If you run a construction business, you know the bottom line matters. With rising costs and the labor shortage, you want to ensure your business is capital efficient. Labor tends to be the highest expense for most construction businesses, so you must track that accurately.
Hence it’s essential to keep track of your employee's or contractor's hours.
How do you keep track of construction employees' hours?
It’s simple. A construction time clock can help you accurately track your employees’ work hours and labor costs. Also, a good construction timesheet app will help you track more than just time.
So, here is the list of our top 7 timesheet apps for construction. We'll explain the key features, pros, and cons based on user reviews and our experience with the apps to help you make an informed decision.
Cut down your labor expenses
Timeero tracks your field workers’ hours and locations accurately.
1. Timeero - The best time clock app for construction
Whether your team works on a single job site or multiple locations, Timeero is our top recommendation for construction time clock apps. It makes tracking employees’ hours, location, and mileage easy.
Besides simplifying tracking, Timeero is incredibly user-friendly and helps you manage your workforce effectively. Let’s explore the key capabilities of the app that will help you optimize your construction operations.
Key Features for Construction
Accurate and effortless time tracking
With Timeero, your employees can log their work hours with just a few taps on their iOS and Android mobile phones. The app captures the exact time of clock in as well as the employee’s location, ensuring everyone is where they should be when their shift begins. When your team is running short on time, or you have a hectic start to your shift, Timeero saves the day by allowing the foreman to punch in for the entire crew.
Timeero also allows you to set up circular or polygonal geofences to track time accurately and prevent time theft. When you enable geofencing, the app will automatically send you clock-in and clock-out alerts when employees enter or exit their worksite.
With geofencing, you can restrict employees from clocking in from unauthorized locations. If you choose to allow your employees to clock in outside of the geofenced area, their timecard will be flagged for further review.
If your staff works together at the same location, Timeero’s Kiosk app (Terminal) can be used by your team members to log their hours. Timeero’s kiosk app uses biometric facial recognition technology to improve accountability, helping you prevent buddy punching and curb time theft.
Automated timesheets for expedited payroll and compliance
Your construction timesheets are automatically updated with every punch. Employees can easily access and view their data, as well as attach notes, photos, and digital signatures to their timecards for increased transparency and thorough record-keeping.
Timeero also allows you to set up a timesheet approval process to define who can edit and approve timesheets.
Customizable overtime and break tracking features help you comply with labor regulations, eliminate payroll errors, and cut costs.
Real-time visibility and control over your workforce
Timeero gives you complete visibility into your workforce’s real-time and historical activity.
With the help of GPS tracking, you can see where your construction workers are at any point in time and replay their location history to create a detailed picture of their workday. If an emergency were to occur, real-time GPS tracking makes it easy to quickly identify and dispatch the most readily available employee to provide assistance.
Construction projects often involve traveling between multiple sites. Timeero's segmented tracking feature helps you analyze the time workers spend on-site, optimize driving routes, and identify inefficiencies. By using segmented tracking, your business will expereince improved productivity, reduced costs, and a more streamlined workflow.
If your crew spends most of their time on the road, tracking their mileage is an important part of issuing accurate reimbursement and reducing labor costs.
As soon as your employee clocks in and begins driving, Timeero recognizes driving speeds and begins tracking mileage. At the end of the workday, the app provides total mileage along with an employee’s estimated reimbursement amounts.
Gain control of job and labor costs
Tracking labor and project costs is essential in the construction industry. Detailed records help you stay on budget and estimate costs for future project bidding. With Timeero, you can track labor costs in real-time and historically, giving you valuable insights into your team’s efficiency and productivity rate.
Flexible scheduling that adapts to the demands of construction
Construction projects are dynamic, and schedules can change quickly. Timeero's employee scheduling feature allows you to adapt to these changes while keeping your crew informed in real time.
Within Timeero’s user-friendly interface, you can easily create and manage schedules, assign tasks, and handle time-off requests.
Streamline payroll and free up valuable time
Timeero integrates seamlessly with the most popular payroll and accounting software used in the construction industry, i.e.,QuickBooks, Gusto, ADP, and Paychex.
Eliminate manual data entry, reduce errors, and save valuable time through payroll integration.
Work uninterrupted, even while offline
Construction sites aren't always equipped with reliable internet access. That's why Timeero continues to track time and location accurately, even when your crew is offline. Timeero’s offline tracking capabilities ensure no data is left unrecorded, regardless of where the job takes you.
User reviews
Crest Contracting, a Tucson-based solar and roofing company, found that paper timesheets limited their job costing abilities and slowed down their timekeeping process.
