Top eSignature Platforms Tailored for Construction Management
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
The invention of eSignatures has all but revolutionized the construction industry.
You see, an industry where delays are the most common cause of contract breach and may increase the project’s cost several times over depends on expediency. Moreover, this is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world, and for a very good reason. This means that every aspect of construction must be checked and verified, and a signed report must be issued. Needless to say, eSignatures make this so simple, quick, and inexpensive.
While each app is made with expediency and simplicity in mind, which platform is best suited for the construction industry? Well, here are a few that you should definitely consider.
1. Dropbox Sign
Although most top eSignature platforms offer fairly similar features, there are several reasons why Dropbox Sign might be your preferred choice.
First of all, the UI is incredibly simple, sleek and user-friendly. Second, it has an incredibly responsive customer service.
One of the main reasons some people are suspicious of it is that they notice the lack of reviews and user experiences. A bit earlier, the platform went under the name HelloSign, which caused all the confusion.
Simplistic customization options make onboarding incredibly quick and effective, which is more than appreciated in this field.
Now, while a free account gives you three free documents to sign every month, this is not nearly enough for the construction industry. In other words, while a free trial is available, you should definitely go for a paid version. Also, since even free registration requires your credit card details and the platform is not that expensive, there are a few downsides to immediately going for premium versions.
2. DocuSign
This is arguably the largest eSignature platform in the world, and for good reason. IT currently has roughly one billion users in 180 countries, supporting many languages.
The main reason this platform is so popular is how easy it is to set up and how simple the onboarding process is. The platform is functional, and its interface is easily customizable. Still, some argue that the UI could benefit from design and navigation improvements.
Most importantly, the sales team is accommodating, so you’ll have all the information you need to decide on the best package. The customer support is also great, meaning that no matter what problem arises, you’ll get all the help you need.
Since this is such a massive platform, some companies and platforms dictate this (usually a mandate from the IT department). Nonetheless, a paid account can be quite expensive for a small enterprise.
3. Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is a platform that many people already use (albeit for a different purpose). The platform itself, as well as e-signatures, have decent security and are fully remote-work friendly. Since many small contractors already use Adobe Acrobat in some capacity for their invoices and reports, this seems like a natural progression.
Electronic signatures are not just for businesses or large businesses, which is why Adobe Acrobat is so amazing for this industry. In the construction field, many small, independent contractors (often one—or two-person teams) have to handle this particular task. This is why Adobe Acrobat, the platform that so many individual users are already using, is of such great help.
Now, with this platform designed around so many amazing integrations, it makes a great addition to your digital arsenal. It works primarily with Microsoft Office, and it’s also great with Google Suite. Overall, it’s a cloud-friendly system from which every construction company can benefit.
4. Sign Well
We used this one immediately after Adobe Acrobat because Sign Well is often described as its perfect alternative. In addition to providing a legal, secure option for its users (something all the other items on this list can brag about), the platform also provides some of the best page-by-page analytics on this list.
The platform is simple to use and has a modern design. Its newer market presence than some of its competitors makes its development team work harder, which is why updates in this field seem to be a tad more frequent.
The analytics, improved tracking, and more transparent digital signature can ensure that you keep track of all that matters, no matter how big your business gets. If anything, this makes the platform more scalable, which is always a concern for construction companies. After all, it just takes one massive project for you to be out of your depth (logistically). This way, you’ll at least have one less thing to worry about.
5. eSignatures.io
This incredible tool is optimized for the latest systems and some legacy methods still used in the construction industry. For instance, instead of relying on IM and email (which is how the vast majority of the industry sends these documents), on eSignatures.io, you also have access to SMS-only contracts.
Moreover, you get a platform that specializes in Zapier integration, which means that if you want to connect the platform with a tool like Salesforce or Dropbox, you shouldn’t have trouble doing so.
Lastly, and this is something that often gets overlooked, the pricing plan is fairly simple. You’re not locked into a specific subscription plan. Instead, you can scale up and down as you please. In the construction industry, where you have projects of varying sizes and mostly rent and work with contractors, it’s all about scalability. This is where eSignatures.io comes in even more handy.
Wrap up
In 2024, the decision to use eSignatures more heavily is not optional. It is just something you have to do to stay in the flow with all the modern work models and capabilities. Still, this is only the first step. Next, you need to pick the right eSignature for construction management, and going with any of the five above-listed is a step in the right direction.
