The Best Financial Management Software in 2025 for Remodelers and Home Builders
In the fast-paced world of residential construction, managing budgets, invoicing and payments can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s where financial management software for construction companies comes in—it’s designed to help you manage everything regarding your finances in one place, making it easier to stay organized and make smart decisions to keep your remodeling or custom home-building business operating smoothly and profitably.
But picking the right software is a big choice since it’ll affect all areas of your business. This article includes the basics, covering what financial management software does, why you need it, and how to choose the right one.
What is Financial Management Software for Remodelers and Builders?
Financial management software programs are powerful, automated tools that help remodelers streamline every aspect of their finances. They provide robust estimating and change order tools, integrated budgets showing estimates to actuals, and a streamlined approach to expense tracking, invoicing, and bill payments.
A good financial management tool will provide you with business intelligence insights to help you see where you’re underperforming in your estimating and ensure that you can stop repeating these mistakes.
This involves a front-end visualization of your data, typically in a dashboard with filters allowing you to slice and dice the information to get the answers you need.
Why do Builders and Remodelers Need Financial Management Software?
Without a system to track all aspects of your project finances, it's nearly impossible to know if your remodeling or home building business is truly profitable. It starts with a spreadsheet-style estimating editor that allows you to set individual markups and see the overall impact of these markups on the estimated margin.
Next is a robust change order editor that mirrors the estimating process. It allows you to streamline and simplify the process of gaining client sign-offs on additional costs.
Most importantly, financial management software must provide robust job costing reporting across several lenses to ensure you can accurately compare your estimated to actual costs in real time. This will allow you to ensure that your projects are on budget, catch additional costs, convert them to change orders and learn how to improve your estimating quickly.
What Should You Look For In A Financial Management Program?
When choosing a financial management program, look for features that streamline your workflow, keep your projects organized, and make financial tracking easier.
Key features to look for in financial management software include:
Simple yet powerful estimating editor with integrated client approvals
Robust tools for tracking change orders and profitability
Integrated budget tracking from estimates and change orders and expenses
Integrations with other systems for seamless data flow
Ease of use for you and your team
Strong customer support for troubleshooting and guidance
It’s also important to clarify that not all construction management software is identical. Many all-in-one tools don’t do a great job on the financial end because they are everything to everyone. Don’t be afraid to use a combination of tools when looking at software.
Ensure the software fits your business and has features that match your needs. Read reviews to see what real users have to say about its strengths and any downsides.
While price is important, try not to choose based on cost alone—the right software is an investment that can really boost your business’s efficiency and profits when it’s the right fit.
Top Construction Financial Management Software Programs
Choosing the right financial management software for your residential construction business can significantly improve the efficiency of your project management and boost your bottom line.
JobTread Key Features
Project Management: Offers tools for planning, scheduling, and tracking projects.
Financial Management: Cost tracking, budgeting, and financial reporting.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Integrates CRM features to manage client interactions, track leads, and improve customer service.
Document Management: This system centralizes document storage, including contracts, invoices, and project plans, making them easily accessible.
Mobile Accessibility: Accessible via mobile devices, allowing for on-the-go project management and updates.
JobTread Pros
Comprehensive feature set that covers many aspects of construction project management.
Mobile and web app for universal access.
JobTread Cons
Overly complex interface and dashboard, with many users reporting a focus on things that don’t matter to them.
Difficult and complex job costing process with wide charts and too many confusing columns.
Not designed for cost-plus remodelers/custom home builders.
Not designed for sales tax.
Pay-per-user billing model: The more people you have, the more expensive it is.
A large learning curve is based on a difficult user interface and processes.
Not optimized for Canadian-based companies.
JobTread Pricing
$159/month for an annual subscription or $199/month for a monthly subscription for one user. Additional users start at $20 per month. Tiered price breaks begin after 10 users. All features and support included - no hidden fees.
Procore Key Features
Project Management: Offers tools for planning, scheduling, and managing project workflows.
Financial Management: Allows detailed budget tracking and cost management, ensuring financial visibility.
