Top 10 CRMs for Construction, Architects, & Building Design Firms

The construction and design industry has special needs when it comes to client relationship management. You have to not only keep track of your clients, but you have to manage projects, bids, potential gigs, and more. Everyone is hesitant to adopt new technologies that they aren’t familiar with, but the rise of dynamic construction CRM platforms is changing the way you do business.

You might be surprised to learn that about 4% of all CRM usage is related to construction and building design companies. The most obvious value for you here is the management of the sales process and the ability to track customers in a centralized database. Of course, you’ve got lots of options out there to choose from, so how are you to decide?

Your biggest challenge is right here—firms and companies come in all sizes and types. Thus, no two CRM needs will be the same. Then, factor in a company that might do specialized construction versus a general contractor, or an architect that needs some features of construction software but not all of them, and you’re quickly going to be reeling from all the options and considerations. (A great way to avoid the stress and uncertainty is to integrate with one of the many CRMs through Smith.ai and let us handle helping you create a scalable solution for total customer service and client relationship management.)

There are several factors to consider in the variables, but you’ll also find that CRM software for the construction industry has many of the same features across multiple platforms. For starters, you’ll find dynamic workflows and robust analytics to help you measure customer satisfaction, retention, and capture other important data. You’ll also have access to lead tracking and follow-up, messaging and communications, sales pipeline tracking, and more.  

Many CRM platforms are also integrating marketing functions and sales tracking tools so that you have a 360-degree view of your client relationships. Because there’s so much to consider, we’ve done some of the work for you. We have taken the time to research and find the top 10 CRM platforms for construction and design with a special focus on those designed for small businesses.

If you want to streamline even further and give your clients total dedication, integrate a CRM with Smith.ai virtual receptionists that can offer 24/7 live support, scheduling, and more.  

1. Salesforce  

Salesforce is one of the leading CRM tools across multiple industries, including construction and building design. This platform prides itself on scalability and convenient cloud-based solutions for all types of industries.  

Salesforce is focused on delivering a CRM that improves the bottom line and the brand image at the same time. You can manage customers with valuable insights, integrate with other software solutions, and find several convenient pricing options for those who need a flexible solution on a budget.  

Plus, this is rated as the #1 CRM in the world, thanks to its easy-to-use interface and unique design that can be integrated into almost any industry. From individual customer tracking and communications to scheduling, job status updates, and more, Salesforce can make every aspect of customer management easier and more efficient.  

The features that set Salesforce apart include:

• Free option? No, but a free trial is available
• Price: Starting at $25 per month
• Email and other contact integration
• Opportunity and contact management tools and resources for seamless, simple customer management
• Integrated workflows and sales forecasting
• Dynamic reporting and analytics for total contact management

2. HubSpot CRM

If you’re looking for a dynamic platform that isn’t just for construction, HubSpot CRM might be the winner. This platform offers quite a bit for an impressive price—or lack thereof. There are paid plans available, but this CRM platform is totally free to use for those who only need access to basic functions.

HubSpot CRM is packed with customer data tools, rich analytics and insights, communication tools, and more. You’ll find automation tools, and you’ll enjoy having a scalable solution that can grow to fit the needs of your business over time.  

This CRM platform offers various levels of features, with paid subscriptions offering the best level of features and included services. Users can enjoy marketing and lead generation tools in this platform, too. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with several other platforms and software resources that you are using.  

The features of HubSpot CRM that you should note include:

• Free option? Yes
• Pricing: $50 per month starter  
• Robust customer analytics and data tracking
• Access to CMS, consulting, and other solutions from HubSpot
• Customizable bundles for CRM, marketing and sales tech, and more
• Free to use with limited services and HubSpot support  

3. Keap (formerly Infusionsoft)

Keap is a platform that is designed for small businesses, including construction companies and contractors. This CRM platform makes it easy to manage customer relationships, sales, and marketing in a single system for easier integration and improved customer satisfaction.  

Keap offers the ability to track every single customer interaction. You’ll also be able to segment contacts in several different ways, send emails, and even run specific campaigns that are based on particular triggers in communication. Plus, those triggers can be customized for each individual customer.  

