Home builders face many challenges serving customers in today’s housing market. The cost to finance and build a home along with fluctuating supply of materials and labor can prove daunting to homeowner and contractor alike. Still, new construction often presents the most affordable option when considering previously owned homes remain in short supply.
Successful home builders know market opportunity exists as owners turn to building and even remodeling. In fact, an Association of Professional Builders (APB) survey found that 77% of its respondents say they will generate more revenue in 2024 than in 2023. The key, they say, is properly qualifying new customers.
Increasingly builders turn to construction technology to prepare the detailed bids that do this very thing. A well-prepared quote empowers clients to make informed choices, ensuring that builders are working in a collaborative customer relationship that can navigate the many costs and phases of a home build.
Using new construction technology software, builders have the tools needed to include materials, labor and the sufficient markup to cover those hard-to-track indirect costs. Detailed bids also include detailed specifications and material selection options that keep customer variations to a minimum. With a detailed quote in hand, projects stay on time and on budget, freeing the home builder to think about other job site issues like worker safety.
Working in this way, builders display the professionalism and expertise that builds a loyal customer base that powers future client referrals. Both are critical to growing a home construction business in today’s economy.
In the past, a traditional method of creating detailed bids often required the work of an estimator – a luxury many smaller custom builders simply can’t afford. Estimating and bidding for them is something they must do at night or on weekends. However, construction management software is changing this frustrating paradigm that has kept builders sleepless and stressed out.
How construction technology makes builders more efficient
Yes, builders using software is not necessarily new. Many builders have used spreadsheet software like Excel for years. What is new are the kind of affordable online software platforms that builders can adopt with affordable subscriptions. These platforms represent true technological advancements in the construction process. Data is stored online, accessible from any internet device, and often pairs with online material and labor pricing from their favorite supplier or subcontractor.
These software platforms have many tools. Included are tools for doing material takeoffs, filling out detailed estimates, sending bids and managing customer communications with online customer portals. The more sophisticated software packages also include project scheduling, budgeting and bookkeeping.
Often, the use of construction management software can be seen in the generational changes that are taking place at smaller family-owned businesses. One such change is taking place at Marcella Building & Renovation.
Ron Marcella III started working in his father’s construction business at a very young age. Today, he approaches the administrative tasks of his work, like estimating, using construction estimating software. Working from a computer in this manner is something his dad would never do, Marcella said.
His dad’s office is filled with paperwork and messages. Marcella, a computer information systems major, says he can’t work like that.
“I need things to be cleared off. Having everything in a browser that you can access from any computer that has an internet connection gives you peace of mind. I don’t have to go to my office to check on things. I can check on things wherever I have access to the internet.”
Of course, builders on the move
are increasingly using mobile phones and tablets to check on site progress. The ability to connect construction management software with site diaries is becoming increasingly popular.
Timely team updates from the job site offer up the information builders need to make schedule changes, and with modern software, those changes can be made and communicated back to the project team on the same software platform.
How Builders Move Beyond traditional construction practices
Once builders start using software to manage their projects, they find it helps them not only with project management, but customer management, too. Online client portals give builders the ability to communicate to customers without always having to use text or email. A missed email or one lost in a “spam” folder usually delays a critical decision that can upend a builder’s schedule.
Builders and construction professionals using modern construction management software can invite customers and their trades into a port with a simple setup email. Once connected, builder and customer communicate about all home construction topics.
The best customer portals allow builder and customer to text back and forth as they would on a mobile phone, but here on the portal, everything specific to the project is captured in one place. Customers can make material and appliance selections and review and approve variations. Builders also can review and accept quotes from their trades.
How modern construction tech is simple to use
As with any new technology in construction, its consistent use lies not just with its function but also in how easy it is to use. Modern construction management software increasingly takes advantage of common computer skills that we all have grown accustomed. Point-and-click mouse gestures and filling out easy-to-follow forms are usually all that is needed.
However, the most valuable software is not only easy to use but comes with service and support to get builders up and running quickly so they can spend more time on their construction sites.
Jordan Copeland, President and Co-owner of Norse Ironworks, found learning construction management software straightforward and worth the time investment.
“I was able to crank out four or five estimates in a day, and everything looks professional.” Copeland said.
Prepare for your next construction project
As construction management software becomes easier to use, builders find they can better negotiate a changing construction sector that at times can be very unpredictable due to the high cost of materials and labor.
Too often, builders lose money out of their own pockets because they don’t have the time to estimate complex projects accurately. Builders often don’t pass pricing mistakes to their customers for fear of losing client trust. Fortunately, software is helping builders put this challenge behind them while freeing up more of their time for site work.
When builders modernize their building practices using affordable, internet-based software, they find they can be more competitive, more responsive to their customers, all while focusing on what they do best — building homes.
Buildxact construction technology fits the needs of today’s home builder
A construction estimate platform helps you improve accuracy and efficiency so you run a profitable construction business. We’ve made your search for construction technology that fits the builder easy with Buildxact.
Buildxact is a single-source estimating tool for small builders and renovators. You can improve your accuracy in just a few steps while reducing the time it takes to produce professional, up-to-date estimates
Need more? Buildxact also includes digital takeoffs, real-time regional material and labor pricing, streamlining your bidding process and making customer communication a snap.
Learn how easy it is to leave old tech behind. Book a demo or setup a risk-free trial account today.
