Drop the Spreadsheets: Why You Should Use Time Tracking Software

Accurate time tracking is pivotal to a contractor’s operation because it ensures:

• Workers are paid on time
• Payroll compliance items are correct
• Labor costs are precisely measured

With that being said, many contractors still rely on spreadsheets to manually track their employees’ hours, which, although workable in certain situations, is usually time-consuming and inaccurate.

It’s just difficult for employers to track each employee’s time correctly because workers can clock in and clock out without supervision or consistency.

Learn about the most important features of a construction time tracking app.

As the project needs to change and adapt, contractors must also adjust their construction time tracking approach.

Real-time data can help construction owners make the right decisions to maximize profitability and productivity.

Below, we explore how moving from spreadsheets to automated mobile apps benefits the overall function of a construction company.

Key Takeaways

• Construction time tracking software reduces labor costs with the help of facial recognition, geofencing, and digital clock-in and clock-out.
• Employers can approve each employee’s hours before processing payroll to avoid miscalculations and delays.
• Enhanced reporting capabilities offered by construction time tracking software give contractors valuable insights to maximize project performance.
• Some construction time tracking software integrates with accounting and payroll systems to eliminate the need for double data entry and improve accuracy.

Limitations of Spreadsheets

While spreadsheets may seem like the most cost-effective construction time tracking option, they can result in costly errors and delays, as well as:

• Limited reporting and data analysis
• Redundant data entry
• Scaling their spreadsheet(s) to meet the needs of their project or operation
• Managing multiple spreadsheet versions
• Lack of real-time data

Construction owners, foremen, project managers, supervisors, and other crew members can avoid these pitfalls by investing in a construction time tracking software.

The Benefits of Construction Mobile Solutions

There are several benefits to construction time tracking software, such as:

1. Reduced Labor Costs

Construction time tracking software provides several features to diminish labor expenses.

For example, time stealing is a very common way for employees to take advantage of construction companies.

One time stealing technique is buddy punching, which involves employees clocking in and clocking out for each other — oftentimes leading to inflated hours and labor costs.

To address this problem, some construction time tracking software provides facial recognition to ensure employees can only clock in and clock out using their profile.

Construction time tracking software also provides GPS technology so employers can accurately track when and where their employees clock in and clock out.

A construction mobile solution also keeps the data accurate.

With real-time hours being collected straight from the field, contractors are constantly updated on what’s happening on the job site.

And since workers can clock out, change tasks, and clock back in, the trades, jobs, and tasks that are being performed are precisely noted.

Finally, workers can also set classifications for their trades to ensure they’re paid accurately and on time.

2. Control Overtime Tracking

Employers who are looking to track or limit overtime costs can use construction time tracking software to label overtime hours and address them before they create cost overruns.

3. Faster, More Accurate Payroll Processing

Employers can leverage construction time tracking software to review and approve hours for each employee in just a few clicks, directly from the field.

Since the information already goes through a clear approval process, payroll staff can quickly calculate payroll with limited delays, changes, or errors.

Discrepancies are also reduced because employees can confirm and sign off on their hours before anything is processed.

Additionally, some construction time tracking software can sync data with construction payroll software to limit manual entry and precisely process payroll.

4. Better Budgeting

Employers can integrate construction time tracking software with construction accounting software for:

• Improved job costing
• Enhanced control of labor costs
• Reduced payroll errors

Employers can receive real-time updates on project progress and labor hours to quickly address potential overruns or delays.

5. Easily Maintain Compliance

Contractors who use construction time tracking software are able to identify when their workers clock in and clock out. This helps them ensure workers are taking mandatory breaks and compulsory lunches.

The software can then send digital forms to the workforce to confirm all breaks were appropriately taken.

These documents are stored in the central dashboard for a complete audit trail.

Additionally, construction time tracking software simplifies payroll compliance items — such as certified payroll and union reporting — because it provides accurate hours for payroll calculations.

It can also designate the correct prevailing wages for the location and trades for each jobsite.

6. Enhanced Reporting Capabilities

Construction time tracking software gives contractors real-time data they can use to effectively manage their workforce and allocate resources at each step of their projects.

These reports include information about:

• Attendance
• Project hours
• Labor costs

With this information, contractors can stay ahead of potential overruns before they result in project delays or cost overruns.

Selecting the Right Construction Time Tracking Software

The market offers quite a few construction time tracking software so it’s important contractors understand their needs to select the best option for their operations.

They should keep in mind:

1. Time tracking features: Digital clock in and clock out, facial recognition, and geofencing will keep workers honest and visible.
2. Real-time reporting: Construction time tracking software should assess attendance, project hours, and labor costs at a moment’s notice.
3. Integration capabilities: Some construction time tracking software integrates with construction payroll services and construction accounting software to improve the accuracy of payroll and job costing.

If you’re looking for a construction time tracking software that simplifies time tracking, consider WorkMax.

WorkMax users receive accurate construction time tracking data to reduce labor costs, maintain compliance with labor laws, and compile real-time reports to make the best decisions for their business.

WorkMax also integrates with FOUNDATION accounting software and Payroll4Construction payroll service to give contractors a cohesive solution to job costing and payroll.

To learn more about WorkMax, chat with a specialist today!