9.0
Editor’s Rating:
Best Overall
Knowify: Dashboard
Knowify
  • For residential, commercial, and general contractors
  • Cloud-hosted
  • Syncs with QuickBooks
9.1
Editor’s Rating:
Best for Construction Management
Procore: Revision
Procore
  • Real-time communication for all employees
  • Optional financial management add-on
  • Unlimited users, documents, photos, and data
7.4
Editor’s Rating:
Best for Small Businesses
Sage Construction Management: Estimate Summary/Reports
Sage Construction Management
  • For small to mid-size businesses
  • User-friendly
  • Mobile on Palm, Blackberry, Windows, and Apple iPhone

Job cost software helps contractors determine costs on projects so they can better predict profitability. They include estimating, time tracking, and subcontractor costing functionality. Our team has compared the top job costing solutions available to help businesses find the right solution for their needs:

1 Knowify

Knowify is a cloud-hosted job costing and project management designed for both residential and commercial contractors. Whether you are a general contractor or specialized subcontractor, you can bring your construction business to the next level with real time data on all of your jobs. Industry leading bi-directional sync with QuickBooks for your accounting needs.

Best Overall:
Knowify

Knowify: Dashboard
Knowify: Multiple Subs
Knowify: Crew Tracking
Knowify: Time and Location
Knowify: Progress Invoicing
What We Like
For residential, commercial, and general contractors
Cloud-hosted
Syncs with QuickBooks
What We Don’t Like
Lacks customization for pagination
Employees cannot request leave through software
Difficult for new users to learn
Overview
Price Range: $$
Starting Price: $186/month
Client OS: iOS, Android, Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

2 Procore

Procore is is your complete construction project management solution. This cloud-based product contains a variety of features to assist with scheduling, job costing, invoicing, and contract management.

The Job Cost module allows you to view job cost summary data and compare them against committed costs for each project. You are also able to drill down into the specific details of each transaction to audit even the smallest line items.

Best for Construction Management:
Procore

Procore: Revision
Procore: Project Overview
Procore: Contract Summaries
What We Like
Real-time communication for all employees
Optional financial management add-on
Unlimited users, documents, photos, and data
What We Don’t Like
Custom pricing model means limited price data available.
Learning curve for new users means training is required
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $375/month
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

3 Corecon v8

Corecon v8 is a powerful, user-friendly cloud-based software suite with the tools you need to manage construction projects from preconstruction through closeout. Job costing is one of the main features contractors look for in software. Corecon handles project related financials, i.e. subcontracts, change orders, AIA invoicing, and budget tracking. Bid analysis tools are available to analyze vendor pricing side by side, and the team-based software allows multiple users to work on an estimate simultaneously.

Best for Small Businesses:
Sage Construction Management

Sage Construction Management: Estimate Summary/Reports
Sage Construction Management: Alerts
Sage Construction Management: Request For Information (RFI)
Sage Construction Management: Project Dashboard
Sage Construction Management: RFI
Sage Construction Management: Mobile App
Sage Construction Management: Estimate Creation
Sage Construction Management: Project Menu
Sage Construction Management: Scheduling
What We Like
For small to mid-size businesses
User-friendly
Mobile on Palm, Blackberry, Windows, and Apple iPhone
What We Don’t Like
Integrations may require additional cost
Overview
Price Range: $$
Starting Price: $20/user/month
Client OS: iOS, Android, Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

4 JobTread

JobTread end-to-end construction management software provides everything your team needs from initial estimating to final project completion. Features include everything from customer relationship management to budgeting and invoicing.

JobTread serves small to mid-size construction companies throughout the US and internationally, whether they are homebuilders, remodelers, or general contractors. Annual subscription pricing for JobTread starts at $129 per month for the first user and $18 per additional user.