By implementing Timeero, they were able to accurately track their employees’ time and locations in real-time, improve team communication, and gain valuable insights into labor costs. To learn more about how Crest Contracting boosted their efficiency with Timeero, be sure to read the full case study.
“They are amazing! This app so far has been what our company needs. The team has been by our side the whole time.” Melissa Barron, Accounting Manager at Crest Contracting
Pros
Excellent customer support. Timeero offers responsive and helpful customer support through various channels, including chat, phone, and email.
Ease of use. The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate, even for those who are less tech-savvy.
Valuable features. Timeero offers a range of valuable features, including GPS tracking, geofencing, time tracking, mileage tracking, and integrations with payroll systems.
Affordable pricing. Timeero is a cost-effective solution, offering a good balance of features and price.
Cons
Occasional syncing errors. Some users have reported issues with the app syncing data incorrectly.
Occasional double punches or missed time. There have been instances where the app records inaccurate punches or fails to track time.
Lack of clear error messages. The app could provide more informative error messages when mapping or syncing issues occur.
2. Exaktime - construction time clock app for big teams
ExakTime is a long-standing player in the construction time tracking field. The app offers a robust suite of tools to users to manage their workforce and keep labor costs under control.
Key features for construction
Time tracking. ExakTime offers flexible time-tracking options to suit various needs and preferences. Employees can clock in and out through their mobile devices or ExakTime’s web application. We really liked that ExakTime offers a physical time clock—JobClock Hornet, specifically designed for rugged construction environments. ExakTime also uses FaceFront Biometrics, which uses photo ID capture to verify employee identity during clock-in, preventing buddy punching and time theft.
Location monitoring and geofencing. ExakTime's GPS feature tracks crew location and ensures they’re working at the right job sites. The app periodically captures location data, giving you a breadcrumb trail of employees' movements. Geofencing adds an extra layer of accountability, restricting clock-ins and clock-outs to specific work zones.
Tracking equipment usage. Tracking equipment usage is another helpful ExakTime feature. Employees can easily log the time they spent using specific pieces of equipment, providing valuable data for equipment maintenance, cost analysis, and resource allocation.
Streamlined payroll with integrations. ExakTime integrates with popular accounting and payroll software to simplify the payroll process and reduce administrative overhead. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and ensures accurate payroll calculations.
Modular HR management. ExakTime can be bundled with other Arcoro HR management modules, creating an all-in-one solution for managing your construction workforce.
User reviews
We went through numerous reviews to find out how ExakTime’s users feel about the app. We’ve compiled a list of our findings below.
Pros
Users appreciate the accuracy and efficiency of ExakTime's time-tracking features. Tracking time by job and cost code is particularly valuable for construction businesses.
Many reviewers find the app easy to use and navigate for employees and administrators.
The geofencing feature is well-regarded for ensuring that employees clock in and out from the correct locations.
Users appreciate the seamless integration with accounting systems like QuickBooks and Sage.
Cons
Some users experience issues with app performance, such as software bugs, lagging, occasional glitches and tracking errors.
There are occasional reports of inaccuracies with the GPS tracking and geofencing features.
While some users praise customer support, others mention negative experiences, particularly with the lack of a direct phone number and slow response times.
To learn more about ExakTime, read our detailed ExakTime review.
3. QuickBooks Workforce - Best construction timesheet app for project tracking
The QuickBooks Workforce app, formerly QuickBooks Time, is a popular choice for construction businesses already integrated with the QuickBooks ecosystem. It offers a user-friendly platform for tracking employee time, managing projects, and streamlining payroll.
Key features for construction
Time tracking. Employees can clock in and out using the QuickBooks Workforce mobile app, a web browser, or even a shared Time Kiosk with facial recognition to prevent buddy punching. This flexibility caters to different work environments and preferences.
GPS location tracking. QuickBooks Workforcemonitors the crew's location with GPS tracking. This gives a basic overview of where your employees are working and can help ensure they're at the correct job sites.
Employee scheduling and PTO management. Using the software, you can assign shifts, track time-off requests, and ensure your team is always aware of their schedule. Employees can request time off, check their PTO balances, and receive notifications about the status of their requests.
Project management and budget control. QuickBooks Workforce allows you to track project progress, monitor budgets, and receive alerts if projects exceed their allocated hours. This helps construction managers stay on top of their projects, control costs, and avoid overruns.
Seamless QuickBooks integration. QuickBooks Workforce is designed to work seamlessly with QuickBooks Online and Desktop. This makes it a secure choice for construction businesses already using these platforms for accounting and payroll.
User Reviews
We’ve read numerous user reviews to see what users like and dislike about the app. Here is a quick summary of the perceived pros and cons.
