Workbench — Construction Contractors

Construction Contractors

Commercial Construction

Residential Construction

General Construction

Stay in control of your project costs

Our systems deliver effective cost management

Building projects are complex — with tight timelines, low margins, and constant pressure from every direction. Clients push back on variations, while subcontractors look for every opportunity to claim additional costs. On top of that, the Construction Contracts Act and the introduction of Retention Trusts demands a formal and disciplined approach to subcontractor management.

Trying to stay on top of it all with spreadsheets is a losing battle. Data becomes outdated, mistakes creep in, and costs slip through the cracks.

With over 30 years of practical experience implementing cost management systems for construction companies, Workbench understands the challenges builders face. Our platform gives you the tools to take control of your projects — delivering structure, visibility, and confidence so you can protect your margins and keep every project on track.

REQUEST A DEMO

Contract Management

All the important information in one
place and accessible anywhere

Manage your contracts concisely with all the information arranged logically. Easy to understand contract interface.

Track actuals vs budget
Manage variations
Claim and retentions management
Cost to complete forecasting
Project Trust Accounts

Subcontract management

Reduce the overhead of managing complex subcontracts

Reduce your reliance on paper files and complex spreadsheets to make managing subcontracts simpler with less chances of mistakes.

Scope of works and variations
Claim certification
Insurance / certificate checking
Retention management
Retention Trust Accounting

Forecasting

Identify problems ahead of time so you can take corrective actions

Understand how your jobs are performing and the impact on the final margin. Know what your outgoing cash requirement is.

Auto generated costs to complete
Forecast final cost adjustments
Track forecast changes
Construction cashflow

Document Management

Track all project communications electronically and securely

Track all inbound and outbound documents against your projects. Documents are easily shared amongst team members.

Variations
Site instructions / RFI's
Drawing register
Emails and correspondence

Site Diary

Empower your site staff with the Project Portal.

Eliminate the manual systems you have onsite, use the site portal and mobile modules to streamline and simplify your site administration.

Daily site diary
Crew timesheets
Site audits
Toolbox meetings

Powerful Reporting

Comprehensive standard and custom reporting solutions

Modern reporting tools and a large range of out of the box reports make reporting simple so you can get the best out of your data.

Web / mobile friendly reports
Large selection of standard reports
End user report builder (Sharperlight)
Dashboards
Excel integration

Commercial builders:

This builder delivers larger commercial and industrial projects. The contracts are usually fixed price with a high number of variations and subject to a bank guarantee or cash retention. The project delivery team comprises of a Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Contracts Administrator and Site Supervisor.

All building work is undertaken by subcontractors with most engaged on a fixed price contract with a bank guarantee or cash retention. Variations are common and claims are subject to a formal certification process.

Estimating is undertaken by a dedicated team of estimators using a specialist estimating tool.

There is a formal accounting and administration function which is responsible for the production of monthly management accounts and project profit reporting.

Residential builders:

These projects have a build duration of 6-12 months, are usually quoted with minor variations and may not be subject to a bank guarantee or cash retention. The organisation is often flatter in structure, with key staff sharing a number of roles that may include estimating, project management, contracts administration and site supervision. Core trades such as carpentry are often undertaken by employees or labour only contractors.

Specialist trades are delivered by subcontractors, engaged under a formal contract or simply with a purchase order.

Estimating is often a part-time role using an in-house developed Excel based system or may be outsourced.

Accounting and administration may be a senior clerical position able to operate and manage the accounting system day to day with quarterly or annual accounts produced by an external accountant.

Construction Contractors

Construction Contractors

Construction Contractors