Best for Estimates:
JobTread

JobTread: Invoice
JobTread: Bid Request
JobTread: Estimate
JobTread: Job Dashboard
JobTread: Budget
What We Like
End-to-end construction management
Central location for jobs, teams, documents, photos, and more
Includes budgeting, estimating, bidding, invoicing, ad job costing
What We Don’t Like
Limited customer communication options through the app
Integration with QuickBooks is not always smooth
Overview
Price Range: $$
Starting Price: $199/month
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

5 Buildertrend

Buildertrend is a construction management software designed to connect teams, improve efficiency, and increase profits for construction companies. This cutting-edge, cloud-based solution includes tools for Estimating, Scheduling, Change Orders, Client Communication, and Document Management, covering everything you need during the construction process. Bid management features help you reduce costs and accurately price out projects.

Best for Teams:
Buildertrend

Buildertrend: Dashboard
Buildertrend: Jobs Menu
Buildertrend: Project Schedule
Buildertrend: Photo Upload
Buildertrend: Budget
Buildertrend: Schedule
Buildertrend: Buildertrend Purchase Orders
What We Like
Excellent CRM
Easy to use accounting
Links well with sales and project management
What We Don’t Like
Non-customizable workflow
Print-outs lack project details
Limited CRM and marketing tools
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $499/month
Client OS: iOS, Android, Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

What Is Job Cost Software?

Job cost software facilitates the assignment of costs to individual cost categories in order to enable improved cost control and job profitability. Sometimes offered as part of construction management software, these solutions feature tools for streamlining equipment, material, subcontractor, and labor costing processes.

Primarily used by manufacturing and construction companies, job costing software can accurately report real-time costs of any particular project to better manage cash flow, invoicing, and expenses. Many solutions also integrate with inventory management and accounting platforms to create comprehensive systems to help businesses carry out work as efficiently and precisely as possible.

Knowify Construction Software
The Knowify dashboard gives a clear overview of contract jobs, including budget and costs.

Job Costing Software Features

Job costing software is an essential tool for any construction business to track, assess, and carry out work with an understanding of ongoing costs. To achieve this, the key features of a standalone job costing software include:

Feature Functionality
Job estimates Forecasts potential job costs based on historical data on previous projects, balanced alongside other pricing factors
Labor costing Uses attendance and time tracking to calculate costs associated with employee labor on specific jobs
Equipment costing Determines the assignment of equipment rental or acquisition costs to specific jobs; manages complex situations such as split job cost or direct/indirect cost divisions
Material costing Tracks expenditures on supplies and other materials used in the execution of job work
Subcontractor costing Provides an overview of costs incurred through hiring subcontracted service providers on construction projects
Time tracking Ensures labor costs are accurate entered into timesheets of workers to reflect their time onsite and on the job
Customizable cost categories Builds customizable cost categories with more granular specification of cost types than what can be provided through predefined cost categories
Job phase tracking Divides jobs into different phases enables another reporting dimension useful to improving visibility of actual costs on more complex jobs
PO and customer payment tracking Offers better visibility into accounts receivable by reconciling customer purchase orders and payments based on incurred job costs
Inter-job profitability/expense reports Compares the potential profitability of jobs to determine which ones to pursue; use templates to create streamlined bids

Best Job Costing Software Benefits

The obvious benefit of job costing software is to let construction companies accurately and completely track the financial progress of any job. However, there are several more advantages to implementing software to automate your job costing:

  • Improve price setting based on historical data: Modules analyze the cost of labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractors to determine the best possible prices for job estimates, ensuring organizations aren’t leaving money on the table by undercharging for work in progress (WIP). Companies can adapt to projection forecasting on the fly to stay on budget.
  • Reduce workflow inefficiencies: Job costing software can help uncover inefficiencies in the execution of job work, identifying unprofitable jobs or unexpected problems that could contribute to a delay or work stoppage. Tools to help manage and understand these efficiencies can improve each job’s process and increase overall job profitability.
  • Lower administrative costs: Rather than relying on manual data entry processes or a patchwork of spreadsheets, job costing software can automatically put costs and estimates into one streamlined interface, reducing the need for additional administrative work. Data can be imported from multiple locations or through software integrations, making it easier to estimate the price of jobs and calculate payroll expenses.
  • Target profitable jobs: While it may be tempting to pursue the largest jobs possible, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Construction estimating can help determine the profitability of any job based on size and type, helping you take advantage of your best capabilities.
  • Better estimates: By understanding the true cost of labor, materials, and time, job costing software makes it easy to provide customers with accurate estimates which reflect the true cost of work.
Procore Construction Management
Procore offers a way to review contract totals against original contract value, creating historical data for future estimates.

