26 apps to download now

Following last year’s popular article “77 Tablet Apps Made for Remodelers” (see September 2011), Professional Remodeler editors continue to search for the most popular and latest applications for the residential construction market.

The following 26 apps were recommended by our readers based on their feedback in a recent technology survey. We also included 10 of the most popular apps downloaded in the last year from our AppCenter, which can be found at HousingZone.com [1].

AutoCAD WS

This app allows users to quickly view, edit, and share DWG files with anyone, anywhere. Accurately annotate and revise drawings while in the field, in meetings, or out of the office; view edits to drawings in real time; and collaborate with others on the same file simultaneously.
iOS, Android FREE

BuilderTrend

This cloud-based construction software enables builders to manage their business from computers and mobile devices. Automatic updates and notifications help builders manage operations in real-time, collaborating with subs, vendors, project managers, and customers to streamline operations.
iOS, Android FREE

Carbonite

With this app, you can back up all of your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad’s full resolution photos and videos. You can browse, view, and share all of your backed up photos and videos by logging into your Carbonite account at www.carbonite.com [2].
iOS, Android, Blackberry FREE

Carpenter’s Helper Lite

This construction calculator can perform normal and unit calculations, as well as advanced calculations like pitch, rise, run, and diagonal. Also available in a “professional” version that contains a memory bank.
iOS FREE

Construction Master Pro

Quickly and easily calculate material quantities, costs, and allowances. Work in and convert between feet, inches, fractions, yards, and metric. This app also includes a full User’s Guide. Created by Calculated Industries, originator of the award-winning Construction Master calculators.
iOS, Android, Windows Mobile $19.99

Contractor Forms HD

This tool provides one-click access to a variety of forms, including product order, work order, request for information, transmittal, and safety field hazard assessment. Contractors can complete paperwork in the field for rapid distribution to the office or clients.
iOS $34.99

Dri-Eaz

Quickly calculate drying environment variables with the Dri-Eaz app. Enter two values—temperature and relative humidity—and the psychrometric calculator will  produce the correct grains per pound calculation. Makes evaluating drying progress easy. Includes English, Spanish, and French language options.
iOS, Android FREE

Dropbox

Dropbox is a free service that lets you take your photos, docs, and videos anywhere. After you install Dropbox on your computer, any file you save
to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers, mobile devices, and the Dropbox website.
iOS, Android, Blackberry FREE

EagleView HD

EagleView HD lets you place orders, receive roof measurements on any building in the U.S., upload a photo of the building, and view the measurement details while also being able to check the status of all your pending orders. Available for iPad and Android, the app is useful for on-site ordering using your GPS location. It also provides easily accessible storage for all of your measurement details.
iOS, Android FREE

Evernote

Evernote is an easy-to-use, free iPhone and iPad app that helps you remember multiple items across all of your devices. Stay organized, save your ideas, and improve productivity. Evernote lets you take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders—and makes these notes completely searchable, whether you are at home, at work, or on the go.
iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows FREE

Home Design 3D

Draw 2D floor plans with ease by dragging your finger across the screen, and then view the resulting structure in 3D with one click. This tool comes with a catalog of more than 150 objects ranging from doors, windows, and furniture to place in the space. It also allows users to color rooms and objects.
iOS $5.99

HousingZone.com

Read latest news, blog, and feature articles about the residential construction industry. HousingZone.com serves the business information needs of residential construction professionals, specifically home builders, remodelers, architects, exterior-replacement contractors, K&B specialists, and many more. It is the parent portal for Professional Builder, Professional Remodeler, Custom Builder, and Housing Giants magazines.
iOS FREE

Houzz Interior Design Ideas

If you’re looking for quick interior design ideas, Houzz is the place to go. This tool provides instant access to Houzz’s database of more than 150,000 home-design ideas, with high-resolution photos. Browse photos by style, room, and location, and save them to a virtual idea book.
iOS, FREE

iAnnotate

The latest release of this iPad app offers an intuitive interface and comprehensive, customizable features that allow users to annotate, manage, and share documents. The latest version includes several features to enhance the Microsoft Word and PowerPoint documents on an iPad.
iOS, Android $9.99

iCabinet

Most home improvement stores have a large selection of in-stock cabinets ready for same-day installation. This app was built specifically for designing kitchens using these cabinets. For instance, iCabinet does not require users to lay out the walls first—all widths are automatically calculated as cabinets, appliances, and fillers are added.
iPad, $11.99

iLevel

iLevel Bubble Level Tool HD for iPhone, iPod, and iPad is fully functional with calibration capability, multiple themes, and different visual level modes. Most importantly, it’s accurate after calibration and ready to measure any angle. The app allows you to measure the horizontality of a floor, the verticality of a wall, or calculate roof pitch, to name a select few applications.
iOS $0.99

Invoice2go

Invoice2go offers an easy way to invoice, estimate, bill, collect, and report in more than 20 built-in invoice styles. Users can add logos, move fields, and create business forms. The free version of this app only allows users to create and manage up to three invoices at a time; the paid version offers unlimited invoices.
iOS, Android FREE

MagicPlan

MagicPlan allows users to measure, draw, and publish interactive floor plans on the web, just by taking pictures. Create a floor plan in minutes without the need to measure, draw, or move furniture.
iOS FREE

Note Taker HD

Note Taker HD is an iPad app that is useful for writing and organizing handwritten notes, diagrams, annotated PDF files, and more. Your writing can be reduced in order to fit more content on a page. Documents are organized by tags, date/time modified, favorites, and more. It includes a scrolling list of thumbnail images of each page to help you locate them when needed.
iOS $4.99

Parallam+Deck Beam Sizer

This app from Weyerhaeuser helps users determine the proper size and loading of Parallam Plus PSL beams needed for any deck project through three simple inputs. Calculations and supporting documentation can then be sent out via email directly from the app, speeding up the approval process. Users can also connect directly to Weyerhaeuser technical support as needed.
iOS FREE

Penultimate

Penultimate offers iPad users the gratification of writing on paper, with digital power and flexibility. Take notes, keep sketches, or share ideas in the office, on the go, or from home. Send single-page images or full notebooks in PDF format to anyone. Dropbox and Evernote integration bring the best cloud services for files, backup, and notes organization right into the app.
iOS $0.99

Photo Measures

Whenever you need to save dimensions, sizes, angles, or write down a detail you need to remember, the Photo Measures app will help you to be more efficient and accurate. Take photos and write down the dimensions on the photos in order to remember the exact layout, and to make sure that everything will fit easily.
iOS, Android $4.99

SG Project

SG Project was designed as a solution for project managers who typically work on one project at a time. It was designed specifically to take advantage of the features of the iPad platform and deliver a touch-based project management tool for both professionals and non-professionals.
iOS $9.99

SketchBook Mobile

Autodesk SketchBook Mobile offers the power of the company’s popular digital sketchpad program for Apple- and Android-supported mobile devices. Comes with multi-touch navigation with 2,500 percent zoom and a host of drawing tools.
iOS, Android $4.99

Task Tracker

If you are required to track the time you spend on your projects, Task Tracker may be just what you need. The app is simple to operate. Users just tap once to create a new project and then tap again to start a new task. The full version allows users to create more than three projects concurrently.
iOS, Android $1.99

Ultimate Estimator

This app combines several estimating and bidding tools into one. Bid on flooring, painting, framing, roofing, concrete, drywall, and perform miscellaneous bidding with a few taps of the screen.
iOS, Android $4.99 PR