Pros
Seamless integration with QuickBooks Online and Desktop
User-friendly mobile app for easy time tracking
Project tracking and budget alerts to help manage costs
GPS tracking for location monitoring
Cons
Limited GPS tracking details compared to other solutions
Lacks integrations with accounting and payroll software outside the QuickBooks ecosystem
Some users find the desktop interface less intuitive
4. Workyard - Best for construction companies with big budgets
Workyard is a powerful time-tracking and workforce management solution built specifically for the construction industry. It offers robust features designed to help construction businesses improve accuracy, streamline operations, and boost profitability.
Key features for construction
GPS tracking and geofencing. Workyard provides near real-time insights into employees' whereabouts. Geofencing capabilities allow you to set virtual boundaries around job sites, accurately tracking time and curbing time theft.
Mobile time clock. With a single tap, employees can clock in and out, select the project they're working on, and even add notes or photos to their time entries. The app includes break reminders and automatic clock-out features to ensure compliance and accurate timekeeping.
Streamlined scheduling and task management. Workyard's scheduling features help you efficiently manage your workforce and keep projects on track. You can create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress, all within a user-friendly interface.
Project tracking and job costing. We loved how employees could tag their time for specific projects, tasks, and cost codes, providing accurate insights into labor expenses for more accurate client billing.
Compliance and reporting. The app includes detailed rules for breaks and overtime, ensuring compliance and minimizing the risk of penalties. Workyard also offers comprehensive reporting features, allowing you to generate job cost and time reports to analyze labor expenses and track project progress.
User reviews
To provide you with first hand reviews of Workyard, we explored multiple customer reviews. Below we have listed the pros and cons mentioned by users of Workyard.
Pros
The software is reliable, even in areas with poor internet service.
The app is praised for its user-friendly interface and efficient features, including reporting and GPS tracking.
Users consistently mention the helpful and responsive customer support team.
Many users credit Workyard for improving their business operations through better scheduling, cost code analysis, and streamlined payroll processes.
Cons
Some users have reported difficulties deactivating and reactivating employees, particularly when rehiring workers or reactivating an employee’s account when they replace their phone.
Adjusting time entries, especially missed punches, can be challenging and may inadvertently affect other time entries.
Limited cost code assignment.
While generally reliable, GPS tracking may be less accurate in remote or rural areas.
To learn more about how Workyard performs in the field, we tested the app. We’ve published our findings in a detailed Workyard review.
5. busybusy - Best timesheet apps for construction with equipment tracking
busybusy is a cloud-based time clock app designed for field service teams, including those in the construction industry. It offers a wide range of features used to simplify time tracking, manage projects, and track equipment usage.
Key features for construction
Simplified time tracking. busybusy makes it easy for construction crews to track their work hours. Employees can clock in and out with a single tap, enter job details such as project and cost code, and even attach photos to their time entries.
GPS tracking and geofencing. busybusy allows you to monitor employee location and create geofences around job sites. While busybusy’s GPS tracking may not be as detailed as other tracking solutions, it provides a basic overview of employee whereabouts and helps prevent time theft.
Equipment tracking. busybusy offers a unique equipment tracking feature that allows you to monitor the usage and location of your construction equipment. This helps prevent theft, optimize usage, and track maintenance needs.
Project budget tracking. busybusy allows you to set budgets for your construction projects and track progress against those budgets. This helps you stay on track and avoid cost overruns.
Scheduling and reporting. busybusy includes basic employee scheduling features. It also offers various reports, including time off reports, machine vs. operator reports, and break reports, to help you manage your workforce effectively.
Safety and injury reporting. We loved that busybusy includes features to enhance job site safety. Employees can submit daily safety sign-offs and document any injuries or safety concerns, helping you reduce liability and improve safety practices.
User reviews
To understand what users have experienced while using busybusy, we’ve read through user reviews and listed the most commonly reported pros and cons below.
Pros
Many users highlight the ease of use and implementation
Integration with QuickBooks is a major plus for many users, which streamlines accounting processes.
busybusy provides access to real-time data, including employee location and hours worked, which is particularly useful for construction and field service businesses.
Users consistently praise the company’s responsive and helpful customer support.
Cons
Some users report occasional issues with the app failing to sync data, especially if the app is closed immediately after clocking out.
Some users find the reporting features to be limited, requiring them to use Excel.
While the app’s GPS tracking feature is useful, some users have expressed privacy concerns about the extent of location tracking.
A few users have mentioned that the app consumes significant battery life, especially when location services are enabled.
6. ClockShark - Best for integrated CRM and invoicing
ClockShark is a user-friendly time tracking and scheduling solution that's well-suited for construction businesses and field service companies.
ClockShark’s features improve accountability, simplify workflows, and boost overall efficiency.
