Running a construction business usually means you’re juggling several tasks at once. That’s especially true for crew scheduling. You have to balance the schedules for multiple projects, team members, and specialty subcontractors.
With the right scheduling software, you can plan your projects and assign shifts in a fraction of the time it takes to do it by hand.
Let’s take a look at some of the best scheduling tools for the construction industry.
What Is the Most Used Scheduling Software?
Google Calendar, Acuity Scheduling, Calendly, and Doodle as some of the most popular scheduling software options based on user reviews. But those aren’t construction-specific.
These generalist scheduling options are useful for setting availability and scheduling meetings with others, but they lack features designed specifically for managing a construction project. For instance, they don’t include tools like project budgeting or employee time tracking.
For those features, you’ll need construction scheduling software designed for the unique challenges of construction projects.
What Is Construction Scheduling Software?
Construction scheduling software is used by team managers and contractors to schedule jobs and manage other elements of a project, including time tracking and task management.
These are the top construction scheduling features:
- Crew scheduling: This feature lets you create work schedules and assign shifts to each employee. Most apps give you multiple ways to share your schedule, either online or by exporting it into a document, such as a PDF, that you can print or email.
- Employee and contractor time tracking: Time clock functions let crew members punch in and out so you can automate timesheets, calculate payroll for construction crews, and have precise invoicing.
- Employee location tracking: GPS team tracking capability to see where each crew member is in real-time to ensure crews are on-site when they clock in.
- Employee mobile app: Android and iOS apps that let employees and subcontractors see a calendar view of the schedule, clock in and out, request PTO, and adjust their availability.
- Geofencing: Control clock in and out location with a GPS border around your work site that only allows employees to punch in when they are within the border. This means employees can’t check in early or clock time when they are not on site.
- Break timing: Tools to automatically remind employees about break time so you can stay compliant.
- Shift switching and covering: This feature lets employees easily communicate about shifts that need to be covered through the mobile app.
- Construction project management tools: Construction management software features that help streamline your operations workflows, such as day-to-day task management and accurate labor costing.
In addition to those primary features listed above, some of the apps have extra tools that can help with employee training, project planning, communication, and even payroll.
However, these features aren’t available in all construction project scheduling apps. You’ll often need a separate payroll software to work with your scheduler, and Hourly lets you run payroll in minutes and provides a simple pay-as-you-go solution for workers’ comp insurance.
Now that you know what features to look for, let’s see what software providers are the best fit for your construction company.
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Best Construction Scheduling Software
Before you start shopping for software, it’s helpful to have a list of the specific features you want.
For example, if you are managing multiple construction sites at a time, you may want to look for geofencing features that only let crew members check in when they are at their assigned location.
You should also consider what software you already have, such as payroll, accounting, and invoicing providers. Check to see that the scheduling software you use integrates seamlessly with your existing tools.
Let’s examine five of the most popular scheduling tools for the construction industry.
1. Connecteam
Best for: Companies that want an integrated scheduling and training solution
Connecteam is an employee management software that has three hubs: operations, communication, and HR & skills. The operations hub lets you create and share schedules with team members, whether they’re in the office or the field.
Key Connecteam features:
- Online timesheets
- Task management
- Set hours for breaks
- Employee time tracking
- Employee training tools
- Drag and drop shift scheduling
- Human resources document managing
- Employee location tracking and geo-fencing
- Employee communication features—including safety notifications
Connecteam is used by more than 36,000 companies globally, including EY and McDonald’s. Users on Capterra rate Connecteam 4.8 out of 5.
2. Buddy Punch
Best for: Construction companies with multiple worksites
Buddy Punch is a cloud-based employee time clock software that also includes scheduling and payroll features. The scheduling app offers a user-friendly experience for both managers and employees.
Key Buddy Punch features:
- Geofencing
- Digital timesheets
- Employee time tracking
- Flexible schedule notifications
- Drag and drop shift scheduling
- Automatic punch-outs and punch-in limits
- Features for shift switching and PTO requests
- Smart schedule feature based on employee availability
- Location tracking to manage multiple work sites
Buddy Punch is used by national companies like the YMCA and State Farm. Users on Capterra rate Buddy Punch 4.8 out of 5.
3. Hubstaff
Best for: Construction companies looking for accurate job costing
Hubstaff offers a web-based construction timecard app that uses location tracking to automatically create employee time cards. Employees are automatically clocked in when they arrive on site and clocked out when they leave, so there are never any arguments about forgetting to clock out.
The platform also lets you create schedules for your construction crew and notifies you when someone doesn’t show up on time.
Key HubStaff features:
- Digital timesheets
- Employee time tracking
- Employee location tracking
- Schedule creation and sharing
- Automatic clock-in and clock-out with GPS
- Accurate job costing based on time per project
HubStaff is used by more than 95,000 businesses, including Century 21 and Instacart. Users on Capterra rate Hubstaff 4.6 out of 5.
4. When I Work
Best for: Construction companies looking for a cost-effective solution without as many bells and whistles
When I Work is an intuitive scheduling software designed specifically for shift-based workplaces. The software has three main functions: scheduling, time tracking, and employee communications.
Key When I Work features:
- Geofencing
- Team task management
- Create and share schedules
- Attendance tracking with break reminders
- Employee availability and PTO management
- Overtime notifications to create cost-effective shift coverage
- Shift eligibility based on employee qualifications and availability
When I Work is used by companies like Ace Hardware and Walgreens. Users on Capterra rate When I Work a 4.5 out of 5.
5. Snap Schedule 365
Best for: Companies that use more complex shift assignments
Snap Schedule 365 is another cloud-based employee scheduling and resource management software that helps you spend less time creating schedules and includes features that can reduce labor costs and keep you compliant with workforce regulations.
Key Snap Schedule 365 features:
- Geofencing
- Break scheduling
- Online timesheets
- Task management
- Labor analysis and insights
- Create and share schedules
- Pre-designed schedule templates
- Customizable settings for overtime rates and shift premiums
- Support for complex shift assignments like split shifts and PTO
Snap Schedule 365 is used by companies like Microsoft and Deloitte. Users on Capterra rate Snap Schedule 4.5 out of 5.
Curious how they all stack up against each other? Use this handy chart to do a side-by-side comparison:
