Accurate time tracking is crucial for construction companies and field service teams. It ensures proper payroll, improved job costing and compliance with regulations. With more options available, choosing the right time-tracking software can be tricky. In this article, we’ll compare two popular solutions — ExakTime and BuilderTrend — to help you determine the best fit.

Introduction to Time Tracking Software

Time tracking software allows teams to track employee hours worked on projects. It replaces manual processes like paper timesheets with automated clock in/out, GPS tracking and reporting.

Key benefits for construction businesses include accurate payroll so workers are paid properly for time on duty, verifying job site attendance using GPS to confirm worker location, streamlining certification and compliance with prevailing wage laws, improving job costing by tracking hours at the project/task level for better cost analysis and increasing oversight with manager tools to oversee multiple crews and sites.

The Importance of Time Tracking for Construction

Construction companies often have a highly mobile workforce across multiple sites. Keeping accurate tabs on hours worked, breaks taken and ensuring employees are present is challenging with paper-based records.

Some key pain points solved by automating time tracking are no more chasing down missing paper timesheets, confirming attendance without site visits, reducing payroll errors that lead to decreased morale, avoiding compliance issues and lawsuits through detailed data and closer tracking of per-project costs based on precise hour tracking.

A purpose-built time tracking system designed for field service/construction provides the oversight needed while saving administrative time.

ExakTime Review

ExakTime by Arcoro is a leading automated time-tracking solution purpose-built for construction and field service teams. Going beyond basic time clocks, ExakTime provides specialized tools to address industry-specific challenges.

Integration with over 100 payroll providers streamlines getting accurate paychecks to employees. Manager oversight abilities like custom notifications and digital timesheet signing provide enhanced administration and budget tracking.

ExakTime’s award-winning US-based customer support team offers individualized setup, training and ongoing support. With over a decade solely focused on construction time tracking, ExakTime serves thousands of businesses looking to improve compliance, gain visibility into field teams, streamline budget tracking and boost payroll accuracy.

The combination of tailored features and exceptional support make ExakTime a trusted choice for automated time tracking.

BuilderTrend Review

BuilderTrend is a popular construction management software that offers modules for project management, CRM, accounting and time tracking.

The time tracking features include online timesheets accessible from any device, GPS mobile clock in/out, reporting on overtime, billable hours and more, integration with accounting and payroll software and a dashboard for monitoring employee time.

While BuilderTrend has time-tracking capabilities, construction is just one of many industries it serves. ExakTime focuses solely on meeting the needs of construction and field service teams. Several

BuilderTrend reviews have highlighted the general-purpose nature of the platform.

Key Differences

Now let’s explore some important differences between ExakTime and BuilderTrend to help you understand which solution better fits your construction business needs.

Industry Focus

ExakTime’s features are built for construction industry requirements, with every tool designed to address real job site challenges. This includes certified payroll reporting that tracks prevailing wage rates, equipment tracking that logs usage hours and budget tracking that ties labor costs to specific projects and tasks. The system’s payroll integrations are configured to handle complex construction pay rules including union rates, shift differentials and multi-state compliance requirements.

BuilderTrend, while useful for construction management, takes a broader approach serving multiple industries, similar to solutions like Quickbooks Time and Homebase. Their feature set reflects this general-purpose design. Many BuilderTrend reviews from construction companies note that users often need to create workarounds for construction-specific needs like certified payroll or detailed equipment tracking. While some alternatives like Raken and Busybusy offer construction features, users frequently mention having to use additional software to handle construction-specific requirements that BuilderTrend doesn’t fully address.

Features

ExakTime prioritizes field operation tools that construction teams need daily. This includes manager override capabilities for quick timesheet adjustments when job conditions change, automated break deductions that ensure labor law compliance and required digital signatures that create audit trails for every timesheet. The system also includes construction-specific features like:

  • GPS verification of job site attendance with geofencing alerts.
  • Offline mode for areas with poor connectivity.
  • Equipment tracking tied to specific projects and cost codes.
  • Custom field reporting for safety checks and site conditions.

BuilderTrend offers a broader range of business management tools, including marketing features, lead tracking and proposal generation. However, their time tracking capabilities are more basic compared to dedicated systems like Clockshark and Connecteam. While BuilderTrend provides standard time entry and basic GPS tracking similar to Workpuls and Timely, it lacks the specialized features that field teams often require, such as offline mode for remote sites or detailed equipment tracking.

Regarding system access, ExakTime provides instant, role-based control over who can view and modify time data. While general solutions like Buddy Punch and Jibble offer basic permission settings, ExakTime’s supervisors can immediately access crew information, approve timesheets and manage exceptions from any device. Multiple BuilderTrend reviews highlight limitations in their access controls, noting delays in permission changes and restrictions on simultaneous user access that can slow down daily operations, an issue also reported with Hubstaff and GoCanvas.

Customer Support

ExakTime’s customer support team is based entirely in the US and specializes in construction industry needs. Every support representative understands construction workflows, compliance requirements and common job site challenges. They provide:

  • Personalized implementation planning.
  • Custom training programs for office staff and field crews.
  • Regular check-ins to ensure optimal system use.
  • Construction-specific best practices guidance.

BuilderTrend provides standard support options through online chat, email and phone channels. While their support team handles general software questions, multiple BuilderTrend reviews indicate that users sometimes struggle to get specialized help with construction-specific issues. Their support team serves all industries, which can limit their ability to provide detailed guidance on construction-specific workflows and requirements.

Choosing the Right Time Tracking Solution

Making the best decision on construction-focused time-tracking software requires a holistic approach to evaluating key aspects that address your needs. Rather than a simple feature checklist, consider the complete solution picture.

Examine how the platform integrates with your existing systems. Review if purpose-built industry capabilities solve your specific challenges. Determine if the solution is priced fairly based on the concrete business value it provides. Validate that knowledgeable support will be available to guide you pre- and post-launch.

Solutions like ExakTime shine when assessed across the full spectrum of integration, tailored functionality, usability, budget suitability and strength of customer support. The ideal choice delivers robust construction-focused tools, integrates tightly with your tech stack, gets adopted readily by staff and is backed by expertise — all at a fair cost. This comprehensive analysis ensures you select optimized time tracking for your workstreams.

Why ExakTime?

For construction and field service teams, Arcoro’s ExakTime stands out as a premier choice for automated time tracking. ExakTime goes beyond basic clock in/out with specialized tools like manager override of timesheets, integrated prevailing wage tracking, advanced geofencing and more.

These industry-specific capabilities tackle unique challenges faced by construction and field service businesses. Pair the tailored features with ExakTime’s award-winning US-based customer support, including individualized setup and training and ExakTime delivers significant value to its customers.

By combining robust functionality purpose-built for the needs of construction with exceptional customer service, ExakTime provides a complete time-tracking solution. Learn more and view a demo at ExakTime.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ExakTime offer GPS tracking?

Yes, ExakTime has GPS tracking features including clock in/out timestamps, GPS breadcrumbs to visualize paths taken and a map showing who is currently clocked in. This provides visibility into field teams.

Can You Track Prevailing Wage With ExakTime?

Absolutely. ExakTime has specialized prevailing wage tracking and certified payroll reporting built-in. This simplifies meeting legal requirements.

Can You Use ExakTime Without Internet Connectivity?

The mobile app can work offline and will sync all data when connectivity is restored. This is essential for unreliable job site connectivity.