A No-Nonsense Review of Contractor Foreman

Imagine having a highly skilled foreman who keeps your construction projects running smoothly.

Contractor Foreman is a virtual counterpart of a real-life construction foreman (but better). As construction management software, it promises to simplify your workflow by bringing everything you need into one place.

But how does it live up to its name?

This review will examine Contractor Foreman’s offerings, covering everything from project management capabilities to pricing. We’ll also explore user experiences and compare Contractor Foreman to other popular construction management tools.

Through a balanced analysis of Contractor Foreman’s strengths and weaknesses, you’ll be better equipped to decide if it’s the right fit for your business, potentially saving you time, money, and a lot of headaches.

Let’s get started!

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What Is Contractor Foreman?

Founded in 2017, Contractor Foreman started by providing 600 small construction companies an efficient yet affordable way to manage their data. These early adopters became a wellspring of ideas that Contractor Foreman tapped to create a better, more robust construction management system.

As a result, Contractor Foreman outgrew its early roots and is now a full suite of tools serving construction companies of varying sizes.

A remote team runs the software, an expense-saving strategy that they claim has enabled them to offer the product in more affordable pricing tiers.

Unlike many other tools that require multiple subscriptions for different functionalities, Contractor Foreman combines project management, scheduling, estimating, and more under one roof.

Additionally, its cloud-based nature ensures teams can access essential data from anywhere, fostering collaboration and efficiency.

Contractor Foreman Overview

Contractor Foreman is comprehensive construction management software designed to address construction teams’ everyday challenges.

The list of features can take up a lot of space, but they fall into one of the following categories:

• Project management tools, including scheduling, daily logs, punch lists, and service tickets, are designed to maintain detailed project oversight and organization.
• Financial management suite encompasses nifty tools like invoices, estimates, change orders, and real-time cost tracking, which ensure a healthy flow of money to and from the company.
• Integrated communication covers all collaboration features like built-in team chat, client portal, and notification systems.
• Document management system offers streamlined file sharing, unlimited storage, and document markup tools, allowing members to access crucial project documents wherever they are.

Sign-Up and Onboarding

Despite packing lots of construction management features into one platform, Contractor Foreman generously offers a 30-day free trial.

Clicking one of the “Start for Free” buttons on its homepage directs you to its main pricing page. There are five pricing tiers, each offering a free trial period. I selected Unlimited, the highest plan, which will cost $2,988 in annual subscription fees after the trial period ends.

A sign-up form popped up on my screen, prompting me to provide basic details like my name, company name, contact details, etc. After I filled out the form, the page directed me to another form to set up my account administrator details.

Unlike other software I’ve tried, Contractor Foreman requires your credit card details before you can proceed with the sign-up process. Although there will be no charges until the end of the trial, these extra steps can annoy users who just want to explore what’s in it for them quickly.

Successful sign-up leads you to a page with your login credentials and a link to the sign-in page. To access your account, log in with your email address and the system-generated password provided.

Upon signing in, you’ll immediately see a video walkthrough of the steps you must complete for account setup. On the left is a breadcrumb trail designed to help you track where you are in the process. These small additions make things easier and less intimidating while ensuring nobody skips any crucial step.

However, the “Getting Started Video” was too long for my limited attention span. It would have been better if there had been a separate bite-sized video for every step of the setup process instead of squeezing everything into a single video tutorial at the outset.

The fields are self-explanatory, and almost all have a drop-down list of templated answers you can choose from. Once you’ve completed the initial account setup, you can access the dashboard, where first-time users can take a quick guided tour of its sections.

If you need more onboarding assistance, Contractor Foreman has a live chat feature combining human aid with AI for quicker responses.

The company also regularly conducts free group training sessions daily, which cover the fundamentals of using Contractor Foreman and how your team can get the most out of it.

The Web App Experience

By default, Contractor Foreman squeezes its most important updates and reminders into its web app dashboard.

From your to-do list and appointments to task schedules and photo updates from the field, the dashboard is your virtual bulletin board with everything you need to stay on top of.

You can customize the dashboard by adding, removing, or rearranging widgets. It gives you control over which information gets the most visibility and allows you to hide the ones you don’t use.

If your company handles multiple projects, Contractor Foreman enables you to manage them under one roof. You can easily select a project from the navigation menu or switch to another one.

Clicking a project leads to a dedicated page with an at-a-glance view of all project-related details. The collapsible menu on the left side gives you quick access to any information you want to know about the project.

