5 common pitfalls in onboarding new construction technology (and how to avoid them)

Investing in new construction technology is like buying a top-of-the-line power tool – if you don’t take the time to learn how to use it properly, you’ll end up frustrated, inefficient and possibly regretting the purchase altogether.

The same goes for construction software.

No matter how advanced or feature-packed a platform is, its success hinges on a well-structured onboarding process.

The difference between companies that see massive efficiency gains and those that struggle to adopt new construction technology often comes down to how they implement it. A smooth onboarding experience helps teams avoid costly delays, ensures software adoption across all job roles and maximizes return on investment.

Without it, even the most powerful software can become just another underused tool in the digital toolbox.

In this blog, we’ll uncover the five most common pitfalls contractors face when onboarding construction software and provide actionable strategies to help you avoid them. Plus, we’ll hear from a Buildertrend expert, on how our new and improved onboarding process helps construction pros hit the ground running.

The challenges of onboarding new construction technology

Adopting new construction technology should boost efficiency, not create chaos. But without a solid onboarding plan, even the best software can become a frustrating, wasted expense. Here are five common pitfalls that can slow adoption and stall productivity.

1. Lack of a clear rollout plan

Jumping into software without a structured rollout is like starting a build without blueprints – things get messy fast. Without a step-by-step plan, teams struggle with inconsistencies, delaying full adoption and minimizing the software’s impact.

2. Resistance to change from team members

Not everyone is eager to swap notebooks for software. If your team doesn’t see the value, they’ll resist adoption. Without clear benefits and leadership support, new processes can feel more like a burden than a solution.

3. Inconsistent or incomplete training

Handing your team a login and hoping for the best leads to confusion and inefficiencies. Without structured training, users won’t fully integrate the software into their workflow, causing frustration and missed opportunities.

4. Failure to align the software with specific job roles

A one-size-fits-all onboarding approach overwhelms employees with irrelevant information. Tailoring training to specific roles ensures each team member learns what they actually need – boosting engagement and adoption.

5. Lack of accountability and follow-through

If there’s no system for tracking progress, users fall back into old habits. Without regular check-ins and clear expectations, the software risks becoming just another underused tool.

These pitfalls can derail even the best construction tech, but they are avoidable. Up next, we’ll cover actionable strategies to help your team adopt software successfully – without the headaches.

Tips for getting your team up and running with new construction technology

Successfully adopting new construction technology isn’t just about having the right tools – it’s about making sure your team actually uses them. A smooth onboarding process ensures your investment pays off with increased efficiency, better communication and fewer project delays. Here’s how to get your crew fully on board and working smarter, not harder.

Start with a phased approach:

Rolling out software company-wide all at once can feel overwhelming. Instead, start small. Choose one active project and ensure each project manager has at least one fully up-to-date job in the system. This allows your team to learn and adjust before expanding implementation across all jobs.

Establish buy-in from your team early:

Make sure each team member understands how your new construction technology benefits them directly, whether it’s fewer headaches, faster approvals or streamlined scheduling. Designate internal champions to lead the charge and set clear expectations for adoption.

Leverage a variety of training resources:

Everyone learns differently, so a one-size-fits-all training approach won’t cut it. Combine one-on-one coaching, live group training and on-demand resources to ensure every team member is well-equipped. Encourage ongoing learning, so employees feel confident using the software in their day-to-day workflow.

Customize the onboarding process for your business:

Your estimator doesn’t need to know project scheduling on day one, just like your site supervisor doesn’t need to dive into invoicing. Tailor onboarding to specific roles, so team members learn what’s most relevant to them first.

Track progress and hold your team accountable:

The best onboarding plan in the world won’t work if no one follows through. Use software reports to track training engagement and adoption rates. Set regular check-ins to ensure the team is using the platform effectively and staying on track with best practices.

Set your team up for long-term success:

Onboarding is just the first step. Ongoing training and accountability ensure your team fully embraces new construction technology and reaps the long-term benefits.

Up next, we’ll hear from an expert in construction software about how Buildertrend’s new and improved onboarding process is designed to help builders succeed from day one.

How Buildertrend’s enhanced onboarding helps builders see ROI faster

Adopting construction software is only half the battle – getting your team up to speed is what makes or breaks your investment. That’s why Buildertrend has reimagined its onboarding experience to make the process smoother, faster and more effective.

