As a CEO of a time tracking software company, I need to know what my competitors are up to. That means I’m often researching about and/or playing around with their products… you know, it’s part of the job.
Here, I share my findings from that research, giving credit to those competitors where credit is due and being honest about which products I believe you really need to avoid. And so, there you have it, this review. And in it, I try to be honest, fair, and insightful…
This Review Covers:
- Overview
- What Do Users Like About Procore?
- What Don’t Users Like About Procore?
- What Pricing Plans Does Procore Offer?
- What are the Standout Features of Procore?
- Selected Positive User Feedback
- Selected Negative User Feedback
- What are Procore’s Review Ratings from Review Sites?
- What’s My Final Verdict on Procore?
Overview
“Make it easier to manage construction.”
This is the first thing you’ll see when you land on Procore’s website. An interesting proposition, and naturally, I was curious as to how they can do it. Does Procore really make it easier to manage construction? I did an in-depth research into Procore to find out.
Now, construction management entails a lot. From the planning stages to project bidding, estimations, and workforce management, I could go on and on. But I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Procore had a product for all of them. It definitely fits the bill as an all-in-one construction management software.
There’s a Preconstruction app that equips you with tools for streamlining Tender Management, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Design Coordination, and Estimation. When you’re ready to start on the project, the platform has a Project Execution app that helps you keep track of project progress, organize tasks, and communicate with team members. There’s even what they call a Quality & Safety feature that keeps a log of inspections, tests, and safety procedures. With templated experiences, signatory sign-offs, and access to up-to-date, actionable documentation, you can ensure that all quality and safety standards are met.
To help you manage your workforce better, Procore offers real-time labor productivity tools that connect your office and site teams. The Contact Directory allows you to store an unlimited number of project and vendor contacts, ensuring that all your important connections are organized in one place. Tasks can be efficiently managed through the Tasks tool. And timesheets enable you to track employee and crew time across all projects via mobile or web, streamlining time management.
I’ll dig into Procore’s standout features further on in this review, but overall, it’s definitely comprehensive as far as construction management software goes.
All of these features do come at a cost though. Many users have complained about the software’s expensive pricing, and how it can be a significant cost for smaller construction companies.
There’s also the issue of underwhelming customer service. Users have had to wait a long time for their concerns to be resolved. Others are only given generic “We’ll get back to you” responses. Not the kind of service you’d expect from such an expensive platform.
But let’s not judge Procore prematurely. Learn more about what actual users have to say about Procore, its standout features, review ratings, and whether or not it’s worth your buck. Let’s dig in!
What Do Users Like About Procore?
- Comprehensive features for construction
- Heavily customizable
- In-app communication
- Mobile Accessibility
What Don’t Users Like About Procore?
- Expensive pricing
- Not the best customer service
- Issues with the app causing crashes and lost data
What Pricing Plans Does Procore Offer?
Procore doesn’t provide a fixed pricing for its products, instead, it offers custom pricing plans tailored to the specific needs of your construction projects and the scale of your operations.
As per their site, the cost of Procore is determined by the products you select and your Annual Construction Volume (ACV), which represents the total dollar value of the construction work managed through the platform each year. By basing pricing on ACV, Procore ensures that the software grows with your business, providing greater value and efficiency as your project volume increases.
Custom quotes are only available upon request. And when you do want to request a quote, you’ll need to answer a couple of questions about your company first and provide them with your email.
I do wish Procore had more transparent and easily accessible pricing. Having clear pricing information upfront would make it easier for potential customers to evaluate whether Procore fits within their budget and compare it with other solutions without the need for a detailed consultation.
What are the Standout Features of Procore?
1. Preconstruction
Preconstruction is just as important as the construction phase itself. Procore knows this which is why it provides preconstruction features to ensure that your projects are properly set up right from the start.
The Preconstruction suite of Procore includes features like Tender Management, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Design Coordination, and Estimating. It’s a lot to wrap your head around. Let’s take a quick look at what each of them does, shall we?
- Tender Management: With Procore’s Tender Management you’ll be able to create, send, and collect tenders all within one platform. This keeps everything centralized to increase visibility into the entire tendering process.