What Does Your Business Need?

Businesses across the construction industry choose job costing software to better anticipate their project costs, reducing unplanned spending. However, you need to select the right construction job costing software for your specific business to benefit the most.

Accurate estimates and job costing may be accounted for in very different ways, so choosing for your business may come down to its size and scope:

  • Small businesses may prefer standalone job costing software that allows them to move away from QuickBooks or a general construction management software for a more comprehensive job costing solution.
  • Medium businesses should consider a comprehensive job costing software package that enables better cost tracking of complex projects through automation.
  • Large businesses may be best equipped with job costing software that fully integrates with additional construction-related solutions, such as project management software, inventory management software, and construction accounting software.

Further, specialized construction companies often select a solution based on what modules are offered to fit their particular needs. For instance, the costs associated with a plumbing job are very different from that of an HVAC project. Some software suites add-on modules to address these industry-related differences.

simPRO Project Management
Forecast your job costs with simPRO software.

Here are some market trends job costing software developers are currently taking advantage of:

  • Enhanced business intelligence (BI) capabilities: Software that takes full advantage of data analytics offers greater insights into job costing with more accuracy and better forecasting capabilities. As tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning become more prominent in the marketplace, expect these enhanced capabilities to grow even further with time.
  • Cloud-based software: Many vendors have begun offering cloud-based versions of their job costing software, making it easier to access information from any web browser instead of being tied to an on-premise solution. There are even mobile apps, accessible on iOS and Android devices, to allow further freedom.
  • Integrating legacy software solutions: As previously mentioned, some businesses currently use an all-in-one ERP, project management, or construction management software solution rather than a standalone job costing software tool. Many vendors now offer multiple ways to integrate standalone job cost software with existing systems.

All Products

No products found
Knowify Screenshot

Knowify

★★★★★
★★★★★
(3)
Knowify is a job costing and project management software for residential and commericial contractors. Key features include template-based quoting, project management tools, and real-time financial insights into job and business performance. Knowify includes bi-directional sync with QuickBooks to cover accounting needs. And the customer portal and mobile app enhance field-office communication and customer interactions.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$186/month
Client OS
iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Procore Screenshot

Procore

★★★★★
★★★★★
(4)
Procore is a construction project management software known for its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface. It streamlines construction project management for greater efficiency and productivity. The software can integrate with various management tools, such as document and task management, RFI and submittal management, and reporting, to provide a complete project oversight solution. Additionally, Procore’s timecard management integrates with the platform, allowing for effective tracking and management of labor costs.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$375/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Sage Construction Management Screenshot

Sage Construction Management

★★★★★
★★★★★
(3)
Sage Construction Management, previously known as Corecon v8, provides a complete solution to fulfill different construction management requirements. It’s an all-in-one platform that takes care of all aspects of construction projects, ranging from preconstruction to project management to project financials. The software distinguishes itself with its capacity to simplify the estimating procedures, effectively manage leads, and offer profound financial perspectives into projects. Its remarkable ability to manage project documents, drawings, and customer details in a centralized manner ensures seamless collaboration and informed decision-making.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$20/user/month
Client OS
iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
JobTread Screenshot

