Field Operations

Transform Your Roofing Business: The Power of Digital Work Orders

Posted on by lynne salie

Transform Your Roofing Business: The Power of Digital Work Orders

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In the hustle of daily operations, managing a roofing business can sometimes feel like navigating through a storm. Administrative tasks pile up like clouds, communication issues thunder in, and paperwork rains like a torrential downpour. But fear not, for amidst this chaos, a digital umbrella exists: digital work orders. These virtual saviors offer a clear view above the storm, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in roofing endeavors.

Unleashing the Efficiency of Digital Work Orders in Roofing

Digital work orders serve as virtual counterparts to traditional paper-based orders, changing roofing project management. They contain essential job details like descriptions, deadlines, and required materials, all accessible on electronic devices like phones, tablets, laptops, and computers.

Digital work orders elevate efficiency by automating manual tasks like data entry and material ordering. This reduces errors and frees time for core roofing activities. They also enable real-time updates and tracking, ensuring smooth project progress.

Streamlining Operations with Roofing Software: A Game Changer

Roofing software acts as a digital powerhouse, consolidating tasks like scheduling, tracking, and communication into one seamless platform. By automating manual processes, it enhances efficiency and reduces errors. Additionally, it provides valuable insights through analytics, enabling better decision-making.

Features like real-time project management, centralized databases, and integrated communication tools are instrumental in streamlining operations and improving overall efficiency. Real-time project management, for instance, allows project managers to monitor progress and allocate resources effectively, leading to smoother operations.

Optimized Workflows in Roofing: The Digital Advantage

Digital work orders eliminate paper-based inefficiencies, providing a better approach to task management and communication, leading to optimized workflows. They also facilitate better collaboration between field workers and office staff, resulting in faster decision-making with improved and quicker project outcomes.

Efficient workflows directly contribute to improved customer satisfaction, reduced errors, and increased productivity, ultimately giving roofing businesses a competitive edge. By improving processes and reducing manual interventions, roofing companies can deliver projects on time and within budget, leading to higher customer satisfaction rates and repeat business.

Pa(in)perwork

❌ Slow

❌ Frustrating

❌ Costly

Go Digital

Make the Switch

Roofing Business Management Software: A Must-Have Tool

Business management software is essential for modern roofing businesses. It offers centralized data management, streamlined processes, and scalability as operations grow. It allows companies to manage projects more effectively, track expenses, and generate reports for better decision-making.

Features like job scheduling, real-time updates, automated invoicing, and comprehensive analytics empower roofing businesses to operate more efficiently and provide superior customer service. Job scheduling, for instance, allows companies to optimize resources and minimize downtime, resulting in higher productivity and profitability.

Digital Forms for Roofing Contractors: The Future is Here

Digital forms revolutionize roofing operations by securely storing critical data, reducing errors, and promoting environmental sustainability. They also enable faster data collection and processing, improving decision-making and project outcomes.

Digital forms facilitate swift data transfer, enhance communication, and improve accuracy, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and productivity. By streamlining data collection processes, roofing companies can reduce administrative overhead and focus on delivering high-quality client services.

Switching to digital work orders streamlines processes, reduces paperwork, and improves efficiency, ultimately leading to satisfied clients and better business outcomes. Embrace the digital edge and propel your roofing business into the future.

Ready to make the leap? Research different digital work order platforms, consider your needs and budget and start your journey toward enhanced efficiency today. Say goodbye to paperwork and hello to a brighter, digitally-powered future for your roofing business.

Connect with a GoCanvas expert to start your journey.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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We’ve Made Work Hub Even Better: Do More in Less Time

Posted on by Danny Kanev

We’ve Made Work Hub Even Better: Do More in Less Time

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Have you gotten to know Work Hub yet? It’s the new, fastest way to gain FULL visibility and connect your field team to the office.

Find what you need in less time with powerful search & filter capabilities. 

  • 90% faster performance in returning search results
  • Improved query accuracy, thanks to a larger volume of content being searched
  • Flexibility to target results by specific date ranges, forms, and/or assignees

In this post, we’re going to break down all of the bells and whistles of Work Hub: what it is, how it will save you time, and how it will empower you to prepare for every possibility.

As you know, transformation is a constant in the business world. Change is how you best serve the needs of current customers, attract and delight new customers, and retain talented employees. 

But sometimes transformation is adaptive, as a result of disruptions in the environment. In fact, many thought leaders have suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic was a historic “change engine,” in their digital operations, setting new norms and preventing a return to the way things were. 

For whatever reason, your business has had to adapt and change over the past couple of years, and it’s certain that you’ll continue to adapt moving forward.

GoCanvas recognizes that thousands of our customers look to us to guide them on their digital transformation journey – and that’s why we’re especially thrilled to be launching Work Hub. 

What is Work Hub? 

Work Hub is GoCanvas’ new, modernized platform that gives you real-time visibility to manage all your fieldwork from one central location. 

Now you can easily track projects and jobs at every stage – upcoming, in progress, and completed. We’re confident Work Hub will enable you and your team to work smarter, thus saving you time and money.

The New GoCanvas Experience 

We’re always working to improve the GoCanvas experience. It’s important to note that Work Hub is an update, not a feature – in other words, there’s nothing to enable. It’s free because we want to help our future and current customers evolve and grow.  

Our mission is to help you save money, keep your team connected, and reduce risks with real-time business insights.

Thousands of organizations trust GoCanvas to capture better data and complete things like site inspections, audits, and compliance reports. Our simple-to-use software empowers companies to automate paperwork, update safety audit checklists, and make things more efficient with technology (no programming or software needed). Now, with the addition of Work Hub, you gain a modern, efficient way to get better visibility.

All your work in one central location

Jump into Work Hub to:

  • See a full picture of what your field team is working on by managing all your in-progress work.
  • Keep your operations on target with full control of all your upcoming fieldwork.
  • Visualize all your completed tasks across your organization to tackle your next project. 

Looking Ahead 

No doubt about it, transformation is a constant. That’s why GoCanvas will continue to evolve and serve our current and future customers. 

Our mission is to help you save money, keep your team connected, and reduce risks with real-time business insights. The changes we’ve made to Work Hub were made with your needs in mind.

GoCanvas will transform how you do business. Take a minute to explore how Work Hub can offer you real-time visibility of all your fieldwork from one central location. 

New around here? Sign up for a free 10-day trial.

