What is the best phone for builders?

Why do builders need durable phones?

Ever dropped your phone? How about in a puddle? What about off a roof? Or scaffolding? How did it survive.

We’ve all seen someone with a phone cracked to the point of insanity. This guide to finding the best phone for builders is to help you avoid being that guy.

Technology means that our phones are now more vital than ever. If you run your own business, its key not just for you, but for your business as a whole.

Here are a few reasons why your work phone needs to be durable:

• Your customer contacts are on there
• Your subcontractor/supplier contacts are on there
• Your work schedule is on there
• Your useful apps are on there
• Your photos are on there
• Your SatNav is on there (i.e. if you use GoogleMaps)

How to choose the best work phone for builders

There are many aspects to consider when looking for the best phone for builders. Regardless of whether its for you as a sole trader, or your employees as a business owner, you need to make sure people have the right tools for the job.

Getting the best work phone is not the same as getting the latest upgrade or model for personal use. You need to find a phone that will last in nearly every environment.

That means you’ll need to consider:

• Waterproof or water-resistant
• Shockproof
• Long battery life
• Good durability
• Dust resistant
• Tough casing or screen

Only phones with an IP68 rating (for water and dirt resistance) and MIL-STD-810G rating (for durability) are considered tough and rugged enough to suit builders. That means they’ve been tested with drops onto concrete and held underwater for a period of time.

Getting a robust and longlasting device is so crucial to your business, so make sure to do your research before you buy. When you’ve bought a phone, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the right protection too!

What protection do you need for your work phone?

It may seem like a no-brainer, but protecting your work phone is really important. Did you know that in 2020 alone, people in the UK spent more than £680 million just on screen repairs?

Getting the best protection for your phone is a way of guaranteeing its safety. When you’re working on-site, you wear protective clothing, so why not invest in protection for your phone too?

Screen protector

Research in 2020 by SquareTrade showed that 56% of Brits think that having a cracked screen is unprofessional. That means your phone is representing your business too. So it is worth investing a few extra pounds getting a screen protector.

Even if you do drop the device, screen protectors are really great at keeping it safe. When the screen protector is cracked, you can just peel it off and add a new one – much easier than getting a whole new mobile!

Shockproof Case

Does your phone bounce? Want to try? The answer to both questions is probably a resounding ‘no’!

With shock absorbing silicone easy to produce, there is now a mass market for shockproof mobile phone cases. They’re also waterproof.

Coupling a strong screen protector with a shock absorbing case will help limit the damage with nearly all phone-related accidents on a building site.

Phone insurance

There’s a reason why people take out insurance on their homes and vehicles. Repairs and replacements are expensive! You’ll already have the right insurance policies for your building business, so why not get your phone covered too?

Choosing tough phones for builders is only one step. You need to get it protected physically and through insurance too. You don’t want to end up out of pocket if something bad does happen.

Dedicated work phone

This might seem like another no-brainer, but don’t use your personal mobile for work!

As well as being charged as a business expense, having a dedicated work phone also means better security and data protection.

If you want the best phone for builders, it can actually mean just having a specific phone for builders – and not just whatever you’ve got lying around. So what phones could they be?

What are the toughest phones at the moment?

In 2024 there are more durable devices on the market than ever before. Tough phones for builders are no longer a rare commodity, so you can spend the money and get the right mobile to do the job!

So what options have you got? Here are just a few of our favourites to get you started.

Samsung builders phones

One of the most popular brands behind Apple, did you know about the Samsung Rugged range for business? As well as robust tablets, Samsung builders phones could include the Galaxy XCover6 Pro.

These Samsung phones are currently available with an EE business plan and Checkatrade members can also save 10% off any phone. Definitely worth checking out your member benefits section of the app – and speaking to someone at your nearest EE store today!

Nokia builders phones

Released a few years ago, the Nokia 800 Tough is still a great choice, and is designed for heavy-duty usage. Although tested in lab conditions, it meets the right criteria, and has a longlasting battery. If its just on standby, it could last up to 43 days from a single charge!

Blackview builders phones

This brand may be less popular in the UK, but they are available through a number of online retailers, such as Amazon. Blackview have a specific rugged phone range that are regularly voted as being some of the most indestructible mobiles on the planet.

You will need to check with your contract provider though, as Blackview may not be available with all networks.

Kyocera builders phones

The Kyocera DuraForce PRO3 is specifically designed with reinforced structure, non-slip casing and shatter resistant display built in as standard. Plus it can also be used while wearing gloves. Not all types of gloves, but its screen has been designed to work through some brands of workwear. It has also been tested to withstand falls from up to 5ft onto concrete.

The importance of a builders phone case

Getting the best work phone for builders is picking one that can withstand the most knocks and bangs throughout the working day. Building materials are designed to be solid and hardwearing – most phones are not!

As mentioned, you really need to consider a builders phone case. Rugged and shockproof, one that will keep your device safe when working on a site.

There are many phone case manufacturers that are ideal for builders:

• Otterbox
• Urban Armour Gear (UAG)
• Poetic
• Casetify
• Supcase
• Spigen
• Mous

Make sure to do your research when getting a builders phone case. Choosing a resilient case is just as important as picking the right phone in the first place.

Key takeaways

• A mobile phone is vital to the success of your trade business
• Smartphones are very versatile but not always durable
• Choose a phone known for being rugged
• Check for IP68 and MIL-STD-810G ratings
• Use the right protection
• Get your phone insured
• Make sure you have a phone case
• Checkatrade members can save 10% off phones from EE

*Year runs from April 21’ to March 22’. Spend based on 12,505 members. Discounts differ depending on the partner. Products range from low value items to high value items. Total amount spent on Selco is estimated at £42,380,838 by 7,298 members and based on average savings per member from 2020/21. 10% discount. Some exclusions will apply on products.