complex workflows with conditional triggers. Set up custom auto-notifications for manager approvals and deal follow-ups.
15 Construction CRMs
Procore
Benefits:
Flexible, full-featured CRM for construction professionals. Effectively manages multiple projects, teams, and stakeholders (architects, subcontractors, etc.).
Manage RFIs, punch lists, and snag lists. Inspection reports and other crucial construction project tasks too.
In-app document handling provides version control. This gives clients full visibility on your revisions and work processes.
Drawbacks:
High initial implementation cost, which may put off small businesses.
The platform overall isn’t that well suited for subcontractors.
Pricing:
Project Management plan for unlimited users is $375 per month, billed annually.
Project Management + Financial Management plan for unlimited users is $549 per month, billed annually.
A Custom bundle plan can also be put together. Contact the vendor for pricing details.
No free trial is offered.
Website: procore.com
ConstructionOnline
Benefits:
Robust CRM for construction management. Covers residential, specialty, subcontractor, commercial, AEC, and industrial applications.
Handles project management in all its facets. That includes tracking, estimates, and scheduling.
Client portal makes it easy to interact with customers, change orders, amend scheduling, and more.
Customer support is responsive and knowledgeable.
Drawbacks:
The platform has a moderate learning curve.
Adding documents from your computer to Project Files can be glitchy. Sometimes you need to try multiple times before a file shows up.
Pricing:
Pro plan for 10 yearly project starts is $200 per month, billed annually.
Team plan for 25 yearly project starts is $400 per month, billed annually.
Business plan for 50 yearly project starts is $600 per month, billed annually.
Enterprise plan for 200 yearly project starts is $1,800 per month, billed annually.
No free trial is offered.
Website: us.constructiononline.com
Cosential
Benefits:
Extremely comprehensive, all-in-one platform for construction management and proposal automation. Manages contacts, project data, and personnel.
Provides secure data storage for sales, marketing, service, and support channels.
Tracks customer information, performance data, leads, and opportunities.
Integrates with accounting platforms, minimizing data entry.
Lets you build and expand a knowledge database.
Drawbacks:
User interface is dated and could use a refresh.
Dashboards often display lots more information than you need at a glance. This can be distracting and/or a bit overwhelming.
Pricing:
Full User plan is $70 per user/per month, billed annually.
Read Only plan is $10 per user/per month, billed annually.
No free trial is offered.
Website: cosential.com
Buildertrend
Benefits:
Manages your pre-sales process. This includes bid requests, estimates and proposals, leads, and email marketing.
Has project management tools for organization, time tracking, reporting, and document sharing.
Enhances customer relationships with detailed contact records and access to deal information.
Cuts down on site visits with scheduling, logging, time clocks, and to do lists.
Drawbacks:
Customization options are limited.
The more information you enter into the platform, the more you benefit. If you’re a small business strapped for time, you may have trouble realizing the CRM’s value.
Pricing:
Core plan for unlimited users is $99 per user/per month, billed monthly.
Pro plan for unlimited users is $299 per user.per month, billed monthly.
No free trial is offered. However, both plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Website: buildertrend.com
BuilderConsole
Benefits:
Sales-oriented business management software for residential builders.
Manages selection pricing and buyer upgrades and changes.
Write contracts and automate contract approvals in-app. Retain contract revision history.
Prospect management tools manage and track leads.
Data collection aids sales process and customer retention.
Drawbacks:
User interface could be more attractive.
Pricing:
Pricing is determined after consultation with the vendor.
No free trial is offered.
Website: buildersquared.com
Keep In Touch (Builders CRM)
Benefits:
Automate email marketing with personalized messages and follow-ups
Track opportunities and deals. Build customized dashboards to capture all the information you need.
Manage to do lists across your business. Collect groups of tasks into plans and automate task assignments.
Build professional landing pages in-app and collect leads from your website.
Drawbacks:
Search functionality is not great.
The platform has a moderate learning curve.
Pricing:
Keep In Touch Monthly plan for up to 5 users is $197 per month, billed monthly.
Keep In Touch Annually plan for up to 5 users is $1997 per year, billed annually.
No free trial is offered. However, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Website: builderscrmsoftware.com
TopBuilder
Benefits:
CRM is specifically designed as dedicated construction software. Helps contractors and home builders through the sales and pre-construction processes.