JobTread

★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
JobTread provides end-to-end construction management software that helps jobs-based businesses manage all of their processes, from pre-construction to project completion. The platform creates a central location to manage jobs, assign tasks, create teams, and more. It also has dedicated portals for customer and vendor communication. JobTread’s budget-first approach creates financial transparency at every stage of a project. This covers everything from bid management and project management to tracking job costs in real-time.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$199/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Buildertrend Screenshot

Buildertrend

★★★★★
★★★★★
(7)
Buildertrend is a cloud based construction management software specifically designed for homebuilders, remodelers, and various types of contractors. It streamlines project management by centralizing communication, documentation, and collaboration tools. In 2021 Buildertrend [acquired CoConstruct](https://buildertrend.com/press-releases/coconstruct-acquisition/) and combined the platforms to create one expanded platform.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$499/month
Client OS
iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
UDA ConstructionSuite Screenshot
UDA ConstructionSuite is a construction management software that offers estimating and project management. It can integrate with the cloud-based platform ConstructionOnline. ConstructionOnline offers solutions for project communication, plan management, and file transfers. ConstructionSuite’s key features include contract, bidding, and document management.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$1,599/year
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Job Manager Screenshot

Job Manager

★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
This is a complete Project Costing solution. “Job Manager” is a powerful and easy to use Activity Based Costing Granule that provides an easy way to manage resources; track the status of production jobs; monitor dates, activity cost and material requirements; and subcontractor activities within a single integrated system. Increase Revenue with shorter lead times and reliable promise dates that allow for better deliveries and customer service.; Cut Costs by significantly reducing inventories,
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
On-Premises
Sage 100 Contractor Screenshot

Sage 100 Contractor

★★★★★
★★★★★
(18)
Sage 100 Contractor is an integrated business management software designed specifically for contractors, encompassing features like accounting, project management, estimating, and service management tools. This software aids contractors in effectively managing operations, such as enhanced job costing, by tracking budgeted versus actual expenses and letting users create customized reports and job income statements. Specialized billing modules are available for AIA, unitary, time and materials, progress, and service billing to meet the needs of many contractors.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$160/user/month
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
On-Premises
e-Job Costing Screenshot

e-Job Costing

If you want to stay profitable into today’s ultra competitive world, you need to ask yourself these questions for every job you take on: How are you doing? Is the Job profitable or not? Are you ahead of the game, or running up unrecoverable Job Costs? The work in progress figures look substantial—but do they represent real money? Epiphany’s e-Job Costing can help you answer all of these questions. Epiphany’s e-Job Costing enables project based businesses to quickly and easily track revenue,
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
ProContractor One Screenshot

ProContractor One

★★★★★
★★★★★
(9)
ProContractor One by Viewpoint is a cloud-based, all-in-one solution tailored for small to mid-sized contractors, offering integrated features for estimating, project management, and accounting. It enhances efficiency by automating takeoff processes, providing real-time data management, and facilitating end-to-end project lifecycle management. The software’s scalable design allows businesses to adapt and expand its functionality as they grow.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
FuelerPlus Screenshot

FuelerPlus

With FuelerPlus, you can easily track the amount of fuel and other fluids being dispensed into equipment and fuel trucks, capture all the activities of a fueler, automate the flow of this data to other systems such as other HCSS applications and other accounting systems, and you’ll be able to generate reports to help managers realize the true cost of fuel as well as the fueler’s activities. Digital fuel tickets; Custom reports; Track fuel costs; Mobile access; Connect to fuel card vendors;
TimeSuite ERP Screenshot

TimeSuite ERP

★★★★★
★★★★★
(10)
TimeSuite is an ERP software designed for the construction industry. It offers advanced features in accounting, project management, estimating, and more. The software automates the “percentage of completion” method of accounting. It also helps drive profitability through project managers’ job status projections. Developed initially by a construction-specific CPA firm, it combines accounting and IT expertise to optimize construction site management​.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$417/month
Client OS
Windows, iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Spectrum Screenshot

