by Alex Gray
October 9, 2025
Read Time: Less than 7 Mins
Last Modified: November 19, 2025
ADP processes payroll for millions of businesses, but how well does it handle construction’s unique challenges? This review examines ADP’s capabilities specifically through a contractor’s lens.
What is ADP?
ADP (Automatic Data Processing) is a workforce management provider that has been operating since 1949. The company offers HR, payroll, tax filing and business outsourcing services.
While ADP serves various industries, including construction, they’re not exclusively construction-focused. Their platform is designed for general business use across multiple sectors.
ADP Payroll Features for Construction Businesses
ADP’s workforce management tools are designed to handle employee administration, regulatory compliance and cost tracking across diverse business environments.
Here’s how these features work:
#1: Payroll Processing
ADP offers payroll services built for different business sizes, from small companies to large enterprises. The platform processes payroll through several features:
- Online payroll processing
- Payroll tax calculations and payments
- Federal, state and local compliance support
- Direct deposit and paper check options
The system requires two-day processing cycles. ADP also handles gross pay calculations, deduction processing and tax filing.
ADP’s Construction Center of Excellence (CCOE), offered as an add-on to their general Workforce Now platform, provides support for construction-specific payroll needs. This construction module is layered onto ADP’s general business system rather than being designed from the ground up for contractors. The CCOE includes prevailing wages, unions, job costing and certified payroll reporting.
#2: Multi-State and Business System Integration
ADP offers software integrations that allow businesses to connect their existing systems. The platform includes:
- Integrations with several accounting software platforms
- Integrations with business software, time tracking, HR systems and ERPs
- Integration capabilities through ADP API Central
- Data transfer between payroll and other business systems
The ADP Marketplace platform provides integrations designed to connect multiple business systems.
#3: HR and Compliance Management
Beyond payroll processing, ADP provides HR management tools, including:
- Time & Attendance with labor cost management
- Talent services for recruitment, onboarding and development
- Benefits administration with retirement and group health options
- Compliance services for changing laws and regulations
The platform includes compensation benchmarking to help organizations compare pay scales to industry standards.
#4: Technology Platform Options
ADP structures their technology offerings around three distinct platforms, each for different service tiers and business sizes.
These platforms determine your system’s capabilities and user experience:
- RUN Powered by ADP (1-49 employees) – Web-based solution for small business payroll and HR, with ZipRecruiter integration for hiring.
- ADP Workforce Now (50+ employees) – Platform for midsized business payroll, HR, talent management, time and benefits administration.
- ADP Lyric HCM (1000+ employees) – HCM solution for large enterprises.
#5: Service Package Structure
ADP structures their services across multiple tiers for different business sizes:
For Small Businesses (1-49 employees):
- Essential Payroll – Basic payroll, taxes and compliance
- Enhanced Payroll – Adds garnishment services, SUI management and background checks
- Complete Payroll & HR+ – Includes HR support tools and compliance alerts
- HR Pro Payroll & HR – Suite with support team access
For Mid-size and Large Businesses:
- ADP Workforce Now Select/Plus/Premium – Platform with benefits administration and time tracking
Each tier allows companies to select payroll services for current needs and add features as requirements change.
Ratings and Reviews
4 stars
Roberta P. | Sr. Payroll Specialist
I understand that ADP has to protect the brand, but the hands off approach is very frustrating at times. If you are not well versed in payroll regulation you may be very frustrated. Your payroll person needs to be more than a button pusher.
2 stars
Uday N. | CHRO
Overall disappointed with the level of inconsistency at all levels. Their systems don’t work well together, I wish it was a little more customizable from the client side, inconsistency in support and extending the customer support time beyond 5PM. We’ve had settings reversed or access removed without anyone adjusting anything, so there are occasionally some bugs that have to be worked through. Would have liked more guided set-up in some areas. Their training resources/guides can definitely use an upgrade, L&D module is very basic.
5 stars
January S. | Payroll and Benefits
Easy to use. It could use some improvements. But overall, I’m happy.
Pros
The functionality of the program is nice.
Cons
Some of the glitches in the system can be frustrating.
5 stars
Pascale D. | Payroll Associate
Pros
Payroll, reports and analytics. It gives you a wide range of options.
Cons
In the new experience, when we have to preview payroll from the payroll register, you have to click to expand each column. So visually, it’s not as convenient as it used to be with Classic. So, personally, I preferred how Classic view worked (more visual).
3 stars
Jill S. | Manager – HR
I like our service expert in HR and rely on her when needed. It can depend on who you are grouped with so if you aren’t getting the response as quickly as you need, you may need to request another contact. The system is big and handles an assortment of needs/tasks but can feel clunky and a bit outdated. ADP asks for feedback and continues to update the system on a quarterly basis. In the end, if you are knowledgeable in an HRIS, you can do what you need to in the system it just would be helpful if they offered easy workflows and the ability to send reports to those who aren’t administrators.