Document Management: Provides centralized storage for all project documents, including RFIs, submittals, and blueprints.
Mobile Collaboration: Enhances on-site collaboration with mobile apps, allowing real-time updates and communication.
Procore Pros
Comprehensive features covering all aspects of construction management.
Strong customer support and unlimited storage capabilities.
Integration with various other tools and systems.
Procore Cons
It’s not possible to get a price estimate from Procore without speaking to a sales rep and their costing is much higher than other software in the space.
Lacks comprehensive accounting capabilities.
Not built for cost-plus remodelers/custom home builders.
Certain workflows lack flexibility and can be challenging to set up.
User adoption is very difficult.
Procore Pricing
Procore offers custom pricing tailored to each organization’s needs, so you'll need to contact them directly for a quote.
Buildertrend Key Features
Scheduling: Provides robust scheduling tools to keep projects on track.
Project Management: Includes task management, document management, and collaboration tools.
Homeowner Portal: Allows homeowners to track project progress and communicate with contractors.
Financial Tools: Offers budgeting and cost tracking to ensure projects stay within financial parameters.
Buildertrend Pros
Integrations with other systems and tools, enhancing overall functionality.
Comprehensive feature set.
Buildertrend is one of the longest-running software for residential builders and remodelers in the construction space.
Buildertrend Cons
Very complex software with a steep learning curve.
User and client adoption is very difficult.
The one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t allow for a lot of flexibility and customization.
The financial integration with accounting software is a common complaint of being too difficult to set up and use.
Not built for cost-plus remodelers/custom builders.
Feature-based pricing forcing many companies to spend more per month to access change orders and other required features.
Not built for sales tax.
Not optimized for Canadian-based construction companies.
Buildertrend Pricing
Essential (basic) plan is $199/mo for the 1st month and $499/mo after.
This does not include the required change order feature.
Advanced plan is $499/mo for the 1st month and $799/mo after.
This includes the change order feature and is what most companies will need to successfully run projects including their 3rd party takeoff integration.
Complete plan is $799/mo for the 1st month and $1099/mo. After.
This plan includes the full suite of features.
Contractor Foreman Key Features
Project Scheduling: This tool provides tools for creating detailed project schedules, assigning tasks, and tracking progress.
Billing and Invoicing: Facilitates billing and invoicing processes.
Resource Management: Helps manage labor, equipment, and materials.
Mobile App: Offers a mobile app for on-the-go project management.
Document Control: Centralizes document storage and management, including contracts, RFIs, and submittals.
Contractor Foreman Pros
Affordable pricing structure, making it accessible for small to medium-sized businesses.
Comprehensive feature set that covers all essential aspects of construction project management.
User-friendly interface that requires minimal training.
Contractor Foreman Cons
Features are not well built, and the one-size-fits-all approach leaves little room for customization.
Some users report bugs and performance issues on the mobile app.
Not built for cost-plus remodelers/custom builders.
Not built for sales tax.
Not optimized for Canadian-based construction companies.
Contractor Foreman Pricing
Starting at $49/month (billed annually) with very limited features.
Access to features and support increases at each level up to $249/mo (billed annually).
Buildwise Key Features
Proven System: Built from 5000+ hours of coaching and optimized spreadsheets, plus a 21-year career as a custom home builder and large-scale remodeler.
Simplified Data Capture: Streamlined process to simplify bookkeeping and reduce lost receipts or timesheets.
Simplistic Interface & Truly Easy to Use: Many software will claim their system is easy to use but have broken and overly complicated processes. Buildwise is different. Everything you need in a simplistic way with nothing you don’t.
Automatic Job Costing: Real-time syncing of inputs to reports, keeping project costs up-to-date without relying solely on your bookkeeper.
Robust Estimating & Change Order Tools: A spreadsheet-style estimating and change order editor with an integrated share feature allows for customizable estimating and client approvals.
Built for Cost-Plus and Fixed Cost: Unlike other software, Buildwise differentiates between Cost Plus and Fixed Cost contract models throughout the system.
Built For Single And Multiple Sales Taxes: The only software on the market that caters to both single and multiple sales tax situations.
