Patrick Kool is the founder of Productivity Tools. He specializes in building custom business software powered by AI, with a focus on rapid prototyping — delivering working prototypes in just 5 days. Patrick helps growing businesses replace spreadsheets and disconnected tools with integrated custom software tailored to their specific workflows.
Articles by Patrick Kool (14)
Construction ERP Software in 2026: What Growing Contractors Actually Need
Compare construction ERP software for contractors — integrated job costing, project management, payroll, procurement, inventory, equipment, and document control — plus when custom ERP software you own beats another off-the-shelf platform.
Construction CRM Software in 2026: What Growing Contractors Actually Need
Compare construction CRM software for contractors — lead-to-handover pipelines, site visit scheduling, quote versioning, job won tracking, and follow-up — plus when custom CRM software you own beats another off-the-shelf tool.
Construction Job Costing Software in 2026: What Growing Contractors Actually Need
Compare construction job costing software for contractors — true cost by job and phase, labor + materials + equipment burden, WIP, and variance vs estimate — plus when custom job costing software you own beats another ready-made tool.
Construction Payroll Software in 2026: What Growing Contractors Actually Need
Compare construction payroll software for contractors — certified payroll, prevailing wage, union rates, job costing, and workers' comp by trade — plus when custom payroll software you own beats another ready-made tool.
Construction Bidding Software in 2026: How Growing Contractors Win More Work Without Spreadsheet Chaos
Compare construction bidding software for GCs and subs — ITBs, bid invitations, bid leveling, and bid day — plus when custom software you own beats another ready-made bidding tool.
Contractor Management Software in 2026: What Growing Contractors Actually Need
Compare contractor management software for GCs and specialty trades — sub onboarding, COI tracking, compliance, and field coordination — plus when custom software you own beats another ready-made platform.
Construction Project Management Software in 2026: What Small Contractors Actually Need
Compare construction project management software for small contractors — schedules, RFIs, field updates, and document control — plus when custom software you own beats another ready-made PM platform.
Construction Estimating Software in 2026: What Small Contractors Actually Need
Compare construction estimating software for small contractors — takeoff, labor, materials, and bid accuracy — plus when custom software you own beats another ready-made estimating tool.
Construction Accounting Software in 2026: What Small Contractors Actually Need
Compare construction accounting software for small contractors — job costing, WIP reporting, progress billing — plus when custom software you own beats another standard accounting platform.
Construction Scheduling Software in 2026: What Small Contractors Actually Need
Compare construction scheduling software for small contractors — Gantt charts, crew calendars, look-ahead schedules — plus when custom software you own beats another SaaS seat plan.
Best Cabinet Shop Management Software in 2026 (Buyer's Guide)
Compare cabinet shop management software for quoting, CRM, job tracking, and installs — plus when a custom system you own beats another SaaS seat plan.
Buildertrend Alternative: Software Built Around Your Workflow (Not Theirs)
Need a Buildertrend alternative? Compare JobTread, Contractor Foreman, and others — plus when custom software you own beats another residential SaaS.
How Much Does Construction Software Cost in 2026? (SaaS Seats vs Building Your Own)
Real 2026 ranges for construction software — and a simple 3-year math check for small builders deciding between SaaS seats and custom software you own.
Procore Alternative: Best Options for Small Contractors (and When to Build Custom)
Looking for a Procore alternative? Compare SaaS options by fit and cost — and when custom construction software you own is the smarter third path.