The right technology stack for a North Carolina construction company includes project management software, cloud-based accounting, mobile-friendly communication tools, reliable jobsite connectivity, and basic cybersecurity protections. According to Deloitte's 2026 Engineering and Construction Outlook, construction firms that invest in technology gain competitive advantages in productivity, safety, and client satisfaction during a period of persistent labor shortages.
Key takeaway: The construction industry spends only 1-2% of revenue on technology - far below the 3.5% cross-industry average. According to industry research, 58% of construction companies spend less than 1% of gross annual revenue on IT. This underinvestment creates a competitive opportunity for firms willing to build proper technology foundations.
Need IT setup help for your NC construction business? Preferred Data Corporation has served North Carolina businesses since 1987, including construction and industrial companies. BBB A+ rated. Call (336) 886-3282 or contact us.
Phase 1: Essential Technology for Startup Contractors (1-10 Employees)
Whether you are starting a general contracting firm in Charlotte, a specialty trade company in the Piedmont Triad, or a civil contractor in Raleigh, these are the technology essentials for your first year.
Hardware Essentials
Office equipment:
- Business laptop for owner/estimator ($1,200-$2,500) - choose durability over flashiness
- External monitor for plan review and estimating (27" minimum, $300-$600)
- Multi-function printer/scanner for contracts and documents ($300-$800)
- UPS battery backup for computers ($150-$300)
Field equipment:
- Rugged tablet for field use (iPad Pro with case, or Samsung Galaxy Tab Active, $800-$1,500)
- Smartphone with unlimited data plan for each key person ($50-$100/month/line)
- Mobile hotspot for jobsite connectivity ($50-$100/month)
- Dashcam/GPS for company vehicles (optional, $100-$300/vehicle)
Initial hardware budget: $3,000-$7,000
Software Stack for New Contractors
Accounting (critical from day one):
- QuickBooks Online Contractor Edition ($30-$200/month) - job costing, invoicing, AIA billing
- Sage 50 or Foundation (for larger operations, $100-$500/month)
- Accounting is not optional - proper job costing separates successful contractors from those who fail
Project management:
- Buildertrend or CoConstruct ($99-$399/month) - residential contractors
- Procore ($375-$500+/month) - commercial contractors
- Monday.com or Asana ($10-$30/user/month) - lightweight project tracking
Estimating:
- STACK or PlanSwift ($2,000-$5,000/year) - digital takeoff and estimating
- ConEst or RS Means for specialized trades
- Excel/Google Sheets for small operations (free but limited)
Communication and collaboration:
- Microsoft 365 Business ($12-$22/user/month) - email, file storage, Teams
- Google Workspace ($7-$18/user/month) - alternative cloud suite
- Include professional email domain (yourcompany.com, not gmail.com)
Document management:
- Cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox Business) - included with M365/Workspace
- Plan viewing app (Bluebeam Revu, $240-$400/year) - PDF markup for plans
Total monthly software cost (startup): $200-$800/month
Connectivity for NC Contractors
Office internet:
- Business internet service (Spectrum Business, AT&T Fiber, or local fiber provider)
- Minimum 100 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload for cloud-based operations
- Consider redundant connection (cellular failover) if your office is also dispatch
Field connectivity:
- Cellular data plans with adequate coverage across your NC service area
- Mobile hotspot for jobsite internet ($50-$100/month)
- Consider Starlink for rural NC jobsites without cell coverage ($120/month + $599 equipment)
Network hardware:
- Business-grade router/firewall (not consumer Netgear or Linksys) - $300-$800
- Wireless access point for office coverage - $200-$500
Security Basics (Non-Negotiable)
Even small NC contractors handle sensitive data: client financial information, employee records, bid data, and project documents. Minimum security from day one:
- [ ] Business-grade antivirus/endpoint protection ($3-$8/device/month)
- [ ] MFA on all accounts (email, banking, accounting - free to enable)
- [ ] Automatic cloud backup of all business data (included with M365/Workspace)
- [ ] Strong, unique passwords with a password manager ($4-$7/user/month)
- [ ] Separate business and personal devices and accounts
Learn about cybersecurity for contractors
Phase 2: Growing Your Technology (10-25 Employees)
As your NC construction company grows beyond the startup phase, technology needs evolve:
Infrastructure Upgrades
Structured network:
- Managed switch for office network ($300-$800)
- Business-grade firewall with VPN capability (Fortinet, SonicWall) - $500-$2,000
- Enterprise wireless (Meraki, UniFi, or Aruba) - $300-$800 per access point
- Structured cabling if relocating to permanent office - $2,000-$10,000
Server or cloud infrastructure:
- Microsoft 365 for all users (email, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive)
- Consider Azure or on-premises server for specialized applications
