Data Ownership in Construction - Empowering Subcontractors

Construction is complex with numerous stakeholders and players connecting and collaborating day to day to give the project shape and depth. As information is going more digital, ownership and management of data has never been more important. General Contractors are increasingly recognizing the benefits of software platforms that store and connect various stakeholders with project details.

Subcontractors - the overlooked heroes of construction projects - are facing a new and unique challenge in maintaining ownership and control over their project data.

The Significance of Construction Data

With information being conveyed digitally and often not organized and catalogued properly via email, and/or stored on GC platforms like Procore, your data is either under the control of the company paying for Procore or simply lost in a web of irrelevant subject lines and email threads that go on and on!

So, Who Cares?

1. Subcontractors are typically held responsible if something was missed or done wrong unless they can prove it.
2. As the employers of the trades on sites, Subcontractors are exposed daily to the health and safety risks causing insurance premiums to be a variable impacting the bottom line.
3. Construction is one of the leading sectors engaged in Contract Litigation. Ask your lawyer, insurer or even a friend who should own and control your data!

Subcontractors' Data Dilemma

Subcontractors often find themselves at a crossroads. General contractors (GCs) are asking or even instructing Subcontractors to use their designated systems. Two questions arise from this:

Question 1: Why are GCs asking this?

Answer: Subcontractors have not had digital tools designed and or structured for them because technology companies focus on General Contractors. Because Subcontractors are largely working on older digital tools, emails, spreadsheets, and paper in a lot of instances, GCs don’t want to contend with these information delivery methods. So, they say “use ours because it is easier to move the information to other stakeholders.”

Systems like Procore are trying to get the Subcontractors, suppliers, and Designers to do the data entry for the GC making them even less accountable if things that are not done in a timely manner or there are changes to the project.

Question 2: Is it a problem?

Answer: Project management solutions used by GCs lack easy data export features and the exported data is not always concise, leaving Subcontractors without access to valuable information at project closeout. The GC who is actually paying for platforms, like Procore, can restrict and or shut down your access at anytime, even more critically when there are disputes and delay claims being passed around! This data vacuum has the potential for significant challenges for Subcontractors. Moreover, the absence of project data restricts Subcontractors from making informed, data-driven decisions for future projects, hindering their growth and competitiveness.

Protecting Profitability and Mitigating Risks through Data Ownership

For Subcontractors, maintaining ownership of the project data they contribute is more vital than it is for GCs. Lasting access to project data empowers Subcontractors to make informed decisions for future projects, facilitating performance evaluations and continuous improvement.

SmartSUB by SMARTBUILD stands out as a game-changer in this landscape, providing Subcontractors with greater benefits compared to larger, more expensive platforms like Procore.

1. Simplicity: smartSUB is designed specifically for subtrades, ensuring a fluid and tailored user experience. In contrast, platforms like Procore, customized for GCs, may lack the agility and simplicity that Subcontractors require.
2. Cost Effective: smartSUB clients enjoy the power of a detailed and comprehensive construction management platform that is priced to be affordable unlike pricing systems based on revenue (Procore) and or an increasing scale of Users or Projects (Autodesk).
3. Independence and Data Safety: smartSUB empowers the Subcontractor to run and manage construction projects with increased efficiency and higher profits while being in control of their data. This independence shields them from the risk of trying to download or even being locked out of their own data, a common issue with platforms like Procore.
4. Extra Functionality - Smart Time for Field Staff:SMARTBUILD offers Smart Time, elevating job costing and project tracking by allowing field staff to electronically manage their timesheets and connect with the project budget in a snap.

Tired of being the fall guy for GCs and the gatekeeper of solutions like Procore which do not give you control of your own data? SMARTBUILD was born as an innovative, kick-ass platform made by construction professionals, for construction professionals. We've tailored it to fit your needs like a custom-made suit, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg. Power your projects & business and with smartSUB.