#1 Highest Rated Custom Builder & Remodeler Software
4.7/5 (727 Bewertungen)CoConstruct is a cloud-based construction management software designed with the needs of builders in mind as well as their clients and trade partners. CoConstruct works to help eliminate the chaos in your day while creating rewarding building experiences for you and your clients. It features:
Selections
Scheduling
Client Communications
To-do Management
Budgeting
Estimating
Change Orders
Bidding
Proposals
Timesheets
Job Log
Trade Partner Communication
Sharing Files & Photos
Warranty & Punchlish
Accounting Integration and Cost Coding
Lead Tracking
Contact Management
Client Portal
Mobile App
Vorteile
GOOD FOR A BIGGER COMPANY WITH LOTS OF EXCESS CAPITAL, THEY DO OFFER LOTS OF CORRESPONDENCES WITH SUBS AND CLIENTS AND LINK EVERYTHING TO QUICKBOOKS(I DO NOT USE QUICKBOOKS EITHER)
Nachteile
VERY EXPENSIVE FOR THEIR SERVICE. A YEAR YOU CAN BUY A GREAT GC SOFTWARE AND OWN IT FOR MUCH LESS, AND IT HAS INDUSTRY PRICING UPDATES FOR PROPER ESTIMATING, WHICH WAS THE REASON WE EVEN FIRST LOOKED FOR A SERVICE LIKE THIS.
Mark -- We're sorry CoConstruct didn't turn out to be the software you wanted. After our follow-up call, it was clear you wanted some kind of software that you can download and install on your computer, rather than a cloud-based solution that handled communication, in addition to estimating, scheduling, and other features. Our customers can cancel our plans at any time, and are never forced into contracts, so you have the flexibility to spend a little and then stop, if you wish. We do offer a full 3-month money back guarantee, but ask that, since we are a communication platform, that you try the communication features just five times so you can see the benefit of that. It sounds like you decided not to do that, which is why you were able to cancel with no further obligation, and we've given you a credit in case you are interested in a cloud-based solution in the future. If you do decide to do that, we do encourage you think about coming to our live, 2-day, in-person CoCamp training session, which is at no cost to new customers (and we even cover your hotel and give you a travel voucher). It's completely optional, but we regularly have customers who are just moving their software to the cloud, and they love the personal service of getting trained on it, in person, by our team.
Vorteile
I like how Co-construct can help with scheduling and keeping a project more organized. The new scheduling tool is a big step in the right direction. It is fluid, user-friendly, and very functional. If all of Co-construct was patterned after the look and feel of the way the schedule is built, that would almost do it for me. There would, or course, be a few little things here and there I'm sure, but the majority of it would be there.
I it also nice how honest and open you guys are to constant improvement. This is the best way to be the best!
Nachteile
It is too much like a social networking program and not enough like a professional tool.
Hi Colby,
Thanks for the input. It sounds like you’ve already shared your feedback with our support team, which is good. We’ve got all of your suggestions logged.
However, I did want to specifically respond to a few of your points, since they are items that we actually addressed in some recent updates or are functions designed to provide features that are helpful to users who may be choosing to use the system a little differently from you – which is fine, since no two custom builders operate the same way:
#1 – We have been adding some more full-screen options, such as with the new Gantt, Task, and Baseline views, which will grow as large as your browser window and screen make available.
#3 – The Activity Manager feature does allow the viewing of a particular partner’s schedule across one or more projects to see scheduling conflicts. You can also have a multi-partner, color-coded view for seeing scheduling conflicts without having to run a report for each partner.
#4 and #5 – The term “files” vs. “documents” is a bit of a matter of personal preference. However, within the last week, we’ve upgraded the photo upload tool to a cleaner interface and with better drag-and-drop features for getting multiple pictures into the system quickly.
#6 and #7 – Not all of our builders find a need for the separate questions and messages sections, but the questions feature does provide a great way to avoid the issue of a client asking a question, forgetting to respond to it, and then having the client lose faith in your ability to track open issues. With the clear indication of whether a question has been answered, it makes it easier for a builder to not overlook an outstanding item. If a client posts a question, and you decide that you want it elsewhere, you are able to click a link to move it to another spot in the project.
#9 – Some builders like to put everything into their schedules. However, having a separate schedule vs. to-do feature allows you manage your larger, planned activities on the schedule without cluttering it up with the small everyday (but still important) items that pop-up. You can quickly add those kinds of items to the to-do list from the website or mobile app. Our reports allow you to see, modify, and close out items from both sections in a single view. So, while it’s obviously your choice which sections you want to use, many of our users find it very helpful to keep the schedule and to-dos separate.
