Business Central for builders: an ERP that keeps every job on track

Win more work, control costs and manage every build from first enquiry to final account with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, an ERP system designed for builders in the UK.

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Why builders need Dynamics 365 Business Central

When information about jobs, materials, labour and costs sits in different systems, it becomes harder for builders to plan work, protect margins and keep customers happy. Dynamics 365 Business Central brings everything together so you can run every project from one place.

Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive ERP system for builders and construction businesses. It gives you one platform to manage finance, job costing, purchasing, stock, subcontractors, service work and more.

With Business Central, you can replace spreadsheets and disconnected apps with a single connected system. It gives your office and site teams one version of the truth, with clear insight into profit, cash flow and performance on every job. If you want to see what a purpose-built ERP for builders looks like, keep reading.

Meet Business Central: an ERP for builders

An ERP system that is designed around building projects will transform how your company operates. Here is how Business Central supports builders.

Joined up operations

Business Central connects your core processes, including finance, purchasing, stock, job management and service work, in one system. This helps builders avoid duplicate data entry, cut down on manual chasing and make sure everyone is working from the same information.

Better visibility and decisions

You get real time views of jobs, costs and cash flow through clear dashboards and reports. This helps owners, finance leaders and contract managers see which projects are on track, which ones need attention and where profit is really made across the business.

Built to scale with your business

Whether you run a small local building firm or a growing regional contractor, Business Central can scale with you. You can start with the essentials and add users, modules and industry specific apps over time, so the system grows as your workload and team grow.

Stronger cash flow and profit control

Business Central helps builders manage applications, stage payments, retentions and variations in a structured way. This makes it easier to bill accurately, collect cash faster and track profitability on every job, which matters when margins are tight and material prices move quickly.

Compliance and control

With detailed audit trails, strong security and role-based access, Business Central supports compliance with accounting standards and construction industry requirements. It helps builders stay on top of areas such as VAT, Making Tax Digital and project approvals, without adding extra admin.

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Discover how Microsoft Dynamic 365 Business Central works

Why your business needs an ERP

82%

of businesses are utilising an ERP

1 in 5

businesses are dissatisfied with their current ERP

96%

of businesses say using an ERP has contributed to achieving business outcomes

Data taken from a survey we commissioned in December 2024

ERP designed for building companies

Builders deal with complex work every day, from managing multiple sites and teams to handling price changes, delays and health and safety. Many firms still rely on manual spreadsheets, paper files and separate systems, which wastes time and hides risk. Dynamics 365 Business Central is built to help building companies work in a more joined up, predictable and profitable way.

Smooth flow from quote to final account

Create estimates, convert them into jobs and then manage changes, variations and final accounts in the same system. This gives everyone a clear view of what has been agreed, what has changed and what remains to be invoiced, which reduces disputes and protects margin.

Tighter control of materials and stock

Manage materials, stock levels and purchase orders in one place. Business Central helps builders make sure the right materials arrive on site when they are needed, avoid over ordering and reduce waste, while still keeping projects moving on schedule.

Job costing that you can trust

Track every cost against every job, including labour, materials, plant, subcontractors and overheads. This helps owners, quantity surveyors and finance teams understand true job profitability and spot issues early, rather than discovering problems when it is too late to act.

Why builders choose Dynamics 365 Business Central

End to end job management

Plan and manage every stage of a build, from initial enquiry and estimate through to completion and aftercare. Business Central gives project managers and site teams clear tasks, budgets and timelines so they can keep work on track and customers informed.

Purchasing and supplier control

Raise purchase orders, track deliveries and match invoices against agreed prices. This helps builders control spend with merchants and suppliers, prevent unauthorised buying and build stronger relationships with the partners they rely on every day.

Subcontractor management and CIS

Manage subcontractor details, contracts, timesheets and invoices in one system. Business Central can support the information you need for Construction Industry Scheme processes and makes it easier to pay subcontractors accurately and on time.

Mobile access for site teams

Because Business Central is a modern cloud based system, your teams can access key information from laptops, tablets and mobile devices. This helps foremen, site managers and supervisors check job details, update progress and capture issues while they are on site.

Reporting across projects and profit

Use built in reporting and integration with tools such as Microsoft Power BI to understand performance across all your projects. This gives leaders a clear picture of revenue, cost, profit and work in progress, so they can make better decisions about which work to pursue and how to grow.

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Download our report

The Dynamics of Success

Get a better understanding of the benefits of using a CRM system - allowing businesses like yours to overcome fragmented systems and disconnected workflows. Don't just read about them either, our report provides you with actionable insights and practical recommendations so that you can begin to make data-led decisions.

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Download our report

The Dynamics of Success

Get a better understanding of the benefits of using a CRM system - allowing businesses like yours to overcome fragmented systems and disconnected workflows. Don't just read about them either, our report provides you with actionable insights and practical recommendations so that you can begin to make data-led decisions.

the-dynamics-of-success-report-download-1

Supercharge your operations with an ERP made for builders

In building projects, control and agility matter. Business Central is a powerful ERP for builders because it unifies finance, jobs, purchasing and reporting in one system. This means your business can handle small works and large developments with confidence.

To learn more about Business Central for builders, or to see what an ERP for your building company could look like, get in touch via this short form.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for builders?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for builders is a modern ERP and finance system that helps building companies manage jobs, budgets, purchasing, subcontractors and reporting in one connected platform.

How does Business Central help builders manage jobs and projects?

Business Central lets you set up each job with a clear scope, budget and schedule, then track every cost, purchase order and invoice against it. Project managers and owners can see in real time how each project is performing and take action before problems affect profit or customer satisfaction.

Is Business Central suitable for small building companies?

Yes. Business Central is used by many small and mid sized builders who have outgrown basic accounting software and spreadsheets. You can start with a small number of users and core modules, then add more capability as your business grows.

Can Business Central handle construction industry compliance?

Business Central supports strong financial controls, audit trails and reporting, which helps with areas such as VAT, Making Tax Digital and industry regulations. With the right partner and add on solutions, it can also support specific needs such as Construction Industry Scheme processes.

Does Business Central integrate with other Microsoft tools that builders use?

Yes. Business Central is part of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite and integrates closely with tools such as Microsoft 365, Outlook, Excel, Teams and Power BI. This helps your teams work in familiar applications while still using a single, central source of business data.

How long does it take to implement Business Central for a building company?

Implementation time depends on the size of your business, the number of users, the complexity of your processes and how much data you need to migrate. A specialist partner will work with you to design a realistic plan and help your teams adopt the system in stages.

How much does Business Central for builders cost?

Business Central is licensed on a subscription basis, usually per user per month, with different licence types depending on the roles in your business. There will also be implementation and support costs, which vary based on your requirements. A Microsoft partner can provide a clear estimate tailored to your building company.

Is Business Central available in the cloud for builders?

Yes. Most builders choose the cloud version of Business Central, which is hosted and updated by Microsoft. This reduces the need for on site servers and gives your teams secure access to the system from the office, home or site.

Can Business Central help builders improve profitability?

Business Central gives you clearer visibility of costs, revenue and margins on every job. This helps builders control spend, reduce rework, invoice accurately and focus on the types of work and customers that deliver the best returns.

How do I know if my building business is ready for an ERP system like Business Central?

Signs that you are ready include relying heavily on spreadsheets, struggling to see real-time job profitability, experiencing frequent data entry errors and spending too much time chasing information across systems. If these challenges sound familiar, it is worth exploring how Business Central could give your building company a more scalable and reliable platform.