NetSuite ERP for Construction and Project-based Companies

The Construction Module for NetSuite: What It Is, and Why It Exists

ARTICLE - Oracle NetSuite does not ship a dedicated construction module natively. Construction for NetSuite, developed by FullClarity, is the construction SuiteApp that NetSuite implements directly to fill that gap. It is one of only two partner SuiteApps NetSuite implements itself, and it adds the construction-specific workflows that finance and project teams need: job costing, AIA billing, retainage, change orders, and Gantt scheduling, all built inside NetSuite.

NetSuite is the world's leading cloud ERP, and its financial core is genuinely strong. What it does not include out of the box are the workflows a construction or project-based firm runs every day. That is the work Construction for NetSuite does, on the same platform, against the same ledger, with no second system to sync.

Is there a construction module for NetSuite?
Yes, by way of a SuiteApp rather than a native feature. Here is the short version:

• NetSuite's native core is the financial and operational backbone: general ledger, AP and AR, procurement, inventory, and reporting. It is strong, and it is the foundation everything else sits on.
• What NetSuite does not include natively: construction-specific workflows such as job costing, AIA billing (progress claims), retainage (retention), change orders, and Gantt scheduling.
• Construction for NetSuite adds exactly those workflows, built inside NetSuite. It extends the platform you already run, rather than sitting alongside it as a separate application.

Addressing Construction Industry Challenges
Today, construction companies have many challenges. According to a recent report by KPMG, around 70% of construction projects suffer from schedule delays, which can lead to significant financial strain. Another Dodge Data & Analytics study found that 73% of construction professionals believe technology can be pivotal in improving productivity and reducing costs. These industry trends highlight the need for tools built for the specific demands of construction.

"FullClarity's Construction for NetSuite offers us the opportunity to be both modern and customized for the construction industry. It gives us the advantages of cloud-based NetSuite, and it provides the functionality needed for construction's unique processes without the time, money, and hassle of developing it ourselves."

- Mike Keenan, CFO, Blake Solutions

Andrew Coghlan, CEO and co-founder of FullClarity, explained that his company's Construction for NetSuite module was developed to meet these unique industry challenges: "We recognized the gap in the market for a way to build on NetSuite's strong ERP foundation and add industry-specific tools for construction. With Construction for NetSuite, companies gain a complete view and simpler day-to-day operations that let them focus on growth instead of fighting fires."

“With NetSuite and FullClarity, our project managers can easily track schedules and link progress payments to specific tasks from inside NetSuite. Now, our leadership gets reliable, real-time revenue forecasts with a clear view of billing dates and amounts. The cross-departmental transparency keeps everyone on the same page and moving forward together."

- Xavier Chambers, Business Technology Manager, Mars Energy

One ledger, not two systems
Because Construction for NetSuite is built inside NetSuite, project data and financial data live in the same ledger. A change order, a progress claim, or a retainage release updates the books the moment it happens, because it is the books. There is no second database to reconcile, no nightly export to chase, and no integration tax to pay when the two stop agreeing. For a construction or fit-out firm, that is the practical difference between a real-time view of project margin and a month-end reconciliation exercise.

Benefits of NetSuite + FullClarity
When FullClarity Construction for NetSuite is implemented, construction firms benefit from a unified platform that manages accounting and supports project-specific tasks like job costing, resource management, and vendor coordination, all built inside NetSuite. This module is built inside NetSuite, so it works alongside NetSuite's core functions, reducing the risks and inefficiencies of using separate applications for construction tasks.

Some of the key benefits include:

1. 1. Real-time Project Visibility: The FullClarity module provides a 360-degree view of projects, enabling managers to monitor budgets, timelines, and resource allocations in real-time. This visibility helps construction firms prevent margin erosion and improve decision-making, a crucial advantage in an industry where profit margins are thin, and project costs frequently fluctuate.
   2. Automated Job Costing and Forecasting: FullClarity's tools for job costing allow for more precise bidding and efficient forecasting. By automating cost estimations, companies can provide clients with accurate proposals and avoid cost overruns. Furthermore, because it is built inside NetSuite, project data updates instantly.
   3. Efficient Vendor Management: Managing vendor relationships and costs is a persistent challenge in construction. According to a study by Construction Business Owners, 43% of contractors need help managing vendor pricing and terms. With FullClarity, NetSuite users can access real-time vendor pricing and terms directly from the platform, helping ensure that material costs stay on budget and schedules remain on track.
   4. Future-Proof Scalability: Construction for NetSuite lets companies manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapting rapidly to project growth without sacrificing data integrity or operational efficiency. This scalability matters in construction, where the global construction market is projected to reach $11.9 trillion by 2024.

Maximizing NetSuite's Potential with FullClarity
By combining NetSuite's strong ERP capabilities with FullClarity's specialized construction tools, companies gain a system built for the construction industry's specific demands. It helps construction firms simplify operations, improve project oversight, and reduce risk, positioning them for sustained success in a competitive market.

In the words of Andrew Coghlan, "Our mission at FullClarity is to help construction firms get the full value of cloud ERP without sacrificing the construction-specific functionality they need to thrive. With Construction for NetSuite, firms aren't just investing in software, they're investing in a more scalable, efficient, and profitable future."

If your construction company or project-based business is ready to strengthen operations with construction-specific capabilities that deliver real-time project visibility, automated job costing, efficient vendor management, and future-proof scalability, all from one platform. Contact us to arrange a consultation with one of our industry experts.