Best iPhone Apps for Construction

There are many iPhone apps that are handy for anyone that work in the construction industry. The ones that I will be talking about have been used by my husband, and sons. They find these apps quite useful and handy.

Scenario

Husband and son were on a job, and they find out that one of the smoke detector rough ins has been covered by one of the guys that boarded the ceiling. The electrician has yet to hook it up and needs to know where this smoke detector is. He knows the general proximity of it, but since the ceiling has already been taped, sanded and painted, he doesn't want to start cutting away where he thinks it might be. Electrician is standing there scratching his head and hubby pulls out his iPhone. Electrician asks him what he's doing and hubby says he has a metal detector app. Electrician laughs and says, "You've got to be kidding me!"

Hubby uses his iPhone with the Real Metal Detector app and finds where the smoke detector rough in is located, cuts a small hole, and says to the disbelieving electrician, "There you go."

Needless to say the electrician was impressed by this app and happy all at the same time.

There are several Metal Detector free apps that you can install on your iPhone that may work fine for you. One that has had some good reviews is called the Metal Detector by FML Creations; however it does appear to be more of a fun app rather than one that you'd professionally use.

• This metal detector will work on iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPad. It can detect steel, iron, and magnetic stuffs.
• There is a sound and vibration mode.
• A flashlight.
• The alarm level on it can be set.
• Price of this app is $0.99.

This is a handy app whether you're a tradesman, contractor, or someone who is planning a DIY project. It is more than just your ordinary construction calculator. You can store all the work you've entered into the app and save it right to Notepad. If you need to you can export it as a PDF or print it.

When entering numbers and you find that you've made a mistake along the way, you can check your calculations on an onscreen ticker tape.

Store plans, contracts, budgets, photos and more right in the app itself.

The cost of Builders Helper is 14.99. Space needed for download is 7.7 MB. It is compatible for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Have everything you need right with you, when you need it. This app eliminates paperwork, running to look for files, pictures, carrying an extra calculator with you, and more.

Built into this app is a listing of what is called Quick Jobs. If you're doing a drywall takeoff for instance you'd enter the parameters and the app will fill in and calculate the job for you. Some of the included quick jobs are: stairs, flooring, painting, roofs, rafters and more.

Everyone that has an iPhone should have one of these flashlights. I've gotten a lot of use out this app especially when the power goes out. My basement is not all that well lit and when I go into it I like to be able to see.

With the 1Tap Torch in my hand everything in your path is illuminated. Simple to use, just tap the torch icon and you instantly have light.

I have two large dogs that sleep on my bedroom floor. When I get up in the middle of the night, rather than turn on a lamp or trip over one of the dogs, I will use this app.

This is a free app that is available through the App Store.

The CamScanner is your scanner on the go. This app works great for scanning documents, plans, books, photos, posters, receipts, and photos.

You can scan multiple pages and add them all into one document.

Images can be converted into a PDF file.

Easily email documents from the CamScanner or upload them to Cloud.

Price: Free.