For instance, I can jump to the Time tab to view the time cards of all employees working on the project.

Meanwhile, the Documents section is a virtual storage cabinet holding all vital project files. It’s where your team members access updated submittals, RFIs, permits, punch lists, and the project’s to-do list.

Contractor Foreman allows users to grant project access to their clients. They can do this by going to the Client Access tab of each project and giving the client either full or read-only access to the project page.

Despite having multiple tools in its arsenal, Contractor Foreman organizes them under the navigation menu. One click of the downward arrow shows the complete list of features under the appropriate category.

Overall, the web app strikes a balance between functionality and simplicity. I could navigate the page quickly and found no texts overcrowding the screen or overlapping features.

The Mobile Experience

Logging in to Contractor Foreman’s mobile app was a breeze (having an existing account helped).

Since the mobile app is mainly used for recording hours in the field, a green “Clock-In” button is visible on the screen.

First-time users whose company has activated company-wide GPS tracking will be required to grant the app location access permission. You must grant permission or cannot clock in under the appropriate project and cost code.

Aside from the built-in time clock, the mobile interface shows your to-do list, checklists, and appointments by default.

Like the web app, the mobile app interface offers a high level of customization. You can customize the number and type of widgets shown on your screen by scrolling to the bottom and clicking “Customize Dashboard.” Simply select (or deselect) the widgets according to your preference, and you’re good to go.

The module icons at the top of the time clock give you access to the right tools with just one click. You can likewise customize this section by clicking the plus icon and adding any tool you want to display on the homepage. However, you can only add a maximum of four icons due to space constraints.

Contractor Foreman’s mobile app seamlessly captured the user-friendly navigation I loved in the web app. Notifications have their page, although I don’t like how it puts real alerts and recent activities in the same space.

Nevertheless, the project modules are easily accessible with one click of the hamburger icon in the upper left corner. Whether you want to access project documents, invoices, submittals, change orders, or calendars, everything is just a click away.

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Key Features

Time Tracking

With just one click on Contractor Foreman’s built-in time clock, employees can start or end their shifts effortlessly. You can pause project time tracking to handle non-job-related tasks and resume work with a single click.

However, it requires manual clocking out from a project before moving to another, which isn’t the smoothest experience compared to other tools I’ve tested.

Geofencing is a recent and valuable addition to Contractor Foreman’s time cards. It ensures employees clock in/out only within the project location, not when they’re off-premises.

Contractor Foreman’s geofencing feature has customizable radius settings, allowing managers to define the acceptable clock-in/clock-out zone.

Every recorded time is automatically reflected on the timesheet, accessible from both the web and mobile apps. This ensures real-time accuracy and makes tracking hours more transparent and manageable.

Scheduling

Contractor Foreman’s scheduling feature offers a well-rounded suite of tools to effectively manage tasks and crew assignments.

The separate interfaces for task scheduling and crew scheduling make navigating and managing different aspects of a project easy.

Project schedules can be viewed in calendar, list, or Gantt chart formats, with the calendar offering daily, weekly, or monthly views.

The Gantt chart allows you to drag and drop tasks to create dependencies, although accessing tasks could be more intuitive.

Creating tasks involves clicking a plus sign, and opening tasks requires a double-click. You can add a title, description, assignees, color coding, progress bar, and planned and actual due dates for each task.

Contractor Foreman’s scheduling features both critical path and baseline tracking. These prevent project delays by identifying tasks for project completion and tracking scheduling delays.

Crew scheduling is also user-friendly. A drag-and-drop tool simplifies assigning projects to employees or crews. The crew can easily see their schedules through the app, eliminating the need for late-night texts asking for work locations.

The option to send schedule notification texts ensures the crew has all the details, even when not in the app.

When I played around with the Contractor Foreman’s crew scheduling, there was a noticeable lag when adding new shifts and populating the crew list. However, once scheduling was set up, it functioned smoothly.

Invoicing

Contractor Foreman’s invoicing feature simplifies the often cumbersome process of billing clients.

Project management and time-tracking data easily bleed into the invoicing module, resulting in a seamless generation of invoices based on actual project data.

The module includes essential features like retainage and retention held, online payment options, AIA-style invoicing (G702 & G703), and progress invoicing. This flexibility ensures various invoicing needs are met, from simple time and material billing to more complex construction industry requirements.

The Kanban views and filters make it easy to track invoice statuses and streamline the billing process, a functionality missing in other scheduling tools I’ve tried.

