Best construction scheduling software tools for contractors

Construction jobs require careful planning to keep projects on schedule. You need keen attention to detail and efficient tools to manage your people, equipment, and materials effectively.

Manual scheduling simply doesn’t cut it on modern jobsites. Old-fashioned spreadsheets and whiteboards cause delays and miscommunications that put entire projects on hold. You need modern tools to help you anticipate potential delays, track daily activities, and manage key resources.

The best construction scheduling software depends on project size, scope, and complexity. In this guide, we’ll compare the top scheduling software for contractors to help you find the right fit.

Here’s a snapshot of the best construction scheduling software covered below, with detailed breakdowns further in the article:

1. Miter
2. Procore
3. busybusy
4. ExakTime
5. Raken
6. Workyard
7. Connecteam

What is construction scheduling software?

Construction scheduling software helps contractors plan labor, coordinate equipment, and manage resources across jobsites.

Not all scheduling software solutions are created equal. Generic options typically focus on booking appointments and basic task management. But construction scheduling demands a deep understanding of how jobsites actually operate. Crews move between projects, equipment needs to be in the right place at the right time, and teams need the ability to track labor costs in real time and adapt instantly when conditions change.

Features to look for in construction scheduling software

Scheduling tools should handle the full breadth of planning, organizing, and tracking field crews and equipment. Features to look for in construction scheduling software include:

• Integration with core systems: Scheduling data only goes so far if it lives in a silo. Connect your software with time tracking, payroll, HR, and ERPs to ensure visibility and compliance.
• Crew and resource scheduling: Quickly assign workers to jobs, and coordinate equipment and materials.
• Mobile access for field teams: Use a cloud-based mobile platform so your entire field team has access scheduling information in real time.
• SMS broadcasts: Instantly communicate schedule changes and make time-sensitive announcements without having to contact each crew member individually.
• Attendance tracking: Monitor crews through integrated attendance tracking to coach, discipline, or reward employees based on attendance trends.
• Recurring assignment management: Seamlessly manage repetitive assignments to eliminate admin bottlenecks and keep projects moving.
• Automated updates and notifications: Alert crews and subcontractors about delays, task completion, and changes via automated notifications.

Top 7 construction scheduling software solutions

To decide which resource scheduling software to try, you’ll need to know your options, the features they offer, and how they fit into your processes.

Let’s take a look at the top seven scheduling tools available to contractors.

1. Miter

Miter is one of the best construction scheduling tools for streamlined resource management and practical visibility. With Miter, everyone will know where to be, when to show up, and how to get there. And equipment scheduling means crews will have the right equipment on hand once they arrive. 

Key features

• Real-time schedule change updates: Change of plans? No problem. Schedule updates are reflected immediately, and when changes are made, employees are notified instantly via SMS.
• Geofencing capabilities: Draw digital borders around each jobsite. There’s no chance crews will clock into the wrong job, and supervisors always know who’s on-site.
• PTO tracking: Time-off calendars are built in, so employee vacations won’t leave crews shorthanded. 
• Multiple features and integrations: Miter connects scheduling with time tracking, payroll, and HR in one platform, and it integrates with your ERP. Scheduled hours flow directly between workflows, ensuring payroll is accurate and giving you real-time visibility into fully burdened labor costs.
• Attendance tracking: Know exactly who showed up and when. Miter captures real-time clock-ins and clock-outs tied to each jobsite, giving supervisors better visibility into no-shows and late arrivals to easily spot and address patterns. 

Pros

• Purpose-built for subcontractors, simplifying employee and equipment assignments
• Automated job and cost code tracking from schedule to timesheet, reducing errors and improving fully burdened job costing accuracy
• Convenient mobile app so employees can view schedules and clock-in/out (and lots more) from their phones 
• Slashes admin time by consolidating workforce management in one platform

Cons

• Not a project management platform. Miter focuses on workforce scheduling and time tracking rather than comprehensive project planning, task dependencies, or project budgeting.Procore

2. Procore

Procore’s scheduling platform offers task collaboration, visual progress tracking, and customizable views. 

Key features

• Filtering features that allow leaders to search for project data
• Digital lookaheads predict upcoming work

Pros

• Integrations with accounting and HCM tools
• Multiple schedule views, like Gantt charts, calendars, and task lists

Cons

• Confusing pricing structures that vary company to company
• Limited scheduling automation and templates 
• Built for general contractors, not built for subcontractors

3. busybusy

busybusy provides scheduling and time tracking on a mobile platform. It also uses GPS-based time capture to improve labor visibility and accountability.