2 stars
Jeannie P. | HR COORDINATOR
Really don’t like it for what we’re paying. Payroll is great but very cumbersome. Training to navigate on how to ensure the correct way to process sometimes very unclear. $$$$$ – Very very expensive even with the discount. Reporting engine and custom reporting difficult and a lot of time inaccurate unless you know the systems capabilities and what to report.
What ADP Offers Construction Businesses
ADP provides payroll and HR solutions with broad industry coverage and multiple service tiers. The platform offers:
- Payroll processing with tax compliance across federal, state and local levels
- Integration capabilities with existing business systems
- Multiple service packages from payroll to HCM suites
- Multi-state processing capabilities with compliance support
- Industry features for construction and other sectors
The service works for businesses needing payroll and HR management across multiple locations.
That said, companies should carefully evaluate whether ADP’s general-market approach meets specialized construction industry requirements.
Luckily, there are powerful alternatives that are designed to handle the unique challenges of construction payroll, union requirements and project-based accounting.
Payroll4Construction: Specialized Construction Payroll Solutions
Payroll4Construction provides payroll services built exclusively for contractors, helping construction businesses overcome union rules, prevailing wage and certified reporting challenges.
Construction Industry-Specific Payroll Features
Unlike general payroll providers, Payroll4Construction is designed to help contractors handle the complex requirements that construction companies face daily:
- Union Payroll: Manages union contracts, calculates benefit contributions and processes complex reporting requirements specific to construction trades
- Prevailing Wage Rates: Automated compliance tracking for government contract work with real-time rate updates, ensuring Davis-Bacon Act compliance
- Multi-State Processing: Seamless payroll processing for construction crews working across state lines with proper tax compliance
- Certified Payroll Reporting: Automated generation of Form WH-347 and other certified payroll reports for Department of Labor (DOL) compliance
- State Prevailing Wage Laws: Built-in compliance with varying state prevailing wage requirements
- Construction Compliance: Comprehensive regulatory compliance designed specifically for the construction industry
Advanced Integration and Project Support
The platform integrates with accounting, HR and time tracking systems for complete construction workforce management:
- Accounting System Integration: Connects with popular construction accounting software for seamless data flow
- Time Tracking Integration: Links with field time collection apps and systems
- Project-Based Reporting: Provides detailed labor cost analysis by project and phase
- Multi-Project Management: Simultaneous monitoring of multiple construction projects with consolidated reporting
Dedicated Construction Industry Support
Payroll4Construction is designed to help contractors with specialized support services, including:
- In-house Construction Payroll Specialists: Support team with deep construction industry knowledge and experience
- Industry-Specific Implementation: Guided setup designed specifically for construction business workflows
- Construction Compliance Expertise: Direct access to specialists who understand Davis-Bacon Act requirements, state prevailing wage laws and DOL reporting
How Contractors Can Choose the Best Payroll Solution
Quality payroll processing can significantly impact construction business operations. Choosing a construction-specialized provider like Payroll4Construction ensures your business gets the focused expertise it needs to thrive.
The right solution doesn’t just process paychecks. It provides visibility into your operations, helps control project costs, ensures compliance with complex regulations and improves overall project management capabilities.
Before choosing a payroll provider, ask yourself:
- Does the provider specialize in construction or offer it as a general add-on?
- Can the system handle complex union requirements and benefit calculations?
- Does the platform provide project-based cost tracking and reporting?
- Are prevailing wage and certified payroll capabilities built-in or additional services?
- Does the provider offer construction industry expertise or general business support?
- Can they handle Davis-Bacon Act compliance and Form WH-347 reporting?
If you’d like to explore how specialized construction payroll services could benefit your construction company, Payroll4Construction experts are ready to help you find the perfect fit for your unique requirements.
Compare ADP with Payroll4Construction
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the pros and cons of using ADP?
Pros: ADP offers comprehensive HR and payroll services with extensive integration capabilities, multiple service tiers and broad industry coverage. The platform provides reliable processing and strong customer support.
Cons: ADP’s construction features are add-ons to their general business platform rather than purpose-built solutions. This can lead to complexity when handling construction-specific requirements like prevailing wages, union reporting and certified payroll.
Which is better for construction payroll, ADP or Payroll4Construction?
For construction businesses, Payroll4Construction offers significant advantages because it’s built exclusively for contractors.
While ADP provides construction features as add-ons to their general platform, Payroll4Construction specializes in union payroll, prevailing wages, certified payroll reporting and construction compliance from the ground up.
What should construction businesses look for in a payroll provider?
Construction businesses should prioritize providers that offer:
- Built-in prevailing wage compliance
- Union payroll capabilities
- Certified payroll reporting (Form WH-347)
- Multi-state processing
- Project-based cost tracking
- Dedicated construction industry support
The provider should understand Davis-Bacon Act requirements and state prevailing wage laws.
What makes Payroll4Construction different from ADP?
Payroll4Construction is designed exclusively for construction companies, offering specialized features like:
- Automated prevailing wage compliance
- Complex union reporting
- Dedicated construction industry support
Unlike ADP’s general platform with construction add-ons, every feature in Payroll4Construction is built specifically for contractors’ unique needs.
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