Already a customer? Log in to your account.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Join our Partner Program and gain instant access to our global network of thought leaders and industry experts enjoying shared collaboration and collective success.

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Integrate with over 1,000 software applications. Enhance your GoCanvas experience by syncing real-time data to one or all of your business tools.

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Your Guide to Punch Lists [+ Templates]

man using tablet at construction site
Posted on by Danny Kanev

Your Guide to Punch Lists [+ Templates]

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Construction projects require many detailed processes to close out work to a client’s satisfaction. Even with all the best intentions and preparation, things can be overlooked and oversight can happen during different phases of construction. Final repairs or improvements often need to be made to sign off on the final project by all stakeholders. Punch lists are designed to spot any mistakes or incomplete work left on the project and identify the final measures needed to close out the work. This article will discuss the meaning of a punch list and how digital forms can help simplify the process for everyone involved.

What Is a Punch List?

A punch list is a list of outstanding or incomplete work. They are used by property owners and managers, as well as contractors and subcontractors, to ensure all remaining items have been taken care of before a project is considered complete.

For example, if you have just had your home painted, the contractor might specifically note on a punch list that some windows are not properly caulked and need to be re-done. The contractor will not sign off as being finished until those items have been addressed and corrected.

Punch lists don’t have to be limited to construction sites. They can also serve as a helpful checklist during property inspections or move-in/move-outs.

What Is The Purpose of a Punch List?

The primary purpose of a punch list is to identify any tasks that were not completed on-site or on time (for example, installing insulation). However, it may be more about identifying “material” oversights. That is any missed steps that will likely not be completed at all or can be corrected later in the job.

The list also prevents these oversights from being repeated in future jobs. For example, the construction company could update their materials list to include the measurements of bricks they should use for insulation installation. Or maybe cut out other tasks that are likely to fail or cause problems.

Typically, a contractor or subcontractor will also use a punch list as the last step in completing a job. Final walk-throughs, meetings with clients, etc., might also be held before the punch list is finalized.

Who Fills Out a Punch List?

On average, four or more people will likely contribute to the punch list. They include the following:

  • Contractor: The contractor or subcontractor is typically responsible for the punch list.
  • Architect: The architect will inspect the site and create a list of changes to be made, in addition to noting any problems with the actual construction.
  • Site manager: The site manager has been on-site throughout the project and knows what work is incomplete and what needs to be addressed.
  • Homeowner/Client: The homeowner or client will contribute any changes to their original request or ideas about what still needs to be done.

It is essential for these people to be involved in creating a comprehensive punch list because everyone who has spent time working on the project should be aware of what still needs to get done. They know what has gone right, and more importantly, they know what has gone wrong.

Combining everyone’s experiences increases the chances that everything will get completed or at least identified for later (or corrected if possible). This is especially important when different companies are involved in the same construction project or if the person responsible for completing a punch list is not on-site.

How Do You Write a Punch List?

The specific format of a punch list can vary, but it will generally contain some or all of the following items.

  • An overall description of the project that includes the name or purpose of the project, date range, and the start/finish dates
  • A section indicating the room (e.g., balcony, living room, entry way)
  • A section with itemized tasks to be completed on-site. Each item on a punch list will be identified by a number. The list should be detailed enough to easily be understood by someone who did not manage the project (for example, a new client).
  • Space for comments about the problems and what still needs to be done.

The list is then given to the client or project manager for review and approval.

A Punch List Example

A punch list could contain dozens or hundreds of individual items. However, here is one example of what a punch list could look like:

Item 1 – Painting on the north wall needs to be refreshed due to cracking.

Item 2 – The west stairwell needs to be re-caulked

Item 3 – The HVAC units need to be re-insulated

Item 4 – The garage door needs its inspection sticker

Item 5– Drywall cracks around outlet in the kitchen

Item 6 – Hole in exterior wall needs to be filled and painted

Item 7 – Ceiling paint is missing in one bedroom

Why Is It Called A Punch List?

Originally, punch lists were small paper forms that were punched with a series of holes. Each hole was used to indicate the status of an individual item.

For example, if the punch list indicated that an item had been completed, the worker would place a metal stamp over one hole in the form. If they skipped an item, the punch list would have two holes. When used correctly, it was easy to see at a glance if an item had been addressed or missed.

The name became famous because of this method of “punching” holes in paper forms. While paper forms are sometimes used today, more companies are switching over to digital forms to simplify the process and bring this important report online to the cloud.

Why You Should Go Digital With GoCanvas Punch List Templates

There are several ways in which using digital punch lists can be beneficial for your business.

  • Instant reports available online. There’s no need to print and distribute physical copies of the list. It can be completed, signed-off, and sent electronically rather than having everyone on-site re-write it out or wait for a paper form to come back around.
  • Include photos for more detailed reports. You can also use mobile forms to quickly enter any missing items, attach photos to explain the problem, and even provide notes about what needs attention or how it should be addressed.
  • Collect signatures and collaborate. After you’ve made sure everything has been noted on the punch list, you can send it back to them for approval or forward it to your client’s project manager.

Get Started for Free with GoCanvas Punch List Templates

GoCanvas can be used to create digital punch lists for your business. Our pre-built templates are built with industry best practices in mind and make it easier than ever to get everyone on the same page quickly without wasting paper or time. 

Modernize your operations with punch list templates, along with the other important construction management software like work orders, inspections, safety forms, and more. Visit our website to learn more about GoCanvas for the construction industry or sign up for a free trial account today.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Creating a Competitive Advantage with Software Built for the Field

Posted on by Danny Kanev

Creating a Competitive Advantage with Software Built for the Field

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Providing the best possible customer experience is a top priority for companies in the service industry. Embracing digital technology like apps and software is one way to create a competitive advantage and modernize your field operations.

The field service industry encompasses many different types of companies, from residential service providers, utility businesses, transportation and logistics companies, and much more. 

All of these companies rely on a segment of their workforce that operates in the field. Because employees are dispersed across different locations, it creates unique business and operational challenges to manage.

The category of field service management software has grown in popularity for companies that need to improve workflows and share information between the field and office. In this article, we will cover how field service software works and how it can help enable data-driven decision-making. Don’t miss out on our upcoming virtual discussion in January, where we will cover this topic in more detail and share real-world examples of how data analytics can impact your business operations.

Building a Business Case for Field Service Management Software

Building a business case to invest in software always means changing from the status quo. Historically, companies have relied on paper-based forms, Excel spreadsheets, and other types of manual processes to capture information from the field. 