Spectrum

★★★★★
★★★★★
(10)
Spectrum by Trimble Viewpoint is a cloud-based construction ERP suite designed to manage various aspects of construction projects. Its key features include accounting, operations, project management, employee onboarding, payroll, document management, materials, inventory, equipment tracking, service management, and dispatching. As part of the connected Trimble Construction One suite of solutions, Spectrum’s connected workflows allow users to effectively manage the entire construction process. Spectrum software provides a comprehensive solution for construction projects by integrating different operational aspects into a single platform. And the intuitive web and mobile solutions make it possible for teams to work in the field.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$10,000 (perpetual license)
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
macs - Budgeting  & Job Costing Software Screenshot

macs - Budgeting & Job Costing Software

Macs leverages it’s ability to perform accurate costing to better understand the origins of current profitability and to improve the speed and accuracy of evaluating scenario’s that best lead to future profitability. Managing overhead costs of administrative and support cost centers; Determining activity drivers and calculating activity rates split between filed and proportional costs; Indicates recovery of costs on products / other cost centers or processes consuming activities; and Detailed
Client OS
Windows
Job Manager Screenshot

Job Manager

Job Manager 3.5 is an electronic job tracking, costing, estimating, and billing solution for the graphic arts industry. Job Manager allows organizations to capture, manage, and track employee time/material usage on-line - allowing users to obtain instant job status, activity reports, and cost analysis, and generate invoices automatically when jobs are complete. Job Manager integrates with leading accounting software packages. Automatic estimate/quote numbering support; Build estimated items that
Client OS
Windows, macOS
Allocation of Labor (AL) Screenshot

Allocation of Labor (AL)

BJG’s Allocation of Labor (AL) system automates the accounting of labor costs. It was designed to distribute labor expense and manage the Effort Approval required of government funded research institutions. AL seamlessly links HR/Benefits with any payroll and GL to generate complex labor postings. Although designed for the research sector, AL will serve any company that wants to encumber, report on, and distribute labor expense. This Navision system was designed for use with Serenic Navigator
Client OS
Windows
Costimator JS Screenshot
Costimator is a job costing software for the manufacturing sector featuring pre-loaded, industry-validated cost models. It offers key features like the ability to estimate with or without a 3D CAD model, automated amortizing setup for multiple quantities, and real-time updates and quick retrieval of cost estimate data. The software also supports the automatic generation of formal quotes and management reports and integrates with various ERP and MRP systems.
Client OS
Windows
Geac Screenshot

Geac

Generate information on every facet of costing such as labor, equipment, material and sub-contractors. Compare actual cost to the job estimate using a breakdown as simple or as complex as you need, including projected final and unit costing. Stay informed as the job changes, all relevant information is continually updated to the job cost module. Produce current management reports as often as you need them. Set up and record even the smallest service jobs quickly and easily and produce timely
Custom Homebuilder's Solutions Screenshot

Custom Homebuilder's Solutions

★★★★★
★★★★★
(12)
Custom Homebuilders’ Solutions is a homebuilding software offering accounts payable and receivable, cash control, payroll, and scheduling. It enables efficient cash tracking by job or department and provides financial statements like balance sheets and income statements tailored to specific jobs, departments, or the entire company. The software is cloud-hosted and designed to be user-friendly, making it a practical solution for custom home builders.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$100/user/month
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
SAMPro Enterprise Screenshot

SAMPro Enterprise

★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
SAMPro Enterprise, Data-Basics’ flagship software suite, provides a comprehensive job costing, service management, mobile workforce, and back office accounting platform. The software components function seamlessly, enabling customers to proactively manage daily operations, automatically schedule and execute critical reporting and notification agendas, and communicate securely via the Web with technicians, customers, subcontractors and other suppliers. Essentially, customers have the ability to
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$20,000 (perpetual license)
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises

We searched and searched, but we couldn’t find any products in our database that match your criteria. Perhaps our team of software experts can help? They’d be happy to provide a list of free recommendations that meet your exact requirements.

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