Business Intelligence: Unparalleled job cost reporting and filtering allow business owners to truly understand how their projects perform in real-time.
Comprehensive Profit Tracking: One system tracks profits from estimates and changes orders to completion.
Buildwise Pros
Streamlined estimating and change order builders and approvals process.
Complete job costing management.
Unlimited users.
Project management features.
Mobile app.
Community support and coaching support.
Ability to help shape the direction of the software as new features are planned.
Buildwise Cons
Quickbooks integration in process and being released early 2025.
Invoicing and payment features on the horizon but not functional as of yet.
Mobile app not fully featured with web features yet.
Buildwise Pricing
Builldwise offers monthly payment options at $197/mo, including all features, unlimited
Jobber Key Features
Quoting and Estimating: Generate professional quotes for potential clients that auto-convert into jobs upon their approval.
Scheduling and Dispatching: Easily assign and monitor jobs with a drag-and-drop calendar.
Invoicing and Payments: Create and send invoices, accept online payments, and track unpaid bills.
Route Optimization: Plan efficient travel routes to cut fuel costs and squeeze in more daily jobs.
Client Relationship Management: Keep all client interactions, contact info, and history in one accessible place.
Time Tracking: Monitor employee work hours and job durations.
Jobber Pros
Effective client management tools, including a client hub
GPS tracking and route optimization
Payment integrations and built-in payments
Clear-tiered pricing structure
Jobber Cons
Geared towards home service professionals and not remodelers and custom home builders.
Lacks advanced features like job cost reporting, customization, project and employee management.
Very limited financial management features other than integrated invoicing and payments.
Not built for cost-plus remodelers/custom builders.
Not built for sales tax.
Not optimized for Canadian-based construction companies.
Jobber Pricing
Jobber offers different pricing tiers based on individual solopreneurs and those with teams.
Individuals: The basic plan, billed monthly, starts at $39/mo and ends at $199/mo.
Teams: The basic plan with 5 users costs $169/mo, and the top tier allows up to 15 users for $349/mo when billed monthly.
Knowify Key Features
Template-Based Quoting: Simplify and standardize quotes with customizable templates.
Project Management Tools: Comprehensive tools for tracking and managing projects from start to finish.
Real-Time Financial Insights: Access up-to-date financial data on job and business performance.
Bi-Directional QuickBooks Sync: Integrate with QuickBooks for seamless accounting.
Customer Portal & Mobile App: Enhance communication between field and office, improving customer interactions and team collaboration.
Knowify Pros
For residential, commercial, and general contractors
Syncs with QuickBooks
Integrates with time tracking and payment platforms
Knowify Cons
Lacks customization
Very limited on true job costing reporting
Not built for cost-plus remodelers/custom builders.
Not built for sales tax.
Not optimized for Canadian-based construction companies.
Difficult for new users to learn
Knowify Pricing
Knowify offers three pricing plans: Essentials at $186/month (or $149/month if paid annually), Advanced at $311/month (or $249/month annually), and an Unlimited plan that requires a custom quote. A free trial is also available.
Joist Key Features
Customizable Estimates & Invoicing: Create estimates with social media links, eSignatures, and branded invoices with logos.
Client & Payment Management: Organize customer information, record payments, and manage online payments seamlessly.
Business Insights & Reporting: Track targets, monitor progress, and access reports for informed decision-making.
Mobile Accessibility: Available on Android and iOS, allowing project management, payment processing, and invoicing on-the-go.
Flexible Pricing & Support: Free option available, with monthly/annual subscriptions and support via email, live chat, and documentation.
Joist Pros
Good starter application
Simple to set up, use, and demonstrate.
Accessible on both computers and mobile devices
Joist Cons
Joist charges payment processing fees on top of the regular fees.
Users report lots of downtime issues.
Limited Features: Some advanced features are missing from other estimated software options.
Basic CRM & Estimate Combo: Not fully comprehensive.
Joist Pricing
Joist offers three pricing plans: Starter (free), Pro ($12 per month), and Pro Elite ($29 per month), with discounts for annual subscriptions. A free version is available, though there is no free trial option.