Because of how time-consuming these processes can be for everyone involved, it’s easy for operational leaders to recognize the need for investment in technology and make the business case for software solutions. For field service companies, building a business case is typically tied to these two operational challenges: 

Difficult to scale and grow with manual processes

Most companies realize they need field service management software when they reach a level of business growth where it becomes too difficult or costly to scale efficiently. For example, a field services company is poised for growth but is, unfortunately, running into several common challenges like:

  • Time-consuming paperwork or manual processes done in spreadsheets and email
  • Inefficient scheduling and challenges assigning work
  • Slow billing cycles
  • Difficulty collaborating between field and office

All of these issues can become a drain on productivity and can even impact the customer experience negatively. When the paperwork and manual processes become too difficult to manage, companies look to software to help automate how work gets done.

Limited visibility into business operations

Another challenge for companies becomes the lack of visibility into their business operations. When data is difficult to access, it can become a labor-intensive process to roll information up for reporting. 

Missing or incomplete data is common in these scenarios when data is not collected in a standardized fashion, resulting in data quality concerns. Getting to useful reporting may take days or even weeks to pull together, making it difficult to inform decisions on time. 

Field service management software solves these challenges by ensuring best practices are followed for data capture and then providing the tools needed for data integration and business analytics. Continue reading to learn how GoCanvas works both in the field and in the office.

How GoCanvas Works for Field Service Management

Companies are moving to field service management software to set their business up for success. Here is a brief explanation of how software tools like GoCanvas help the field service industry:

Quality data capture in the field

GoCanvas allows field service companies to design mobile forms that can be completed from a tablet or phone by technicians on job sites. Since no internet connection is required, employees can easily open the GoCanvas app and see the tasks they have been assigned and the forms they need to complete. Other key features include:

  • Image capture to document photos and include them in reports
  • Signature capture to digitally sign off on work and collect customer approvals
  • Automatic calculations to ensure math is performed correctly for billing
  • GPS locations to confirm the exact locations of technicians and job sites
  • Barcode scanning to look up inventory or equipment
  • Mobile payments to seamlessly integrate payment functionality 
  • Data integrations to pre-populate information from other databases, like a CRM system 

GoCanvas helps with data capture by making sure quality data is captured and stored securely as digital records to the cloud. This saves time in the field and enables teams in the office to have real-time visibility.

Workflow tools for the office

Data collection is one component of using field service software. The other component is providing tools to help streamline processes for employees in the office with features designed to improve workflows and data sharing. 

With GoCanvas, managers in the office can easily build custom forms, assign work to be completed by employees, and report on information using analytics. Here are some of the key features:

  • No-code app builder to easily create and edit mobile forms with a drag-and-drop builder
  • Branded reports that are generated automatically and can be emailed as PDF documents 
  • Dispatch features to assign work and tasks to employees in the field
  • Workflow tools when approvals are required or multiple people need to collaborate on the same form submission
  • Data integrations to connect information from GoCanvas with the many other cloud-based systems your business already uses
  • Analytics to build custom dashboards and reports within GoCanvas 

GoCanvas provides the workflow tools needed to simplify how work is accomplished in the field. By connecting the field and the office using software, information is easily accessible for reporting purposes. 

GoCanvas helps organizations operationalize their data. Instead of siloed data in spreadsheets or paper forms, information is available to be summarized into trends that inform decisions. Continue reading for an example of how one GoCanvas customer leverages the software in action to save their business time and money.

Software in Action – How TE3CO Saves Time and Money

TE3CO provides mission-critical pressure relief technology and services to customers across the oil & gas industry. They employ a highly-trained and capable workforce of field technicians and engineers.

Before working with GoCanvas, TE3CO relied on spreadsheets and emails to manage their ticketing process but found the system difficult and time-consuming to track. They partnered with GoCanvas to ultimately help them:

  • Minimize rework & ensure accuracy by automating data entry
  • Streamline data collection through one database
  • Identify bottlenecks & improve process efficiency with data analytics 
  • Spend less time on reactive admin tasks, allowing more time to focus on proactive growth strategy 

Now that TE3CO has implemented GoCanvas to help with field operations and management, they’re able to save time and money by eliminating manual processes and having data that’s accessible for decision-making. 

John Kovac, Technology Integration Manager at TE3CO, explained that “there’s so much that you can do when you have the proper information to know that you’re running your company properly and that you’re charging properly and taking care of your customers properly.” Leveraging software built for the field, TE3CO has found they’re able to:

  • Free up 20-30 man-hours/month
  • Save ~$60,000/year in resource efficiency
  • Identify leading indicators in 10 minutes vs. three days
  • Track tickets in real-time
  • Reduce billing time

Software for the field service industry has the potential to make a significant impact on overall efficiency and productivity. Ensuring data is consistent, standard, and accessible can enable organizations to make more informed decisions. 

To learn more about field service software and to hear from TE3CO, make sure to register for the upcoming discussion on January 13th at 1 pm ET. We will dive deeper into the topics covered in this article, and there will be time for you to ask questions during the live Q&A. Follow this link for more information and a link to register.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Join our Partner Program and gain instant access to our global network of thought leaders and industry experts enjoying shared collaboration and collective success.

Learn more
Forte Supply Chain Solutions Partner Video

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Watch VIDEO
Closeup of a handshake.

GoCanvas Integrations: Streamline your Workflow

Integrate with over 1,000 software applications. Enhance your GoCanvas experience by syncing real-time data to one or all of your business tools.

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Connect with an Expert Today.

We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

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A Guide to Stop Work Orders for Contractors

Posted on by Danny Kanev

A Guide to Stop Work Orders for Contractors

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Dealing with paper-thin margins and tight schedules is not the only nightmare for a contractor on a project. A minor violation of the building code can force a stop work order, leading to extended timelines, expensive penalties, and more customer frustrations. This article covers what you should know about stop work orders and we share how easy-to-use construction jobsite management software can better manage contracts and work orders.

What Is a Stop Work Order in Construction?

A stop work order (SWO) is a legally binding instruction given to a contractor, asking them to suspend all work on a project. The order may be given by word of mouth, but it’s only enforceable when confirmed in writing. Stop work orders may apply in any project with a written contract, but they’re more common in the construction industry. When issued, the contractor should cease all project-related activities immediately.

What Are Common Reasons for a Stop Work Order?

