ERP Software for Construction
General contractors and specialty subcontractors operate on thin margins where cost overruns, billing delays, and subcontractor compliance gaps directly threaten profitability. Construction ERP ties together project management, job cost accounting, AIA billing, payroll, and equipment tracking in a single platform so project teams and finance share real-time visibility on every job.
Compare ERP Systems for Construction
Select up to 4 ERP vendors to compare side by side. Filtered to show systems with strong construction capabilities.
Key Challenges for Construction
Maintaining accurate job cost forecasts (cost-to-complete) across dozens of concurrent projects with frequent change orders
Managing subcontractor compliance — insurance certificates, lien waivers, and certified payroll — without slowing payment cycles
Processing AIA progress billings, retainage tracking, and owner-formatted pay applications accurately and on time
Connecting field teams using mobile apps and daily reports to back-office accounting without manual rekeying
Administering union payroll with multiple trade classifications, fringe benefits, and certified payroll reporting for prevailing-wage jobs
Controlling equipment costs and allocating ownership and operating costs accurately across jobs
Consolidating financial reporting across multiple entities, joint ventures, and project-specific LLCs
Best Construction ERP for SMBs
Recommended for companies with $10M–$250M revenue and 10–200 employees.
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
mid-rangeIndustry-standard platform for mid-size general contractors with deep job costing, AIA billing, subcontract management, and union payroll purpose-built for the construction industry.
Best for: Mid-size general contractors and specialty subcontractors
Acumatica Construction Edition
mid-rangeCloud-native ERP with unlimited-user licensing, strong project accounting, AIA billing, and built-in mobile field access — a cost-effective alternative to legacy platforms for growing contractors.
Best for: Growing contractors wanting cloud-first with predictable subscription costs
Foundation Software
mid-rangePurpose-built construction accounting with one of the strongest union payroll and certified payroll engines in the market, plus job costing and subcontract management.
Best for: Contractors with complex union, prevailing-wage, and certified payroll requirements
Jonas Construction Software
mid-rangeComprehensive construction ERP targeting mechanical, electrical, and specialty subcontractors with integrated service management, equipment tracking, and job costing.
Best for: Mechanical, electrical, and HVAC subcontractors with service divisions
Buildertrend
budgetCloud-based platform designed for residential home builders and remodelers combining project scheduling, client communication, selections, purchase orders, and basic job costing.
Best for: Residential home builders and remodelers managing client-facing projects
Trimble Viewpoint Spectrum
mid-rangeFully integrated construction ERP with strong accounting, project management, payroll, and equipment modules in a cloud-accessible platform well suited to mid-size contractors.
Best for: Mid-size general and specialty contractors seeking integrated cloud ERP
Best Construction ERP for Enterprise
Recommended for companies with $250M+ revenue and complex multi-site operations.
Oracle Primavera P6 EPPM
enterpriseIndustry-leading project planning and controls platform for managing large, complex construction programs with resource leveling, earned-value analysis, and portfolio reporting.
Best for: Large general contractors and owners managing complex capital programs
SAP S/4HANA
enterpriseEnterprise-grade ERP with deep project systems (PS), plant maintenance, and financial consolidation for large construction conglomerates managing multi-country operations.
Best for: Large construction conglomerates with multi-country and multi-entity operations
Oracle ERP Cloud
enterpriseFull cloud ERP suite with project costing, contract management, and advanced financial consolidation for large construction enterprises and owner organizations.
Best for: Owner organizations and large contractors pursuing full cloud ERP transformation
Infor CloudSuite Construction
enterpriseEnterprise construction ERP with strong multi-entity financials, subcontract management, equipment costing, and integration with Infor's broader asset and workforce management suite.
Best for: Large multi-entity contractors requiring deep financial consolidation
Essential ERP Capabilities for Construction
Job cost accounting with detailed cost code and phase tracking
AIA G702/G703 progress billing and stored-materials billing
Subcontract management with compliance tracking and lien waiver processing
Union and non-union payroll with certified payroll and prevailing-wage reporting
Retainage tracking for both receivables and payables
Change-order management integrated with cost, budget, and billing
Equipment ownership and operating cost allocation by job
Project forecasting including cost-to-complete and projected final cost
Mobile field access for daily reports, time entry, and purchase-order approval
Multi-entity and joint-venture financial consolidation and reporting
Construction ERP Cost Ranges
SMB
$15,000 – $60,000
5–25 users
Implementation: $20,000 – $80,000
Mid-Market
$60,000 – $250,000
25–150 users
Implementation: $75,000 – $400,000
Enterprise
$300,000 – $2,000,000+
150–1,000+ users
Implementation: $500,000 – $3,000,000+
Implementation Considerations
Define your cost code structure and WBS before configuration — changes after go-live are disruptive and expensive
Plan for parallel payroll runs during transition, especially if union and certified payroll are involved
Integrate or replace your project management tool (Procore, Autodesk Build) early to avoid dual-entry during the cutover
Engage project managers and superintendents in user acceptance testing — field adoption drives the quality of job cost data
Establish a chart-of-accounts and intercompany accounting framework before implementation if you operate multiple entities or joint ventures
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Procore and a construction ERP like Sage 300?
Procore is primarily a project management and collaboration platform covering RFIs, submittals, drawings, and field documentation. Sage 300 Construction is a full ERP covering job cost accounting, payroll, AIA billing, and financial reporting. Many contractors use both, with Procore handling project collaboration and Sage 300 handling finance and accounting.
Does construction ERP handle certified payroll for prevailing-wage jobs?
Yes. Purpose-built platforms like Foundation Software, Sage 300 Construction, and Viewpoint Vista include certified payroll reporting compliant with Davis-Bacon Act requirements, generating WH-347 forms and electronic submissions for federal, state, and local projects.
How does job costing work in a construction ERP?
Job costing tracks all costs (labor, materials, subcontracts, equipment, overhead) by job, phase, and cost code against an approved budget. The ERP calculates committed costs (approved subcontracts and POs), actual costs (invoices and payroll posted), and projected costs (cost-to-complete estimates) so project managers can identify overruns before they occur.
Can construction ERP manage multiple companies and joint ventures?
Yes. Leading platforms like CMiC, Viewpoint Vista, and Sage 300 support multi-entity structures with intercompany transactions, consolidated financial reporting, and project-specific entity management — essential for contractors operating through subsidiaries, JV entities, or regional legal structures.
What mobile capabilities do construction ERPs offer for field crews?
Modern construction ERPs provide mobile apps for time entry, daily production reports, equipment usage logs, safety incidents, purchase-order approvals, subcontractor compliance checks, and photo documentation. Some platforms offer offline capability for job sites with limited connectivity.
How do construction ERP systems handle retainage?
Construction ERPs track retainage withheld on owner billings (AR retainage) and retainage held back from subcontractor payments (AP retainage) separately from standard receivables and payables. They automate retainage release billing based on contract terms and project milestones, and produce aging reports for outstanding retainage balances.
What integrations are most important for a construction ERP?
Key integrations include project management platforms (Procore, Autodesk Build), estimating software (Sage Estimating, WinEst, HCSS HeavyBid), payroll processors, equipment telematics systems, and document management tools. For residential builders, integrations with CRM and selections management tools are also important.
How long does it take to implement a construction ERP?
Small specialty contractors can go live in 2–4 months. Mid-size general contractors with complex payroll and multi-entity structures typically need 4–8 months. Large general contractors with heavy customization, data migration from legacy systems, and phased rollouts should plan for 8–14 months.
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