labs@atheron:~/industries/construction$ log --site --safety --holdback

Construction software

Tools your crews use with gloves on, and owners can audit.

Your project's record is built every day on site: who was there, what was inspected, what changed and what was paid. Most of it is still on paper in the trailer. We build the apps, assistants, ledgers and bots that capture it where it happens.

Start a project See the example projects

// what you are up against

The problems we hear most.

The daily log on paper

Site diaries, safety inspections and toolbox talks are filled in by hand, photographed if anyone remembers, and impossible to search when a claim arrives two years later.

RFIs that wait on a search

Answering a question from the field means finding the right clause in hundreds of pages of specifications and addenda, so trades wait and work stalls.

Payment disputes down the chain

Progress claims, approvals, change orders and holdback releases are tracked in each party's own spreadsheet, and the trades at the bottom wait longest to learn where their money is.

Crews reached by group text

Schedule changes, site closures and safety notices go out in a group chat nobody can audit, in one language, to whoever was added.

// example projects

Systems we could build for you.

Each one is hypothetical, labelled as such, and priced live from our rate card. Open any of them in the estimator and make it yours.

Example projectWeb appMobile appMaterials tracking

Site app for logs and safety

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A general contractor keeps daily logs, safety inspections and deficiency lists on paper and in photos on personal phones, so nothing is searchable when a dispute or an inspection comes.

// What we would build

An iOS and Android app that works offline on site, with daily logs, safety forms, toolbox talk sign-in and deficiency lists pinned to drawings, and a web dashboard for project managers across every job.

// What is in it

Tools and materials tracked from the yard to each site, with QR labels and GPS trackers on the larger equipment
Daily logs with weather, crews on site, deliveries and photos
Safety inspections and toolbox talks signed on the phone, in the worker's language
Deficiencies pinned to the drawing, assigned to a trade and closed with a photo
Works offline in a basement or a steel frame and syncs when it finds a signal
A dashboard of every job's logs, open items and safety records
Exports for owners, insurers and safety regulators

// Stack

Next.js
React Native
PostgreSQL
PDF drawing viewer
Procore or accounting integration
AWS

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$199,000 to US$304,000, delivered within 40 weeksCAD 283,000 to 432,800
Hosting: ≈ US$590 a monthCAD 840 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month
Hardware: ≈ US$18,700CAD 26,630

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Discovery and site walk-through: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 8.9 to 14.9 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 2.4 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
First build on devices: 2.4 to 4.4 weeks
Stock, receiving and transfers: 3.4 to 5.9 weeks
Tracking and devices working: 2.4 to 3.9 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.4 weeks
Store submission: 0.4 weeks
Pilot site live: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Rollout: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

App store review: 1 week
Hardware delivery, after it is ordered: 2 to 6 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 56,600 to 86,560
Discovery 4.1%: CAD 11,603.00 to 17,744.80
Discovery and site walk-through 4.2%: CAD 11,886.00 to 18,177.60
Design approved 8.4%: CAD 23,772.00 to 36,355.20
Core features 3.4%: CAD 9,622.00 to 14,715.20
Full build 2.2%: CAD 6,226.00 to 9,521.60
First build on devices 9%: CAD 25,470 to 38,952
Stock, receiving and transfers 12.8%: CAD 36,224.00 to 55,398.40
Tracking and devices working 8.5%: CAD 24,055 to 36,788
Testing and fixes 1.1%: CAD 3,113.00 to 4,760.80
Store submission 3%: CAD 8,490 to 12,984
Pilot site live 4.2%: CAD 11,886.00 to 18,177.60
Launch 4.1%: CAD 11,603.00 to 17,744.80
Rollout 5%: CAD 14,150 to 21,640
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 28,300 to 43,280
Battery GPS tracker x 40: CAD 13,090. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones
Rugged barcode scanner x 6: CAD 10,560. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones
Industrial label printer x 1: CAD 2,380. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones
Corded barcode scanner, for our build and testing: CAD 290. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones
Cellular GPS development kit, for our build and testing: CAD 310. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appAIOpen-source model

Specifications and RFI assistant

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

Project engineers spend hours finding the clause, addendum or past RFI that answers a question from the field, and the same questions come up on every job.

// What we would build

An assistant that answers from the project's specifications, addenda and past RFIs and cites the section, on an open-source model served on GPUs the contractor controls, so tender documents and pricing stay private.

