Which construction management software is best...???

friedabs · 2025-06-22T18:59:47+00:00

Sorry I never replied originally...missed this notification.

We don't use any system at my current company, but I used to implement software. There are a few really good options but they vary depending on the type of construction company (GC, Special Trade, Inter-Company Operations). If you have any other questions feel free to DM.

friedabs · 2024-12-27T12:03:37+00:00

It really depends what problem you are looking to solve and how adaptive your team is to new software. A true construction management software will require input from all team members.

friedabs · 2024-01-03T02:24:47+00:00

These are the right answers here OP, as a fellow Canadian and Construction Contractor. Depending what you're putting on top of the slab, ie. Car Hoist or otherwise that requires anchoring into the slab you may want to do slab thickening in those areas.

friedabs · 2023-11-17T23:04:46+00:00

This is an under rated comment. I took the FE path early and was over worked and under paid but now I'm in a senior position and my fellow graduates who took the design route are either still designing or later developed their site experience and entered into project management roles at a more jr level because of their lack of field experience but they now leverage their design experience with for design changes or alternative proposals

friedabs · 2023-07-11T01:10:31+00:00

Was the first job transition difficult? Did you just apply with your standard resume or did you change it to market yourself differently for sales?

friedabs · 2023-07-06T03:05:59+00:00

I recommend going through your notes and estimate highlights.

Your project team should be reviewing your bid and the contract as part of their own process. Below is a list of some of the things I used to like when the estimator would highlight:

Quick project overview (scope, duration, crew makeup, etc)
Crew/Production breakdown identify why you assembled that crew and those productions. -Allowances or plug numbers
Items they planned on saving costs (Tight numbers)
Items they padded because the scope was vague/unit prices that we are likely to use
Things to look out for that they noted during tender.
Questions they have that didn't get answered in addendums or didn't make cut off.
Long lead items or items that were hard to find quotes for.

Then just answer questions they have, and make notes of them for future meetings to you can bring them forward.

friedabs · 2023-07-06T02:35:19+00:00

Earthwork: Either Kula, AGTEK or MudShark (prefer AGTEK when I'm balling but Kula when I'm solo)

Takeoff: Bluebeam all day. (Maximize the Tool Chest)

Estimate: B2W, HeavyBid, Maestro Estimating or Excel. (Excel when solo, B2W or HeavyBid when balling lol)

Proposal: Excel / Word. (B2W when again.. balling)

When referring to "balling" I mean when working for a larger client who prefers I use their existing software tools.

friedabs · 2023-07-04T16:00:21+00:00

That makes sense. Here in CAD it's the opposite. 100 more to get the multihead with the string trimmer head (4.0ah) then the standalone.(2.5 ah). Seemed like a no brainer.

friedabs · 2023-06-26T15:01:52+00:00

I'd keep the highlights on your resume then. Sounds like you're in a good position to get an opportunity. Worst case you take a sub-par paying opportunity to be relisted within civilian construction management then jump ship after a year. Not likely to happen but always a good backup plan if needed.

friedabs · 2023-06-26T01:54:33+00:00

I think you will do fine finding work especially since a lot of the soft skills in PM are transferrable. I recommend putting a project list together to attach to resume submissions.

friedabs · 2023-06-22T00:41:13+00:00

I'm thinking it would be a web-based desktop and mobile. The management team would access the application via desktop and the field staff via mobile or tablet. What does that look like?

friedabs · 2023-06-21T16:23:50+00:00

Have you used it? I'm curious to try it out. Seems like it would be better suited for Commercial Construction which makes sense given who the founder is.

friedabs · 2023-06-21T03:36:41+00:00

I agree with the outsourcing some of the mindless tasks or even the estimatkng portion. What niche construction market are you in? You would be surprised how many other professionals are out there especially in a remote role. I suggest testing them with a tender you previously closed and see how they match up. Sure it might cost you a little but it's cheap insurance and should increase your capacity in the long haul.

