The 8 Free and Open Source Construction Management System

Updated on :October 19, 2023
By :Andrea Hernandez

With the pickup in advanced economies and the galloping rise in the construction industry globally, there is always pressure to complete construction projects meticulously without any friction. The pace of growth can slow down if there is a down show of project completion.

Many projects are lined up due to the modernization of designs and various projects. Indeed, it is a big challenge to manage construction projects. Managing any construction project requires exceptional skills, expertise, and the right tools.

But no need to worry at all. You can efficiently manage difficult tasks with the help of construction management software that will help you to complete your construction projects efficiently. From project initiation to its closure, you will get complete guidance throughout the project lifecycle if you make use of the best software.

Studies indicate that from 2018 to 2022, the construction management software market will grow at a CAGR of 9.19%. By 2023 the global construction software market is expected to reach a value of USD 2715.6 million approximately.

Table of contents of construction management software

What is Construction Management Software?

The software is a project management platform that assists companies in various processes like decision-making, communication, budget management, and job scheduling related to a construction project. Automation targets to make the construction business process easy. Construction project management software helps in simplifying the day-to-day task that helps in delivering the projects.

Key features of construction Management software

Why use Construction Management Software?

Builders get better at providing services by using the software. The reasons to use construction software are as follows:

  • Reduced Paperwork - All the data is digitized and stored in the cloud. You can easily access and manage the data. It is easy to work as all the documents become mobile.
  • Save Resource & Time - It brings quicker coordination of tasks that enhances coordination and reduces the error rate. You can save your precious time, valuable money, and resources. You can enjoy the timely completion of a construction project.
  • Exposure to the tech age - Anywhere you can take easy to complex tasks with construction management. It is open to new technology and newer trends. You can have smart moves to obtain the full benefit of the construction management system.
  • Mobility - Everyone from the client to a mason or man on-site gets the updated information. The flow of information is fast and accurate. You can gather information from anywhere and anytime.
  • Enhanced communication - Communication gets simpler and faster with communication management software. Everyone in the project remains on the same page, and the inflow of information is quick and lucid. It provides an encrypted platform where data is shared with specific members.
  • Improves business growth and development - The highly skilled workers and tradespeople utilize software to increase business and improve profitability. You can build the project team and embrace the integrated construction software to enjoy a harmonious and prosperous project team.

 "How Construction Management has changed over the Years."

Over the past years, construction management has changed. Let’s see how!

 "How Construction Management has changed over the Years."

How much does it cost for construction management software?

The price of in-house construction planning software is anywhere from about $1,000 to more than $100,000. Many features, like time management, accounting solutions, and project estimating, are involved in construction project management software.

Although you can utilize any of the 8 free and open-source construction management software discussed below, Contractor Foreman deserves a special mention. A global leader in providing construction management solutions and services to contractors, Contractor Foreman’s tailored features and capabilities are exceptional. Let us discuss its enterprise-grade features in detail:

Contractor Foreman: 

Contractor Foreman is an industry-grade software primarily designed for easing the workflows of construction contractors. This simple-to-use system comes with 35+ powerful features along with free training and support. It is an app-based and web-based construction management tool that provides free updates whenever new versions are released. You can add unlimited users to Contractor Foreman and also control the access permissions. It also offers 30 days free trial and a free demo of its services. Its mobile app can be downloaded from both the App Store and Google Play Store.

Contractor Foreman Construction Management Software

Source-Contractor Foreman

Key Features of Contractor Foreman:

  • Financial Accounting tools: Features to calculate employee wages, track work hours, and job cost, and GPS Tracking for all employees (on-field and office employees). It also comes with Quickbooks integration, and you can sync existing Quickbooks data in one click.
  • Project Management tools: Gantt chart, schedule calendar, appointment booking, and project snapshots
  • Scheduling and Planning Tools: Schedule projects from anywhere with drag-and-drop functionality, and Import/Export with multiple file formats
  • Safety features: More than 1000 safety topics, and reports on safety meetings by date, time, and employees
  • Live Chat feature for better team and customer communication
  • Document Management features such as tracking material, equipment used, and daily notes
  • Easily track delays, visitors to the site, and weather conditions
  • Free support and one on one training

Maybe start-ups, small businesses, and freelancers do not have the budget to pay the upfront or recurring license fees for all the features. So the apt way is to have free and open-source construction management software.

Here in this article, you will get acquainted with the list of top software that will offer suitable solutions to your requirements.

Free and open-source construction management software

Geniebelt

GenieBelt is a cloud-based construction and project management solution that focuses on scheduling. This free software gets on to project teams in real time.

It is meant for both small and medium-sized businesses and enterprises and allows everyone to communicate and collaborate efficiently. Easy to install and exploit and available on the Web and Mobile.

This software changes long ago construction operations due to its simplicity and effectiveness. You can enjoy transparency in your construction projects with this open-source software. The users can see who is on the team for each project due to its task list, drawing database, and project directory.