#12 – I agree. This is a popular request that I would like for us to address.
#14 – The Contacts page does provide a single place to access all of the people involved in your operation, whether they are clients, team members, prospects, or trades. We do have some other screens for managing the specifics if one of those contacts is, for example, a trade partner who needs access to just certain projects. But, you are able to get to all of your contacts from a single section, and then link to any other settings you may need from there.
Thanks for the input, and we look forward to continuing to enhance the system based on our users’ feedback!
Donny Wyatt
President, Co-construct
The software is a good fit for semi-custom builders. It was sold to us as a fit for fully custom work, but it's not suited for that. The whole system is built around specification sheets. The idea is that you can build it once with your standard options, have your client click on choices, and all is entered. Problem is, in a company like ours, there is no standard. Every job is different. The specification sheets are very time intensive to build, so it makes no sense to draw up a new one for every job- it's just not built to do that (they admitted that it's not).
This is all fine- it wasn't a good fit for us. The reason I'm not likely to recommend it to others is that they are not clear about their money back guarantee. The guarantee says that you have to use the system on an actual job, with an actual client, to qualify for the money back guarantee. It doesn't say anything else. I used the system on an actual job with an actual client, but they refused to comply with their agreement since I met with my client in person (I was even able to document this for them) rather than having them sign in separately. It made no sense for them to sign in separately since I never had a fully functioning database to show them (again, it didn't work for our company). Even though my client and I put about 8 hours in to building specifications together (I spent probably another 30 or so alone), they said that I didn't do it the way they want. I told them they need to clear up their requirements or not have a money back guarantee. I'm curious how many others have been taken on this.
Vorteile
See above
Nachteile
See above
We’re obviously sorry when our system isn’t a good fit for one of our clients.
As this user mentioned, Co-construct does have the ability to create templates for both selection items and schedules. For semi-custom builders, who have many of the same options on each home, this can be a big timesaver.
However, Co-construct was actually designed for custom builders and remodelers -- where no two jobs are the same. Even on those projects, there are still opportunities to reuse some items. That’s why many builders at least start with their specs or selections from an old project or have a “starter list” they use as a template. Even though that list will need heavy modification, it’s better to start with that, rather than nothing at all, to help avoid oversights and to prevent missing items in a budget. Co-construct works that same way, to help our custom builders and remodelers get at least some reuse whenever possible.
Our support team was in contact with this former customer multiple times to help him with his selection sheet, but he preferred to take a different approach from our recommendations, since he was very insistent that he would never be able to reuse any part of his info on a future project. Our team wants to be helpful, but, of course, we defer to the builder’s discretion. Unfortunately, that meant that setting up his data in Co-construct wasn’t any more efficient than if he had been entering specs in Excel, which negates some of the benefits of using any kind of system for selections.
Regarding Co-construct’s 3-month money back guarantee… this user does accurately describe the one condition of our guarantee – using the system with at least one client, on a real project, for a month.
We’re proud of the strength and fairness of our guarantee. We’ve had it for years and it’s been unmatched by any other company in our space. There’s always a risk of a misunderstanding, though, so we try to go above-and-beyond in explaining the one condition -- on our site, in our demos, and on our signup form -- that the builder needs to try to use system with a client.
After all, custom building and remodeling is all about communication, and to fully see the benefits of Co-construct, a builder and client both need the chance to use the system with each other.
In the case of this user, the misunderstanding centers on the definition of “using the system with a client.” Unfortunately, this builder chose not to add any selection or specification items on a project, nor to give the user a login to the system to communicate about those things.
I’m sure this builder had good intentions, but having a client watch the builder access the system with his own login provides a very different experience compared to the client having his own login.
In all of the years we’ve had our guarantee, we’ve never had someone believe that it was unclear that a client must have access to the system in order to be able to use the system. We’ve been very sensitive to preventing misinterpretation of the guarantee, since we obviously don’t want to be (or appear to be) pulling a bait-and-switch. But, we feel that it’s reasonable that our customers understand that usage of the system can only happen after someone has access to the system.
We even have documentation of our support team encouraging this builder to add his client to a project so he could reap the full benefits. But, since he still elected to not allow the client to use the system, we do not feel that he made a good faith effort to meet the one condition of the guarantee. In spite of that, we don’t require long term contracts, so the customer was still able to cancel his subscription with no penalty.
No one system is going to be a fit for everybody. When that happens with Co-construct, we offer any help we can, and then hope to part ways on good terms. We’re sorry if there was any confusion around our offer, and we’ll certainly be on the lookout in case any of our other customers are unclear about the intention for them to give their clients access to the system.