Key features

• Employee availability visible while building schedules
• Cost codes and special instructions attached to scheduled days

Pros

• Schedule change notifications sent to employees’ phones
• Overviews of employee locations while on the job and time spent on specific projects

Cons

• Some reported technical reliability issues
• Scheduling interface can feel less intuitive than competitors

4. ExakTime

ExakTime is a time-tracking and field-reporting tool focused on accountability. It uses a digital punch-in system that allows managers to track hours accurately.

Key features

• Scheduling function that connects with payroll
• Photo ID capture to prevent wage theft

Pros

• Location-based clock-in features
• Straightforward setup and interface

Cons

• More limited analytics compared to other tools
• Lacking customization features on reports

5. Raken

Raken offers daily reporting tools and time-tracking functions. The platform provides field crews with frequent updates on new task assignments.

Key features

• Up-to-date dashboard tracking field and equipment data
• Filters that sort hours by employee, group, projects, or cost code

Pros

• Recurring assignment features for ongoing projects
• Simple dashboard and layout

Cons

• No automated attendance notifications
• Integrations may not suit all users’ needs

6. Workyard

Workyard is known for its GPS attendance tracking functions. Compatibility with mobile devices lets crew members punch in manually or automatically with mobile location tracking. 

Key features

• Location history so leaders can track crews while they’re on-site
• Notes, attachments, and checklists paired with assignments

Pros

• Tasks link to specific projects
• Views are color-coded to improve labeling

Cons

• Some issues reported with push notifications for task assignments

7. Connecteam

Connectteam provides employee scheduling software features like task reminders, workforce collaboration tools, and shift management. 

Key features

• Task reminders and workforce communication tools
• Employee-level shift-swapping capabilities 

Pros

• No limit on job and sub-job task creation
• Granular control settings so employees don’t take on too much overtime

Cons

• Features aren’t tailored to construction company needs

Benefits of construction scheduling software

Construction teams have a lot to gain from incorporating scheduling software into their project management systems. Here are some of the key benefits.

Getting people and equipment to the right place at the right time

Miscommunications and poor scheduling methods often cause no-shows and late arrivals. Scheduling software ensures everyone knows where they’re supposed to be and when. And equipment management features mean crews will have the right tools on hand when they arrive. 

Reduced delays through improved visibility

Weather changes, technical issues, and poor communication can slow down your crew, often requiring you to adjust your entire timeline. Software provides visibility across teams, reducing preventable delays.

More accurate forecasting and budgeting

Automated scheduling tools allow you to use real field data to create precise forecasts for project timelines and labor needs. This improves construction job costing and estimates.

Faster identification of bottlenecks or overruns

Good software integrates field updates with your scheduling data so you can see potential roadblocks immediately. Address overruns and bottlenecks before they create serious problems.

Scheduling calendar and mobile assignments

Mobile scheduling platforms with intuitive calendars and assignment notifications keep your team connected, putting information right into their hands. This streamlines communication and ensures everyone knows where they need to be and when.

How to choose the right construction scheduling software for your team

Picking the right platform starts with understanding your current processes. Here’s what to look for when choosing a tool.

Evaluate business scheduling needs.

Determine your typical project size, complexity, and length, and look for tools that accommodate these needs. While small teams with fewer projects may be able to use more general scheduling software, larger teams with complex jobs need more robust features and a high level of customizability. 

Check integrations with your existing tools.

The ability to integrate with other tools is critical. If your scheduling software is incompatible with time-tracking, payroll, and job costing tools, you’re missing out on key benefits. Choose a software with a suite of specialized features that all connect to reduce payroll headaches and address job-costing challenges.

Assess ease of use and training time for crews.

New scheduling software is supposed to make your life easier, not cause more problems. Always look for simple construction scheduling software with a clean interface and easy-to-use features. Reduce onboarding time, minimize training needs, and keep your crew focused on the job.

Keep your project schedules moving with Miter.

Reliable construction scheduling software helps teams streamline resource management and keep projects on track, but generic solutions can cause more issues than they fix.

Miter was built for real construction crews and jobsites. Seamlessly manage schedules and allocate resources, giving your workers instant visibility into assignments and real-time updates. With Miter, your team can manage scheduling, time tracking, payroll, HR, and job costing in one place, eliminating system fragmentation and admin burden.

Ready to streamline scheduling on a connected platform? Miter is your all-in-one solution.