// What is in it

Specifications, addenda and RFIs indexed per project, with superseded sections marked
Answers that cite the section and the addendum that changed it
Suggested RFI wording when the documents do not answer the question
An evaluation set of real field questions, run before every change
An open-source model on rented GPUs, with no documents sent to a model provider

// Stack

Llama or Qwen (open-source)
vLLM
PostgreSQL with pgvector
Next.js
DigitalOcean GPU

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$96,100 to US$147,000, delivered within 22 weeksCAD 136,800 to 209,100
Hosting: ≈ US$4,360 a monthCAD 6,210 a month
Support: ≈ US$1,000 a monthCAD 1,425 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

AI route: Open-source model
Model running cost: ≈ US$4,190 a monthCAD 5,960 a month

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Specification and evaluation plan: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 2.4 to 3.4 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 1.9 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Working pilot: 3.9 to 6.9 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Production: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 27,300 to 41,760
Discovery 1.8%: CAD 2,457.00 to 3,758.40
Specification and evaluation plan 10.5%: CAD 14,332.50 to 21,924.00
Design approved 1.8%: CAD 2,457.00 to 3,758.40
Core features 5.6%: CAD 7,644.00 to 11,692.80
Full build 3.7%: CAD 5,050.50 to 7,725.60
Working pilot 31.7%: CAD 43,270.50 to 66,189.60
Testing and fixes 1.8%: CAD 2,457.00 to 3,758.40
Launch 1.8%: CAD 2,457.00 to 3,758.40
Production 11.3%: CAD 15,424.50 to 23,594.40
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 13,650 to 20,880
GPU time for training and testing, at cost: CAD 300. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appBlockchain

Progress claim and holdback ledger

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

Owner, general contractor and trades each track progress claims, approvals and holdback in their own spreadsheets, and disagree about what was certified and when.

// What we would build

A private permissioned ledger where the owner, the general contractor and the major trades each run a node and record claims, certifications, change orders and holdback releases once, with a portal for each party. On a project where everyone trusts the general contractor's system, a shared database does the job and we will say so.

// What is in it

Approved claims and holdbacks posted to QuickBooks Online, built on the QuickBooks Online API
A node for the owner, the general contractor and each major trade
Progress claims, certifications and change orders recorded once and signed
Holdback held and released by the dates your contract and provincial rules set
Each trade sees the status of its own money, and only its own
Exports to each party's accounting system

// Stack

Hyperledger Besu (private, permissioned)
Next.js
PostgreSQL
Accounting system integration
AWS

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$124,000 to US$190,000, delivered within 29 weeksCAD 176,500 to 270,000
Hosting: ≈ US$492 a monthCAD 700 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Architecture: 0.4 weeks
Data mapping and sandbox connection: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 3.4 to 5.4 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 2.4 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Devnet: 2.9 to 4.9 weeks
Sync built and reconciled in sandbox: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.4 weeks
Testnet: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Mainnet: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Live cutover: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Hypercare: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 35,300 to 54,000
Discovery 2.1%: CAD 3,706.50 to 5,670.00
Architecture 5.7%: CAD 10,060.50 to 15,390.00
Data mapping and sandbox connection 1.6%: CAD 2,824 to 4,320
Design approved 2.1%: CAD 3,706.50 to 5,670.00
Core features 6.5%: CAD 11,472.50 to 17,550.00
Full build 4.3%: CAD 7,589.50 to 11,610.00
Devnet 17.3%: CAD 30,534.50 to 46,710.00
Sync built and reconciled in sandbox 4.9%: CAD 8,648.50 to 13,230.00
Testing and fixes 2.1%: CAD 3,706.50 to 5,670.00
Testnet 11.5%: CAD 20,297.50 to 31,050.00
Launch 2.1%: CAD 3,706.50 to 5,670.00
Mainnet 5.7%: CAD 10,060.50 to 15,390.00
Live cutover 1.6%: CAD 2,824 to 4,320
Hypercare 2.5%: CAD 4,412.50 to 6,750.00
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 17,650 to 27,000

Start from this example

Example projectBot with a web dashboard

Crew schedule and safety bot

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

Superintendents send start times, site closures and safety alerts to a group chat, with no proof who read them and no translation for crews who need it.

// What we would build

A Telegram bot that sends each worker their own site, start time and safety notices in their language, asks them to acknowledge, and gives the superintendent a record of who has and has not.

// What is in it

Shift and site changes sent per worker, not to a group
Safety notices with a one-tap acknowledgement, recorded with the time
Notices in each worker's language
A simple screen for superintendents to post changes
A record of acknowledgements for the safety file

// Stack

grammY for Telegram
Node.js
PostgreSQL
Translation API
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$27,600 to US$42,200, delivered within 9 weeksCAD 39,300 to 60,100
Hosting: ≈ US$176 a monthCAD 250 a month
Support: ≈ US$1,000 a monthCAD 1,425 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Commands agreed: 1.9 to 2.4 weeks
Working in a test server: 1.9 to 3.4 weeks
Hardening and testing: 0.5 to 1 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 30%: CAD 11,790 to 18,030
Commands agreed 15%: CAD 5,895 to 9,015
Working in a test server 30%: CAD 11,790 to 18,030
Launch 15%: CAD 5,895 to 9,015
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 3,930 to 6,010

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appAPI

Estimating, schedule and books joined

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A general contractor's estimates, schedules and job costs live in three systems, and project managers rebuild the budget in a spreadsheet for every job.

// What we would build

An integration that carries the awarded estimate into your job costing as the budget, links cost codes to schedule activities, and brings committed and actual costs back nightly, so each job shows budget, committed and spent in one place.