Monthly and annual financial overviews are easily accessible, and the ability to customize dashboards means you can focus on the metrics that matter most to your business.

While the invoicing module is feature-rich, some areas could be improved. For instance, integrating local currency and specific tax rates (AST & GST) is beneficial, but setting up custom fields can take some work.

The initial setup might require a learning curve, especially for users who need to become more familiar with detailed financial software.

Document Management

Contractor Foreman’s document management feature offers a dedicated space for files, reports, photos, and forms.

The interface is straightforward, making it easy to keep track of most files you create or upload.

The ability to log equipment and vehicle maintenance is a nice touch, although the absence of a formal resource management schedule is a notable gap.

You can add custom fields, but they appear only in the custom tab of a new equipment window.

Particularly noteworthy is the markup tool for blueprints. It includes everything you need for annotating construction documents, with a handy signature feature that saves signatures for quick application across multiple pages.

Another strong point is the reporting capabilities, offering a variety of pre-made reports essential for general contractors and trade partners. Custom report creation is available for more specific data tracking needs.

However, a drawback is that reports are automatically generated as Excel spreadsheets to be downloaded, with no option to view them within the Contractor Foreman app itself.

Additionally, document management feels fragmented, with related functions like permits, inspections, subcontracts, incidents, and time cards spread across different sections of the platform. This segmentation can make navigating and managing documents less intuitive than other tools I’ve tested, which are more centralized.

Unlike similar tools like Procore, Contractor Foreman’s document management feature is well-suited for basic functionality and integration.

Procore offers more advanced features, such as customizable workflows and detailed audit trails, which might benefit larger projects or firms with more complex documentation needs.

Integrating Other Business Apps With Contractor Foreman

Contractor Foreman connects well with several essential tools commonly used in the construction industry.

For instance, QuickBooks integration allows for smooth financial management, eliminating the need for manual data entry.

On the other hand, a Google Workspace integration enables the use of familiar tools like Google Calendar and Google Drive within Contractor Foreman, making it easier to schedule tasks and store project-related documents.

Beyond native integrations, Contractor Foreman supports connections with various third-party tools through its developer API. This flexibility allows businesses to customize their software environment to meet specific needs.

Contractor Foreman Might be a Good Fit for You If…

Contractor Foreman offers a variety of features and benefits designed to streamline project management and improve operational efficiency.

Contractor Foreman might be a good fit if:

• You want to test the app without any financial commitment.
• You want to manage your finances effectively, regardless of the plan you choose
• You want access to various construction management tools within one platform.
• You’re looking for a plan that fits your budget and business size, with options to scale as your needs grow.

You Might Not Want to Use Contractor Foreman If…

While Contractor Foreman has many strengths, it’s important to consider some limitations to determine if it’s the right solution for your business.

Contractor Foreman might not be a good fit for you if:

• You want to organize your task and crew schedules from one centralized location.
• Your business relies heavily on a variety of external tools.
• You want reliable access to your project data even in areas with poor connectivity.
• You need robust reporting capabilities to help with data analysis and decision-making.
• You want an easy refund process if the software doesn’t meet your expectations.

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Contractor Foreman Cost/Pricing

Contractor Foreman offers a tiered pricing structure to cater to various business sizes and needs. Their plans range from Basic to Unlimited, each offering a different set of features to match the complexity and scale of your projects.

The Basic plan is affordable for smaller companies or those just starting out. It provides essential tools to manage projects effectively.

As you move up to the Standard and Plus plans, you’ll gain access to more advanced features like custom reports and additional integrations, making these plans ideal for growing businesses.

The top-tier Unlimited plan offers the most comprehensive suite of tools, including unlimited projects and users.

Contractor Foreman only offers quarterly and annual payment options, with no monthly payment plan available. This can be a drawback for companies that prefer the flexibility of monthly payments to manage their cash flow.

Contractor Foreman allows creating multiple accounts under the same user account. Sign up for each additional account using the same email address and get a 50% discount, provided the pricing plan is equal to or less than your primary account’s plan.

Contractor Foreman also comes with a 100-day money-back guarantee, but only for users in the Plus plan and higher. While this offers peace of mind to new customers, it comes with strict requirements, which include proving you’ve fully utilized the software and have yet to achieve the desired results.

Contractor Foreman Reviews

Construction professionals laud Contractor Foreman’s robust features, intuitive interface, and responsive customer service, noting the platform’s effectiveness in optimizing project workflows and financial tracking.