Here at Summit, we construct custom and build-to-suit homes that can start from an on-line Southern Living Plan or a gleam in the client's eye. With the variation and choice that falls within that range, it becomes a real chore to track all the information and communication required to deliver what the client expects and a product we can be proud of.
At least, it was before Co-construct. Before Co-Co (I am copywriting that nickname so Donny can't take it), we used a combination of spreadsheets, Everynote, and accounting software to manage client and field communication. In addition to this, each member of the team for any project kept their own side documents. Then came Co-Construct. Before I dive in, let me first explain the Co-Construct does not end the need for paperwork and organization. It just makes it simple.
The learning curve for this software is easy because of the extensive video tutorials provided. All told, it took us about a week to get the system up and running, and here is how it broke down: two days to populate our selection items in the master template, two days to enter the data from the current jobs, and one day to train the management team, review for accuracy, and drink coffee. That's right, all it took was one person, one week, and all of that without disrupting the course of business. Once everyone had their email linked in, we were off to the races.
But what does Co-construct really do for us? Co-construct is a premier information and communication organizer. By keeping all the communication separated into the relevant Selections/Building Phases, everyone stays focused and can find the relevant information at the proper time. From the time the prospect is started up, we upload details, bids, pictures, emails, etc. to the appropriate phase. This way, the client can constantly see the progress of the project and the field manager always has access to the same information that we have in the office. No more side documents. No more lost information.
What does Co-Construct NOT Do? Co-Construct does not do your work for you. We call those 'Employees'. Co-Construct does not fully integrate with accounting software easily. However, it is my understanding they are currently working on developing export formats for some of the more common systems. This creates a small double entry required to reconcile the state of the budget with our in house accounting. However, from an auditor's point of view, I don't mind this, as it provides an inherent data review point. And, in fact, once exporting things into Excel, it is an academic exercise to check it against accounting.
What does Co-construct do for the client? In our case, we are an 'Open Book' company so we find the various sharing features of this software to be indispensable. Clients can see the impact of every choice/request that is made during the course of the project in real time. We find that giving the client the tools to go through and make selections - essentially letting them value engineer their own project - helps them to realize that they are in control of their project. Not only that, they never get that end of project 'Suprise!' when we reconcile the contract.
Finally, Co-construct has been the core element for generating, tracking, and processing change orders. With all the specifications and communications on line and permanently displayed we have been able to vastly improve Client satisfaction while increasing revenues.
In conclusion, Co-construct helps us:
Improve our bidding process
Organize Information
Communicate clearly with the Client
Track the project budget
Capture revenues due to project changes
I am a third generation home builder in the Kansas City, Missouri market. Our family has been building and developing for over 50 years through both good times and bad. We build homes that range from $250,000 to $5,000,00000. With the recent economic downturn, we had to naturally downsize our company in order to survive. We went from 50 homes per year to 2 per year, but are now starting to see signs of improvement in our market and wanted to implement a new cloud based software system that would improve communications between all players in the building of our custom homes. We wanted something that would handle communications, specifications, scheduling, budgeting, selection sheet management, change orders, file sharing, to-do lists/punch lists, job site logs as well as reporting, and we wanted something that would let us do this with less people. We have found that and much more with the Co-Construct platform.
The set up was quick and easy. We were able to customize it to work with the way we do business which made the conversion simple for our staff. We were up and rolling on the first job in less than 1 week and using every function that the system has to offer. I can't name one bad function in the Co-Construct System.
Four months into the system, and I can say nothing but positive comments about the Co-Construct software and Co-Construct team. We immediately started with a custom build job. Both my builder team, clients, and sub-contractors have nothing but positive things to say about the system (this goes all the way from the tech savvy to computer resistant partners). Our first clients on the system were in the mid 60's and have built 7 homes previously with other builders. They absolutely love using Co-Construct and seeing my daily communications and updates to the sub-contractors (the one's I want them to see).
About two months into using the system, Co-Construct introduced an upgrade which included a budgeting feature which has become a valuable asset. They appear to continually upgrade the system at no additional cost to the user. Our next move will be to apply their custom branding option to personalize the website with our logo. At the writing of this review, they were releasing 20 new upgrades to the system. Can't wait to see what they are!
Customer Support for this system is first rate. Most of the time that I have questions, I start a support ticket and have a response and resolution to my problem within 4 business hours. If I need to call, someone answers with professional, courteous and helpful answers to even the simple problems.
