Site audits are an essential part of all construction projects. The purpose of an audit is to ensure that work is being conducted to a high standard and in accordance with agreed contracts. However, these inspections are often time-consuming because the information collected has to be laboriously reviewed, organized, standardized and compiled into reports. Construction site audit apps make all the processes more efficient and help those responsible to save time, money and stress. In this comparison we look at the 4 best site audit apps in detail and compare key features, prices, availability, and user reviews.
Construction Site Audit Apps: A Product Comparison
For this comparison we look at the following apps: PlanRadar, SnagR, Fieldwire, and Letsbuild.
Please note that due to the extensive functionality of some apps, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information. For any specific questions, please contact the respective manufacturers directly.
PlanRadar
PlanRadar is a platform for digital documentation, communication, and reporting in construction and real estate projects. Data relevant for site audits is captured as text notes, photos, videos and audio recordings and located on digital plans or in BIM models. The information collected is shared with team members in real time and can be combined into finished reports at the touch of a button. This site audit app’s flexibility is a big plus. From the forms for data collection to the appearance of the reports, many elements of the app are freely customizable.
The result: 94% of customers say PlanRadar reduces time spent compiling reports and helps them deliver high quality projects.
Available for Web, Desktop, Android, iOS and Windows.
Key features:
- Automated & customizable reports
- Calendar function
- Defect management
- DMS
- Gantt charts
- Photo documentation
- Progress tracking
- Project management
- Site diary
- Statistics dashboards
- Task management
Pricing:
- Free trial available: Yes
- Annual: From $ 32/mo.
- Monthly: From $ 35/mo.
Ratings:
- Apple App Store: 4.8 / 5
- Capterra: 4.2 / 5
- Google Play Store: 4.1 / 5
User reviews:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Apple App Store Review: „Great, simple, defect management software for browser, tablets and phones; better and more cost efficient than the competition so we switched.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Google Play Store Review: “One of the easiest applications to use and navigate. Snagging & Reporting sides are fabulous and extremely effective.”
This video shows how a site manager uses PlanRadar to conduct site audits and make other construction management processes more efficient:
With Planradar, we are able to efficiently measure and document findings on-site and to communicate and process them further.
Do you also want to take your quality control and quality management in construction to the next level? Try PlanRadar now for free for 30 days!
SnagR
SnagR is a site audit app specializing in capturing and tracking construction defects. It is designed to monitor the progress of projects, offering a streamlined solution for capturing field data, automating reports, and visualizing analytics. Additionally, SnagR allows users to customize forms and inspections while providing real-time access to on-site data.
Available for Web, Android, iOS.
Key features:
- Data dashboards
- Defect management
- Reports
- Task management
Pricing:
- Free trial available: Yes
- Annual: Custom pricing
- Monthly: Custom pricing
Ratings:
- Apple App Store: 2.6 / 5
- Capterra: 4.0 / 5
- Google Play Store: 3.2 / 5
User reviews:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Apple App Store Review: “This software was first introduced to our company about 5 years ago. Since that first introduction we have worked with them to tailor the software to our needs. It’s now our company standard. Defects and visual inspections are now all recorded electronically, and this enables you to have live data of how far a contract has progressed.”
Fieldwire
Fieldwire is a site audit app that enhances task management and communication on construction sites. It enables teams to create, assign, and track tasks directly on digital blueprints, offering features such as real-time updates, photo documentation, and offline access. The app fosters collaboration between on-site and office staff, ensuring that site audit items are addressed efficiently.
Available for Web, Android, iOS
Key features:
- Task management
- Site diary
- Construction schedule
- Document management
- Photo documentation
- Defect management
- Project management
Pricing:
- Free trial available: Yes
- Annual: From $ 0/mo.
- Monthly: From $ 0/mo.