Key features for construction
Time tracking with GPS capability. ClockShark's GPS time tracking allows you to monitor your crew's location to verify they are working at their assigned job sites. The app pings employee locations regularly, providing a breadcrumb trail of their daily movements. The app’s geofencing functionality adds an extra layer of security, preventing workers from clocking in or out outside of designated job site zones.
Flexible time tracking options. ClockShark offers flexible ways for employees to track their time, including mobile apps, a web-based platform, and kiosk time clocks for centralized locations.
Streamlined scheduling and task management. ClockShark's tools simplify workforce scheduling and task management, allowing users to easily create and assign schedules, track employee availability, and manage time-off requests. The app also includes features for managing jobs and tasks, helping you stay organized and keep projects on track.
Integrated CRM and Invoicing. ClockShark goes beyond basic time tracking by offering users a built-in CRM system. We loved how the app allows you to manage customer relationships, track project progress, and generate invoices directly within the platform, streamlining your workflows and improving cash flow.
User reviews
Below we have compiled a list of pros and cons that are frequently mentioned in ClockShark customer reviews.
Pros
ClockShark is known for its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface.
It offers robust payroll tracking features, including overtime management and seamless integration with QuickBooks.
The app provides multiple clock-in/out methods: mobile app, web-based platform, and physical kiosks.
ClockShark is known for its responsive and helpful customer support team.
Cons
Some users have reported recent issues with GPS tracking accuracy, which is crucial for construction businesses that rely on location data.
Users have reported occasional connectivity issues with the mobile app, which disrupts time tracking and often frustrates employees.
Want to learn more about ClockShark? Read our detailed ClockShark review.
7. Buddy Punch - Best for flexible clock-in options
Buddy Punch is an affordable, time tracking and scheduling solution that prioritizes accuracy and transparency. Buddy Punch is a good fit for construction businesses seeking a simple and reliable way to manage their workforce.
Key features for construction
Prevent time theft. Buddy Punch combines geofencing and facial recognition to prevent time theft and buddy punching. Geofencing restricts clock-ins and clock-outs to specific job sites, while facial recognition verifies employee identity.
Flexible clock-in options. Buddy Punch offers a variety of clock-in methods, including PIN codes, QR codes, facial recognition, and traditional logins, catering to diverse employee preferences and work environments.
Real-time monitoring and scheduling. Buddy Punch allows managers to monitor employee hours and locations in real-time. Managers can also create and manage employee schedules through the app’s drag-and-drop interface.
User reviews
We’ve listed the most commonly mentioned pros and cons of ClockShark as reported by their users below.
Pros
User-friendly interface
Affordable pricing
Flexible clock-in options and scheduling features
Strong customer support
Labor law compliance features
Cons
Limited offline functionality
Limited integrations beyond payroll apps
GPS accuracy may be less precise than some alternatives
Must-haves in your ideal time clock app for construction
Choosing the right time clock app for your construction business can significantly impact efficiency, payroll accuracy, and overall profitability.
To help you make an informed choice, look for these must-have features in your time clock app:
Accuracy and reliability. The foundation of any good time clock app is accurate time tracking. Look for features that minimize errors, prevent time theft, and ensure your employees are paid correctly for their work, such as GPS tracking, geofencing, and facial recognition.
Ease of use. Choose an app that is intuitive and easy for your field crews and office staff to navigate. A user-friendly interface will minimize training time.
Offline functionality. Construction sites often have unreliable internet access. Ensure the app can track time and location accurately while offline and sync data when connection is restored.
Construction-specific features. Look for features that address the unique needs of the construction industry, such as job costing and project tracking, equipment tracking, or compliance with labor laws and union regulations.
Robust reporting. The app should provide detailed reports on employee hours, project costs, and other relevant metrics. These reports should be customizable and easy to export for payroll processing and analysis.
Scalability. Choose an app that can grow with your business. Whether you have a small crew or a large workforce, the app should be able to accommodate your needs and scale accordingly.
Integrations. Seamless integrations with your existing payroll, accounting, and HR software can streamline your workflows and save you time.
Security. Ensure the app has robust security measures to protect sensitive employee data and prevent unauthorized access.
Customer support. Reliable customer support is essential, especially when implementing a new system. Look for a provider that offers responsive and helpful phone, email, or chat support.
Looking for a reliable time tracking app for your construction business? Start a free trial of Timeero today.
Timeero Is the #1 time clock app for construction.
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Andjelka is a skilled researcher and writer with 6+ years in digital marketing, specializing in SaaS and B2B content. With a background in sociology, social work, and journalism, she crafts strategy-driven content that resonates with audiences. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, swimming, and relaxing with her cats and Leonard Cohen’s music.
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