When a project fails to comply with the building code, the authorities can issue a stop work order. The orders also help to solve payment disputes, and they can help reduce the extent of damage in breach of contract. Here are more reasons why you would get served with one:

  • Failure to comply with workers’ compensation regulations
  • Using unlicensed contractors
  • Violating environmental protection laws or use of hazardous materials at the construction site
  • Failure to follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act
  • Any other activity considered illegal according to the regulations

Who Can Issue a Stop Work Order?

The authorities and anyone who’s part of the contract can request a stoppage. Government agencies will recommend a work stoppage for noncompliance with the regulations. Sometimes a project may move according to plan, but the requirements change midway, forcing modifications that might need government approval. A stop work order can also help when a client or contractor disputes when one party changes the agreed terms and substantially alters the final product. Workers can also ask for suspension of operations to resolve a payment dispute. 

What’s Included in a Stop Work Order?

A stop work order will describe everything that needs to be suspended and provide clear instructions on fixing it. Here is what you can expect to find in the document:

  • Details of the activities suspended. It could be a section of the works or the entire project.
  • Clear instructions on the corrections needed. For example, the authorities can order a contractor to obtain a permit for renovation work before continuing with the project.
    • Resolution: The SWO should provide the steps for work resumption should the contractor make corrections that meet the requirements.
    • Termination: If it seems like no amount of rectifying will resolve the problem, like when the project owner and contractor have irreconcilable differences, the stop order should outline the steps for termination.
  •  The SWO should also explain the penalties for non-compliance. They could include consequences like prosecution, civil fines, termination of the contract, and others.

What Types of Stop Work Orders Exist?

Not all stop work orders require you to abandon the construction site completely. The authorities might issue a full or partial stoppage depending on the potential impact of the issue at hand. 

  • In partial SWO, you will halt some activities and continue with the rest of the work. For example, a partial PWA can be issued to make you address the safety issues of a section of your construction as you continue working on other sites.
  • A full SWO stops the entire operation. It’s usually used when it’s found that you need to address serious issues affecting your entire project, like a change in technical specifications or non-compliance with regulations.

What Should You Do When You Receive One?

A stop work order may cause unnecessary delays and possible prison time for legal noncompliance. You also don’t want to spend your time fighting legal battles for money that could have been more useful in your project. 

Here’s what you need to do when you get an order to halt operations:

  1. Stop working immediately, or you could face serious penalties from the authorities.
  2. Contact the issuing authority to seek further clarification if you need to.
  3. Review the issues raised to confirm any violations. Contact your lawyer if you feel the order was raised unfairly.
  4. Determine the cost and extent of the work needed to make corrections. You can decide whether termination makes more sense than continuing the project.
  5. Create a work plan and fix the issues.
  6. Start the process of having the order by requesting an inspection of the work done. Sometimes the SWOs are lifted by the expiration of time.
  7. Pay the fines if you have to and resume your project.

What Are the Penalties for Not Following a Stop Work Order?

You should brace yourself for heavy fines and penalties from the authorities if you decide to ignore a stop work order for noncompliance. Across many states in the US, civil penalties start to accumulate from the first day you violate the SWO, building up to a hefty sum that you might struggle to pay. Noncompliance may also bring criminal charges, not forgetting the time spent sitting in courts or dispute resolution sessions.

What is an Example of a Stop Work Order?

A stop work order will be very specific to the violations in your project.  State departments and city authorities can issue stop orders for many reasons. For example:

Failure to Comply With City Zoning Regulations

  • Unsafe activities at a job site, for example, a tunneling project with extremely loose soil above ground
  • Extreme modifications going against what was previously approved for a project

A project owner who wishes to have similar powers to halt operations should ensure that they include a stop work order clause in the contract.

How Do You Resume Work?

Stop work orders are costly to the project, and contractors should prioritize resuming normal operations as fast as possible. Work may start again when the order is canceled, expires, or the authorities send a written notice to continue working. 

Here’s what you need to do if you want to lift the order quickly:

  • Handle the corrections immediately. The best solution is to clean up your mess as soon as possible to avoid penalties and further delays.
  • Request for re-inspection from the issuing authority. It’s going to be thorough, so ensure that you’ve done a pretty neat job this time.
  • Pay the applicable fines.

Preventing Stop Work Orders From Disrupting Your Construction

Running a construction project is a tough job, and it would be regrettable if a stoppage should get in the way of meeting your schedules. It is always a good idea to comply with all the building codes and environmental regulations in your area. Try to maintain good relations with all of the stakeholders in your project. 

Ensure that you document everything, and it might help in your defense should you run into legal troubles. However, all this is easier said than done, and you may benefit from having construction management software to keep up with all the requirements.

What is Construction Management Software?

Construction management software is designed to integrate with different aspects of construction work like contract management, threat analysis, stock management, cost management, client management, task management, and much more. 

Construction management software can help contractors at different levels to keep tabs on every part of the project, helping them with compliance, avoiding contract disputes, and curbing illegal or substandard work.

Benefits Managing Construction Contracts and Work Orders With Software

As a contractor or project manager, you will have a much easier time navigating SWO-related issues when you have software to help manage work orders, contracts, inspections, and similar workflows between the field and office. 

For example, you will have all your contracts in one place where they’re easily accessible, and you can track and avoid changes that might cause a stop work order. Here are some of the benefits of using software for construction:

  • Planning. It’s much easier to staff your project and equip them with the right tools when you have effective planning software. Having the right people doing the work with equipment that serves them sufficiently lowers the chances of doing substandard work and accidental injuries caused by insufficient tools. 
  • Communication. Effective stakeholder engagement is one of the most critical roles for any project manager. However, poor communication is one of the biggest hindrances, and it causes many contractual disputes. The major challenge is how to process the tons of information coming in from different sections and share it effectively with the owners, the workers, and the authorities. The software provides timely alerts and useful communication tools like reports and analytics that you share with the stakeholders as needed. 
  • Documentation. Imagine being unable to trace your safety reports or having a hard time accessing your building permits. Document management can be one of the hardest things to do, and software keeps everything in one place so you can focus on your deadlines instead of paperwork.
  • Safety. Incorporating software into your construction project brings more awareness to safety-related issues. They can help you identify possible risks and plan for safety guidelines to minimize worksite injuries and stop work orders.
  • Monitoring. Construction management software gives you more eyes over the project, making it easy to keep everyone accountable for their work and monitor your operations from anywhere. Greater visibility into your field operations can allow you to spot issues, trends, and other information that can be difficult to report on without the help of digital technology.

