Why Your ConTech Should Be Gaining Value—Not Losing It
Let’s talk about depreciation. If you’ve ever bought a brand-new truck, or even a used one, you know how this goes. The second you drive it off the lot, it loses value (about 10% instantly). Before you’ve ever had the chance to spill your first cup of coffee in the cupholder or upgrade the stereo, it’s already worth a few thousand less than you paid.
And heaven forbid you actually use it for something practical—like hauling materials, hitting a job site or simply navigating the city with kids in the back. That shiny new ride is depreciating every second, whether you like it or not.
Shift gears for a second (pun intended) to construction technology. If you’re thinking of your software the same way you think about a company truck—that is, as something that just loses value over time—you’re missing the entire point. The right ConTech appreciates in value. Not just because it gets newer, better features (which it absolutely should), but because its impact on your organization grows year after year.
That is, if you take care of it.
The Appreciating Asset You Never Knew You Had
As I’m sure most of you will agree, unlike a new truck your software isn’t in its best state on day one. Instead, our teams navigate the inevitable “valley of despair” and emotions shift from optimism to fear. However, with the right people leading, a clear strategy, open communication and defined roles, teams push through from despair to determination and ultimately, to success. By guiding your teams through change, over a little time you unlock the true value of your tech investment.
Here’s the kicker: from that point on your construction software only appreciates if you’re continuing to use it to its full potential. That means implementing updates, refining processes and actually leveraging the new functionality that gets added over time.
If you’re just going through the motions and renewing your licenses every year without making any changes—congrats, you’re paying for the same thing over and over again. Your tech is now your truck, working hard sure, but gathering rust, dents and wear. The difference is huge though. That’s not software depreciation; that’s user stagnation.
Companies that truly appreciate their ConTech are the ones that treat it like an evolving asset. They integrate new features, train their teams, adapt to industry changes and continuously improve how they use the technology. Over time, their investment in construction software generates bigger and better returns—greater efficiency, lower costs, improved collaboration and ultimately fewer mistakes.
Unless Your Software is Scrambling to Just Hang On
But let’s get real for a second, because here’s the part software companies don’t always like to talk about—at some point, every piece of tech reaches a point of diminishing returns. There comes a point where, just like a truck, there’s only so much you can do to modernize it before the core technology just won’t keep up anymore.
If you’re like me, coming of age through the 90s, you totally get this. Remember when we were younger and had that first car? It ran and gave us freedom to be sure, but back to the factory radio, that thing was garbage. So, we all went out and installed a fancy aftermarket CD player. It was still old, but at least it sounded good. At some point though, we realized we were just dumping money into something that will never truly be new again.
Software companies do the same thing and we’ve actually seen a lot of this in the last few years. Once their core technology hits its limit—when it no longer keeps pace with industry needs—they start bolting on new features through acquisitions rather than true development. Instead of investing in the major structural changes required to innovate, they buy up smaller companies that have the missing pieces leading to a Frankenstein-like tech stack that doesn’t always work as smoothly as it should.
If your software vendor has started making acquisition after acquisition, that’s a sign they’ve hit their ceiling—they’re in upgrade mode, trying to keep their aging platform relevant rather than building something truly new.
This is where selecting a platform that empowers you to build and customize your own applications becomes essential—one that evolves with your needs rather than locking you into theirs. These systems give you the tools to develop your own innovations. It is about more than just extending the lifespan of your investment—it puts the power of progress back in your hands.
Future-proofing shouldn’t be about hoping your vendor keeps up; it should be about ensuring you have the flexibility to adapt, grow and lead your industry on your own terms.
Instead of a Truck, Think Investment Portfolio
If we’re truly being honest, the better analogy for your tech should be a well-managed investment portfolio, not a pickup truck. Sure, making that initial investment in change will yield small returns over time, but just parking money in an account to never touch it misses out on huge potential. Actively investing, making strategic moves and taking advantage of new opportunities is what helps your portfolio appreciate in leaps over the long-term.
ConTech is the same. Treat it like a one-and-done purchase, you’re never going to see the real benefits. But if you treat it as a long-term investment, constantly refining and expanding its role in your organization, it becomes a competitive advantage that pays for itself many times over.
So, Ask Yourself: Are You Appreciating Your ConTech?
Here’s your homework—ask yourself (and your team):
Are we using our construction software the same way we did when we first implemented it?
Do we take full advantage of updates and new features or do we just click ‘remind me later’ until the end of time?
Have we optimized our workflows to match the capabilities of the technology we’re paying for?
Is our software provider giving us value year after year, or are they just stitching together acquisitions to keep up?
If you answered “no” to any of the above, it might be time to start truly appreciating your ConTech. Because unlike your truck, which will eventually end up as a glorified jobsite dumpster, your software is an asset that can increase in value every single year—if you take care of it.
The choice is yours.
Construction is cool, tell your friends!