6 Reasons Construction Companies Should Switch to GPS Time Tracking

6 Reasons Construction Companies Should Switch to GPS Time Tracking
Time Tracking

Tired of Chasing Timesheets?

Still using paper timesheets or punch cards? Then you know the struggle—lost hours, guesswork on clock-ins, and payroll issues that never seem to end. It’s not just frustrating—it’s costing you money.

Construction crews waste an average of 1.8 hours per worker, per day, due to inefficient tracking and coordination. That’s over $15K/month lost for a 10-person crew.

There’s a smarter way: GPS time tracking.

Built for job sites and mobile crews, GPS time tracking eliminates guesswork, reduces payroll errors, and gives you the data you need to manage labor in real time.

In this post, we’ll walk you through 6 powerful reasons construction companies are making the switch—and how you can too.

Key Takeaways for Construction Professionals

Before we dive into the details, here’s what GPS time tracking can do for your business:

  • Accurately track crew hours by location

  • Eliminate timesheet fraud and buddy punching

  • Speed up payroll and reduce admin work

  • Get real-time labor cost insights per job

  • Keep projects on budget

  • Improve scheduling and crew coordination

Whether you’re managing a framing crew, running HVAC installs, or doing home remodels—GPS tracking helps you run tighter operations.

6 Reasons Construction Firms Need GPS Time Tracking

1. Say Goodbye to Timesheet Fraud

Manual time tracking is built on trust—but that doesn’t always work out. GPS tracking apps prevent buddy punching and false check-ins by verifying worker locations when they clock in or out.

Your team works hard—but you shouldn't have to pay for hours that weren't worked.

Bottom line: With GPS-verified time, you only pay for real hours on the job site.

2. Speed Up Payroll and Avoid Costly Errors

No more collecting paper timesheets, deciphering handwriting, or fixing forgotten clock-ins. GPS time tracking apps automatically log hours, locations, and break times.

You get clean, accurate time data that flows straight into payroll—saving hours every week and reducing payroll errors that can cost you big.

Bonus: Some systems integrate directly with QuickBooks, making payroll even smoother.

3. Know Your Job Costs—Down to the Hour

Job costing starts with accurate labor tracking. With GPS time tracking, every hour gets tied to the right job—so you can see true labor costs in real time.

No more guessing which crew was where, or how much labor each project actually used.

Better data = better bidding. You’ll be able to price future jobs based on real numbers, not gut feel.

4. Improve Crew Accountability & Productivity

When crews know their time and location are logged automatically, they’re more likely to stay focused. So with GPS tracking, you get a layer of accountability that’s especially helpful when no supervisor is on-site.

Supervisors can monitor who’s on-site, check when crews arrive or leave, and even spot delays before they become costly.

Result: More productive crews, fewer surprises, and better jobsite oversight.

5. Easily Manage Multiple Jobsites

If you’re running multiple crews across different locations, GPS tracking is a lifesaver. You’ll see, at a glance, who’s where and when—no more texting foremen for updates or driving between sites to check in.

Some platforms even allow geofencing, so employees can only clock in when they’re physically on-site.

For busy contractors, this visibility is a game-changer.

6. Stay Compliant and Audit-Ready

Labor laws require accurate time tracking—and manual records often don’t cut it. With digital GPS time tracking, you’ll have detailed, timestamped logs that stand up to audits or legal disputes.

You’ll also be able to enforce break times, overtime rules, and job-specific compliance policies.

Protect your business with a digital paper trail you can trust.

Conclusion: Ready to Build Smarter?

Traditional time tracking just doesn’t cut it anymore—especially in an industry where labor is your biggest expense.

Switching to GPS time tracking means:

  • More accurate payroll

  • Less admin work

  • Real-time job costing

  • Stronger crew accountability

  • And better decisions for your business

If you’re ready to ditch paper timesheets and build smarter, Ontraq.ai can help. While we don’t provide time tracking software directly, we connect with your GPS time tracking tools and automatically tie labor data to job costs inside QuickBooks—giving you financial clarity without the spreadsheet headache.

👉 See how Ontraq.ai simplifies job costing and helps you know your numbers in real time. Book you free call now!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is GPS time tracking used in the construction industry?

GPS time tracking uses mobile apps or devices to log when and where workers clock in and out. It verifies time entries with GPS data, giving contractors accurate labor tracking for each job site.

2. How does GPS time tracking help with payroll and job costing?

It streamlines payroll by logging hours automatically and eliminates manual entry. For job costing, it ties labor time to specific projects—so you can see real-time costs per job.

3. Is GPS time tracking software expensive?

Not really. Many systems charge per user (around $5–10/month per worker). The savings from reduced admin work and payroll errors usually cover the cost several times over.

4. How easy is it to implement GPS time tracking in my company?

Very easy. Most tools are mobile-based, so your crew just downloads an app. Admins can start tracking time, set up jobs, and run reports the same day.

5. Is training required to use GPS time tracking apps?

Minimal. Most apps are designed to be simple—just clock in, choose a job, and you’re good to go. A short team walkthrough is usually all you need.