Software To Manage Contracts & Work Orders

GoCanvas provides an easy-to-use platform for managing your contracts, work orders, inspections, safety programs, quality control, and much more. Contact our team to schedule your demo.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

Three inspection workers on job site.

The Ultimate Guide to Quality Control Inspections

Managing a construction project is a complex and stressful process. Among other things, you have to coordinate project team members, materials, and equipment and ensure that contractors are not afflicted by the potential risks and hazards present at the construction site. That said, quality means different things to different people which is why you should…

Read the blog
A man using GoCanvas for the digital transformation of his workflow.

Constructions Digital Transformation

Your competition is finding faster ways to capture data and get critical insights from the field into their existing systems. In short, they’re not going bigger, they’re getting smarter. In this 15-minute broadcast on the construction industry’s digital transformation, find out why the trend is to modernize workflows – and how you can stay ahead of the curve…

see for yourself
A electrician inspecting equipment.

See how VIP Lighting optimized efficiency with GoCanvas

VIP Lighting is a retail lighting and electrical maintenance business that services over 10,000 retail locations all over Australia and New Zealand. Before GoCanvas, VIP Lighting had two separate systems that were impossible to integrate, leading to inefficiencies. GoCanvas made it easy to integrate their systems into single, centralized platform…

read their story

Connect with an Expert Today.

We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

Let’s Build A Plan Together

How Inspection Software Saves Your Business Time and Money

Posted on by Danny Kanev

How Inspection Software Saves Your Business Time and Money

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Looking to implement inspection software to increase your workforce productivity? There’s never been a better time to embrace technology for the construction job site and office.

As we have seen to date in 2021, there is no shortage of obstacles and challenges facing construction firms. Some of the top challenges include:

  • Labor. 81% of construction firms are having a hard time filling some or all positions (AGC)
  • Productivity. 1% productivity growth annually for the past two decades in construction (McKinsey)
  • Safety. 20% of deaths each year occur in construction even though it makes up only 5% of the workforce (OSHA)
  • Supply Chain. Issues in the supply chain are increasing material costs and resulting in longer lead times (Construction Dive) 
  • Regulations. 10.9% increase in regulatory costs over the past five years (Construction Dive)

With all of these challenges to manage, technology can make an impact on the organization by saving you time and money through productivity and efficiency gains. This article provides real-world examples to help explain how construction businesses can use technology to help reduce costs and create a competitive advantage. 

How Inspection Software Saves You Time and Money

Need to make the business case for inspection software? Here are the top reasons why construction companies go digital with inspections versus managing them with paper forms.

#1. Streamline Your Operations and Improve Workflow

Managing inspections on paper forms requires a great deal of manual effort and redundant work. Paper sheets used in the field must be returned to the office and then require manual data entry to copy the information into a computer. Inspection software eliminates the back and forth, by allowing field employees to leverage their mobile devices to collect and share information back to the office.

Inspection software also gives the office tools to dispatch and assign jobs, or hand off inspections to multiple employees at a time. All of this leads to greater productivity for workers when they are able to share information in real-time and automate manual processes.

Example:

True Homes, a building construction company, found that their business growth was causing paper forms to pile up. With inspection processes at each construction site, the amount of paper forms was slowing down their business and creating manual workflows for employees to deal with on a daily basis.

After implementing inspection software for building inspections, they were able to save 450 hours per month for their office staff and they were able to increase communication with clients by having information available in real-time from their inspections.

Overall they found that by eliminating manual processes and workflows, they were able to see an increase in customer satisfaction, employee productivity, and better processes for their data collection and reporting. 

Follow this link to read the full story from True Homes and to learn more about building inspection software designed for the construction industry.

#2. Standardize Data Collection

Paper forms can lead to some data collection challenges. For example, you may have someone skip over a question or you may have illegible handwriting that makes it difficult to interpret. Both of these require rework and going back to find the required information.

Inspection software is built with features that enable best practices for data collection. You can make certain fields required and ensure that the data submitted is in the proper format to keep your information consistent for reporting.

You can also leverage dynamic forms that reduce the number of fields based on certain criteria. For example, if you select “Condo” as the type of building in a home inspection, you will only see the relevant boxes and can cut out any of the fields that aren’t relevant for that type of inspection.

Companies have found that standardized data and digital processes enable them to move faster with inspections and avoid rework or manual workarounds to fix messy data.

Example:

Lincs, an Electrical Contractor in the UK, found it hard to scale their business with the growing amount of paperwork. They decided to implement software for inspections, saving their field staff 15 hours per technician on a weekly basis by eliminating manual processes.

Once they deployed software for safety inspections, they were able to collect, share, review, and submit reports all in real-time.

With their new digital inspection software, “Required Fields” helped to ensure that field technicians always complete their reports with the necessary information. 

Reports are now completed much faster than on paper, and they have standard practices to ensure that reports are generated quickly and accurately. Investing in better data practices with digital technology for inspections has helped their contracting business to realize significant cost savings and increase in overall productivity.

Follow this link to read the full case study from Lincs and to learn how construction management software can help digitize inspections.

#3 Effortless Reporting and Analysis

Paper forms make it difficult to have immediate visibility into the data being collected and require additional work to turn the information into reports. With inspection software, reports are generated automatically and sent via email to the appropriate parties. Sign off on documents digitally and have them stored in a central cloud location to reference any time you need the information.

This level of real-time information sharing is a key reason why companies invest in software for inspections. Instead of relying on paper forms that can be lost or damaged over time, inspection software brings a modern and digital experience for your business. Go one step further and use the information collected using inspection software for advanced analytics to spot trends and gain greater visibility into your field or job site operations.

Example:

US Inspect, a leader in residential inspections in the US, found that their paper-intensive processes hindered their efficiency. They implemented software for home inspections with the goal of saving their technicians time in the field and to create a competitive advantage for the business.

They found that inspection software helped their teams in the field save time and produce better reports. Forms that used to take them thirty minutes now only take them five minutes, with required fields helping to ensure data accuracy.

They also found that the home inspection software helped them streamline their reporting and allow them greater insight into their data. With better data visibility they are now able to more accurately understand how the business is doing and where there are opportunities to improve. 

Follow this link to read the full case study from US Inspect and how software can be used for residential and home inspections.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

Three inspection workers on job site.

