Frequently Asked Questions

Back in 1985, the construction industry sorely lacked a solution powerful enough to meet its unique accounting demands.

Foundation Software was the answer.

Now, over 40 years later, our focus remains the same: give contractors the best-in-class tools required to simplify office operations.

Absolutely! Many of our clients are more than happy to talk with you about FOUNDATION. You can view several testimonials, or if you would like to talk to someone personally, please contact our sales department.

Foundation Software has always put our clients first. It starts with creating the very best construction accounting software to manage their needs. But equally important is our ability to support them today and for years to come.

We’ve been very careful over the years to build a financially strong company that reinvests back into the business — enhancing our products and services to meet the industry’s growing demands. With a focus only in construction, we're constantly looking for new entry points into the industry, so our sustainable growth continues. As a result, we can confidently say that we’ll be around for a while.

FOUNDATION does not require you to buy any specialized computers or servers and will work on most businesses’ existing equipment. However, as with any software, there are recommended minimums.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: SAAS

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: MOBILE

All FOUNDATION data is stored in a Microsoft SQL Server database, which boasts extensive security, including password encryption and built-in measures to protect data in the event of hardware failure.

FOUNDATION also has integrated security features that let you control each user’s access to individual windows. It offers separate payroll security to protect sensitive salary information as well as optional project manager security to protect job cost information by the manager on each job.

A thorough audit trail is maintained so that all voids, reversals and adjustments are saved and can be reported.

In addition, we offer FOUNDATION Hosted: the cloud-based version of our accounting software. With Hosted, users get extra data security with encryptions and our experts backup your server every 15 minutes.

Yes. Our ConversionQuick™ process can import “maintenance” data (such as employees, vendors, customers, jobs, equipment items, etc.) from many systems, including QuickBooks®, Sage®, American Contractor®/Maxwell and more. Some historical data can also be imported. For more detailed information on what’s possible, contact our sales department.

We maintain a directory of CPA firms who work with construction clients. While we do not endorse any single firm, we work with all CPAs with the shared goal of making contractors successful.

If your current CPA is not familiar with FOUNDATION, we offer documentation and other services specifically for CPAs to help them understand how the system works and its advantages for both you and them.

For more information on these services, please visit our CPA Overview page.

Foundation Software’s mission is to give contractors the tools they need to manage more profitable projects.

That’s why Foundation’s product line is not only tailored to simplify the complexities of the construction industry but there’s a solution for every phase of the construction project lifecycle.

Currently, Foundation offers:

• Construction accounting software (FOUNDATION®)
• A construction payroll service (Payroll4Construction)
• Construction estimating software (McCormick/The EDGE® )
• Construction time tracking software (WorkMax)
• Construction safety software (SafetyHQ®)
• Construction human resources software (hrHQ)
• Construction project management software (ProjectHQ®)

Each solution not only offers its own unique benefits but many of them seamlessly integrate — giving contractors scalable software that allows them to focus more on growing their business and less on time-consuming administrative tasks.

There are many reasons why FOUNDATION stands above its competition. Among them are:

• Better technology. FOUNDATION is built on Microsoft SQL Server, one of the most powerful and secure databases available. That means technology built from the ground up with a commitment to continuous improvement, something our clients understand well.
• Complete date sensitivity. Meaning that any report can be run for any date. This allows you to run financial statements, aging reports, etc., for any time period in the history of your database.
• Doesn’t force a hard-close. FOUNDATION construction accounting software offers features to “lock down” the dates of transactions but also has the flexibility to allow adjustments into prior periods, further maintaining date sensitivity on reports.
• Fully integrated general ledger and job costing. This allows you to run financial statements by job—an excellent tool for really seeing with precise data the impact of each job on your business.
• Powerful defaulting. Data entry in FOUNDATION is much easier to use than in its competitors because so much information can input automatically based on your customized setup. For example, to enter an invoice, you may have to complete as little as four fields. The rest of the information can be set just once to default every time, with easy overrides.
• Superior training and support. Training to go live on the system is included in your purchase price, as is six months of toll-free phone support, Web support, online help and regular updates. Many systems have hidden training and support costs and are much more difficult to set up on your own.

Get information on the features of FOUNDATION or contact our sales department.

We know cost is an important factor in your decision to purchase software, but pricing depends on several factors, including the desired modules and number of users.

Please check out our short article “How Much Does Construction Accounting Software Cost?” and contact our sales department for pricing information suited to your company’s specific needs.

The answer depends on many variables, such as the amount of data to transfer, the number of people involved with data transfer and training, etc.

On average, implementation takes a couple months to complete. Planning the implementation and creating an individualized timeline for your company will be an important step in the process.

Rest assured that we have developed a systematic approach and will work with you every step of the way to ensure a painless and successful conversion.

FOUNDATION has a number of tools and reports designed to help you determine your company’s responsibilities under the ACA act and file the required forms. Learn more about how we can help.

Yes, many of Foundation Software’s products integrate with other leading construction solutions. These pairings help contractors receive accurate information faster with less manual data entry.

For a full list, visit our partners page.

In addition to these external integrations, Foundation offers a range of software dedicated to estimating, project management, safety, time tracking and more so users don’t have to turn to third-party products to fulfill their needs.

Plus, many of these products integrate with each other to limit manual data entry, reduce errors, seamlessly manage data exchanges and give contractors valuable insights in a fraction of the time.

Foundation has an in-house team dedicated to helping contractors implement and navigate its varying solutions like its construction accounting software.

The customer service team includes experts who can help users get the most out of their software — ensuring their operations are efficient, accurate and scalable.

If you've used spreadsheets or off-the-shelf accounting software, we walk you through each step of the process so that you have total control and insight into your project financials. You don't have to worry about being a CPA because we have the training and support to give you everything you need.

Absolutely! Foundation Software provides tools to help with compliance related to construction regulations and standards, labor laws and safety.

Some of the governing requirements Foundation pays close attention to include those created by OSHA and the Davis-Bacon Act.

By leveraging Foundation Software’s products, you can avoid costly penalties and fines and ensure all your documents comply with the law.

Initially, Foundation Software offers implementation assistance to get you and your team acclimated with the software. All implementation and training are performed by Foundation’s in-house experts who walk you through the construction accounting software to ensure a smooth transition.

After you are implemented onto the system, we provide ongoing support as needed from our responsive, in-house and US-based client support team.

Additionally, Foundation hosts a variety of colleges aimed at educating its users about getting the most out of their system and customizing it to best fit the needs of their business. And there are webinars, how-to videos and other free educational resources for ongoing education.

We also offer consulting services where users can learn how to create their own job cost reports, explore best practices for job costing, learn about financial reporting and receive new hire trainings to get their employees up and running quickly.