If you are looking for one solution for all the problems that hamper the production rate of the project, then GenieBelt is the all-in-one solution. With high functionality, it helps you build better, faster, and cheaper so you can use this creative technology to experience incredible results. In quicker turnarounds, it will save time and effects due to its instant communication through mobile apps.

GenieBelt construction Management software

(Source: GenieBelt)

Specifications

  • Live project management platform
  • Full Audit trail
  • PDF reports
  • Construction reports & Mobile reporting
  • Instant communication
  • Happy subcontractors
  • Cross-team problem solving
  • Fact-based decisions
  • Full documentation
  • Smooth workforce
  • Shared responsibilities
  • File Storage
  • Automatic schedule updates
  • Change notifications

Buildtools

Buildtools is a web-based and fully integrated construction project management software. It offers modules designed to meet the specific needs of home builders and remodelers. For all construction-related project management communication, this free software provides a central repository for all construction. It helps to send and receive emails, documents, photos, and project-related messages. Automatically the project notifications and weekly project reports are sent to the homeowners and clients to update them on the schedules, deadlines, developments, and change orders.

It is suitable for small businesses, large enterprises, and medium businesses. It incorporates third-party applications such as QuickBooks and GuildQuality.

The users can save a significant amount of time and money as this software leverages technology. Customers who make use of this modular construction management platform include Regency builders, Stonewood, and Platinum series. It supports Windows, Linux, iPhone/iPad, and web-based devices.

buildTools(Source: BuildTools)

Specifications

  • Project management & Communication
  • Budgeting & Finances
  • Selections in one place
  • Change orders
  • Photo gallery & daily logs
  • Bid and document management
  • Purchase orders
  • Accounting integrations
  • Built by builders for builders
  • Project Templates
  • Unlimited projects
  • Daily backups

Knowify

Knowify is a cloud-based construction management solution that is suitable for trades along with landscaping, masonry, and roofing. It is designed for residential contractors and small to midsize commercial subcontractors.

This free system helps in managing different administrative tasks that incorporate job estimation, contract management, bidding, change orders, and bidding. For digital signatures, the users can create a contract and bid for them and can electronically send documents. The administrators can keep track of staff check-in and check-out time by employing the feature of time tracking and scheduling. It looks after handling contracts, invoices & billing, service tickets, purchasing, and scheduling change orders.

This software is cloud-based, so you will find it accessible on a laptop, mobile devices, and desktops. Systematically, project managers can plan out jobs with the help of estimating tool in this software. The team experiences itemized material budgets and scheduling that result in a complete cost estimate.

It syncs with QuickBooks which makes it effortless to account for all the data and finances and simultaneously analyze productivity. If you want to make accurate job estimates and want to track the performance of your business, then this software is apt for you as it holds powerful project management and built-in job costing. You can run a professional and efficient business by using this all-in-one construction software.

Knowify

(Source: Knowify)

Specifications

  • Time tracking
  • Scheduling
  • Simplify job costing
  • Project and Task Management
  • Thorough job costing
  • Progress invoicing
  • AIA billing
  • RFIs
  • ACH/credit card payment processing
  • Change order management
  • Profitability analysis
  • Personalized PDF outputs
  • Customized privileges

CIMS

For builders and contractors, the CIMS (Construction Information Management System) is a free cloud-based software. It is a project-friendly and user-friendly construction-specific ERP.

It tracks project performances, workforce operations, and material wastage. As a one-stop solution, it offers full visibility of all your projects. You can monitor performance and specialized reporting along with it and can enjoy the decision-making process too. You can scale up your business with this free software. With its mobile app, you can keep your business within your reach.

It is the ideal pick for those who are looking for simple and minimalistic software for the management purpose of the project.

CIMS

(Source: CIMS)

Specifications

  • Inventory management
  • Cash management, billing & invoicing
  • Service & bid management
  • Subcontractor & Payroll management
  • Supplier and Purchase order management
  • Task & Project management
  • Contract & Subcontractor management
  • Accounting & Job Costing
  • Supplier & Purchase Management
  • Job scheduling       

eSUB

The built-in database of eSUB updates in real time. From any device, the team members can access and update critical information, notes, and statuses at any time. All logs in this open-source software are fully searchable and can be converted into Excel formats.

From one central location, this software creates, stores, and accesses all your construction documents and project management activities. Through a secure internet login, it manages paperless projects from the office or the field. It includes email integration and field notes. It provides your team with the tools and information required to track the details of every project directly from the field. For subcontractors, it is one of the best software programs.

It is easy to use; a software-as-a-service solution designed to assist contractors to boost standardization, productivity, profits, and accountability. Globally thousands of users rely on this platform to manage project communication and collaboration on construction projects.

eSUB

(Source: eSUB)

Specifications

  • Accounting Integration
  • Contract & Job Management
  • Budget Tracking/Job Costing
  • Contractors & Contract Management
  • Incident Reporting
  • RFI & Submittals
  • Work Hour tracking
  • Time & Equipment tracking
  • Technician Management
  • Subcontractor Management
  • Commercial/Industrial
  • Incident Reporting
  • Mobile Access

Fieldwire

Fieldwire is a cloud-based construction management solution that bridges the gap between the field and the office team by enabling precise tracking of site issues and project deficiencies. This free software aids engineers, site supervisors, foremen, contractors, and subcontractors to track issues involved in site tasks and projects that help in providing remedies to them.

