Why Subcontractors Need Their Own Contractor Documentation System
These days, technology is making it much easier for the construction industry to operate more efficiently. But some gaps still require filling, and a contractor documentation system will help fill those gaps.
Often, subcontractors will use the general contractor’s project management software to go ahead with their tasks. This might seem like a good idea, but it can lead to a lot of issues later down the line.
Luckily, the solution is relatively simple: investing in a contractor documentation system. But why? Let’s find out.
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Why Having a Contractor Documentation Software is Better than Using the GC’s Software
If there is software made specifically for subcontractors, why do people use the general contractor’s package? Here are three of the most common reasons.
1. Convenience
One of the main reasons subcontractors will use their contractors’ project management software systems is because it’s more convenient than setting up their own—at least in the short term.
Using the same construction project management software means you don’t need to go out and find your own, so it’s understandable if you’ve chosen to go down this route. This approach gives you an overview of your projects with that contractor and facilitates your work with them.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
Business owners are tasked with minimizing costs and maximizing revenue. Project management software requires an investment that some may choose to defer. If you’ve got access to something with your contractors, the return on investment can sometimes be tricky to see.
However, the amount you save in money is lost in time. As a result, you’ll lose more money than you gain from this approach in the long run.
3. Perceived Transparency
On construction projects, transparency is essential to achieve the desired results and comply with safety regulations. It’s natural to assume that using a contractor’s project management software achieves this.
To a certain extent, this is true—for that particular contractor, anyway. You can gain a full overview of the projects you are undertaking together.
Using your contractor’s project management software gives you oversight of projects coming up with that company. However, it doesn’t show you the full picture for all of your clients.
Why Should Subcontractors Use Their Own Contractor Documentation Software?
Now that we’ve established that using the contractors project management software is better than none, let’s identify the benefits of investing in a solution designed just for subcontractors.
Better Organization
If you’ve been using someone else’s construction project management software, you’ll already be well aware of how this technology can improve your workflow, and statistics back this up. In 2019, for example, the PMI found that 76% of businesses using project management systems met their original goals.
While other people’s project management software is useful for getting an overview of ongoing tasks at that particular place, it becomes complicated if you’re using multiple systems—and as your business grows and you build new partnerships, this will get even worse over time.
If you use one software tool designed for businesses like yours, you can bring together all of your project information in one place and organize your team. You won’t be dependent on other firms for your project management, and you won’t get bogged down using multiple tools.
Set Individual Goals
At the moment, there’s a huge opportunity for subcontractors in the construction sector. In a McKinsey survey, for example, it was revealed that the vast majority of participants said they believe that skilled labor is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive.
For you as a subcontractor, this means there is opportunity at hand, and forming a strategy to maximize your outcomes is critical to your long-term success.
When you use construction project management software to gain an overview of all your clients, you can see where your efforts are meeting targets—and where you should change things up. With this information, setting attainable objectives becomes much easier.
Don’t Leave Your Subcontracting Project Management to Chance
To set themselves up for long-term success, business leaders must focus on implementing systems that will help them get there. Investing in contractor documentation software might seem like an expensive option, but the ROI over the long run will pay off in less stress through better organization, scalability, and clear oversight into your projects.
eSUB is the only field-first contractor documentation software built for commercial subcontractors. We’ve made our software simple to use, enabling you to increase your bottom line and get to doing the stuff that matters. Contact us for a free consultation.
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