Why Your Trade Contractor Business Needs Its Own Construction Management Software

Two critical elements for trade contractor business success are building good relationships with general contractors (GCs) and making good business decisions. Construction management software enables trade contractors to do both, but only if the technology is tailored to their specific business needs.

As industry writer Conley Smith notes, “Strong GC-subcontractor relationships have never been more critical.” Under the pressure of creating those good relationships, trade contractors often fall into the trap of using general contractors’ project management systems. It’s a trap because though it may appear more convenient and cost effective on the surface (which it is for the GC), it’s quite the opposite for the trade contractors. 

Why? When you are absorbed into the GC’s documentation processes, you lose control over your own documents and data. 

Everything for the project is owned by the GC and when it’s over, the trade contractors have no way of accessing the data to analyze it and learn from it. This can start a cycle where trade contractors are unable to make the types of data-backed business decisions that would promote positive relationships with GCs. 

That’s why trade contractors need to use their own construction project management software, like eSUB. The tool is tailored specifically to their needs rather than that of GCs. With control over documents and access to data, trade contractors can participate as partners with general contractors to deliver more successful projects. 

Here’s how the tool makes that possible.

Construction Management Software Streamlines Document Control Across the Company

Document management is critical to construction project success. 

“Construction businesses, with various contracts and projects running simultaneously, strengthen and improve their performance using document control,” according to The Constructor. “Without controlling the flow of documents, companies would fail to complete the works within the stipulated budgets and deadlines.”

The document management process can become a liability, however, if it is too complicated and time consuming. This is often the case when construction workers have to submit documents for different projects into different project management systems for multiple GCs. They spend so much time documenting work in different programs that they lose out on valuable time that could be spent on project-specific work.  

When using a single platform owned by the trade contractor, the process is uniform across all projects. Field and office teams can easily submit documents like daily reports, time sheets, and field notes for any project they are working on from their mobile devices. It’s a more efficient process that is easy to follow so workers spend more time on profitable project work.  

“The primary advantage of standardizing document management is the attainment of consistency,” writes Forough Farhadi at digital transformation consultancy Neuroject. “When all individuals within the company work with the same templates, information, and tools, projects tend to align more closely with initial plans.” This, ultimately, helps foster more positive relationships between trade contractors and GCs.

With Construction Management Software, All Project Stakeholders Have Access to Accurate Project Data

Construction projects run on data. 

“Construction firms are now using data to make better decisions, increase productivity, improve jobsite safety and reduce risks,” writes ConstructConnect Editor in Chief Kendall Jones. “As construction projects become more complex, big data may soon become the most important tool at a construction company’s disposal.”

Accessing that data is the problem trade contractors face when they use general contractors’ project management software. Their project data is absorbed into those systems which means it is dispersed across multiple projects and platforms. Only those working on a particular job have access to that project-specific data until the project is delivered. Outsiders cannot access it and it’s completely inaccessible to the trade contractor once their work is complete. 

If you own the construction project management software, on the other hand, all of your project data for all of your projects is stored in one centralized location. That means everyone across the company has access to real-time information before, during, and after a project is complete. 

With all of your data in one spot, “stakeholders can make data-driven decisions that are based on accurate and timely information,” explains the Boom & Bucket team. In the end, the data will help you deliver more successful projects and build a more profitable business. 

Trade Contractors Can Better Manage Multiple Projects Simultaneously with Single Construction Management Software

Managing multiple construction projects is hard. As the Priority Management team puts it, managing a number of projects at the same time “can be a daunting task” that becomes overwhelming very quickly. This is particularly true for trade contractors who are using multiple project management tools.

The same project manager may be responsible for projects under different GCs which means they have to bounce back and forth between systems to track and manage projects. Such inefficient processes limit the project manager’s ability to communicate and collaborate with various project teams as well as inhibit their ability to make critical project decisions. 

“Issues escalate because they’re not identified and acted on in a timely manner,” writes Chris Milan, former VP of Sales at NexTec Group, in a CFMA article.

With a single tool, project managers can better manage all of their projects in near real-time. Data for all projects is stored in one spot, so they can easily access updated project information to make quick decisions. Project managers can communicate quickly with all stakeholders through the software rather than fielding multiple phone calls and emails in an effort to collaborate. 

The standardization of communication and centralization of data through a single platform helps project managers lead teams to more positive project outcomes.

A Single Source of Truth Helps Trade Contractors Build More Profitable Businesses

In construction, efficiency equals profits. The more efficient your processes are, the more project-specific work your teams can do which helps keep projects on time and on budget. This equates to better profit margins. 

Maximum efficiency is only achievable when working from a single source of truth. If you are using multiple construction project management platforms, your teams waste time submitting and mining for data on each of those platforms. And, you cannot create that single source of truth because your data is spread across all of those platforms and owned by the GC. 

“The first step to creating a single source of truth is to ensure that all project and client information is easily discoverable as and when you need it,” writes creative manager Michele D’Andrea in a PBC Today article. 

That starts with having your own construction project management software. “Businesses can address these issues and pave the way for a single source of truth by ensuring necessary project data is saved in one central location that is easily accessible and provides simple search capabilities,” D’Andrea adds.

With that single source of truth established, project teams can be more productive, improving the outcomes of their projects. “This improved efficiency enables better decision-making throughout each stage of the job’s lifecycle, ultimately leading to increased profitability for contractors and developers,” notes the PBC Today team in a separate article.

This, in turn, helps them establish better working relationships with their general contractors which may lead to business growth through more projects. 

If you are facing challenges associated with using multiple construction project management programs with your GCs, now is the time to consider adopting your own tool that is designed specifically for trade contractors. 

Schedule a demo of eSUB Cloud today to learn more about how this tool can help your business grow and build stronger relationships with your general contractors.

Images used under license from Shutterstock.com.