To give you an inside look, we sat down with a Buildertrend expert to discuss how our improved onboarding process helps construction teams successfully implement new construction technology and see results sooner.

Can you walk us through a typical onboarding journey with Buildertrend?

Scott: “We recommend a phased approach starting with a single job for PMs to avoid delays on any projects. With one live job in the construction phase for each PM, we offer individual training, group webinar sessions and a library of on-demand videos to train users on keeping jobs on track.

As new jobs come online, users can expect training for each phase of the project – from pre-sale estimating and pre-construction planning all the way through project closeout.”

What are some common challenges new users face during onboarding, and how have those challenges been addressed with the improved process?

Scott: “One of the most common challenges faced during onboarding is getting everybody to buy-in to the digital evolution of their company. So, rather than viewing the company as a single entity that needs to implement software, our new process looks at the needs of each user and their responsibility in each phase of a job.

We’ve found that the majority of pushback comes from a lack of clarity, so we offer a specific and intentional rollout plan with check-ins along the way to establish next steps for the builder’s entire team.”

How do Buildertrend’s account managers tailor the experience to meet the needs of different roles within a construction team?

Scott: “No matter the size of company, the core capabilities of a construction company need to be satisfied to complete a project. Whether one person is wearing several hats or there’s a distinct division of labor, our onboarding process focuses on solving real world challenges for the individuals facing them.

Your estimator needs to get an estimate out the door? We’re not going to teach them how schedules are built to complete their estimated work first. Conversely, if you’re the owner of the company – selling all the work and project managing each job onsite every day – we focus on what’s most important to saving time and communicating more effectively day-to-day.

Our account managers are experts in understanding their customers’ teams and who will be best served by which training materials ­– and our coaches are product experts that can translate our solutions to a builder’s team.”

What tools or resources do builders find most helpful for onboarding new construction technology?

Scott: “We’ve structured our resources to meet customers where they are. They can find a library of best practices on demand in the Buildertrend Learning Academy that offers foundational understanding of Buildertrend’s capabilities.

If they’re looking for something more tailored and specific to their business, one-on-one coaching is a great place to gain a deeper understanding of Buildertrend.

We also have a calendar of Live Group Training where a host introduces workflows, and builders of all shapes and sizes discuss what’s working for them.

Finally, our in-person training conference, Buildertrend University, brings builders together to collaborate and generate conversations about adopting new processes they’ve had success with.”

What advice would you give to new customers to make the most out of their onboarding experience?

Scott: “Implement Buildertrend in bite-sized phases based on where your jobs are in their lifecycle.

Take advantage of all the available resources included in your subscription.

Invest some time up front to take advantage of the long-term benefits.

Hold your team accountable – Buildertrend is a collaborative platform that forms a system of record where everybody can find what they need when they need it to complete work efficiently and reduce delays.”

How do you measure success during the onboarding phase, and what are the key metrics you track?

Scott: “Successful onboarding means customers are seeing a return on their investment that piles up over time, so the metrics we track are related to initial value and progress toward full implementation.

Early on, we look at users building habits around their day-to-day responsibilities like producing progress reports for the sites they’re on and assigning team members tasks that keep jobs on track. We also monitor breadth of adoption as new jobs get started with estimated budgets, client involvement and schedule baselines.

There’s also an educational component to onboarding. We track reports of which users have consumed which types of training, so we can flag any scenarios where users may be lagging in their foundational knowledge of their account.

In short, progress and momentum are our key performance indicators.”

Make the most of your new construction technology

A strong onboarding process sets the foundation for long-term success, helping construction businesses work more efficiently, reduce costly mistakes and ultimately boost their bottom line.

Buildertrend’s upgraded onboarding experience is designed to eliminate common roadblocks and ensure a smooth transition. Whether it’s tailored training, hands-on support or step-by-step implementation strategies, the right onboarding approach makes all the difference.

What’s your ROI potential with Buildertrend?

Every wasted hour, every miscommunication and every project delay is costing you money. Don’t leave your profits on the table – use our ROI calculator to see exactly how much time and money you could save by making the switch. A few minutes today could reveal game-changing insights for your business.

Don’t let rocky onboarding slow you down.

A great software investment means nothing if your team doesn’t know how to use it. Buildertrend’s new and improved onboarding process is designed to get you up and running quickly – so you can start seeing results faster. Discover how to eliminate growing pains and start building smarter today.