The ROI and campaign performance data, along with other rich, robust metrics and analytics are going to deliver plenty of valuable insights. Plus, there are native iOS and Android apps to make remote access easy and the platform integrates seamlessly with other tools like QuickBooks, Salesforce, Outlook, and more.  

Key features of the Keap CRM include:

• Free option? No, but there is a 14-day trial
• Price: Starting at $79 per month
• 20+ available software integrations
• Manage all aspects of your client interactions from one place
• Use the rich reporting and analytics to improve client service, job satisfaction, and more

4. Improveit 360

If you’re looking for a dedicated construction/builder CRM platform, Improveit 360 should be on your list. This CRM is designed specifically for larger businesses that are focused on using data tracking improvements to make smarter decisions about their growth.  

This tool includes a robust CRM, along with scheduling tools, sales quoting tools, reporting, and robust project management capabilities. The platform is ideal for those who are problem solving and trying to figure out what isn’t working in their current efforts to improve their customer experience.  

Improveit 360 can integrate with several other tools and software platforms, and it offers an easy-to-use interface. Designed by those who understand the industry and the need for simple solutions, this CRM offers everything you need and nothing more.  

The key elements of Improveit 360 include:

• Free option? No
• Price: $150 per month starting
• Sales quoting and scheduling tools ideal for builders and contractors
• Valuable insights to help improve sales, marketing, and overall customer relationship management
• Inbound and outbound marketing capabilities and lead generation support
• Dedicated to construction and design industry  

5. JobProgress

Designated the “must have’ productivity platform for home improvement contractors, JobProgress offers a free smartphone app to make it easy for busy builders and construction professionals to manage their customers on the go. This platform features a fully customizable workflow and job manager and simple dashboard work centers.  

JobProgress also offers a customer relationship manager, remote business control, quick estimating, scheduling, and quoting services, and more. There's an instant proposals and contracts section, and management tools for employees, subcontractors, and office and field personnel.  

This easy-to-adopt platform can be integrated with existing software in some areas and offers a secure, cloud-based solution that is dedicated to construction and building brands specifically.  

The noted features of JobProgress include:

• Free option? No
• Price: $60 per month
• Native iOS and Android apps for easy management on the go via tablet or smartphone
• Access to instant proposals and quick estimates
• Safe, secure cloud storage
• Dedicated design for construction and building industries  

6. Dubsado

This platform is focused on relationship building, appointment scheduling, and workflow creation, allowing your construction or architecture business to streamline everything in a single tool. This total business management platform can be used in multiple industries but is designed with a relationship focus.  

Dubsado is going to integrate with other features of your CRM platform to intake new leads, create contacts, and schedule consultations or appointments. You can even use the pre-made proposals and packages available from the platform to send to your own clients and save the hassle.  

Dubsado isn’t a full CRM platform of its own, but it can offer several of the features that you need to manage your jobs and client relationships in one place. In the construction and design industries, dynamic customer management tools like this are always an asset.  

Check out features of Dubsado like:

• Free option? No, but a free trial is available
• Price: $30 per month or $300 per year if billed annually
• Easy workflow creation tools
• Integrates with several other software platforms
• Includes pre-made proposals and packages

7. Procore

It is easier than ever to connect everyone on every project when you choose Procore construction management software. Procore breaks down the communication silos to ensure that you are building with better profits and fewer risks. This is rated as the #1 construction management platform.  

You will be able to get full visibility of your projects and clients all in one place, and you can even use the native mobile apps to manage your entire business from the palm of your hand. Integrated management makes it easy to manage office teams, field operations, subcontractors, and more.  

Procore is all about streamlining construction management and it offers a suite of tools that will help with that in several ways. Most importantly, it’s designed specifically for the construction industry, which means it has a few dedicated features you won’t find in just any CRM.  

The features to know about with Procore include:

• Free option? No, but there is a free trial
• Price: $375 per month
• Dedicated construction management software with integrated CRM
• Create connectivity throughout the business
• Keep clients and projects at hand at all times
• Identify safety and design issues leading to delays

8. Zoho CRM

If you want an integrated, scalable CRM that truly responds to your every need, Zoho CRM should be at the top of your list. This CRM is focused on lead conversion and customer engagement, helping transform businesses through a better customer experience.  