The Ultimate Guide to Quality Control Inspections

Managing a construction project is a complex and stressful process. Among other things, you have to coordinate project team members, materials, and equipment and ensure that contractors are not afflicted by the potential risks and hazards present at the construction site. That said, quality means different things to different people which is why you should…

Read the blog
A man using GoCanvas for the digital transformation of his workflow.

Constructions Digital Transformation

Your competition is finding faster ways to capture data and get critical insights from the field into their existing systems. In short, they’re not going bigger, they’re getting smarter. In this 15-minute broadcast on the construction industry’s digital transformation, find out why the trend is to modernize workflows – and how you can stay ahead of the curve…

see for yourself
A electrician inspecting equipment.

See how VIP Lighting optimized efficiency with GoCanvas

VIP Lighting is a retail lighting and electrical maintenance business that services over 10,000 retail locations all over Australia and New Zealand. Before GoCanvas, VIP Lighting had two separate systems that were impossible to integrate, leading to inefficiencies. GoCanvas made it easy to integrate their systems into single, centralized platform…

read their story

Connect with an Expert Today.

We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

Let’s Build A Plan Together

6 Things to Look for in a Time Card App

Posted on by Danny Kanev

6 Things to Look for in a Time Card App

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Time card apps are growing in popularity to replace the traditional form of punching in and punching out. A digital time card allows employees to record their hours worked by using a mobile app on a phone, tablet, or computer.

Time card apps are helpful for a company’s payroll systems. By recording hours worked through the mobile app, it can sync to your accounting software to initiate payment for your employees. This process runs much more efficiently than paper time cards. Instead of logging hours on a paper form, spreadsheet, or Google Sheet, you can use simple time card apps to collect hours worked and have it synced in real-time for faster payments and less work for your operations staff. 

6 Things to Look for in a Time Card App

As a leading provider of mobile forms and apps, GoCanvas has helped thousands of companies to digitize their processes and work more efficiently using time card apps and more. If you’re thinking about going with digital time card apps, this article covers some of the top things to look for when selecting a platform for mobile apps and forms.

#1. Simplicity

Time cards should be simple for employees to fill out. The time card template should be easy to complete and time cards can be edited or modified, if needed. Some time card systems will allow you to pre-fill information based on data that is already known. For example, if you are a contractor and billing to a certain client, you may have a unique client ID that is referenced when completing the time card app with data from your CRM or other database. This saves time during the time card process and the goal is to make the process fast for your employees in the field or on a job site. 

#2. Mobility 

It goes without saying that your time card apps need to be accessible via mobile device and tablets, even when your employees do not have access to the internet. Time card apps can be completed offline and then synced back to the cloud when WiFi is available again. Mobile time card apps make it simple for anyone to complete their timesheet, and your business does not have to provide the hardware in most cases. Most employees can use their own mobile devices to complete simple time cards, making it easy for them to complete and easy for your business to process. 

Another native feature with a mobile device is GPS tracking. Time card apps can be enabled with the GPS tracking feature to confirm that work has taken place at a specific location. This can help ensure that your team is clocking in and out from the job location and you can have an accurate record of where work has been performed. This can be a hidden feature collected automatically from the mobile device or it can be part of the form submission fields in the digital timecard.

#3. Customization

Customization is another important aspect of time card apps. For example, your business may need to bring in specific fields in addition to the standard fields on a timesheet. It’s important that your time card app is highly customizable to account for these unique business needs that you will have. You may have different categories of workers that require different timesheet templates, or you may require timesheets to be filled out on different cadences (daily, weekly) depending on the type of project. Having a high level of customization gives you the flexibility to design your time sheet app templates to your exact requirements.

#4. Workflow

Beyond making it easy for employees to fill out their timesheets, apps also help your managers and operations staff with better workflows. Time cards can be automatically assigned to employees, saving your staff from having to manually remind employees to fill out their time cards or track down information. 

Time card apps can also be assigned to multiple people, so if you have a project with multiple contributors, you can have the timesheet roll up with hours worked from the entire team. Once the timesheets are completed, easily collect digital signatures within the app to get managers’ approval. Going digital removes much of the back and forth that is required when dealing with paper forms or spreadsheets. Simplifying workflows can reduce wasted efforts and free up your staff to focus on other work.

#5. Automatic Calculations

If you are dealing with paper sheets, Google sheets, or spreadsheets, there’s always the possibility of an unforeseen calculation error. It’s common for these types of mistakes to occur, but they can create additional rework to spot and resolve the calculation error.

Mobile time card apps have built-in calculations, to help your business eliminate manual errors that can occur during paper time card processes. This improves data accuracy and brings efficiency to your business by eliminating the time-consuming process of manually tallying the hours worked by each employee. 

#6. Integrations and Analytics

Another important consideration when selecting a time card app is your business needs for its data processes. You will want to decide if an integration between your time card apps and your payroll system like Quickbooks or Sage is necessary for your business. Most time card apps can integrate directly with these systems and other databases, to streamline your processes and sync data between systems in real-time. Instead of manual data re-entry, you can have your information flow from your time card directly into your accounting system for a seamless billing process. This level of automation can help your business operate more efficiently, saving you time and money. 

On the topic of data, another important feature for your business is analytics. Having the ability to run analytics reports on your time sheet data and form submissions will allow you greater visibility into projects and work that is being done. This can help to spot potential issues or inefficiencies across the business, giving you the opportunity to become more data-driven with decisions. 

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

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3 Key Integrations for Construction Time Card Apps

Posted on by Danny Kanev

3 Key Integrations for Construction Time Card Apps

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Time cards are widely used in the construction industry to keep an accurate record of hours worked, for project management and payroll purposes. 

The basic function of a time card is to collect employee data. While many businesses have traditionally relied on paper forms or spreadsheets as a way to track hours worked, more companies are now starting to embrace technology solutions for construction project management and reporting.

Paper forms and spreadsheets are now being replaced with mobile forms — allowing workers to complete their time cards simply by using their mobile phones on the job site.

As a standalone application, a construction time card app is fairly basic in its functionality. It will track standard fields like hours worked, type of hours (regular time, over time, or double time), and things like a signature for approval. It goes without saying that the exact fields on a mobile time card app can be customized based on business needs, and no-code solutions make it easy to design the app to your exact requirements.

Although time cards are relatively simple applications, they can become a powerful asset when digitized through mobile apps and integrated into other core business processes.

