Introduction

Managing subcontractor and supplier relationships is one of the most critical—and challenging—aspects of construction project management. For general contractors, the quality of vendor management directly impacts project outcomes: schedule adherence, quality standards, budget control, safety performance, and ultimately profitability.

According to the Construction Industry Institute, 60-80% of construction work is performed by subcontractors and specialty trades rather than general contractor self-perform labor. Yet many GCs still manage these critical relationships through scattered spreadsheets, email threads, and informal processes—creating compliance risk, inefficiency, and missed opportunities for strategic partnerships.

This comprehensive guide compares leading construction vendor management software platforms, covering features and capabilities, pricing, implementation considerations, and selection criteria to help general contractors, construction managers, and project owners choose the right solution for systematically managing subcontractor prequalification, performance tracking, compliance monitoring, and procurement workflows.