Zoho CRM allows you to conduct presentations and sales meetings right from the platform. You can organize webinars, convert leads, and even get reports from various events. You’ll also get rich reporting to keep you ahead of the analytics in making proactive changes to your customer relationship management.  

Zoho also makes it easy for teams to collaborate and keep customer interactions streamlined. You can connect with customers, thanks to integrated omnichannel support, and more.  

The key features of Zoho CRM include:

• Free option? No, but there is a free trial
• Price: $12 per month standard plan
• Real-time notifications when customer interactions occur
• Analytics that measure communication effectiveness
• Automate repetitive tasks
• Trigger actions and improve operations with streamlined workflows

9. ConstructionOnline from UDA Technologies

‍ConstructionOnline is just one of the many available construction tools from UDA Technologies. This CRM software enables project management, communication, change order management, customer data tracking, and more.  

This tool is ideal for design-builders who want to get organized and increase efficiency. It offers scheduling and calendars, communication tracking, estimating and job costing, client and subcontractor portals, and more.  

You will be able to improve sales management, time tracking, and even redlining to minimize risks and improve client relations across the board.  

Key features of ConstructionOnline of note include:

• Free option? No
• Price: Starting at $250 per month
• OnCost estimating and takeoff integration
• Estimate templates
• QuickBooks and Excel integration
• Change orders and client selections/updates

10. Cosential

Cosential is another construction-specific tool designed to help improve client communications, job workflows, and other aspects of customer relationship management. This CRM offers robust features and cloud-based access for scalability for businesses of every size.  

Cosential is ideal for architecture and engineering firms and construction businesses, dedicated to helping grow revenue and increase profits through improved client interactions and projects.  

This platform offers native apps that allow you to manage business development right from your smartphone. You’ll also be able to strategize capturing new clients and jobs, and get a holistic view of your business with real-time reporting.  

The features of Cosential that are worth a look include:

• Free option? No
• Price: $50 per month
• Cut down time spent on repetitive tasks and communication
• Surface valuable data insights to help win future clients and projects
• Make better decisions about client relations
• Apps for on-the-go access

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As if a top 10 wasn't enough, we have an 11th CRM that General Contractors love to use.

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11. Planyard

Planyard tracks your project costs without spreadsheets and allows you to follow your project profitability forecast. It is a great solution for project managers to track their costs on all jobs from small projects like renovations to larger projects like office building and skyscrapers.

Everything is updated in real-time which allows for up-to-the-minute tracking and ensures that project managers and contractors know the status of every job. Plus, their customer service is top notch. Every plan comes with a dedicated account manager, and they offer both email and chat support with most questions answered within minutes.

Planyard offers many great features that assist in budget management, cost forecasting and management, bidding, billing, accounting, and much more. Plus, they integrate with software you are already using which helps increase productivity.

The best features of Planyard include:

• Free option? No
• Price: $24/month starting
• Unlimited users
• Unlimited documents and storage
• Dedicated account manager
• Free 1-2 hour training session

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Smith.ai Can Enhance Your Customer Relationship Management at All Stages of the Customer Journey

The automation and streamlining offered by all of the scheduling solutions discussed above are definite reasons to upgrade. What if you could do even more? At Smith.ai, we are able to integrate with several of the CRM solutions discussed above and build on their existing capabilities by offering:

• Scalable, customizable inbound and outbound calling services
• Scheduling and appointment setting with clients, for job bids, etc.  
• 24/7 services that are located in North America

Plus, we’ll integrate all of our communications with your CRM platform to ensure that customer data, appointments and jobs, bids, and other projects and issues are managed appropriately. No matter how busy you get, we can ensure that your customers will never go without.  

Contact us now to schedule a free consultation and discuss your needs. We’ll help you see how we can work together to take your CRM to the next level with modern software, virtual receptionists, and more. You can reach us at hello@smith.ai or by calling (650) 727-6484. You’ll also find plenty of information on our pricing, services, and features on our Pricing and Plans page.