- Building Information Modeling (BIM): Procore’s BIM tools equip the entire job site with instant access to reliable BIM data on any device. This way you can explore and view 3D models on the go, ensuring accurate installations before major steps like pouring concrete.
- Design Coordination: This feature connects VDC, design, operations, and site teams, allowing for the distribution of content in minutes instead of days. It improves design constructability and project predictability by providing immediate access to reliable BIM data.
- Estimating: Procore’s estimating feature allows you to extract quantities directly from 3D models, eliminating the need for manual calculations of structure or area measurements. The 3D takeoff technology automatically calculates elements such as walls, ceilings, and floors, making it easier for estimators to determine the quantities of materials needed for projects.
All these tools are pretty impressive but let me tell you, they definitely take some learning! The interface can take a while to navigate and just the sheer amount of tabs and buttons can overwhelm anyone new to the platform.
2. Project Execution
Procore’s project execution feature provides an integrated solution designed to help teams collaboratively manage all aspects of their projects. It helps you track project activities, manage budgets, and coordinate design documents and models.
Upload drawings to Procore so your team always has access to the latest updates or revisions. You can even do real-time markups on the field. All projects are listed on one page and you can set who’s in charge of it, additional assignees, and its due date.
By consolidating all project-related activities into one platform, you can make cost-conscious and efficient decisions, reducing the likelihood of delays and overspending.
3. Workforce Management
I was extra interested in Procore’s workforce management app and safe to say, I wasn’t disappointed… for the most part.
The way workforce management works with Procore is that you can capture, document, and track out-of-scope work through Daywork Sheets. Workers can create Time-and-Materials (T&M) tickets through the mobile app detailing labor, equipment, and materials data on the field. Teams in the office are then automatically notified so they can make or change orders. If you need verification you can simply send in a signature request right within the app.
Procore also lets you track project time in and out of the construction site. With Procore’s My Time tool, you can easily clock in and out of your work shift using your iOS or Android mobile device. The time tracking tool allows you to enter detailed information about your time entry, including the project, sub-job, cost code, location, lunch break, type of pay, billable status, and a description of the work performed.
There’s also an option to enable geofence reminders. When enabled, these reminders prompt users to clock in or out as they enter or leave a project site. This feature helps ensure that time entries are accurate and reduces the chances of forgetting to log work hours.
If I could add anything though, it would have to be a facial recognition feature. This could have really amped up security for worker attendance, helping you make sure the right people are showing up on site.
I also think Procore’s mobile app can use a lot of improvement. I was pretty surprised when I checked out Procore’s mobile app and saw the sheer number of recent negative feedback about its reliability. Crashes here, glitches there. For construction software, a reliable and robust mobile app is crucial. And I think Procore missed the mark in this area.
4. Data Analytics
Procore’s data analytics feature is designed to turn your project data into meaningful, actionable insights that guide your business decisions. Leveraging historical analysis and machine learning, Procore Analytics helps you extract trends from large datasets and identify patterns that can improve forecasting and project outcomes.
One of the standout aspects of Procore Analytics is its customizability. You can choose how to view your data by customizing reports from scratch or using industry-sourced templates. With over 100 out-of-the-box reports and powerful data visualization tools, you can create persona-based or portfolio-level reports that meet your specific needs.
Procore Analytics brings all your information together to give you a complete picture. It allows you to extract and combine data from Procore and ERP systems, enabling cross-tool and cross-project reporting. This consolidation of data from disparate systems helps provide a comprehensive view of your project’s performance.
Additionally, Procore Analytics integrates with Procore Construction Financials, connecting site-to-office financial workflows and providing real-time data analysis for more accurate job cost reports and forecasts. This integration ensures that all project stakeholders have access to one collaborative source of financial truth, enabling better, data-driven decisions that proactively protect profit margins.