Ratings:
- Apple App Store: 4.8 / 5
- Capterra: 4.6 / 5
- Google Play Store: 4.7 / 5
User reviews:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Apple App Store Review: “We are using Fieldwire for Plan and Task management. That’s its strengths. Tasks are threaded like texts so it’s easy to pickup. Can attach links, photos, files, markups, etc. Everything to get a task done is there to move it along, stay organized and provide great record keeping. […] The major drawback is it needs more functionality.“
⭐⭐⭐⭐ GetApp Review: “Overall, Fieldwire has many features our office can utilize but we are still in trial phase for it. It would be great if a “small business” payment allotment was created to allow for clearer billing protocols on small teams.“
Letsbuild
Letsbuild is a solution to manage defects, handovers and standardize QHSE checklists. It offers a suite of tools for quality management and tracking on the construction site for streamlined recording and processing of defects.
Available for Web, Android, iOS.
Key features:
- Customizable reports
- Defect management
- Photo documentation
- Project management
- Statistics dashboards
Pricing:
- Free trial available: No
- Annual: Custom pricing
- Monthly: Custom pricing
Ratings:
- Capterra: 4.2 / 5
- Google Play Store: 4.2 / 5
User reviews:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Capterra Review: “No documentation work is required after completion of project. This app automatically makes a complete documentation work for your project.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ GetApp Review: “Had a good experience, was using the program with work and managed to plan the project I as on effectively and with relative ease. […] Some features are hard to find, the app doesn’t work as well as the desktop.“
3 Steps How To Get The Most Out Of A Construction Site Audit App
Although external site audits, such as those carried out by regulatory bodies or health and safety inspectors, are managed by third parties, internal construction site audits are performed by key members of the general construction team. Thus, it is important to plan audits right at the beginning of the project.
1. Choose your site audit team wisely
Appoint your internal audit team as soon as the project kicks off and make sure that they are involved in initial discussions with designers, architects, quality control, regulatory bodies and the client. Encourage the audit team to ask questions and plan how audits can interrogate and demonstrate metrics. Ensure that they have access to the latest plans and have the relevant site audit apps downloaded.
Construction site audits are key for passing impartial, factual evidence about a site, they prevent any surprises occurring late into a project and highlight defects or incidents that may prevent more serious issues if remedied early.
Crucially, conducting safety, fire and regulatory-based internal inspections ensures that safety becomes the paramount concern on your site and that you are prepared for any external audit by HSE inspectors.
2. Plan, lockdown, release
With no construction site the same, you’ll be working with different third-party contractors, vehicles and equipment. Safety requirements will differ, but with site audit apps such as PlanRadar you can use previous construction site audit checklists to save time and tailor them fit the exact needs on each new site.
Each layout is designed in the web-based version, locked down and then sent out to mobile devices for simple access by any auditor. With offline modes, the audit checklist can be accessed anytime, anywhere and uploaded as soon as a network becomes available. You can assign site audits to individuals with deadlines or set them as recurring tasks for regular updates on site progress. Each audit is date and personnel-stamped for a full audit trail, enabling follow up conversations if needed.
Users can generate reports, sign them off and share them with relevant stakeholders, all via PlanRadar’s site audit app. That saves the auditor from having to finish the paperwork back in the office.
3. What should you be auditing?
A key reason for auditing a construction site is to ensure that the project is progressing on time and to budget. As well as having access to the construction site audit checklist, auditors should be able to view the latest design plans. Site audit apps such as PlanRadar display the latest digital blueprint, including any modifications to the original design. Auditors can see progression against the project plan and highlight any areas for concern, especially regarding building regulations or Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) regulations.
When it comes to safety, site audits are essential for reinforcing compliance and providing evidence to regulatory bodies. By regularly inspecting the workplace and equipment, construction companies can find potential issues and resolve them quickly, keeping workers safe and avoiding accidents.
By creating construction site audit checklists and making them available to audit staff, specific protocols can be established for checking:
- Storage of hazardous materials
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) suitability, availability, storage and use
- Safe and proper use of equipment
- Fire safety protocols, signage and risk
- Construction vehicles, including planned maintenance schedules
- Suitability and safety of hand tools, electrical equipment and lifting apparatus
Audit checklists can then passed to managers for final sign off and checking, completing the audit trail and providing a pack of data for the client, regulatory bodies and other stakeholder groups.
