Do you need to create a timeline for your construction project? We've found and listed below the 5 best construction schedule templates for Excel and Google Sheets that are free to download and simple to use.
Managing any type of project requires knowledge and organization, but especially in construction. As a builder or remodeler, you rely on your project to run like clockwork. And as your business grows so does the complexity of running multiple projects at a time. Using a construction schedule is essential to keeping your project(s) on track, on time, and on budget.
A construction schedule is a type of calendar or chart that organizes all of the tasks that need to be completed throughout the building or remodeling process in the order in which they need to be done. Some tasks will overlap and others will need to be done in a specific order (which are called dependencies). It can contain as much or as little information as you want and is essentially a snapshot of your project from beginning to end.
Seeing what needs to be done, in what order, by what date, and by whom will keep you and your team organized and “on task” for the entire project.
Finishing a project on time and on budget is critical. A construction schedule helps to ensure that you’ll meet these goals. Not only will it outline the workflow, but also the method and order in which each task needs to be completed. Materials and supply orders can be tracked throughout a project to make sure you have everything you need, when you need it.
Your construction schedule can also help you anticipate unexpected changes and setbacks; heading off these potential delays allows you time to auto-correct and get back on track, which will save you time and money in the end.
You can find anything you need on the internet, right? Well, just because the information is out there doesn’t mean it’s high-quality. Keep in mind that the source of your information is just as important as the information itself.
There isn't just one standard format for making a construction schedule, so it may take a little time to find what works best for your needs. We’ve done some research of our own and narrowed some of the options out there down to the top 5 construction schedule templates available, in no particular order, and with all the best bells and whistles you should need!
Biggest Pro: The construction template is free and already contains some construction-related line items.
Biggest Con: You have to give your email to get the free template, so expect some marketing in your inbox.
If you want to get a construction schedule from a company that knows charts then GanttPro is a great start. GanttPro isn’t specific to construction so there are a lot of other templates on their site. But, as a side note, most of them do require a paid subscription. However, the construction schedule template is free and includes plenty of detail, so they’ve done much of the work for you.
GanttPro’s schedule contains some line items you may have overlooked and some that you might not need, so you’ll probably need to do some of your own customizations for it to work well for your company.
This can be true for most construction templates. You’ll find that they may have too much or too little information for each individual project. GanttPro provides two customizable formats: Excel, and Google Sheets, so you can use it at your computer or on your mobile device.
Biggest Pro: Smartsheet has a half dozen construction-related templates, including the construction schedule template. And to download the free excel template you do not need to enter your email.
Biggest Con: There are more features that come with a subscription, so the goal is for you to become a Smartsheet client.
Smartsheet is a go-to work collaboration software for many large-scale companies. Their focus is to automate workflows across teams and they specialize in spreadsheets to help make that happen.
Smartsheet is cloud-based and offers a variety of helpful templates for everything from construction to the medical field. And even though they might not be a construction-only focused company, they have a solid construction scheduling template. Their schedule comes with some line items populated to get you started. You can also customize it with your own specific line items and your logo.
You can sign up for a free trial to use the templates within the Smartsheet platform, or you can download an Excel version for free.
Biggest Pro: TeamGantt provides detailed tutorials for step-by-step instructions to customize the template.
Biggest Con: TeamGantt is not a construction schedule template, but a template that you can customize to be one, so none of the line items have been added for you. Also, you need to create an account to be able to use the convenient “drag and drop” option.
The construction schedule template from TeamGantt allows you to customize and apply to any project. Their chart doesn’t start out as a construction schedule template so there’s a little work on the front end, but well worth it.
The format is great for a construction schedule template and TeamGantt provides detailed tutorials to help you throughout the process. You’ll need to provide your email address to download the template in excel. If you want an easier “drag and drop” option than you can create a free TeamGantt account.
Once the Excel spreadsheet is customized to fit your needs, you can use it for every project. And like most other options, you can share it with your team through various platforms like Google Sheets or Dropbox.
Biggest Pro: WallStreetMojo has added many line items for you, so this detailed construction schedule template will save you a ton of time.
Biggest Con: They are more of a financial planning company and not specific to construction.
WallStreetMojo is a great learning tool for your company's financial health, although it’s a paid site. They provide a lot of free resources, one of which is their construction schedule.
This particular schedule template is more basic than others and will require additional data entry. WallStreetMojo’s template walks you through the importance of each category and provides a visual Gantt Chart at the bottom.
The WallStreetMojo template also can be downloaded in Excel or Google Sheets.
Biggest Pro: The construction schedule template is provided by a company that understands the construction industry. The template has detailed instructions, tips, and line items already started for you so it will save you time.
Biggest Con: You do have to provide your email address to get the template, so you will get some marketing materials in your inbox.
BuildBook created this Construction Gantt Chart Template that is made by builders for builders, so you can be confident that it will be thorough and include everything you need in a construction schedule. The best part is that you can easily download it for free.
This construction schedule offers a modern look and it’s simple to use. It even has helpful tips and requires no training or experience to learn. BuildBook’s schedule template has everything you'll need to create a thorough project schedule that's easy for anyone to follow. With easily accessible real-time updates your entire team and your client are always up-to-date.
A solid construction schedule gives you all the tools you need to manage your projects effectively. The ability to see a snapshot of your project finances and tasks in one place is crucial to meeting all your milestones and ensures that your projects run efficiently, on time, and on budget.
With the right construction management software, you can clearly see your timeline, tasks, and actual costs with the touch of a button. Which will help your entire project run smoothly and you’ll deliver a better client experience. Isn’t that the real name of the game? A happy client means your entire project is a success.
There are quite a few construction schedule templates out there, but you want to go with one that will save you time and money. Finding the right fit is a personal decision and you should consider all the pros and cons. It’s also important to work with software companies that know your industry and understand the needs of your clients. Take your time, try several options, and make an informed decision.
