Top 10 Best Time Tracking Apps For Electrical Contractors: Full 2025 Guide

Electrical contractors know every minute counts. Missed billable hours, payroll issues, and poor job site coordination can cost thousands each year. Modern time tracking apps tackle these problems with GPS accuracy, instant reporting, and smooth payroll integration. This guide explores different time tracking apps available to electrical contractors, comparing key features and specializations to help you make an informed choice.

Features That Matter for Electrical Contractors

When selecting a time tracking app, electrical contractors should prioritize features like:

• GPS Tracking and Geofencing: Ensures employees clock in and out at job sites.
• Job Costing: Tracks labor costs by project or task.
• Payroll Integration: Simplifies payroll processing with direct data exports.
• Mobile Accessibility: Allows field workers to log hours on the go.
• Compliance Tools: Supports prevailing wage calculations and other legal requirements.

Top Time Tracking Apps for Electrical Contractors

1. Workyard

Precision Time Tracking with GPS Accuracy

Workyard offers advanced time tracking tools designed to improve accuracy and efficiency on construction sites:

• GPS-Based Time Tracking: Tracks employee locations in real-time with high precision.
• Project Management Integration: Links time tracking data with project management tools to monitor progress and budgets.
• Labor Cost Insights: Provides detailed reports on labor costs by project or task.

Workyard is well-suited for general construction but does not include electrical-specific features like NEC code compliance.

2. Busybusy

Construction-Focused Time Tracking

Busybusy is a time tracking app built for the construction industry, offering features that cater to a wide range of trades:

• GPS and Geofencing: Tracks employee locations in real-time and prevents off-site clock-ins.
• Equipment Tracking: Monitors machine usage and tracks which employees are using specific equipment.
• Job Costing: Allows users to assign different pay rates to tasks and cost codes, improving labor cost tracking and project bidding accuracy.
• Photo Verification: Requires photo uploads to verify timesheet accuracy and prevent buddy punching.

While Busybusy is highly effective for general construction, it lacks features specifically tailored to the needs of electrical contractors, such as NEC compliance tracking.

3. ConnectTeam

Simplified Time Tracking for Small Crews

ConnectTeam provides basic time tracking tools suitable for small teams:

• Mobile Clock-In/Out: Employees can clock in/out via their mobile devices.
• Geofence Reminders: Sends alerts when employees enter or leave job sites without clocking in/out.
• Document Sharing: Allows sharing of project-related documents like schematics or checklists within the app.

ConnectTeam is an affordable option but lacks robust features like job costing or compliance tools.

4. QuickBooks Time (formerly T-Sheets)

Time Tracking Integrated with QuickBooks Ecosystem

QuickBooks Time simplifies time tracking for businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting:

• Seamless Integration with QuickBooks Payroll & Invoicing: Syncs tracked hours directly with payroll processing and invoicing systems.
• GPS Location Stamping: Tracks employee locations during clock-ins/outs.
• Kiosk Mode for Centralized Clock-In/Outs: Provides a shared device option for crews working on-site.

QuickBooks Time is ideal for businesses using QuickBooks but lacks advanced features like equipment tracking or job costing.

5. Buildforce

Tailored for Electrical Contractors

Buildforce specializes in time tracking and workforce management for electrical contractors, offering features specifically designed for the trade:

• Time Tracking with GPS: Tracks clock-in and clock-out locations to ensure accurate time entries.
• Integrated Payroll: Combines time tracking and payroll in one platform, eliminating the need for multiple tools.
• Electrician Staffing Tools: Includes Buildforce Player Cards that showcase hours worked, attendance, and qualifications, making it easier to hire pre-vetted electricians.
• Compliance Management: Maintains field compliance by verifying certifications like TDLR daily.

Buildforce is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of electrical contractors, focusing on their specific workflows and compliance requirements.

6. ADP Workforce Now

Enterprise-Level HR Solution with Time Tracking Features

ADP Workforce Now provides robust time tracking tools as part of its larger HR platform:

• Biometric Clock-In Options: Includes advanced tools like palm vein scanners for secure check-ins.
• Real-Time Alerts: Flags labor overages during shifts, helping manage costs on large projects.
• Journeyman Tracking: Separates hours worked by apprentices versus journeymen for better reporting.

ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive solution but is more suited for large enterprises than small-to-medium-sized electrical contracting businesses. It lacks the trade-specific features offered by Buildforce.

7. Justworks Hours

Simplified Time Tracking for HR Integration

Justworks Hours focuses on time tracking as part of its HR platform:

• Mobile and Desktop Access: Employees can clock in/out via mobile or desktop devices.
• Payroll Integration with Justworks Platform: Syncs tracked hours directly with payroll processing tools for seamless payments.

Justworks Hours is a good option for companies already using Justworks’ HR tools but does not offer construction-specific capabilities like GPS geofencing or job costing.

8. Miter HR

Workforce Management for Construction Contractors

Miter HR offers workforce management tools built for construction contractors, including:

• GPS Tracking: Tracks employee locations throughout their shifts.
• Compliance Automation: Handles state-by-state overtime and break rules automatically.
• Daily Labor Reports: Provides detailed insights into labor costs by job, cost code, and employee.
• Bulk Timesheet Entry: Allows supervisors to manage timesheets for entire crews efficiently.

Miter HR is a strong option for construction businesses but does not offer electrical-specific features like Buildforce.

9. HammerTech

Safety-Focused Time Tracking for Construction Teams

HammerTech integrates safety management with time tracking for construction teams:

• Safety Meeting Attendance Tracking: Uses QR codes to log attendance at toolbox talks.
• Digital Safety Records: Stores records of safety meetings and compliance checklists digitally.
• Issue Tracking Integration: Links safety issues with daily reports for better oversight.

HammerTech excels in safety management but lacks advanced time tracking features tailored to electrical contractors.

10. Gusto

Payroll-Centric Time Tracking

Gusto offers time tracking as part of its broader payroll and HR management platform:

• Integrated Time Tracking with Payroll: Automatically syncs tracked hours with payroll processing to streamline payments.
• Break Tracking: Supports both paid and unpaid break logging, ensuring compliance with labor laws like California’s break requirements.
• Manual Adjustments: Allows employees to edit hours before payroll is processed, giving flexibility for corrections.

While Gusto excels at payroll integration, it does not provide construction-specific features like job costing or equipment tracking, making it less ideal for electrical contractors.

Choosing the Right Solution

When selecting a time tracking app for your electrical contracting business, consider:

• Your specific workflow requirements
• Integration needs with existing systems
• Team size and growth plans
• Budget and ROI expectations
• Industry-specific compliance requirements

Each solution offers different advantages. Some focus on general workforce management, others on construction broadly, while specialized platforms like Buildforce target electrical industry needs. Consider starting with free trials of your top choices to find the best fit for your operations.