Manages leads, customers, and contacts. Automates work processes and helps organize business processes.
Collects data and critical information and stores it securely. This includes data on opportunities, partners, contractors, bids, and much more.
Drawbacks:
User interface is a bit bland and unengaging.
Pricing:
Essentials plan for home builders and realtors is $35 per user/per month, billed annually.
Professional plan for specialty contractors and general contractors is $50 per user/per month, billed annually.
Enterprise plan for large contractors and multi-discipline companies is $90 per user/per month, billed annually.
No free trial is offered. However, there is a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Website: topbuildersolutions.com
JobNimbus
Benefits:
Home services CRM for tracking leads, jobs, and tasks. Access information on the go and centralize data and business processes.
Robust contact management via user-friendly, searchable database. View notes and communications history quickly.
Integrated with Roofer Marketers for full marketing solution.
View open tasks across your company and plan daily work. Two-way sync with Google Calendar improves coordination further.
Integrates with QuickBooks, Zapier, SalesRabbit and many other digital tools.
Integrated digital payment processing and text messaging with automations to communicate well with your customers.
Drawbacks:
Budgeting lacks advanced features for job costing.
Doesn't include commercial features like gantt charts or RFPs.
Pricing:
Pricing details available upon request.
Flexible pricing for tailoring to user roles.
A 14-day free trial is available for all plans. No credit card required.
Website: jobnimbus.com
JobProgress CRM
Benefits:
Customizable project and workflow management. Reduces the complexity of contractor work and automates routine tasks.
Collaborative features improve information sharing across your team. For managers, there are tools for managing employees and subcontractors.
Generates instant proposals and contracts. This helps you win deals faster.
Drawbacks:
Designing and editing templates is a bit of a clunky process.
Reporting results are not super detailed.
Pricing:
Pricing plan is $60 per user/per month, billed annually. There is a $750 one-time setup fee.
No free trial is offered.
Website: jobprogress.com
amoCRM
Benefits:
Lets you build multiple project management lifecycle pipelines.
Consolidates all your business documentation in one space.
Sales pipeline effectively moves your leads through the sales process. Automated follow-ups and reminders help.
A simple mobile app is included, which acts as an optimized, omnichannel messaging dashboard.
Has good collaboration functions for team use.
Drawbacks:
Sync with email platforms like Gmail can be problematic.
Integration with other CRM tools could be more versatile.
User interface customization is limited.
Pricing:
Base plan is $15 per user/month with a 6-month subscription or longer.
Advanced plan is $25 per user/month with a 6-month subscription or longer.
Enterprise plan is $45 per user/month with a 6-month subscription or longer.
amoCRM offers a 14-day free trial.
Website: amocrm.com
HubSpot CRM
Benefits:
Full-fledged CRM with robust project, operational, and contact management features.
Highly customizable features. Readily adapts to your internal workflows.
Excellent reporting capabilities.
Wide range of integrations available.
HubSpot CRM integrates fully with vendor’s inbound marketing automation tools.
Drawbacks:
Contact filter options could be more specific.
Free CRM is full-featured, yet basic, meaning you’ll likely want to get a paid add-on. When you do that, you’ll find entry-level plans are priced slightly high for many small businesses.
Pricing:
HubSpot CRM is free, and the number of users is unlimited.
Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, and Service Hub add-on packages are $50 each per user/per month, billed monthly.
HubSpot CMS starts at $300 per month, billed monthly.
All-inclusive Starter Growth Suite starts at $113 per user/per month, billed monthly.
There are no free trials available for paid add-ons. However, the basic HubSpot CRM is free.
Website: hubspot.com
Salesmate
Benefits:
Handles the bidding process. Lets you focus on project bids with a high win-rate.
The platform’s contact management system lets you organize people by category. Keep track of who’s who: i.e. suppliers, customers, partners, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.
Robust mobile app is handy when you’re on a job site. Track deals, bids, view contracts, and chat with clients on-the-go.
Drawbacks:
UI sometimes lacks intuitiveness. Navigating through key features can be confusing at first.
Lacks a lead scoring feature.
Pricing:
Starter plan is $12 per user/per month billed annually, and $15 per user/per month billed monthly.
Growth plan is $24 per user/per month billed annually, and $30 per user/per month billed monthly.