It serves as the mobile and web-based construction site task management that offers the functionalities to optimize the handling of task issues with the documents associated with them. Due to the blueprint management feature, the users can manage the construction drawings and plans by viewing and versioning the projects. They can snap photos of defects, leave comments, and add to-dos because of the punch lists. Both for iOS and Android devices, mobile applications are available in this construction management system.

Fieldwire

(Source: Fieldwire)

Specifications

  • Inspection
  • Punch List
  • Scheduling
  • Task & team management
  • Performance Tracking
  • Collaboration
  • As-built drawings
  • Blueprint management solutions
  • Automatic sheet hyperlinking
  • Blueprint app

Procore

Procore is the easiest-to-use software that helps in managing multiple projects in one place. This free software is a leading provider of cloud-based applications for construction. Through a unified platform, Procore connects people, applications, and devices that help construction professionals in managing risk and build quality projects. It happens on time, safely, and within budget. The real-time updates and instantaneous tracking in this software will allow you to access all the information. It provides a platform for more teamwork, better project margins, and less rework.

In one central work hub, this unified platform connects teams, devices, and applications. On any device, the users can collaborate in real time with anyone in the group. Its open API enables integration with other systems that including reporting software, scheduling software, storage software, and accounting software. In the field, the Android and iOS apps deliver information to the builder with or without an internet connection.

Procore

(Source: Procore)

Specifications

  • Project dashboard
  • Real-time updates & notifications
  • Construction Financials
  • Field Productivity
  • App Marketplace
  • Manage drawings & specs
  • Project directory
  • Document & drawing management
  • Procore drive & REIs
  • Contract & Cost management
  • Sage 300 CRE connector
  • Scheduling & daily log
  • Search functionality
  • Quality assurance

8 PlanGrid

PlanGrid is built for general contractors, design teams, specialty contractors, and owners. This construction management solution provides project teams with access to all project drawings.

With a web browser, this software is accessible from any device. For Mac users, it is the ideal way to access this free software. It holds custom apps for Windows, iOS, and Android users.

This construction management tool provides solutions to specific construction industries like commercial, heavy civil, education, industrial, and healthcare. Without losing data, it works as a total turnover. It is capable of collecting data in real time.

You will find it easy to have digital as-built for management and operations. It serves as a single source of truth from plans and specifications to punch lists, documents, and photos. The users of the PlanGrid who can manage construction blueprints and other documents in a paperless environment can now access BIM data from Revit on mobile devices. The users in the field can choose either a 2D or 3Dview of the project.

plangrid(Source: Plangrid)

Specifications

  • Progress photos
  • Auto hyperlinking
  • Simple issue tracking
  • End-to-end RFI solution
  • Single master set
  • Sharing & Security
  • Document management
  • Reporting
  • Submittal management
  • RFIs, Punch lists
  • Field Reporting

Comparison Chart of Free & Open source Construction

Comparison Chart

Wrapping up

If you want to plan, manage, collaborate, and schedule priorities efficiently and productively, then you require the best construction planning software. To achieve the technical and financial aspects of the project, you can make use of construction management tools. You can track assets, activities, resources, and costs, and even you can monitor the performance of your workforce. In terms of productivity, efficiency, and company competitiveness, the construction sector has been improving due to construction management tools.

You can fix problems related to cost estimation, drawing, documenting, and project management by making use of the top construction management system that is free and open source. Enjoy the free and open-source software that will make your construction management easier and aids inefficient service delivery.

Make sure while choosing the software, you should consider the business size & type, features, product usability, and software accessibility.

I hope this piece of writing has made you familiar with the basic features of open-source and free construction management software. If you have come across any of the construction organization software mentioned above, then feel free to share your valuable views and feedback on the same.

If you are looking for other software categories, then click here

Andrea Hernandez
Andrea Hernandez

Andrea Hernandez is a tech blogger and content marketing expert. She writes about disruptive tech trends counting blockchain, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things. Presently, as a senior writer, she is associated with GoodFirms, a pioneering B2B research, review and rating platform. Follow her on social media for valuable information on the software.

Read Similar Blogs

The Dominance of BIM in the Construction Industry is Never Going to End

The Dominance of BIM in the Construction Industry is Never Going to End

Modern construction & engineering companies and architects are always looking for better ways to establish collaborative and systematic work environments so ... Read more

How to Avoid Retainage in the Construction Industry?

How to Avoid Retainage in the Construction Industry?

Retainage is a process of holding back a certain percentage of money from a subcontractor or contractor while the construction project is in the progressive sta ... Read more

How to Digitally Takeoff in Construction Estimation?

How to Digitally Takeoff in Construction Estimation?

In the highly competitive construction industry, businesses must stay ahead of the curve in order to remain successful. One of the best ways to gain an edge ove ... Read more