Technology

Construction Apps for the Modern Day Contractor

The construction industry is being stretched to evolve in a harder-than-ever marketplace and mobile technology is making it easier by reaching wall and ceiling contractors with construction apps.

Mobile Websites:

A website optimized for mobile devices is usually a sub domain of a regular website, rendering the web pages in a very specific way dedicated to mobile devices. To distinguish a mobile website from a standard website, the difference is in fact that it’s designed for the smaller handheld display and touch-screen interface. Instead of downloading a mobile website in the app store like you would an app, as long as your smartphone has a mobile browser, you can view the specially designed website. An example of a mobile website would be ClarkDietrich's itools.clarkdietrich.com.

iPads, iPhones and other smart phones should all be considered irreplaceable resources on the job site nowadays with the help of downloadable applications that organize and deliver information quicker than ever. What makes them better than a laptop is their level of portability and the range of apps available for your use. The evolution of contractors utilizing smart phones to their fullest potential seems to go hand-in-hand with BIM being accepted by contractors.

Here’s an introduction to some apps you should download to lighten up your tool bag and get the job done faster, whether you’re a beginner who just got a smart phone or you already access BIM data on your iPad. These options range in price and function but your best bet is to begin by downloading a free option, understand its functionality, and then pin-point which apps will work best for you by visiting Apple’s App store or Android’s Google Play websites.

Featured Industry Apps

Company Name: USG
App Name: USG Solutions
Platform(s): Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
Target Audience: Contractors
App Description: USG Solutions includes product how-tos, material estimators for ceiling, interior panel, tile and flooring applications, product catalogs and contact information for USG USA and Canada.

Company Name: Trim-Tex, Inc.
App Name: Trim-Tex Drywall Solutions
Platform(s): iPad
Target Audience: Contractors, Builders, Architects, & Homeowners
App Description: Trim-Tex Drywall Solutions is your source for the latest innovations in Trim-Tex rigid vinyl corner beads.

Company Name: ClarkDietrich Building Systems
App Name: ClarkDietrich iTools
Platform(s): Compatible with All Platforms – Web Based Application.
Target Audience: Contractors, Distributors & Architects
App Description: Innovative electronic tools and solutions from America’s largest cold-formed steel manufacturer. itools.clarkdietrich.com

Company Name: CertainTeed Gypsum
App Name: dBstation
Platform(s): iPad 2 iOS 4.3 or later and Android Tablet
Target Audience: Contractors, Builders,
Architects, & Homeowners
App Description: New Interactive Tool Simulates Acoustical Performance of CertainTeed Gypsum Products in Real-World Applications. Features a catalog where residential and commercial systems can be compared under equivalent settings, and a scenario application to experience acoustical performance in real-life situations.

Category	App Name	Description
Business	Procore Operating System: iOS Price: Free	This app provides a centralized project portal to track and manage construction project information. Procore manages construction schedules, requests-for-information, submittals, change orders, contracts, budgets, directories, documents, photos and more.
Business	Radius Calculator Operating System: iOS Price: $1.99	Allows you to calculate the radius, central angle, arc length, and circumference of an arc segment. The built-in unit converter makes it work with any length unit you need.
Business	SmartBidNet Operating System: iOS Price: Free (this app is only for paying subscribers to SmartBidNet)	This application allows the bid manager to access a private network of subcontractors and view them organized by the services they provide to ensure bids target qualified and licensed companies you approve.
Business	The Architect’s Formulator Operating System: iOS Price: $9.99	This program contains more than 400 formulas helpful for the architect.
Reference	ARCAT Operating System: iOS Price: Free	Has up to date building product information including libraries for CAD Details, BIM content and specifications. The app also has more than 11,000 listings of building product manufacturers with contact information.
Reference	Drywall Calculator Operating System: iOS Price: $0.99	This handy iPhone/iPod Touch application assists you in easily figuring out square footage of a room. This app allows the user to calculate the walls, ceiling or a slope (triangle), or any combination of the previous you would like to figure.
Products	Sto Corp. Operating Systems: iOS Price: Free	The Sto mobile App includes information and documentation for the company’s systems and products, as well as a distributor locator function.
Products	Energex Wall Systems Operating System: iOS, Android Price: Free	For onsite access for contractors and installers for details and product data on the company’s EIFS system installations. Provides fast field data to answer knotty install issues.
Utilities	Bosch Professional Unit Converter Operating System: iOS, Android Price: Free	A universal unit converter, this app makes quick conversions on the building site or in the workshop.
Utilities	Home Builder Pro Calcs Operating System: iOS Price: $4.99	This 5 star app contains more than 100 calculators to help you with a wide range of calculations on the job site. Foundations, framing, electrical, area volume and angle, are all available within this one app.
Estimation	EagleView Technologies Operating System: iOS, Android Price: Free	Providing on-site ordering based upon your GPS location or through manual address entry, have easy access to and storage of all your measurement details, and find information quickly with the property-centric organization system.
Estimation	iEstimate Construction Operating System: iOS Price: $19.99	This app claims to be the most advanced mobile estimation tool in the world to provide contractors and advanced do-it-yourselfers a powerful tool for project and job estimation. Send estimates directly to customers with your logo at the top, create templates for common projects, and manage a central database of products and services that can be attached to individual projects.
Estimation	The iQuick Estimator Operating System: iOS, Android Price: $4.99	This app allows you to choose your trade, quickly input different variables, and calculate the amounts of materials and costs for a job. After determining costs, you can email your bid directly from the app to your client.
Productivity	ArchiReport Operating System: iOS Price: Free	This app is a software suite for monitoring sites on iPad and iPhone. It generates detailed reports automatically with photos, drawings, plans and notes.
Productivity	AutoCAD WS Operating System: iOS, Android Price: Free	View, edit, and share AutoCAD drawings with anyone using your mobile device. Work on designs without an internet connection, and easily open DWG, DWF, and DXF files directly from email.
Productivity	BIMx Operating System: iOS Price: Free	This app, from Graphisoft, allows you to open and interactively explore 3-D BIM models previously created with ArchiCAD, the BIM software for architects.
Productivity	DEWALT Mobile Pro Operating System: iOS Price: Free	This app comes with a construction and scientific calculator, plus calculator templates for area, length, and volume, along with estimating studs, drywall, and concrete slabs.
Productivity	iBlueprint Operating System: iOS Price: $0.99	Create blueprints for yourself or clients and export them via email. Save and edit multiple blue prints, input precise measurements with text entry.
Productivity	iHandy Level Operating System: iOS Price: Free	Handy Level Free turns your iPhone into a carpenter's level. You can hold your device either horizontally or vertically, with the edge of the device on the surface you want to test, and it will tell you whether the surface is perfectly level or slightly sloped.
Productivity	My Measures & Dimensions PRO Operating System: iOS, Android Price: $5.99	Once you take a photo, upload it to the app and you are able to add dimensions, arrows, comments and allows the user to store all information electronically without having to carry around paper sketches.
Projects and Jobs	The Construction Job Board Operating System: iOS Price: Free	This On Center Software app for the iPhone and iPod Touch is a mobile application that allows users to browse construction-related jobs. This application integrates with jobs.oncenter.com and lets you view, apply and recommend construction-related job postings from around the world.