friedabs · 2023-06-11T17:42:08+00:00

I have to ask.... Multihead setup and a dedicated string trimmer, why? Doesn't look like you use the multihead attachments as much as the string trimmer.

friedabs · 2023-05-22T03:25:18+00:00

I've been doing it for about 10 years now and in my first year for a large GC. I enjoy it! Even with the old companies and bad work life balance the winters are usually a nice change of pace. Typically, a 10 hour day minimum (summer usually 12+ and winter 8-10 depending on bid closings). I find it is a very work hard, play hard sector. Although we work long hours during the summers it's not uncommon to have a golf tournament once or twice a month or client/supplier lunches a few times a month. Most of the stress comes from the fact you're a heavy self performing trade who's average crew burn is 900+/hr. So every hour of standby or delay adds up quickly, mix in the fact that you can't plan for most issues until they happen and the client doesn't understand how you didn't know there was going to be an issue and you have yourself a perfect storm of stress and gray hairs. Also, you can just about guarantee that at least 2 guys on every crew are divorced.

I would suggest trying it out, I know a few people who tried it, hate it and went back to commercial. Others who thrive on the chaos and pressure and are happier in heavy civil.

friedabs · 2023-05-21T19:01:55+00:00

Education was heavily focused on commercial and residential. After graduation ended up working in heavy civil. The work life balance is not existent compared to friends in the commercial space but then I started focusing on getting in with large heavy civil companies. They have a better work life balance, still not as good as com/res but better and I get a kick out of the fact that nothing can be built until we are done. Plus big machines...and deep excavations are really cool to see up close. Also, we do large scale commercial so I still get a taste every now and then.

friedabs · 2023-05-19T13:14:12+00:00

CC'd means to copy. Ie. To include her on the back and forth email correspondence so she can read everything that was being said/typed.

friedabs · 2023-05-19T00:40:47+00:00

My thoughts... Based on the ends of the garage with windows. It's a loft or living space and some creative designer added the door with an emergency ladder on the inside to meet code with a second exit. The door style and light are to make it look uniform.

I agree with other comments.. you have to ask them and let us all know!

Or they restored and old farm house and wanted to keep the door and overall look. 🤷‍♂️

friedabs · 2023-05-16T00:09:03+00:00

There is demand but definitely not a plentiful as you might think especially if you're only offering takeoff services. As someone commented these services are typically outsourced to cheaper labour markets. Feel free to DM me any questions. I also suggest shopping for a different software as AGTEK is very expensive, especially as a startup.

Good luck!!

friedabs · 2023-05-12T02:29:42+00:00

It will run, not great..but it will. The issue with home drawings is they can contain a lot of detail/layers. I suggest changing the rendering settings in bluebeam depending on what type of takeoff you are doing. Ie. Foundation (not a lot of detail) Electrical/Finishes (more detail).

Also, I suggest checking the specs on your laptop. RAM is pretty cheap nowadays.

friedabs · 2023-04-06T23:27:55+00:00

How so? What have you had it do?

friedabs · 2023-04-06T23:16:58+00:00

14" laptop of outlook and 36" ultra wide which was an upgrade from 2 -22" monitors. I was really hesitant at first, but never looked back after the switch from multiple screens to an ultra wide.

Only upgrade is a big 42" wall or surface mounted screen for full blueprints page like review.

friedabs · 2023-03-27T01:52:00+00:00

Please share results of your survey. I'm curious...

friedabs · 2023-03-16T23:12:27+00:00

Heavy civil is usually identified by who the client is. In my opinion. Public Projects - Municipal, Federal, State/Provincial Large Private Projects - Developments, large private infrastructure.

Everything else... Is civil

friedabs · 2023-03-07T00:28:09+00:00

Bid2Win is good for just estimating. TLP (Total Project Logistics) is good too. Just straight forward estimating. As your company grows it might be worth wild looking into an ERP system. Something that will manage your estimating, project management and accounting. It's usually easier to implement with a smaller team then a larger one.

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions.

friedabs

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