In this increasingly modernized world, many businesses of all types and sizes have been leaning towards implementing technology. The construction sector is no exception. In fact, a lot of construction businesses today are eyeing the best construction software for project management.
If you own a business, you should better understand by now the importance of project management tools, construction scheduling, inventory, and more. So, the investment in sophisticated construction software is a must-have.
However, you may encounter an unexpected expense along the way – the cost of the construction software. Ever wonder how it would cost you? In this blog, we will discuss the factors that greatly affect the cost of such software. This helps you understand how the pricing models work and gives you a clear picture in mind.
Pricing Models for Construction Software
Construction employee scheduling software is typically priced using three different pricing package types:
- Perpetual license: A perpetual license is a one-time payment to acquire the software. The upfront cost may change depending on the features and users you want to add. In many cases, there will be additional costs for any upgrade or support.
- Subscription license: The most popular today is the subscription-based license. This pricing package is usually deployed in the cloud. The subscription fee may be monthly, annually, or perhaps a different given period, depending on the provider. The subscription-based license is a preferable option for pricing in smaller, starting, and growing construction companies.
- Open-source license: This type of pricing model provides the software’s code for free. This simply means anybody can modify, use, and distribute without any upfront or additional costs. The downside of the open-source license is that it only offers very basic and limited features.
So, if you happen to have complex and bigger construction projects, this may not be the ideal option.
What Factors Affect the Construction Software Costs?
We mentioned and discussed above the different pricing models available for the software. Take note that they are not the only factors to consider in the overall software cost. In fact, additional factors affect the final cost of construction management software. Here they are:
- Number of users: One massive factor in the final costs of these software solutions is the number of users. Many providers in the software market usually charge a fixed fee to every existing user. That is why you have to consider the number of crew you have in your workforce.
- Features: The features and functionalities provided by the software itself are another big factor in determining the price. A tool that offers basic project management features may be less pricey than construction software that offers all-in-one features like inventory, scheduling, and more.
- Integration: Combining existing systems for HR, accounting, or others with new software is a critical requirement for a lot of businesses today. This is particularly necessary for companies investing in construction software. With that being said, integration features may increase the price of your software investment.
- Deployment: The final cost of the construction scheduling software will also depend on whether it will be accessed via the cloud or deployed on-premises. On-premise software solutions usually require maintenance from an IT team. On the other hand, cloud-based construction software solutions usually have lower upfront costs since the provider will cover other expenses.
Other Factors You Need to Consider
We talk about the different licenses that software providers offer as well as the factors affecting the final costs. So, what must you take care of, especially from your end?
Existing hardware and services
Another important factor to consider is whether you will make additional purchases or enhancements to implement the software. Some possible requirements can be the inclusion of a server or upgrading your employees’ hardware.
These aspects should be addressed clearly to your chosen provider. Your potential provider can accurately outline and define your operational and system requirements.
Embedding and customization
Some construction businesses may consider custom software. This requires additional costs for design and design changes, which occur before the installation. Also, it is best not to overlook the associated costs of testing and configuration and their overall impact on your systems. The goal is to ensure a smooth transition.
Additionally, make sure that your chosen provider is skilled in handling the embedding stage, since poor implementation can impact the progress of your construction projects.
Upgrades maintenance
The market has some of the best and leading providers of construction software that all provide excellent maintenance and support. So, before you even begin to sign up, there are tons of questions to put out. Make sure to iron out all of these questions and clarify any concerns and ongoing support contracts.
Product training and ongoing support
The software you choose can only be effective if the users are very familiar with and well-versed in using it. Modern construction software solutions are known to have a lot of features and functions. So, it is a must that your staff and crew are trained to use it.
Here’s a small list you need to keep an eye on:
- What level of training does your chosen provider offer?
- What are the inclusions of your subscription fee?
- What feedback and testimonials from the customers does the provider share to show the effectiveness of the training?
- What training is currently available for new users?
- What user manuals does your chosen provider offer?
Now What’s Next?
Above, we discuss the factors affecting software costs and many more. This is particularly relevant when you are planning to subscribe. We are certain that the guidelines above will steer you in the right direction.
While there are numerous construction software providers available, each offering something unique, the best provider is one that possesses technical expertise and provides ongoing support.
We introduce Pro Crew Schedule – a cloud-based construction scheduling software for builders, contractors, subcontractors, and more.
Our state-of-the-art software solution will take your projects and company to the next level. It is designed not only for scheduling, project management, and inventory but also for scalability – which makes Pro Crew Schedule capable of handling increasing demands and future growth.
As a software provider, we take pride in our client-centric approach and technical proficiency.
On top of all, we prioritize the needs and demands of our clients.
We offer a 30-day free trial for our software. Request a demo here.
