What You'll Learn
This article explains the differences between Uptick's free Contractor Portal and the paid Contractor App addon, helping you choose the right solution for managing your subcontracted work.
Overview
Uptick offers two options for giving subcontractors access to your system: the Contractor Portal (included free with your subscription) and the Contractor App (available as a paid addon). Both allow contractors to view and complete assigned tasks, but they're designed for different levels of engagement and functionality.
Contractor Portal: Free Access for Basic Task Management
The Contractor Portal is included free with your Uptick subscription and provides web-based access for contractors to view and complete assigned work.
Key Features
Task Management
View assigned tasks with full details including Task ID, Name, Description, Scope of Works, and Due Date
See Approval Limits and Contractor Notes
Mark tasks as performed and complete
Upload documents and photos
Add notes and communicate with your office team
Property Information
Access Property Address, Reference, and Access Details
View Service Requirements and Safety Requirements
See public Property Contacts
View documents in the "subcontractor" folder
Forms and Documentation
Complete dynamic digital forms attached to tasks
Work through action checklists
View order numbers and subtotals for their work
Upload completion documentation
Web-Based Access
Access from any web browser (desktop or mobile)
No app download required
Simple login with email and password
What Contractors Can Do
View and accept tasks assigned to them
Upload photos and documents to prove work completion
Mark work as complete with completion notes
Communicate with your office team through task notes
View their task history and past assignments
Limitations
Cannot add new assets to properties
Cannot sort and filter assets during inspections (e.g. walk order)
Cannot create defect quotes directly
Cannot respond to prompt questions on tasks
Cannot access floorplans or product catalogue
Cannot be scheduled via the web Scheduler
Web-only access (no mobile app)
Best For
Occasional subcontractors who handle simple tasks
Contractors who only need to view and complete assigned work
One-off or infrequent subcontracted jobs
Contractors who don't need to add assets or create quotes
Budget-conscious operations where free access is sufficient
Contractor App: Enhanced Mobile Access for Active Subcontractors
The Contractor App is a paid addon that gives contractors access to the full Uptick Workforce mobile app with advanced features for more complex subcontracted work.
Everything in Contractor Portal, Plus:
Mobile App Access
Download and use the Uptick Workforce app on iOS or Android devices
Work offline and sync when connection is restored
Access all features from the field
Asset Management
Add new assets to properties during site visits
Sort and filter assets during inspections (e.g. walk order, levels etc.)
Create and manage defects on assets
Access asset history and maintenance records
Group assets by service or asset type
Advanced Task Features
Respond to prompt questions on inspection tasks
Complete detailed inspection forms with asset-specific prompts
Access floorplans to locate assets accurately
View and use the product catalogue for quotes and repairs
Scheduling Integration
Appear in the web Scheduler alongside your technicians
Be scheduled for tasks directly from the office
View scheduled tasks in calendar format
Receive push notifications for new assignments
Enhanced Quoting
Access product catalogue for accurate pricing
Create more detailed quotes with product information
Add products to defects for quoting purposes
Important Differences from Field Licenses
While Contractor App users get mobile app access, they have restricted access compared to your Field (technician) users. Contractor App users cannot:
View or manage Purchase Orders
Add Appointments to tasks
Access the Authorization section
View client information (except public property contacts)
Add or edit Invoice Notes
Create Defect Quotes (this requires office approval)
Dispatch jobs
Preview or publish service reports
Manage Allowances in Timesheets
Best For
Regular subcontractors who work on multiple properties
Subcontractors who complete large (>10 assets) or complex asset inspections (multiple systems)
Contractors who need to add assets during installations
Subcontractors handling inspection work with prompt questions
Contractors who need to create defect quotes in the field
Operations requiring tight scheduling coordination
Contractors working on complex sites with floorplans
Pricing
Contractor Portal: Included free with your Uptick subscription
Contractor App: Priced per user per month.
Visit the License Manager in your control panel for pricing or contact [email protected]
Important: The charge is applied automatically when a contractor with the addon enabled signs into the app or portal for the first time. If you enable the addon but the contractor never logs in, you won't be charged.
Setup and Configuration
Setting Up Contractor Portal Access
Go to People > Contractors and click New Contractor
Add Company Name, Email, and select Supplier
Click Save Contractor
On the contractor's profile, click Send Invitation
The contractor receives an email to set up their account
Permissions Required:
Can create and update Contractors
Can create, update and delete user accounts
Can create, update and delete portal accounts
Can see all tasks
Can update tasks
Enabling Contractor App Addon
Ensure the contractor's primary contact is invited to the Contractor Portal
Have them add their technicians to their team
Go to People > Users and filter for "Contractor License"
Edit the desired user
Tick the Contractor App checkbox
Click Save Account
The contractor can then download the Uptick Workforce app and log in with their credentials.
