When you say app to "keep track" of the project.... exactly what do you mean. Are you talking about keeping track of the formulated schedule or are you talking about some video app that will allow you to watch progress in real time? Secondly, are you talking about the "design phase" progress or the "construction phase" progress. Your question isn't quite clear.

During your design phase, hopefully your design team has given you a schedule and are meeting with you on a regular basis to go over details and progress ... including some preliminary estimates to reconcile back to your budget. As the client, you are an integral part of the design team. Hopefully your contract with your design team members includes not only a thorough set of Construction Documents (drawings and specifications), but Construction Administration Services as well. This should include detailed field reports with progress pictures to keep you up to date on the progress and a current Gantt Schedule showing CP (critical path), material order dates, start dates and finish dates for each trade as well as project completion and close out dates........this would be considered a full service contract.

If you're referring to the construction progress, again the means of keeping you in the circle and updated should be part of your specifications.

That's called an architect and general contractor for the different phases.

Thank you for your comments. I'm looking for an app that can help me keep track of the things I need to do. For instance - ask about using BX instead of Romex wire, cast iron pipes instead of pvc, ask about doing jobs outside of the project (like burying the electric cable to the generator). I guess I"m looking for an app that provides a diary system for myself where I can keep a list of things I want and also a diary to follow up on things. Thanks again!

Beth....that's what your Construction Documents (CD's) are. That's why I asked what level of involvement you had contracted with your Design Team. The design documents are your "diary" and "your want list". The CD's are your instructions to the contractor on how you want your project built and what elements you want included ........it's your (and the design teams) communication means to the trades in picture and specification format. All that information (wants, needs, materials, finishes and codes) that you and your team develop in the Programming, Preliminary Design, Design Development and Working Drawings phases make up your CD's...........in essence it is your "diary". This is why I constantly preach to anybody who wants to renovate, remodel or construct their home......start with a thorough set of CD's. Yes, the cost is more than buying some stock plan off the shelf (not dissing stock plan designers) but it usually ends up falling in the category of "pay now or pay later" and we all know that the "later" always involves more money.

Renovation work on a home is risky to begin with....there will always be those things that become "discovered" during the construction phase, but a thorough design phase (including on site investigations) can eliminate quite a number of those "discovereds". And the bonus is, the more thorough the CD's, the clearer picture your contractor has during the bidding or pricing phase. Remember, after the contract is signed....anything you change or add is going to result in a change order most of the time and that involves more money and time.

If you're looking for an "app" for your IPad or phone just to make a list, you might try any of the "Note or Diary" apps to keep your list in order. I haven't seen anything that is specific to the design / construction industry per say........but with 30+ years experience in this field (Architectural PM and GC), 2 degrees in Computer Systems and Information Development / Management, i can tell you that any "app" that would include all the elements of design, construction and codes issues that are part of the whole process wouldn't be small or cheap. You're talking cross discipline and trades knowledge that takes years of experience to assimilate. That's what your design team is for.

Capitalism hates a vacuum. Sounds like a great business opportunity. I'd love such an app as well.