With Co-construct, you can update, communicate and promote your business from any web connected device, allowing you to work from virtually anywhere. My clients really enjoy the "real-time" updates when we walk the jobs. Likewise, I enjoy my clients comments that they post while on site at the end of the day. It is nice to see the excitement in their posts.
Co-Construct has streamlined our business and communications and allowed us to do more, with less personnel in a more professional manner.
Our company has seen the following benefits while using Co-Construct:
Cost savings through staff reduction. We no longer have a person dedicated to Warranty administration or Selection Management. The system does this for us.
Cost savings through reduced communication errors.
Cost Savings over using multiple software platforms.
Increased margins through better and more timely change order management and collection.
Reduced phone calls to sub-contractors for scheduling, punch lists, and orders with a written "paper trail" of dates and times that contacts were made.
Simply having every aspect of your job from budget, to plans, communications to selections right in the palm of your hand in an easy to use interface, is invaluable.
We are additionally finding that our customers are talking about this system to their friends. We have had potential referral clients ask if they would also be able to use the system.
Over the years, we have seen many business tools revolutionize the way we do business - the copy machine, the two way radio, the fax machine, the cell phone, the internet. I am confident to say that we will look back at Co-Construct as another business innovation that has a more than positive effect on our business and bottom line.
Competitive per month subscription based on the number of projects under construction at a time.
Sell more projects
Run your projects better
Save at least 30 minutes each day
Get paid on change orders
Decrease selection disagreements
Stop building mistakes
Decrease build time and more
Weiter unter folgen häufig gestellte Fragen über CoConstruct.
CoConstruct bietet folgende Kostenpläne an:
Beginnt ab: $99/Monat
Preismodell: Abonnement
Kostenlose Testversion: Nicht verfügbar
Competitive per month subscription based on the number of projects under construction at a time.
CoConstruct bietet die folgenden Funktionen:
CoConstruct hat die folgenden typischen Kunden:
Freie Mitarbeiter, Mittlere Unternehmen, Kleine Unternehmen
CoConstruct unterstützt die folgenden Sprachen:
Englisch
CoConstruct hat folgende Preismodelle:
Abonnement
CoConstruct unterstützt die folgenden Geräte:
Android, iPhone, iPad
CoConstruct kann in folgende Anwendungen integriert werden:
Dropbox, Facebook, Google Calendar, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, QuickBooks, QuickBooks Online, Xero
CoConstruct bietet folgende Optionen für Kundensupport:
Häufig gestellte Fragen, Wissensdatenbank, Online-Support, Telefon-Support, Video-Anleitungen
I WAS TOLD I HAD 90 DAYS TO GET A FULL REFUND. I WAS PRESSURED RELENTLESSLY(WHICH ACTUALLY WAS THE FIRST REASON WHY I WANTED TO CANCEL) TO SIGN UP FOR THEIR SEMINAR OUT IN VIRGINIA, WHICH WAS FREE BUT AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT FOR ANY OTHER PERSONNEL YOU WANT TO ATTEND(2 NIGHTS IN A HOTEL AND THE SEMINAR). WE ARE A SMALLER GC FIRM, THE SOFTWARE HAS MANY GENERIC LINE ITEMS THAT YOU CUSTOMIZE FOR YOUR COMPANIES NEEDS, WHICH I ALREADY HAVE IMPLEMENTED AND HAVE BEEN USING FOR 5 YEARS ON MY OWN PRICING AND CONTRACT SPREADSHEETS. THEY DO NOT HAVE DATABASE UPDATES FOR MARKET PRICING(LABOR OR MATERIALS)
I EXPLAINED IT TO THE REP AND REQUESTED A REFUND, I WAS TOLD "WELL BEING THAT YOU DIDN'T CORRESPOND WITH 5 PEOPLE WE CANT GIVE YOU A REFUND. THAT IS TOTAL BS. IF YOU ORDER SOMETHING AND DO NOT LIKE IT OR IT DOESN'T FIT YOUR YOUR COMPANY'S NEEDS, THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE EXPECTED REFUND. I ORDERED IT ON 10/17/17 AND REQUESTED THE REFUND ON 11/9/17, WAY BEFORE THE 90 DAYS. SO WE SAID WE WOULD SEND 4 MORE OUT(1 WAS ALREADY SENT AND WE DID NOT GET THAT JOB). THEY SAID WE ALREADY EMAILED TO CANCEL AND WOULD RESERVE A CREDIT ON FILE FOR US FOR FUTURE USE. AGAIN BS. BEWARE USING THIS COMPANY ITS A REFUND SCAM JOINT...