Builder and business owner Sergio Grado recommends his go-to desktop, tablet, and smart-phone apps for finance, construction, and more

To get the most out of your digital toolbox, start by using applications that address your most important or time-consuming responsibilities first. Then add more applications as you find time. I’ve grouped my favorite apps by category to make it easier to prioritize them.

Here’s my priority list of app categories:
* (jump to the bottom of the article to get my list of favorite apps)

1. Financial: calculators, estimating programs, budgets

2. Architectural and construction: measuring, sketches, product selection

3. Documentation: note-taking, spreadsheets, presentations, file readers

4. Digital storage: cloud storage, local storage, document organizers

5. Miscellaneous: weather, scanner, QR-code reader

Depending on what electronic devices you use, the source for programs and apps is going to vary. I usually start by searching on Google, but knowing what to look for is often a problem. I try to be as specific as possible in my searches, typically tying the search for an app or program for a specific job or need. For example, I’ll search for an app that’s dsigned for recording field measurements or one that allows me to view a certain type of construction documents. For the sake of simplicity here, I’lll refer to all programs or applications as apps.

Start at the Apple App Store if you use an Apple device. If you are on an Android tablet or phone, then use Google Play. Sometimes even searching for apps can be overwhelming. That is why I like to use apps that can help me search. I use Discovr Apps to start all my searches. In the search box, I enter a keyword such as “measure,” and it immediately pulls up all apps related to measuring. I select an app I think is the best selection and hit enter. I am then presented with my selected app surrounded by several related apps. This is great because I now have more choices than just the one I wanted. I double-click on them to open them up. I read the reviews and look at the pictures. If I like what I read, I then click on the purchase button. This takes me right to the App Store and opens the app. This contains the same information I just read; however, it also shows me at the bottom of the screen a section titled “Customers Also Bought.” This lists five more similar or related apps. I always look through these to see if there might be some other app for me to check out before purchasing the one I originally selected.

Another source I recommend is AppAdvice. This is more of a Reader’s Digest of available apps coming on the market. They write brief reviews of the apps and give advice on the app’s quality. While there is no search feature here, you can still scroll through quickly to see if there is anything you need. Check out other search apps such as AppyDays and AppDailyStore.

Trade magazines and websites are also good sources for apps that pertain to construction. Fine Homebuilding, Popular Science, and Popular Mechanics are good sources. The National Association of Home Builders website is a source, as are vendor websites, such as Andersen Windows & Doors. Andersen has developed an estimating program (not an app) that is free to use.  It will help you estimate small to medium-sized projects.

My go-to apps
To help get you started with the best apps that I have found and currently use myself, I have put together the following list. Click on the links to find out more about each app.

FINANCE

Material Estimator (app): materials estimating calculator

Calculated Industries app collection (app): multiple trades’ calculator

Fresh Xpense (app): expense tracking

Mint (app & desktop program): budgets and banking

Quickoffice (app): spreadsheets, documents, and presentations

Intelligent Estimate (desktop program): Andersen’s job estimates

ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION

AutoCAD WS (app): blueprint file reader

The Home Depot (app): building-materials pricing and remote ordering

Skitch (app): photo taking and drawing on photos for estimates

RedLaser (app): product bar code and QR code reader and price information plus online ordering

PlanGrid (app): online project collaboration

DOCUMENTATION

SketchTime (app): sketch pad to lay out decks, draw kitchens, etc.

Notability (app): note taking, voice recording, picture import

Notes Plus (app): note taking, voice recording, picture import

Noteshelf (app): notebook style for taking handwritten notes (with this, I don’t carry a notepad anymore)

Neu.Annotate+ (app): PDF reader and handwritten notes

PDF Expert (app): PDF reader and handwritten notes

Keynote (app): PowerPoint presentations

DIGITAL STORAGE

Dropbox (app): online storage and file download

Box (app): online storage and file download

SugarSync (app): online storage and file download

iCloud (app): online storage and file download

SkyDrive (app): online storage and file download

AirStash (app): thumbdrive that works wirelessly with iPad to store files

MISCELLANEOUS

CalPad (app): calendar and task manager

WeatherBug (app): weather tracking and forecast

DataVault (app): digital vault for storing bank-account numbers, credit cards, etc.

Berokyo (app): file document manager

Splashtop (app): remote computer access

Snapseed (app): picture editor

Google Earth (app): site locator

Flash Light (app): turns cell phone into a light source (has gotten me out of dark attics and crawlspaces)

I have all of these apps on my iPad2 and my iPhone 4S, and I use them daily. I recommend that you check them out, too.

If you know of or use an app or program that is not listed here that you would like to share with the rest of us, leave a comment below or send me an email at [email protected]. Thanks.

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