Selected Positive User Feedback
- “Easy to set up employees for payroll entering” – Nancy (Source Software Advice)
- “I like how dynamic Procore is and how practical it is to manage projects. I really like how easy it is to change orders to an existing billing process.” – Claudia (Source Software Advice)
- “Procore is heavily customizable, and comes with modules that can be added and removed to use (and pay) for only the modules you wish to use.” – Luke (Source Software Advice)
- “Procore is a comprehensive project management application with all the tools needed to properly manage all aspects of your project including bid management, project management, commitments, invoicing, pucn lists and more.” – Marc T. (Source G2)
- “Procore allows complete control of the project from budget reporting to private messages to subcontractor. Tracking of everything to finish on time or explain what went wrong to improve the next one.” – Delmer C. (Source G2)
- “I can have closer communication with my work team to keep track and monitor the tasks carried out, better coordination in each process from start to finish, managing to have the tasks on time for delivery, I liked it because I manage many projects in one just software that helps me have order” – Dylan C. (Source GetApp)
- “I enjoy how procore provides a centralized platform for collaberation of project managers, subcontractors, and clients in various parts of a project. I also enjoy that it is easy to use and understand, and includes mobile accessibility.” – Turner W. (Source G2)
Selected Negative User Feedback
- “I was so disgusted with the whole thing. We spent six months trying to get Procore’s customer success team to get us functional but it was nothing but problems and delays. Multiple times per week we sent them messages with all the error messages we were getting and got a bunch of “We’ll get back to you” type responses. Truly the worst customer service experience I’ve ever had.” – Tim (Source Software Advice)
- “Price. It is expensive. For small companies like ours, it is a significant expense.” – Iryna (Source Software Advice)
- “Compared to more straightforward project management solutions, it may have a steeper learning curve and be more expensive for smaller projects.” – Marylet (Source Software Advice)
- “Terrible customer service, terrible management. Falsely advertises services their team can’t integrate only after you have already purchased the software.” – Jeremy (Source Software Advice)
- “App crashes and wipes info when too many pics are submitted. Takes about 4 seconds to register that I’ve clicked on a response. Might be good on the PC but it’s terrible on the smart phone.” – Travis Rebisz (Source Google Play Store)
- “Punch filters do not work properly. App for Android needs a lot of work.” – Chancey Drew (Source Google Play Store)
- “ The extensive features can initially feel overwhelming, especially for newcomers to the platform or those less familiar with construction management software. Additionally, while the mobile app is convenient, it can sometimes lack certain functionalities compared to the desktop version, which may limit productivity on the go.” – Verified User in Construction (Source G2)
- “a little difficult to initially learn how to use” – Giuseppe B. (Source GetApp)
What are Procore’s Review Ratings from Review Sites?
As of July 2024
- Capterra: 4.5/5
- G2: 4.6/5
- TrustRadius: 8.5/10
- Software Advice: 4.5/5
- GetApp: 4.5/5
- Google Play Store: 3.9/5
- App Store: 4.6/5
What’s My Final Verdict on Procore?
There’s a lot to like about Procore. The Preconstruction app is pretty powerful and has a wide range of features designed to streamline the planning process. You’re also sure to have all the data you need to make informed decisions for your project with Procore’s comprehensive reporting feature, giving you access to over 100 reports.
The workforce management feature is pretty good too. You get to track time and project progress from your mobile phone. And there’s even a geofencing feature to help ensure everyone’s working in the right work sites.
Let’s not sugarcoat it though, Procore’s pricing can be downright expensive. While the extensive features and capabilities justify the cost for larger firms, many users agree that smaller companies might find it a bit steep.
The app also doesn’t offer a facial recognition attendance feature which I think is a huge miss. Facial recognition could have been a great way to ensure secure access, accurate attendance tracking, and prevent time theft.
The issues with its mobile app can be a significant nuisance too. When you’re in construction, a reliable mobile app is absolutely crucial. So if you’re on an Android device I’d say weigh this in first before you decide on Procore.
But overall, after looking at everything that Procore has to offer, I think it’s safe to say that it definitely does make it easier to manage construction. Provided you know how to make proper use of its features, of course. Add in a few tweaks here and there and it could become an even more indispensable tool for construction teams everywhere.
