It’s becoming increasingly common to use your smartphone, tablet or iPad for much more than gaming or online shopping. Particularly in the construction industry, devices are being used everyday as a productivity tool for on site or in the office.
Using your device for work can help in many ways, from more effective communications and collaborative work between a team, to better organisation of tasks and everyday paperwork, such as quotes and invoicing.
Below we’ve rounded up our top 5 apps for contractors and other roles within the industry, along with all the need to know information such as device compatibility and cost.
1. Joist Contractor Estimating and Invoicing Tool – FREE
Available on iOS, iPad, Android & Web
www.joistapp.com
Best for: Contractors, builders, estimators & service companies
Features: Manage projects, invoices, estimates and payments all from your device.
- Build a list of commonly used materials and services provided
- Convert estimates to quotes and attach photos
- Send and print quotes and invoices on the spot to clients
- Manage customer information and track payments
Favourite feature: Customise your estimates and invoices with your company information and logo
2. Wunderlist – FREE
Available on iOS, iPad, Android, Windows & Web
www.wunderlist.com
Best for: Individual Contractors or teams using devices on site
Features: Collaboratively work and share documents with everyone working on a project.
- Share and delegate to-do lists and attachments
- Organise all projects from your device and set reminders
- Monthly or annual upgrade options to Wunderlist Pro
Favourite feature: Sync Wunderlist across all your devices for easy access anywhere
3. PlanGrid – FREE
Available on iOS, iPad & Android
www.plangrid.com/en
Best for: Contractors, owners & architects, in particular using devices on site
Features: Upload project specs and images to share with everyone involved on a project from owner to contractor.
- Upload PDF drawings and automatically sync with your teams devices allowing everyone to always have up to project plans
- Real-time annotations and revisions
Favourite feature: Automatically pin progress photos to your blueprints
4. Construction Master Pro – £18.99 on iTunes & £16.50 on Android
Available on iOS, iPad & Android
www.calculated.com
Best for: Contractors, architects and anyone involved in mathematical construction
Features: Advanced construction math calculator all available from your device for dimensional math, right angle and area & volume solutions.
- Accurately solve tough equations on the spot to save time and errors on site
- Trigonometric keys and comprehensive building dimensions including, inch fractions, yards and decimal feet
Favourite feature: Free user’s guide available at www.calculated.com for optimum impact
5. Powered Now: Invoicing App – FREE
Available on iOS, iPad & Android
www.powerednow.com
Best for: Contractors, small businesses & self employed professionals
Features: Produce quotes and invoices from your device, whilst also managing your team’s diaries with the in-built calendar.
- Create and send estimates and invoices securely backed up to the cloud
- Accept signatures and PayPal payments from your customers along with notifications of when documents are opened
- Monthly subscriptions available for Powered Now Premium for up to 6 users
Favourite feature: Export data and send directly to your accountant