Nevertheless, some users encountered mobile app glitches, including sluggish image uploads and sporadic crashes, impeding their daily reporting tasks.

Let’s go over some verified user testimonials to better understand how Contractor Foreman works:

iOS user BadkarmaBaroo applauded Contractor Foreman’s improvements but yearned for functionality to record bids submitted outside the platform.

It’s Close, but Needs a Little More Polish ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
“I’ve been using CF for 1.5 years. It’s been upgraded multiple times during my usage, so ignore some of the older reviews as those issues have been addressed long ago. That’s said, there is still room for improvement. One feature that needs to be included:
CF has a good bid request feature that allows you to reach as many subs in your directory as you want in one interaction. However! Currently, there is not way to track bids received from outside of CF – bids I ask subs for directly and they send to me directly.”

Android user Lucky praised Contractor Foreman’s features but lamented slow photo uploads and app performance issues affecting daily logs.

⭐⭐ 
“Used contractor Foreman for a few years now and I really love many things about the software. Done a great job with updates/features. My only issue is the difficulty with this app. Photos take a long time to upload even with a high MBPS, sometimes won’t save or even load app. It has gotten frustrating for my managers to complete daily logs (an important part of their jobs). Please give these app issues some attention. Otherwise would be 5 stars hands down.”

Capterra user Danielle C. criticized Contractor Foreman’s lack of post-purchase support, particularly for QuickBooks integration, despite promising trial assistance.

There is no assistance with software issues once you pay the annual software costs ⭐⭐⭐ 
“Pros: The concepts of what is could potentially do.

Cons: I have been trying to obtain assistance with QB integration and have sent over 7 separate requests to Contractor Foreman for help. I waited until after our trial period was up to attempt to set up the QB integration as I wanted to make sure we were going to proceed with the software before integrating. There is no support despite all my emails requesting assistance. We regret committing to the annual cost of the software. You will be flooded with emails offering support during your trial, which is very misleading. Anticipate no help once you pay your premium.”

Our Score (and Why We Chose It)

Contractor Foreman is a relatively new player compared to more established and decades-old construction management software.

To find out if Contractor Foreman holds a candle to other similar software, I tested its features and compared their performance to similar tools I’ve tried before.

To gauge its quality accurately, I used the same scoring factors we use in reviewing other construction management software.

Here are the results:

Sign-Up and Onboarding: Getting started with Contractor Foreman is straightforward, with clear instructions and a helpful onboarding process. However, due to the software’s comprehensive nature, the initial setup took some time.

Ease of Use: The user-friendly interface allows team members to adapt and find what they need quickly. There’s a slight learning curve, especially for those who are not tech-savvy.

Features and Functionality: Contractor Foreman offers a robust set of tools covering project management, financials, and more, making it a versatile choice for construction businesses.

Customer Support: Customer support is responsive and knowledgeable, providing effective assistance. However, there are occasional reports of slower response times during peak periods.

Value for Price: Contractor Foreman offers solid value for money with its competitive pricing and wide range of features. However, the lack of a monthly payment option might be a drawback for some businesses that prefer more flexibility.

Integrations: Contractor Foreman supports various integrations, including QuickBooks and other essential construction tools, but the limited number of third-party integrations can be restrictive for some users. The availability of an API helps mitigate this limitation to some extent.

Contractor Foreman Alternatives

Finding the right project management software can make all the difference when managing a construction business. Contractor Foreman is a popular choice, but it might not perfectly suit everyone’s needs.

Here are five software alternatives to Contractor Foreman that you should consider. Each offers unique advantages that better suit your requirements.

Final Thoughts

Contractor Foreman does precisely what a real-life construction foreman would – and then some. Its comprehensive features let you manage your projects, crews, documents, and financials from the same platform.

While it aims to be an all-in-one construction management tool, Contractor Foreman still has room for improvement.

The pricing may be affordable, but it doesn’t offer the flexibility of monthly payments. In addition, the app’s Gantt charts are a lovely embellishment, but its scheduling is a bit scattered and confusing, even for experienced users.

As a top Contractor Foreman alternative, Workyard offers a centralized drag-and-drop scheduler where you can manage both your company’s workforce and projects. It also boasts the industry’s most accurate GPS time tracker with an automatic clock-in/out feature when used at geofenced locations.

Explore how Workyard can help you make faster, more efficient construction schedules. Or sign up for its 14-day free trial to test all its premium features at no cost.