Spreadsheets vs software
A well-kept workbook can run a simple renovation. It stops being honest when invoices, variations, drawdowns and stage dates live in three tabs and two inboxes. ConstructionPro.io is that sheet — with approvals, cash-flow and a record of who changed what.
Most people leaving a spreadsheet start on Self-Build ($9.99/mo).
Honest differences. Spreadsheets is the right tool for some teams. ConstructionPro.io is the right tool when the owner, the programme and the money need to live together.
| Capability | ConstructionPro.io | Spreadsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Budget categories | 36 live lines, market templates | If you maintain the formulas |
| Invoice → budget line | Upload, split, no re-keying | Manual entry; easy to drift |
| Cash-flow from real dates | Forecast from invoices and stages | A remaining column is not a forecast |
| Quote comparison | Bids side by side on the project | Another tab, another version |
| Programme + photos | Stages, snags and site photos with the money | Usually a second file or chat thread |
| Audit trail | Who changed the budget, and when | Last-save wins; versions get lost |
| Sharing without sending a file | Roles: owner, contractor, family, client | Email a copy; hope it is current |
| AI grant matching | US, UK and EU schemes | You search and paste links yourself |
Keep the workbook if you are the only editor and the job is simple. Move when a wrong cell can hide a drawdown problem from the person who is paying.
No re-keying from email into a row. Split a bill across lines; remaining updates immediately.
A static “left in budget” column cannot tell you next month is tight. The forecast uses real invoice and stage dates.
Programme and photos sit with the numbers. You are not assembling a pack from Drive, WhatsApp and tab three.
Roles and an activity log mean a contractor or partner can help without silently overwriting your working sheet.
Yes. Project settings has a CSV zip of the job’s records; costs, reports and the activity log have their own CSV. Many people keep a personal scratch sheet and use ConstructionPro.io as the shared ledger.
There is no CSV dump into a live project (that path created more mess than it saved). You can start fresh or catch up an in-flight job with opening balances and spend already committed.
Self-Build exists for that job: one project, 36 categories, invoices, quotes, timeline and family viewers for $9.99 after a 90-day trial.
Cancel before the trial ends and you are not charged. Export your data first. Nothing is locked in a proprietary file you cannot leave.
Full access on every plan. Card required — cancel anytime before the trial ends.