Taming the Clock: A Contractor's Guide to Time Tracking in Construction

For residential contractors like yourself, every minute counts. You juggle project timelines, manage crews, and ensure top-notch quality for your clients. But with so much going on, accurately tracking work hours can easily fall by the wayside.

This is where time tracking comes in. It's not just about filling out timesheets; it's a powerful tool to boost your efficiency, profitability, and client satisfaction. 

Let's break down the basics of time tracking in construction, explore its benefits, and see how technology can make it a breeze.

Why Time Tracking Matters for Contractors

Think of time tracking as a window into your project's inner workings. It helps you understand:

• Actual Labor Costs: Accurately track crew hours spent on specific tasks and projects. This allows you to compare against estimated costs and identify areas for improvement.
• Job Profitability: See how much time translates to billable hours. This helps you set accurate pricing and avoid project losses.
• Crew Performance: Monitor individual and team productivity. Identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
• Project Efficiency: Track time spent on different project phases. This helps you streamline workflows and identify areas to save time.
• Improved Client Communication: Provide clients with detailed time logs and reports, fostering trust and transparency.

The Traditional Way: Paper Timesheets and Spreadsheets

The old-school approach relies on paper timesheets or manual entries into spreadsheets. While it works, it's prone to errors, time-consuming to maintain, and can lead to lost paperwork.

The New & Modern Way: Construction Time Tracking Software

Thankfully, technology offers a smarter solution. Construction time tracking software automates the process, saving you time and headaches. Here's how it works:

• Mobile Apps: Crew members clock in and out of projects directly from their phones or tablets. This eliminates the need for paper timesheets and ensures accurate location tracking with GPS (if enabled).
• Project & Task Management: Assign tasks and track time spent on specific phases like framing, plumbing, or electrical work.
• Automated Reports: Generate detailed reports that break down labor costs by project, crew member, or task.
• Integration with Payroll & Accounting: Simplify payroll processing by automatically exporting timesheet data.

Benefits of Time Tracking Software for Construction:

There's a reason why construction time tracking software is becoming an industry standard. Here are just a few benefits:

• Increased Accuracy: Reduce human error by eliminating manual entries and paper timesheets.
• Improved Efficiency: Save time managing time sheets and focus on what matters – building!
• Enhanced Profitability: Gain valuable insights into labor costs and project profitability.
• Streamlined Payroll: Simplify payroll processing with automated timesheet exports.
• Better Crew Management: Monitor crew performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Stronger Client Relationships: Provide detailed time logs for increased transparency and trust.

Finding the Right Time Tracking App for Contractors:

With so many options available, choosing the right construction time tracking software can feel overwhelming. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Ease of Use: Consider how user-friendly the app is for both you and your crew.
• Features: Make sure the app caters to your specific needs, offering features like GPS tracking, task management and reporting.
• Mobile Compatibility: Look for an app with a mobile app for convenient on-site time tracking.
• Cost: Pricing varies depending on features and user count.

Conclusion: Time Tracking – Improving Productivity & Profits for Construction.

Time tracking might seem like an administrative burden, but it's a powerful tool to elevate your construction business. By implementing a user-friendly construction time tracking software, you'll gain valuable insights, improve project efficiency, and boost your profitability.

At OnTraq, time tracking has been made Simple and Free. You get a GPS enabled time tracker for the whole crew, helping track labor costs and improve crew productivity. It also integrates with QuickBooks online, making payroll simple. 

The OnTraq time tracker add’s labor costs directly into your budgets in real time, helping contractors stay informed and get a better view on their overall project costs (without having to deal with different apps, and spreadsheets to get this information)So, what are you waiting for? Embrace the power of time tracking and improve your project profitability.