What’s the most efficient way to track labor hours on multi-subcontractor sites?

Question

On larger sites where we’ve got several subcontractors working simultaneously, tracking labor hours accurately has been a constant headache. We’ve tried paper logs, WhatsApp check-ins, and basic spreadsheets, but things still slip through the cracks—especially when trades overlap.

Has anyone implemented a digital system or app (ideally affordable) that works well for this in the field? I'm looking for something easy for site foremen to use daily, preferably with exportable data.

Bonus if it also integrates with project scheduling tools.

Appreciate any tips!

Jhonn Mick

Lewis Green · Answer

Hey Jhonn,

totally feel your pain, we ran into the same issues on a few of our mid-size projects with multiple subs moving in and out daily. Paper logs were a mess, and WhatsApp quickly turned into a chaotic string of unread messages and screenshots.

We ended up trialing a few different apps, and the one that stuck for us was ClockShark. It’s super user-friendly for foremen (even the less tech-savvy ones), and the mobile app lets subs clock in/out on their phones with GPS tagging. You can group by trade or company, assign them to specific jobs or cost codes, and export the data straight into Excel or your payroll system.

Another one worth looking into is Raken, it’s a bit more feature-rich and lets you track labour hours, daily reports, and even progress photos all in one place. The reporting is solid, and it integrates with tools like Procore and Microsoft Project if you're doing more advanced scheduling.

If budget’s a concern, TSheets (now QuickBooks Time) also does a decent job, and I think they still offer a basic tier. Not quite as construction-focused, but better than chasing down paper timesheets at 6pm on a Friday.

Whatever you pick, the real win was getting buy-in from the site leads early on and keeping it dead simple, same five-minute routine every day, no exceptions.

Hope that helps.

What’s the most efficient way to track labor hours on multi-subcontractor sites?

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Jhonn Mick

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