BuildXact Key Features
Estimating & Quoting: Digital takeoff tool, pre-built templates, and integrated cost libraries.
Job Management: Scheduling, task assignment, and real-time project tracking to manage tasks, milestones, and overall project status.
Supplier Integration: Automatic updates for material price lists and purchase order tracking.
Client Management: Client portal for project progress, quote approvals, and payments, with built-in communication tools.
Financial Management: Invoicing, budgeting, and financial reporting to monitor cash flow and project profitability.
BuildXact Pros
Integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, etc.
Can create material order lists from takeoff
Real-time price updates from suppliers
BuildXact Cons
Limited invoice customization.
Complex setup and steep learning curve.
Cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses as they offer per user pricing above the base amounts.
Not built for cost-plus remodelers/custom builders.
Not built for sales tax.
Not optimized for Canadian-based construction companies.
BuildXact Pricing
Buildxact offers a free 14-day trial for up to one user and three paid plans. The Entry plan costs $149 per month for one user ($1,596 annually), the Pro plan is $249 per month for two users ($2,667 annually), and the Teams plan is $399 per month for four users ($4,273 annually). Additional users can be added to any plan for $59, $69, or $79 per month, depending on the plan.
BuildBook Key Features
User-Friendly Scheduling: Gantt scheduling system that’s easy to use and update, with changes instantly shared with team members and clients.
Company Portfolio: Buildbook offers users the ability to set up a hosted website portfolio of past work.
Messaging Tools: Communicate seamlessly with clients, team members, and subcontractors, keeping all messages and daily logs in one place for easy access and sharing.
BuildBook Pros
Easy to use with a self-explanatory interface; requires limited training.
Presents a polished, professional appearance for clients.
Facilitates team and client communication, including sharing project details and updates.
Offers many project management features such as scheduling, task management, and client communication.
Allows easy uploading of photos and documents for projects.
Fast, helpful support team readily available for assistance.
BuildBook Cons
Missing financial management features including reporting of job costs and real-time budget updates.
Could benefit from an in-office scheduling system for task assignments from field to office.
No way to log return material receipts or separate receipts from subcontractor payments.
Needs simpler tools for splitting estimates into sections without using cost codes.
Functions mainly for communication rather than full project management.
Could use improved organization, such as an alphabetical filter for easier navigation.
Not built for cost-plus remodelers/custom builders.
Not built for sales tax.
Not optimized for Canadian-based construction companies.
BuildBook Pricing
BuildBook offers various pricing plans suited for residential construction businesses of all sizes. The Free Plan is ideal for contractors focused on marketing and sales, while the Solo Plan at $79 per month provides a full suite of tools for small teams. The Team Plan at $149 per month supports growing businesses with team-wide tools, and the Business Plan at $299 per month is designed for established companies seeking ongoing improvement.
Construction Online Key Features
Cloud-Based: Access, modify and share project documents with team members securely. Grant document access permissions to selected employees.
Dynamic Takeoff: Measure quantities accurately using RedLine Takeoff software. Automatically assign labor and material costs using customizable costbooks.
Streamlined Accounting: Integrate with QuickBooks to help create accurate estimates and reduce costly errors.
Simplified Scheduling: Organize and monitor activities using Gantt charts. Keep track of upcoming events to avoid missing important meetings.
Environment Friendly: Reduce carbon emissions by smoothly transitioning to an online business environment.
Customizable Interface: Design online workspaces by choosing color themes and backgrounds specific to business needs.
Construction Online Pros
Instant messaging, email integration, and file sharing to reduce miscommunication.
Tools for task management, scheduling, and document control to streamline teamwork.
Real-time dashboards and reports for proactive decision-making.
Automation of routine tasks like reporting, notifications, and time tracking.
Risk management tools like change order tracking and document version control.
Construction Online Cons
Lack of flexibility in customizing invoices and reports for specific workflows or branding.
Mobile app lacks some functionality compared to the desktop version, impacting on-the-go management.
Comprehensive feature set may require additional time and training for new users to navigate effectively.