- Network-attached storage (NAS) for local plan storage and backup - $1,000-$5,000
Software Additions
Human resources:
- Payroll service with certified payroll capability (Paychex, ADP) - $50-$200/month + per-employee
- Time tracking (Busybusy, ExakTime, or TSheets) - $5-$15/employee/month
- NC workers' comp and compliance tracking
Fleet management:
- GPS tracking for company vehicles ($20-$40/vehicle/month)
- Fuel card management (WEX, Fuelman)
- Equipment maintenance tracking
Safety management:
- Digital safety forms (iAuditor, SafetyCulture) - $25-$65/month
- OSHA recordkeeping software
- Toolbox talk documentation
CRM and business development:
- Simple CRM for bid tracking and client relationships
- HubSpot (free tier), Salesforce, or construction-specific CRM
Enhanced Security
At this size, a cyberattack could bankrupt your company. Upgrade security to include:
- Managed endpoint detection and response (EDR)
- Email filtering and phishing protection
- Security awareness training for all employees
- Formal backup and disaster recovery plan
- Cyber liability insurance (required by many GCs for subcontractors)
Key takeaway: According to the construction software market research, the U.S. construction software market was valued at $0.98 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $2.41 billion by 2034, growing at 9.36% CAGR. This growth reflects the industry's accelerating technology adoption driven by labor shortages and efficiency demands.
Phase 3: Scaling Technology (25-50+ Employees)
Larger NC contractors need enterprise-grade technology:
Enterprise Systems
ERP/accounting upgrade:
- Sage 300 CRE (formerly Timberline) for mid-size commercial contractors
- Foundation Software for specialty contractors
- Viewpoint or CMiC for large commercial operations
- Integration with estimating, project management, and payroll
Full project management platform:
- Procore (industry standard for commercial, $375-$2,000+/month)
- Autodesk Construction Cloud (BIM-integrated)
- Oracle Primavera (large, complex projects)
Business intelligence:
- Power BI or Tableau for KPI dashboards
- Job cost reporting automation
- Cash flow forecasting
BIM and Design Technology
According to industry research, 74% of U.S. contractors now use BIM, and its adoption reduces project planning time by up to 20% and material costs by 15%.
BIM requirements for NC contractors:
- BIM workstation (dedicated, high-performance PC, $3,000-$8,000)
- Autodesk Revit or equivalent ($2,500-$4,000/year/seat)
- BIM 360 or ACC for collaboration ($500-$2,000/year/user)
- Training for project managers and superintendents
Advanced Field Technology
- Drones for site surveys and progress monitoring ($2,000-$15,000 + training)
- Laser scanning/LiDAR for as-built documentation
- Wearable safety technology (proximity sensors, fatigue detection)
- Augmented reality (AR) for plan overlay on jobsites
Learn about Preferred Data's managed IT services for contractors
Construction-Specific IT Challenges in North Carolina
NC contractors face unique technology challenges:
Distributed Workforce
Unlike office-based businesses, construction crews work at multiple, temporary locations across the state. Technology must support:
- Remote access to project files from any jobsite
- Communication between office, field, and subcontractors
- Time tracking across multiple NC project sites
- Consistent security policies regardless of location
Seasonal and Project-Based Scaling
Workforce size fluctuates with seasons and project loads. Technology must scale up and down:
- Per-user cloud licensing (add/remove as needed)
- Managed IT support that adjusts to your current size
- Flexible equipment procurement
Weather and Environmental Factors
North Carolina weather (hurricanes, summer heat, winter ice) impacts both jobsites and technology:
- Rugged equipment rated for outdoor conditions
- Cloud backup for hurricane season data protection
- Reliable cellular coverage across varied NC terrain
- Disaster recovery planning for extended weather events
Regulatory Requirements
NC construction companies must manage:
- Licensed contractor requirements (NC Licensing Board)
- NC Department of Labor safety compliance
- Certified payroll for government projects
- Insurance certificate management
- Permit and inspection documentation
IT Budget Planning for NC Construction Companies
Based on industry benchmarks, here is what NC contractors should expect to spend on technology:
Startup phase (1-10 employees):
- Initial hardware: $3,000-$7,000
- Monthly software/services: $200-$800
- Annual IT budget: $5,000-$15,000
Growth phase (10-25 employees):
- Infrastructure upgrades: $5,000-$20,000
- Monthly software/services: $800-$3,000
- Annual IT budget: $15,000-$50,000
- Managed IT services: $100-$200/user/month
Scale phase (25-50+ employees):
- Enterprise systems: $20,000-$100,000 (implementation)
- Monthly software/services: $3,000-$15,000
- Annual IT budget: $50,000-$200,000+
- Managed IT services: $150-$300/user/month
According to Deloitte's 2026 construction outlook, the industry needs to attract nearly half a million new workers in 2026 alone. Technology investment is no longer optional - it is essential for competing for both talent and projects.
