Construction budgeting software

Your budget should follow the job.

Construction budgeting software for general contractors connects budgets, commitments and approved changes in Buildend. See where project costs stand without rebuilding the picture at month end.

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Buildend Budget Manager showing line items, cost codes, budgets, current budgets, projected commitments, actual costs, and over or under current internal budget.

Budget Manager screen supplied by Buildend.

Construction budgeting: see beyond spend.

For contractors and builders, construction budgeting software brings budgets, commitments, actual costs and projected final cost into one view. Cost management software should make remaining work visible too, so low spend is not mistaken for a healthy job.

Cost tracking · Budget Manager example

Concrete looks $1.29M under. One line is $370,000 over.

Concrete – L has a $2,340,000 current budget with no approved owner changes. Meanwhile $350,000 in subcontract change orders are approved and $20,000 more are pending, which takes the projected commitment to $2,710,000. Use cost reporting to investigate profit erosion and the causes of unprofitable jobs.

Original subcontract

Awarded at the $2,340,000 current budget

$2,340,000

+ Approved SCOs

Subcontract change orders already approved

$350,000

+ Pending SCOs

Subcontract change orders awaiting approval

$20,000

= Projected commitment

$370,000 above the $2,340,000 current budget

$2,710,000

Sample line from the Budget Manager example above. A rolled-up cost code can hide an over-budget line.

Cost tracking, from estimate to invoice.

For general contractors, cost tracking depends on timely commitments and changes from trade contractors. Buildend connects those records to the budget lines they explain.

Start with the estimate

Carry the approved estimate into the project budget with the same cost codes.

Record the commitment

Record contracts and purchase orders for trade contractors against the right cost codes, so committed cost updates as work is awarded.

Approve the change

Approved change orders update the budget. Keep the reason for each movement connected.

Follow the invoice

See related records together, for example, an invoice linked to its purchase order.

Reporting with a review trail

Cost reporting should explain a change, not just show a new total. Investigate the commitments and changes behind a cost code before making management decisions.

Control without extra re-entry

Financial management with cost control.

Financial management needs flexibility and control. Configure financial workflows, approvals and permissions around how your construction team reviews costs and shares information.

Control who approves costs

Define the steps and responsibilities for financial approvals, including purchase orders.

Access that fits the role

Have your administrator configure who can access project information and what each role can do.

Reporting you can trace

Keep a traceable history of who changed records and when, while preserving historical context.

Construction management software, connected.

Buildend is construction management software, not a replacement for your accounting system. Keep project financials and operational workflows in Buildend while accounting remains in its system of record.

Available connections include QuickBooks Online and Desktop, Sage 100, Sage 300 and Yardi.

Buildend

Budgets · commitments · changes Project workflows and approvals

Relevant information moves between systems

Confirm records, direction and timing

Your accounting system

Accounting records and financial processing Your financial system of record

Does your version connect?

Check the exact accounting product and version, not just the vendor name.

What moves, and when?

Agree the records, sync direction and update frequency for your workflow.

Who handles exceptions?

Define ownership for mapping, failed updates and mismatched totals.

Project financials need a workable transition.

For contractors managing different kinds of jobs, from small works to large projects, the top priority is protecting active work. Plan construction budgeting around project stages, accounting and team capacity, with a named internal administrator.

Map what must carry over

Map cost codes, open commitments, current budgets and historical records. Account for migration complexities by agreeing what becomes live data, an archive, or stays in the old system.

Prove one workflow

Use a suitable project to check approvals, accounting handoffs and reporting. Reconcile the numbers before the team relies on them.

Roll out with clear ownership

Agree training, support and responsibilities for office and field users. Confirm which active projects move and which finish in the existing system.