3 Ways to Elevate Your Business Operations with Technology

This article covers how time card apps can be integrated into the larger business technology and data ecosystem. The ideal state is to make it easy for employees to fill out and automate manual processes for operational staff in the office. Here are three ways to leverage time card apps into your business operations:

#1 Leveraging Reference Data to Save Employees Time

Depending on the nature of the work being performed, employees may need to input data on their timesheets that are specific to the project, customer, or type of work. While this can certainly be done manually each time, it winds up costing employees additional time to fill out all of the form fields by hand or referencing other sources of information.

GoCanvas time sheet apps are built with a feature called Reference Data, which allows you to integrate apps with other databases that you own. Instead of looking up the data on your own, GoCanvas will automatically fill out form fields using data that exists in another database. Pull in specific project codes, customer information, accounting fields, and anything else that you need to include on that time card sheet.

Anywhere your company stores data can be pulled into GoCanvas automatically, allowing employees in the field to leverage pre-filled form fields or drop-down lists to capture information faster. 

Not only does the reference data feature help employees spend less time filling out forms, but it also enables your company to standardize how data is submitted. Required fields and drop-down lists can ensure that no mistakes are made or critical information is missing. All of this allows your employees to spend less time on busy work and gives you better, more accurate data in real-time.

#2 Streamline Operations for Accounting

We covered how you can bring data into GoCanvas to simplify form fills, but you can also connect this data from the field to then sync with other applications your business uses in the office. 

For construction time card apps, the most common example of this would be an integration with your accounting system like QuickBooks or Xero. Not only can data be brought into GoCanvas, but submissions from GoCanvas apps can be automatically synced into those core accounting systems that your business uses.  

Paper forms and spreadsheets create additional manual work for teams. A manual workflow usually requires:

  • Data entry in the field 
  • Ensuring there are no mistakes
  • Communicating back and forth between teams via email
  • Manually entering or uploading information back into the accounting system

All of this creates additional steps in the workflow that are not necessary. With GoCanvas apps, all of this manual work is eliminated and once a timesheet is submitted, it’s automatically recorded in the accounting system. This can help to process payroll and any other accounting tasks faster when data is available instantly from job sites. 

This type of automation and data integration is essential for growing businesses. Paper forms and manual work can not scale efficiently. Anywhere you can leverage technology like GoCanvas to automate workflows will save you time and money that impacts overall profitability.

#3 Integrated Data for Reporting Purposes

Another key benefit for organizations that digitize their time cards is the ability to integrate that data for reporting purposes. 

With construction time cards, you can have them sync with your construction daily reports, giving project managers and stakeholders a real-time view of work performed. GoCanvas helps construction site managers instantly share their daily reports via email as a designed PDF document with images and relevant updates. 

Digitizing time cards and daily reports can have a significant impact on productivity and cost savings. For example, one general contracting company was able to realize a $120,000 cost savings on an annual basis by switching to GoCanvas for mobile daily reports.

Beyond reports, mobile form data can also be used for data analytics performance. This could be in the form of a dashboard that is monitored by owners or project managers to understand how things are tracking toward the plan. For construction projects, these types of analytics insights can help to avoid cost overruns or delays, and having the insights in real-time can allow you to communicate the issues quickly and take any proactive measures.

A study from FMI found that 96% of construction data goes unused. Your data that is collected in the field can be a powerful asset when rolled up for analytics. Mobile data platforms like GoCanvas allow you to collect data through forms, and create custom dashboards right in GoCanvas for analytics purposes. GoCanvas also allows you to take the submission data and integrate it with other BI applications your business uses, opening up the possibilities for you to integrate GoCanvas into your broader data ecosystem.

Want to learn more about how mobile data platforms can impact your construction business? Check out our playbook on the power of data analytics for commercial construction.

Playbook: 3 Keys to Unleashing the Power of Data Analytics in Commercial Construction
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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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The Ultimate Guide to Quality Control Inspections

Managing a construction project is a complex and stressful process. Among other things, you have to coordinate project team members, materials, and equipment and ensure that contractors are not afflicted by the potential risks and hazards present at the construction site. That said, quality means different things to different people which is why you should…

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A electrician inspecting equipment.

See how VIP Lighting optimized efficiency with GoCanvas

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read their story

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We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

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Simple Guide to Electrical Inspection Checklists

Posted on by Danny Kanev

Simple Guide to Electrical Inspection Checklists

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A checklist is essential for keeping everything organized. It’s a useful tool for task management, project management, and workflow optimization. Investing in checklist apps can be a game-changer for enhancing your productivity. Thanks to advancements in technology, you can today leverage mobile devices (Apple/iOS or Android devices) with customizable checklists for specific purposes, such as an electrical inspection checklist.

An electrical inspection checklist app allows you to start from templates and customize them to suit your needs. You can input due dates, automate tasks, create subtasks, collaborate with co-workers, and take advantage of other advanced features. 

What is the purpose of an electrical inspection checklist?

An electrical inspection checklist serves numerous purposes. When buying a new home, you must ensure that the electrical wiring is not faulty or dangerous. An electrical inspection checklist can help you verify the safety of the electrical installation. A licensed electrician can use an inspection checklist to verify the health of the electrical wiring. If you did major home renovations with the potential to change the configuration of your electrical components, it’s vital to have an electrical inspection done. The same applies if you’re adding a new home appliance or replacing an existing one. 

Additionally, periodic electrical inspections of an older house ensure that the electrical system is functioning properly. Homes built before 1940 may have outdated lighting technologies, such as knob-and-tube lighting. By conducting an electrical inspection, you can know whether or not to replace obsolete fixtures and whether they are working as they should.

Benefits of electrical inspections

Having an electrical inspection saves you money by reducing electricity bills each month. Through an electrical inspection, your electrician can easily tell if your current electrical system is inefficient. This is particularly true for older houses with knob-and-tube wiring. Upgrading your electrical wiring will not only cut your monthly electricity spending but also help reduce your carbon footprint.

Other benefits of conducting an electrical inspection include:

1. Avert potential hazards

The primary purpose of an electrical code is to ensure safety. Having a licensed electrician inspect your home’s wiring helps prevent hazards such as electrical fires. It also ensures that your home’s electrical wiring is functioning correctly. It’s a reassurance that no mistakes were made during the installation, preventing future mishaps due to faults with your electrical system. System malfunctions and fires are the most common threats posed by faulty electrical components.