Construction Online Pricing
The platform starts at $468 per month, with additional feature-rich plans available at $780 and $1170 per month. Understanding their pricing is complex and free trials are only available at the higher-tiered levels.
Beam Key Features
Capturing Client Payments: Fast & easy client payments
Processing Contractor Payments: Fast & free subcontractor payments
Easily Create Documents: Easy conversion of estimates to budgets, contracts, and invoices
Multiple User Accounts: Unrestricted accounts for your subcontractors
Private Label Credit Card: A charge card with receipt capture and 1% cash back
Private Label Bank Account: A high-yield bank account for your operating balance
Beam Pros
Integrated payment processor for bill payments.
Easy to manage Beam-issued Visa cards.
Bill approval process.
Quickbooks integration.
Beam Cons
Basic estimating and change order functionality.
Not built for cost-plus remodelers/custom builders.
Not built for sales tax.
Not optimized for Canadian-based construction companies.
Strictly financial software.
Beam Pricing
The platform offers tiered pricing levels based on different business stages, starting with a free plan, a mid-size plan for $199/month, a scale plan for $399/month and enterprise solutions that require a consultation first.
In addition to the monthly fees, Beam generates revenue from users through:
Online payments (a portion of the fee for ACH and credit card fees goes to Beam)
Bank account interest (a portion of the earned interest goes to Beam)
Premium features: Beam charges monthly fees for e-signatures, lien waiver management, approval workflows, budgeting, COI tracking, and more.
Adaptive Key Features
Automated Bills: AI that reads and processes your bills, receipts, and invoices.
Receipt Capture: Automatic reconciliations and receipt capture.
Draw Management: One-click draw packages
Easy-to-Set Accounting Automations and Workflows: Every step of your AI-augmented bookkeeping is visible to the right people at the right level of detail.
Adaptive Pros:
Integrated financial management for expense tracking and payments.
Credit card and bank account providers.
Automated bill payments.
Eliminate paper checks from your contractor payout process.
Close your books 3x faster.
Claims to work for cost plus construction.
Adaptive Cons:
Users report that all of the changes are hard to keep up with and integrate into their workflow.
A/R payment collection through the app is not currently available.
No client portal currently, but they are working on it.
It is perceived as expensive compared to full-service construction project management software, as you’d need both.
No lien waivers process.
The User Interface (UI) is not intuitive, and there is a learning curve.
Not optimized for Canadian-based construction companies.
Strictly financial software.
Adaptive Pricing:
Adaptive’s pricing scale is based on annual revenue, starting at $350/month for under $3M annual revenue, $575/month for $5M-$10M annual revenue, and custom pricing for companies with revenues in excess of $10M annually.
The Bottom Line on Financial Management Software for Remodelers
Picking the right software is a big decision, but by choosing one that fits your business’s needs—like project tracking, easy integrations, and a user-friendly design—you can boost both efficiency and teamwork. While cost matters, consider it an investment in your business’s long-term growth and success.
A Word About Buildwise
Buildwise Financial Software is the ideal solution for residential construction businesses seeking an intuitive, versatile, cost-effective platform. Unlike most competitors, Buildwise is designed to handle cost-plus and fixed-cost projects seamlessly, ensuring you can adapt to either type. Its simple, all-inclusive pricing ensures that you gain access to all features without worrying about user-based or tiered pricing, making it one of the most affordable options in the industry.
Furthermore, Buildwise is optimized for United States AND Canadian businesses, offering unmatched support for single and multi-tax scenarios—a critical feature that sets it apart.
What truly distinguishes Buildwise is its ability to act as a powerful business intelligence tool, giving you deep insights into your projects and finances with just a couple of clicks. This means you can make data-driven decisions quickly and confidently.
With over 21 years of experience in the construction industry and more than six years of coaching builders, Buildwise was formed by Bryan Kaplan, who blends his proven systems with cutting-edge yet simplistic technology. Its built-in community feature fosters connections and provides resources to help you grow your business, not just manage it. By joining Buildwise early, you also have the unique opportunity to shape the software’s future, ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of your business.