A 15-day free trial is available. No credit card required.
Website: salesmate.io
Insightly
Benefits:
Eliminates data silos with “single source of truth.” Contact record, deal history, and all other business data are stored in one place.
Identify leads and automate lead follow-up. Insightly Sidebar for Outlook and Gmail lets you capture and sync lead information from inbox.
Dashboards and reporting let you monitor high-level KPIs.
User-friendly and adaptable.
Drawbacks:
Two-way sync for Google Calendar can sometimes be glitchy.
Custom fields for contacts are limited to 25. This is ample for most business needs but could be an issue.
The user interface feels somewhat dated.
Pricing:
Plus is $29 per user/per month, billed annually.
Professional is $49 per user/per month, billed annually.
Enterprise is $99 per user/per month, billed annually.
A 14-day free trial is available for the Plus and Professional plans.
Website: insightly.com
Zoho CRM
Benefits:
Automates the sales process. You can take on a greater volume of deals without increasing staff.
Manages leads, sales, accounts, and projects.
Allows you to keep track of contractors, procurement managers, and other stakeholders. Involve relevant third parties in project management.
A range of construction-specific add-on apps are available on Zoho Marketplace.
Drawbacks:
Zoho's user interface is designed to be simple, but it can sometimes feel clunky. For example, navigating between dashboards is not always super intuitive.
Contact import features are limited. You can import contacts from spreadsheets, email, and other familiar sources. But you cannot directly pull people and organizations from social media sites.
Pricing:
A free version is available for up to three users and is targeted at home businesses.
Standard plan is $12 per user/per month, billed annually.
Professional plan is $20 per user/per month, billed annually.
Enterprise plan is $35 per user/per month, billed annually.
Ultimate plan is $100 per user/per month, billed annually
A free trial is available for the Standard, Professional, and Enterprise plans.
Website: zoho.com/crm
ConstructionBOS
Benefits:
Comprehensive sales and business activity management. Associate events, tasks, and calls with specific opportunities. Get vital information on date, time, deal priority, and more.
Vendor helps you develop a bespoke CRM solution after a business process review. They will make desired configuration changes for you. That includes modifying fields, workflows, email integrations, and more.
Automatically provides information from construction data providers like CIS and Barbour ABI
The platform is built on Zoho CRM’s robust framework.
Drawbacks:
Targeted primarily at construction companies based in the UK. Might take too much tweaking to get it up and running in other locales.
Pricing:
Pricing plan is $91.65 per user/per month.
There is no free trial available, but you can request a product demo.
Website: constructionbos.com
Conclusion
Over the last decade, there’s been a construction boom in the United States and many other countries. Yet the construction industry has generally been a little slow to embrace CRM.
The three-letter acronym is still mostly associated with the service sector. With IT and retail, or traditional marketing and sales.
This is finally changing, fast.
The digitization of the real estate industry created a strong need for CRMs there. Now 25% of all CRM users are in real estate. There's a close relationship between real estate and construction. So it’s natural to assume a similar trend will take place in the latter industry.
And it appears to be starting. These days, 8% of prospective CRM buyers are in the construction sector.
Right now, a construction company with a good grasp of CRM has a strong competitive advantage.
After all, in construction, a new business or small business lives or dies based on customer relationships. Positive word of mouth is a big driver of retention and growth. Streamlining your internal business processes can’t hurt your bottom line either.
Check out a free trial from one of the vendors above. And see what CRM might be able to do for your construction or contracting company.
Construction CRM FAQs
What is a CRM in construction?
A CRM in construction is software used to centralize communication, manage client relationships, and track project progress, among other stuff. With the help of this software, companies are able to streamline operations and improve client satisfaction by ensuring all stakeholders are up to date with the latest information throughout the project lifecycle.
What does CRM stand for in contracting?
CRM in contracting stands for Customer Relationship Management. It refers to the process of managing interactions with clients and improving communication with various stakeholders, including subcontractors and suppliers. This is usually done with the help of CRM software.
What is the best construction management software?
The best construction management software includes solutions such as Procore, ConstructionOnline, Cosential, Buildertrend, and BuilderConsole. These are leading construction CRMs currently. It’s difficult to single out one software only, as the features of these tools vary and so do the needs of companies.