// What is in it

Awarded estimates become job budgets
Cost codes linked to schedule activities
Committed and actual costs brought back nightly
One view of budget, committed and spent per job

// Stack

Node.js
PostgreSQL
REST
OpenAPI
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$101,000 to US$154,000, delivered within 26 weeksCAD 143,500 to 219,500
Hosting: ≈ US$176 a monthCAD 250 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Design approved: 2.4 to 3.4 weeks
API contract agreed: 1.4 to 1.9 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 2.4 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Core resources built: 2.9 to 4.4 weeks
Security, gateway and connections: 1.9 to 3.4 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.4 to 0.9 weeks
Docs, SDKs and load tests: 1.4 to 1.9 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Launch and first callers: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

Tags and readers delivery: 2 to 6 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 28,700 to 43,900
Discovery 2.3%: CAD 3,300.50 to 5,048.50
Design approved 2.3%: CAD 3,300.50 to 5,048.50
API contract agreed 6%: CAD 8,610 to 13,170
Core features 7%: CAD 10,045 to 15,365
Full build 4.7%: CAD 6,744.50 to 10,316.50
Core resources built 18.3%: CAD 26,260.50 to 40,168.50
Security, gateway and connections 12.1%: CAD 17,363.50 to 26,559.50
Testing and fixes 2.3%: CAD 3,300.50 to 5,048.50
Docs, SDKs and load tests 6%: CAD 8,610 to 13,170
Launch 2.3%: CAD 3,300.50 to 5,048.50
Launch and first callers 6.7%: CAD 9,614.50 to 14,706.50
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 14,350 to 21,950

Start from this example

Example projectWeb app

Equipment and time system, rescued

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A contractor paid an agency for an equipment and timesheet app that was never finished; it half works, the agency has moved on, and crews are back on paper.

// What we would build

A rescue in three steps: we review the code and the data and tell you plainly what can be kept, fix what blocks daily use first, then finish the missing pieces with tests, so crews can use it while the rest is done.

// What is in it

A written review of the code, data and hosting
The worst faults fixed first, so crews can use it
Missing features finished with tests
Code, accounts and documents handed to you

// Stack

Next.js
PostgreSQL
TypeScript
Playwright
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$94,200 to US$144,000, delivered within 16 weeksCAD 134,200 to 205,300
Hosting: ≈ US$344 a monthCAD 490 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Design approved: 2.4 to 4.4 weeks
Core features: 2.4 to 3.9 weeks
Full build: 1.4 to 2.4 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

Tags and readers delivery: 2 to 6 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 26,840 to 41,060
Discovery 7.7%: CAD 10,333.40 to 15,808.10
Design approved 7.7%: CAD 10,333.40 to 15,808.10
Core features 23.3%: CAD 31,268.60 to 47,834.90
Full build 15.5%: CAD 20,801.00 to 31,821.50
Testing and fixes 7.7%: CAD 10,333.40 to 15,808.10
Launch 8.1%: CAD 10,870.20 to 16,629.30
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 13,420 to 20,530

Start from this example

// by service

Go deeper on one kind of work.

Pages for the services we have the most to say about in this industry.

~/apps

Construction site app

iOS and Android site apps for general contractors that work offline: daily logs, safety inspections, toolbox talks and deficiencies pinned to drawings, with a dashboard across every job.

~/ai

AI for construction

An assistant that answers field questions from each project's specifications, addenda and past RFIs, citing the section, on an open-source model so tender documents stay private.

~/bots

Construction crew bot

A Telegram bot that sends each worker their site, start time and safety notices in their own language, records acknowledgements and gives superintendents a list of who has read what.

~/chains

Holdback ledger

A private permissioned ledger shared by owner, general contractor and trades, recording progress claims, certifications, change orders and holdback releases once, for every party to see.

// questions

What buyers in this industry ask us.

Do you work with trades, not just general contractors?

Yes, and with owners and developers. We are in British Columbia and work with clients anywhere; prices are in Canadian dollars.

Can you build to our safety and payment rules?

We build to the requirements your team sets out, such as WorkSafeBC or your province's safety regulator, and the builders lien and prompt payment rules in your contracts. We do not give legal advice.

How do payments work?

A deposit to start, then payments at agreed milestones, with 10% held until 30 days after launch. The deposit is a smaller share on larger projects.

Who owns the code and the data?

You do, once the work is paid for, including every log, form and record captured on your sites.

// other industries

Nearby industries.

~/real-estate

Real estate and proptech

Resident apps for property managers, brokerage listing sites, building assistants and portable rental history credentials.

See the examples

~/government

Government and public sector

Provincial and federal service portals, inspector apps, plain-language services assistants and verifiable licences and permits.

See the examples

~/staffing

HR and staffing

Worker and client apps for staffing agencies, candidate matching your recruiters control, shared timesheet records and shift-fill bots.

See the examples

All industries

// where we work

Find your market.

We work from Kelowna with clients across Canada, the United States and further afield. Each market page covers working hours, hosting, the privacy law that applies, and prices in your currency.

Every market

// next

Not quite your project?

Tell us what you have in mind. We will come back to you with a range and the questions that would narrow it. Or book a call and talk it through.

Start a project Book a call