Configuring Contractor Permissions
You can control what contractors can do through Security Groups:
Go to Control Panel > Security Groups
Find the Contractor security group
Enable permissions such as:
Can create assets (allows adding assets via Portal - no app needed)
Can upload documents
Can update tasks
Can see all tasks
Note: Permissions apply to all contractors in that security group, not individual users.
Feature Comparison Table
Feature | Contractor Portal (Free) | Contractor App (Paid) |
Access Method | Web browser only | Mobile app + web browser |
View assigned tasks | ✓ | ✓ |
Upload documents | ✓ | ✓ |
Mark tasks complete | ✓ | ✓ |
Add task notes | ✓ | ✓ |
Complete digital forms | ✓ | ✓ |
View property details | ✓ | ✓ |
Sort & filter assets | ✗ | ✓ |
Add new assets | ✗ | ✓ |
Create defects | ✗ | ✓ |
Respond to prompt questions | ✗ | ✓ |
Access floorplans | ✗ | ✓ |
Access product catalogue | ✗ | ✓ |
Scheduled via web Scheduler | ✗ | ✓ |
Offline mode | ✗ | ✓ |
Push notifications | ✗ | ✓ |
Scheduling Considerations
Contractor Portal Users
Cannot be scheduled via the web Scheduler
Must be assigned tasks individually from the task page
Schedule tasks by:
Opening the task
Going to the Assignments section
Clicking Assign a contractor
Clicking Schedule to choose date and time
Contractor App Users
Can be scheduled via the web Scheduler alongside your technicians
Appear in the Scheduler calendar view when "Also show contractors" is enabled
Can be assigned multiple tasks at once
Receive push notifications for new assignments
Making the Right Choice
Choose the Contractor Portal if your contractor:
Handles occasional or one-off jobs
Only needs to view task details and mark work complete
Doesn't need to add assets or create defects
Works on simple maintenance or repair tasks
Prefers web-based access without app downloads
Doesn't require scheduling integration
Choose the Contractor App if your contractor:
Works regularly on multiple properties
Needs to add assets during installations or site visits
Handles inspection work requiring prompt questions
Needs access to floorplans for complex sites
Should be scheduled alongside your technicians
Requires mobile app access for field work
Needs to create defect quotes with product information
Common Questions
Q: Can I upgrade a contractor from Portal to App later?
A: Yes! Simply edit the user, tick the Contractor App checkbox, and save. The charge applies when they first log in.
Q: Will I be charged if I enable the app but the contractor doesn't use it?
A: No. The charge only applies when the contractor signs into the app or portal for the first time after the addon is enabled.
Q: Can contractors see all my properties and clients?
A: No. Contractors can only see information related to their assigned tasks. They cannot view client information except for public property contacts.
Q: Can Contractor App users do everything my technicians can do?
A: No. Contractor App users have restricted access compared to Field users. They cannot manage purchase orders, create defect quotes, dispatch jobs, or preview service reports.
Q: How do I view what a contractor sees?
A: Go to the Tasks page, find a task assigned to a contractor, click View, and in the Assignment section, click the Portal button to see their view.
Q: Can contractors add assets without the paid app?
A: Yes, if you enable the "Can create assets" permission in their Security Group. However, they can only do this via the web portal, not a mobile app.
Getting Started
For Contractor Portal:
Navigate to People > Contractors
Click New Contractor and enter their details
Click Send Invitation
The contractor receives setup instructions via email
Configure permissions in Control Panel > Security Groups if needed
For Contractor App:
Set up the contractor in the Contractor Portal first (see above)
Go to People > Users and filter for "Contractor License"
Edit the contractor user
Tick Contractor App
Click Save Account
The contractor downloads the Uptick Workforce app and logs in
Tips for Success
Start with the Portal
Begin all contractors on the free Portal to test the relationship
Upgrade to the App only when you see regular, ongoing work
This avoids unnecessary costs for occasional contractors
Set Clear Permissions
Review Security Group permissions before inviting contractors
Only enable "Can create assets" if contractors need this functionality
Restrict access to maintain data quality and security
Communicate Expectations
Show contractors how to use the Portal or App before their first job
Provide clear instructions on completing tasks and uploading documentation
Set expectations around response times and task completion
Monitor Usage
Check the License Manager to see which contractors are using the App
Review if contractors with App access are actually using the features
Downgrade to Portal if advanced features aren't being used
Use Bulk Assignment
For Portal users, use bulk edit to assign multiple tasks at once
Go to Tasks page, select tasks, click Edit X Tasks, choose contractor
This saves time when assigning multiple jobs to the same contractor
Need Help?
If you have questions about which option is right for your contractors, or need assistance with setup and configuration, contact:
Uptick Support: [email protected]
Your Customer Success Manager
For detailed setup instructions, visit our Help Center articles: