Top 10 CRMs for Home & Office Contractors: Total Project and Client Management for Your Home Improvement or Contracting Business

The construction industry has been the slowest to adapt to technology, by far. Nonetheless, it is happening and thanks to the pandemic, it is happening faster than ever before. As companies scramble to keep up with the changes in the market, the needs of customers, and the way things are done in the world around us, modern CRM solutions are rising to answer the call. 

With as much as four percent of all CRM usage related to building design, construction, and related trades, it’s obvious that your business needs to get on board. Of course, the biggest challenge that you face is figuring out exactly what you need from this solution. Contractors and companies come in all types and sizes. No two CRM needs will be the same. 

Fortunately, while there are several variables to consider in choosing the ideal CRM for your contractor business, there are also many things these platforms share that will help you see what’s truly important. You’ll find useful tools like analytics and insights, along with job management, client management, and even lead and bid management tools. (You can even take lead management and cultivation one step further with the intake and outbound calling services of the virtual receptionists at Smith.ai.)

You’ll see a lot of CRMs on this list that also have sales tracking and marketing functions, offering a 360-degree view of your client relationships, jobs, and your organization as a whole. We have taken the time to explore the market and see what CRM solutions are available for home and office contractors and compiled the 10 best here. 

Plus, if you’re catering to the 46% of clients who prefer live chat, several of the CRMs on this list integrate with the solutions available from Smith.ai, including client communications via live chat, social media, and SMS text messaging. 

1. Salesforce 

Salesforce is the preferred choice of several companies in contracting and construction, namely because it offers a program that is just simple to use and is flexible for those who are working on a smaller budget. This is the #1 CRM in the world right now, for numerous reasons. 

Salesforce is cloud-based and offers client and job management tools, seamless integration with other software, and plenty of affordable pricing options and packages that work for all types of businesses. Whether you’re a small contracting firm or a commercial contracting agency with larger needs, this platform can be customized to fit your needs. 

Job status updates, scheduling tools, communications resources, and other solutions are at your fingertips, with opportunity management and lead generation resources that can take your contracting business to the next level. 

The best features of Salesforce to note:

• Free option? No, but a free trial is offered
• Price: Starts at $25 per month
• Integrated forecasting tools and workflows for total project management
• Robust analytics and reporting 
• Total contact management for clients of all types and sizes
• Scalable and customizable 

2. HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is a completely free CRM tool that allows contractors and several other professionals to manage their business without having to bankroll a huge investment. Plus, HubSpot doesn’t skimp on the features, either. 

HubSpot offers plenty of automation tools to take care of all of those repetitive tasks and make sure that you get the streamlined efficiency that you need. It can make it easier to manage jobs and clients, track bids, and combine data to get a 360-degree view of clients and jobs. 

This CRM platform has additional features, premium services, and dedicated HubSpot support and integration assistance when you upgrade to a paid subscription. Users will find marketing and lead generation resources available in the free platform, as well, and later upgrades to paid plans are available. 

For those considering HubSpot, check out these features:

• Free option? Yes
• Pricing: $50 per month to start for paid users
• Access to the HubSpot community of professionals, users, and resources
• Seamless integration with other software 
• Detailed analytics and reporting tools
• Omnichannel communication

3. Keap (formerly InfusionSoft)

Keap CRM, formerly InfusionSoft, is a platform that is focused exclusively on the needs of small businesses. Home and office contractors will enjoy all of the customer management tools, including communication tools, that are designed to provide a better customer experience and make running a small business easier. 

There is a lot packed into this platform, including the ability to segment contacts, send emails, run campaigns based on specific communication triggers, and more. Keap also allows you to track every customer interaction and customize triggers to each individual however you’d like. 

There is a suite of analytics and metrics that are sure to impress. The platform also includes its own native apps for Android and iOS so that you can keep track of things on the go. For busy contractors, mobile convenience is a must. When you add integration with tools like Outlook, QuickBooks, and others, it seems to be a well-rounded choice. 

Some highlights of Keap CRM include:

• Free option? No, but a free trial is offered
• Price: Plans start at $79 per month
• Integrates with more than 20 software programs
• Total business management in an affordable platform
• ROI and campaign performance data can be used for valuable job insights

4. Improveit 360 

‍Improveit 360 is a dedicated solution for contractors that has been tailored to the unique needs of their operations. This platform isn’t just a CRM, but a total business management tool that is designed to help companies make smarter decisions about growth. 

This CRM includes scheduling, sales quoting, project management, and reporting tools. When you are problem-solving and trying to find inefficiencies, this is a platform that can lead to results. Improveit 360 is designed by professionals who understand the industry and its unique needs. 

This platform is user-friendly, offering an intuitive interface that even the novice can use. Yet, it is filled with robust tools, including lead generation and marketing resources to help your contracting business continue to grow and thrive.  

The key elements of Improveit 360 include:

• Free option? No
• Price: Starts at $150 per month
• Dedicated platform for contractors and construction
• Scheduling and quoting tools ideal for construction projects
• Valuable data insights can improve customer communication and relationship management
• Integrated customer data

5. Job Progress

Job Progress is the “must have” platform for those in the construction and contracting industry, offering free apps for iOS and Android to ensure busy contractors can manage their business on the go. The platform includes a robust customer relationship manager, for starters. 

Job Progress also has a fully customizable workflow, job manager tool, and remote business control features. You will find quick estimating and quoting services that allow you to make instant quotes, scheduling tools, and more. It has pre-made contract and proposal templates, as well as a section for employee and subcontractor management. 

This platform is cloud-based and can be scaled to the exact needs of your business. It is easy-to-adopt and comes designed for the professional on the go, which is what makes it the preferred choice for many. 

The highlights of this CRM for contractors include:

• Free option? No
• Price: $25 per month, starting
• Integrates with several software tools and programs
• Dedicated contractor/construction platform
• Intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app for easy client management on the go
• Robust customer contact directory

6. Dubsado

Dubsado is an integrated contact management solution that will fit into your existing tech stack to help you generate new leads, schedule consultations and appointments, create contacts, and more. It can be used in several industries, but its relationship focus makes it ideal for contractors. 

Dubsado features workflow creation tools, appointment scheduling, relationship management resources, and more. Your contractor business can integrate this tool with other resources to help intake new leads, schedule consultations and appointments, create contacts, and even offer pre-made proposals. 

This unique tool is ideal for those in contracting and construction because it isn’t a full, high-end CRM platform that has a big price tag or requires a massive integration. It’s an affordable, scalable tool that can be added to your tech stack to help improve client relationships from lead generation through repeat business. 

The best features of Dubsado include:

• Free option? No
• Price: $30 per month starting
• User-friendly dashboard and tools
• Templates and packages that are ready out of the box
• Total business management in one place

7. Procore

Procore construction management software makes it easier to connect projects, workers, and clients in one place. The platform was developed specifically for the industry by those who understand the communication issues and other job management pain points that need to be addressed. 

This is currently rated as the #1 platform for construction management. It offers full visibility of clients and projects in a single place, along with native apps for iOS and Android that make business management easier than ever before. Tools are available to help reduce risks and redundancies, manage field operations and office activities, and more. 

Procore has a full suite of tools that will help improve client relationships and job performance, offering a 360-degree view of your connections. Plus, it’s one of the more affordable solutions for those who need a dedicated choice. 

Procore has several features, but the best ones include:

• Free option? No
• Price: Starts at $375 per month
• Helps create connectivity across the entire business
• Keep clients and projects at all times
• A platform dedicated to user-friendly operations specifically for construction and contracting
• Identify key design or safety issues that could be causing delays

8. Zoho CRM

One of the most comprehensive options on the market, Zoho CRM is focused on customer engagement and lead generation, which is ideal for contractors who want a CRM that can deliver in the most valuable ways. 

Zoho CRM offers an integrated, scalable solution that can be customized to the needs of just about every industry and business. This CRM platform allows you to organize events, get reports, convert leads, and use data insights to make changes proactively for better client relationship management. 

With Zoho, it’s easy for teams to streamline interactions, collaborate, and connect in several different ways. It's also easy to connect with customers, conduct sales meetings, create and host webinars, and much more. 

• Free option? No, but a trial is offered
• Price: $12 per month starting
• Real-time notifications 
• Omnichannel support
• Automation of repetitive tasks
• Robust customer data and analytics insights

9. ConstructionOnline

ConstructionOnline is another dedicated platform that offers CRM solutions for contractors and construction companies who are looking to increase efficiency and get organized. 

Construction Online enables communication via multiple channels, project management, customer data tracking, change order management, and so much more. Tools are offered for scheduling, communications, job costing and estimating, and even client and subcontractor portals. 

Time tracking, sales management, and redlining tools ensure that your contracting business is on track at all times. Customer relationship management is at the forefront with this platform. 

Key features of note include:

• Free option? No
• Price: Starts at $250 per month
• Estimate and other templates available
• Integration with Excel, QuickBooks, and other software
• OnCost takeoff and estimating

10. Cosential

Cosential has been created as an ideal solution for contractors and construction professionals specifically. It is dedicated to growing revenue through improved client relations and better job management, offering native iOS and Android apps. 

This ensures that the modern contractor can manage their business on the go, with cloud-based access and scalable sizing for every contractor or business. You will be able to develop strategies for lead generation, based on both clients and jobs, and have real-time reporting to deliver a full view of what’s going on behind the scenes. 

Cosential offers tools to improve job workflows and client interactions, address client needs proactively, and more. While it offers all aspects of improved CRM, the focus is on improving the entire experience from sourcing through job completion and beyond. 

The best features of Cosential include:

• Free option? No
• Price: $50/month starting
• Automate repetitive tasks
• Omnichannel communication tools
• Valuable data insights for future business improvements
• Simple, intuitive apps for mobile access

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As an added bonus, here is an additional CRM we couldn’t leave out.

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
 

Smith.ai takes your CRM further with dedicated integrations and more

While these CRM platforms have proven to be powerhouses, our team can help you take them to the next level. When you partner with Smith.ai, you’ll have access to integrations with many of the CRMs discussed above, along with virtual receptionists and messaging services to enhance your business communications, and so much more. 

Your skills are best used in the business—there is much more work that requires your attention. By integrating a dedicated CRM tool like the ones discussed here and combining it with the solutions from Smith.ai, you’re that much closer to a streamlined process that is almost symphonic in how effortlessly it flows. 

Feel free to reach out to us at (650) 727-6484, or send us a message at hello@smith.ai. We can set you up with a free consultation and demo of our services and discuss how our integrations could best serve your contracting business. If you just want more details on our pricing and services, check out our Plans and Pricing page.