2. Compliance with electrical codes

Electrical inspections ensure that your house is not in violation of any federal or local electrical codes. Most local electrical codes follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) implemented by the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). When national and local codes conflict, the local code typically takes precedent over the federal code. A local electrician should be well-versed with your local electrical codes and should be able to tell whether or not your home’s electrical system is violating any local or national code.

Who uses an electrical inspection checklist?

Electrical inspectors, property managers, and property owners can use an electrical inspection checklist to execute electrical system inspections for residential or commercial properties. The key purpose of the checklist is to ensure that the electrical system complies with NEC electrical safety guidelines. It also helps identify any electrical hazards such as electrical fires. Besides, you can use the checklist to check whether the equipment is in correct condition and working as it should.      

 

What is checked during an electrical inspection?

An electrical inspection checklist includes the items that ensure your home or workplace adheres to National Electrical Code electrical safety standards. It’s a guidance document that helps in conducting electrical safety inspections for any property. The NFA 70 or NEC is a standard for the safe installation of any electrical wiring or equipment in the U.S. It’s published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). During an electrical inspection, the following parameters of your electrical wiring are checked:

1. Electrical meter

During an inspection, your electric meter will be checked for possible defects. Other than ensuring the electrical meter is logging the correct wattage, your electrician will also check if the meter is installed properly or if its mechanisms have become defective over time due to wear and tear. Your electrician will also look out for rust and other signs of water damage. If there is a leakage, water can easily seep from the meter through to the main electric panel.

2. Check the circuit breaker capacity

Another critical step during an electrical inspection is to check whether or not the circuit breaker is working as designed. Your electrician will also check if the circuit is at risk of overload, an integral consideration for electrical safety. Electricians primarily inspect if the circuit breaker can maintain electrical currents at safe levels. Additionally, they can determine if there is any water damage, corrosion, or structural and mechanical issues that might trigger sparks or fires.

3. Inspect electrical wires for damage or fraying

Electrical wires that are fraying, dangling from walls or ceiling, popping out of their protective coating, or exposed to damp or wet areas can pose hazards. Your electrician should look out for such issues and make the necessary adjustments. They should not leave any space unexamined but check all wires encased in plain sight and those looped through tight nooks and crannies. Where wiring could become unsafe, the electrician should recommend the right fixes.

4. Ensure that GFCI outlets are wired correctly

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are electrical devices installed on power outlets to cut appliances off from the power supply whenever there are irregularities. These irregularities may include water or moisture infiltrating the outlet or strange objects other than plugs. Overall, GFCIs are essential to home safety. Your electrician will double-check that these devices are in correct working order.

Software and forms for electrical inspection checklists

An electrical inspection checklist app or software simplifies the whole process of electrical inspections. It enables electricians to quickly and efficiently conduct routine electrical inspections using mobile devices rather than regular pen and paper. You can use the app to take pictures that are automatically linked to the inspection record to document all system issues and share the results in real-time.

Check out GoCanvas’s free templates for electrical inspections. Schedule time with one of our product experts to see what GoCanvas can do for your business.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Job Card Apps – Examples & Templates

Posted on by Danny Kanev

Job Card Apps – Examples & Templates

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What is a job card?

Job cards are used to record all of the pertinent information that workers need to know about a job or task to be performed as part of a work order. Many industries leverage job cards, including construction and contractors, manufacturing, engineering, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other similar types of field service organizations. 

What should a job card include?

Job cards should include any of the necessary information that will be needed to complete the job assigned. Typically, this would include:

  • Client information and project-specific details
  • Scope of work and what is being done
  • Form fields to note the time, materials, stock, and total cost of work
  • Signature lines to be signed by worker and project manager or client
  • Relevant images and additional notes

All of the fields on a job card will be custom to the work being performed and the job at hand. While these have historically been managed using paper forms for job cards, more companies are switching to apps for job cards to digitize their workflows.

Why use an app for job cards?

Construction Management Software for job cards are gaining popularity with businesses because they can be completed via a mobile device or tablet from anywhere. Instantly having all of the information digitized is a time-saver for teams and businesses benefit from eliminating paper forms. Some of the main drawbacks of using paper forms include:

  • Incomplete or illegible data
  • Lost or misplaced documents
  • Inefficient workflows that require manual work

Mobile apps are designed to simplify the process for everyone involved. Job card apps can be customized to include all of the key details, form fields, and automatic calculations for time and material costs, digital signatures, and image capture for additional context. All of the information is created as a report or PDF and sent automatically to anyone that needs the information. 

Seamless process for job management

Beyond just the basic use case for a job card app, many companies also benefit from integrated job card apps with other business processes related to the job card app. App platforms today are designed to automate work and fit into many of the workflows that happen on a job site or out in the field. 

This means that apps for job cards can be one part of the entire process for job management. You may also want to design the app platform to have other components like quotes, contracts, work orders, dispatching systems, invoicing, and payment processing.

Modern app platforms like GoCanvas can enable your business to streamline how this work gets done, with a completely seamless process for handling all of these different components from start to finish. Using our no-code platform for apps, companies are able to digitize their operations and enable employees on job sites and in the field to easily enter data using their mobile devices.

These tools are designed to be simple, giving businesses of all sizes the ability to embrace digital technologies to save time, reduce risk, and create a competitive advantage for the business. Learn more about how it works by visiting our website, or you can get started for free using one of our job card templates listed in the next section.

Getting started with one of our templates, you will see how easy it is to build and customize apps for job cards and many other key business processes.

Job Card App Examples and Templates

Material and Labor Job Card Mobile App

The material and labor job card app is used to record all of the materials used for a project. The app also has a worksheet for recording all the labor work used for the same project. The material section covers both the acquired materials at the course of the project and the offcuts which were left out after the project.

material and labor job card example

Subcontractor Job Card Mobile App

This subcontractor job card app is used to collect all the relevant information required by the general contractor for an ongoing contract or job. This includes project requirements, the scope of work. estimated cost, estimated completion date, risk analysis, and more. Once the contractor requirements form is complete, the job card sheet is stored for your records and can be edited as needed. This makes it easy for general contractors to maintain current records for construction projects and all other jobs that require the help of subcontractor employees.

subcontractor job card app example

Engineering Job Card: Service Installation Mobile App

The engineering job card app enables the professional engineer to record excavation and reinstatement information. This mobile application can be modified to meet your customer expectations, including preventative maintenance and quality assurance.

engineering job card app example

Looking for something different?

We have hundreds of pre-built forms with a variety of features to fit all of your business needs. Discover more inspections in our Application Store.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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