Choosing an IT Partner for Your NC Construction Business
Construction companies need IT partners who understand:
- Mobile and distributed workforces - Not just office-based support
- Project-based scaling - Flexibility to grow and shrink
- Field equipment - Rugged tablets, mobile connectivity, GPS
- Construction software integration - Procore, Sage, estimating tools
- Compliance requirements - Certified payroll, safety documentation
- Uptime requirements - Payroll must run, bids must submit on time
Questions to ask potential IT providers:
- [ ] Do you have experience with construction companies?
- [ ] Can you support remote/field workers across North Carolina?
- [ ] Do you offer per-user pricing that scales with my team?
- [ ] Can you help with construction-specific software (Procore, Sage, etc.)?
- [ ] What is your response time for critical issues (payroll, estimating systems)?
- [ ] Do you provide cybersecurity appropriate for construction?
Common Technology Mistakes NC Contractors Make
Using consumer-grade equipment: Home routers, personal email accounts, and consumer antivirus leave you vulnerable and unprofessional. Invest in business-grade from the start.
No backup strategy: Lost estimating data, proposals, or project documents cannot be recreated. Cloud backup costs $5-$15/user/month and protects everything.
Ignoring cybersecurity: Construction companies are increasingly targeted because they handle financial transactions, process sensitive bid data, and often have weak security. A single compromised email account can redirect a six-figure payment.
Over-investing in hardware, under-investing in training: The best software is worthless if your team does not use it. Budget for training when deploying new systems.
No IT support plan: "My nephew handles our computers" is not an IT strategy. As your NC business grows, professional IT support prevents costly downtime and security incidents.
Getting Started
Whether you are launching a new construction company in the Piedmont Triad, expanding operations in Charlotte, or modernizing an established firm in Greensboro, Raleigh, or Durham, the right technology foundation supports your growth.
Preferred Data Corporation has served North Carolina businesses since 1987, including construction, manufacturing, and industrial companies. We provide managed IT services tailored to distributed workforces, with on-site support within 200 miles of our High Point headquarters.
Start with a free technology assessment:
- Call (336) 886-3282
- Visit pdcsoftware.com/contact
- Email [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a construction company spend on IT?
Industry benchmarks suggest construction companies spend 1-3% of revenue on technology, compared to 3.5% across all industries. For a $5 million revenue contractor, that translates to $50,000-$150,000 annually including hardware, software, connectivity, and support services.
What is the most important software for a new contractor?
Accounting software with job costing capability is the most critical first investment. Proper job costing tells you which projects are profitable, enables accurate bidding, and is required for bonding. QuickBooks Contractor or Sage 50 are common starting points for NC contractors.
Do construction companies need managed IT services?
Once you exceed 10-15 employees, professional IT management becomes cost-effective. Construction companies have unique needs (mobile workers, multiple sites, field equipment) that require specialized support. Managed services typically cost $100-$250/user/month and prevent costly downtime.
How do I protect my construction company from cyberattacks?
Start with MFA on all accounts, business-grade endpoint protection, and cloud backup. As you grow, add email filtering, security awareness training, and cyber insurance. Construction companies are targeted for business email compromise (invoice fraud) and ransomware.
What internet do I need for a construction office in NC?
Minimum 100 Mbps download with 20+ Mbps upload for cloud-based operations. For offices in metro areas (Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh), fiber is ideal. In rural NC, explore fixed wireless or Starlink Business as alternatives. Always have a cellular backup for continuity.