Published September 11, 2025 . 4 mins read

Technology has become a critical part of running a successful construction business. The right solutions can help you forecast more accurately, pay subs on time, and give your project teams the visibility they need to protect margins. The wrong ones can quickly turn into a sunk cost.

Many contractors experience “buyer’s regret” when a system doesn’t live up to expectations or sits unused by the team. The problem often isn’t the technology itself but the way it was selected and implemented.

Here are the best practices for purchasing construction technology, ensuring your next investment drives results rather than disappointment.

Step 1: Start With What You Already Have

Before you even look at new tools, take stock of your current systems.

• What software is currently in use across accounting, project management, and operations?

• Where are the gaps? Maybe your ERP has financial reporting, but creating custom reports is complicated. Do your project managers have timely access to their job financials, or are they waiting on static reports from accounting?

• Where are the bottlenecks? Are you spending hours exporting data from your ERP into Excel to build WIP reports, only to find the numbers are already 45+ days old?

• What overlaps exist? In some cases, companies pay for multiple tools that perform the same function or are barely used.

This assessment helps you avoid buying something you don’t need. It also creates a baseline for what’s working, what’s not, and where new technology could make the biggest impact.

TIP: Think of it like a building renovation. You wouldn’t add an addition without first understanding the foundation and structure. Technology decisions deserve the same level of review.

Step 2: Define Where You Want to Go

Too many companies buy technology because it seems like “the next big thing.” But if it doesn’t align with your company’s strategy, it won’t stick.

Be clear about what you want to achieve. For example:

• Financial stability: Do you want to better forecast cash flow or prevent profit fade?

• Operational efficiency: Are you trying to reduce manual reporting and free up staff time?

• Field visibility: Do project managers need access to financial data in a way that makes sense to them?

TIP: Tie every purchase to a measurable business goal. This keeps you from chasing shiny objects and ensures the investment contributes to profitability, not just overhead.

Step 3: Build a Team of Champions

Technology adoption is not just an IT project. Successful companies involve people from finance, operations, and project management from the very beginning.

• Better decision-making: Each department brings a unique perspective on how the system will actually be used day to day.

• Smoother adoption: People are more likely to support what they helped choose. Champions can also serve as advocates during rollout, reinforcing the “why” behind the investment.

TIP: Stop buying software in silos. When the accounting team buys something without input from project managers, adoption fails. However, if you include the PMs early in the process, they will have a sense of ownership and are more likely to adopt the technology.

Step 4: Don’t Overlook Change Management

Even the best system will fail if your people don’t use it. That’s why change management is critical. This doesn’t just mean training. It means:

• Communicating the “why”: People need to know how the new tool helps them, not just the company.

Building awareness early: Involve end users in demos and pilot programs to foster a sense of ownership.

Addressing resistance: Expect skepticism. Have a plan for listening to concerns and showing how the tool makes their job easier.

TIP: Adoption should be viewed as a process, not an event. If you only focus on go-live, you’ll miss the cultural shift that ensures long-term success.

Step 5: Watch for Red Flags

Not every vendor has your best interests in mind. While many are true partners, some are more focused on closing the deal than solving your problems. Here are red flags that should make you pause:

• No sandbox or test environment.

• High-pressure sales tactics.

• Ignoring your tech stack.

• Unclear implementation plan.

• No client references.

TIP: Stop buying software in silos. When the accounting team buys something without input from project managers, adoption fails. However, if you include the PMs early in the process, they will have a sense of ownership and are more likely to adopt the technology.

Step 6: Build a Technology Roadmap

The smartest companies don’t buy technology one piece at a time. They create a roadmap that aligns with their strategic goals. A roadmap allows you to:

• Prioritize which investments to make first.

• Sequence rollouts to prevent your team from being overwhelmed.

• Budget more accurately by anticipating future needs.

• Ensure new tools will integrate with existing systems.

TIP: A good roadmap is dynamic. It should be reviewed annually and adjusted as your business evolves. Access the Transforming Technology Worksheet, a resource designed for construction businesses ready to evaluate and revolutionize their tech stack.