Housing demand is on the rise, with new home builders always looking for a way to break into the market. So what trends are in store, and what do they mean for construction costs?
Recently, intense demand has led to an uptick in building materials prices, but the market is changing. Rising interest rates and price growth declines are stressing buyer demand and what it costs to b
Are you looking for the latest trends in design and construction? We’ll explore the latest information to help strategize your goals.
New technology in construction is advancing and with supply shortages and prices uncertain, adapting these technological trends is vital.
Listen as award-winning architect and builder David Pollard offers ways to reframe the negative thoughts customers can have about remodeling.
Custom builders better manage new material purchases using online tools. Today, many homeowners look to sustainable materials in their custom home projects.
Builders can grow homeowner trust using estimating templates and multifunctional custom home building software.
With greater focus on risk management, successful builders are navigating today’s volatile business climate.
In a tough economy, it’s important to learn new ways of planning custom home projects. Learn how lean construction can grow your business.
Learn what Subcontractor Management is and why its critical for construction company success.
By bringing stakeholders together to review project scope, schedule and budget, you avoid potential issues and delays down the road.
No matter rising costs, for many home builders construction cost forecasting proves too time consuming. Others find forecasting difficult and don’t know where to begin. This doesn’t have to be you. Today, tools exist that make forecasting a simpler, more predictable process.
A recent study found that, on average, sustainable construction practices save project owners and contractors up to 4% of the total construction cost.
Learn how successful custom home builders use digital online estimating to get accurate bids quickly out the door so they can get back to the job site.
Hear from Jack Clough of Nook Construction has he explains how Buildxact has taken his business to the next level.
Ron of Marcella Building LLC hasn’t been using Buildxact for a long time, but he’s already noticing significant benefits.
“There really isn’t anything else in this price point that has all the functionality that Buildxact has, and that’s why we decided to go with you guys.”
“I was writing it all out on emails and it was taking forever. Buildxact was just a no-brainer for me. It was exactly what I needed.”
Los proveedores de familia hacen sacrificios grandes para poder proveer una buena vida a sus seres queridos y poder alimentarlos.
Learn from Jennie Akins on how she used Buildxact to learn about the construction industry, and started on doing job quotes.
John McBride’s world consisted of stocks, bonds, and everything in between from Wall Street. Read how, McBride, owner of BlackTree LLC, uses modern construction management software to have better control of his construction business
Blue Bexar is a small and growing residential construction company in San Antonio, Texas, with three full-time employees. Dustin Ballew is the owner and serves as the general contractor and manager of pretty much everything. As a general contractor, the company does anything from bathroom remodels to new builds to high-end decking.
Buildxact solved Matthew’s need for speed and accuracy from takeoffs to the bidding process. He’s fielding few phone calls and clarifying fewer details because Buildxact lays everything that needs to be bid. Accuracy has become more and more critical for builders because a little mistake five years ago is a huge mistake in today’s environment when it comes to material costs.
With Buildxact, Jeremy has found a way to dramatically speed up construction projects, starting with creating his own takeoffs. And there’s a lot less disconnect with suppliers. Buildxact lists everything in the takeoff speeding up the time it takes both subs and suppliers to submit bids.
Estimating is one of the most critical components of running a profitable business. It’s essential to be as accurate as possible and using software like Buildxact automates formulas you may use on a spreadsheet into a streamlined process.
“What used to take me 10 hours for a whole house estimate now takes me four hours and that’s time I can spend on scaling my business for the future,”
A proper RFQ process ensures the quality and reliability needed for a successful project. Learn why construction pros use construction estimating software to manage the RFQ process.
1build offers more than 68 million data points so Buildxact customers across the U.S. can access accurate data within a comprehensive estimation tool.
With Buildxact software, you establish a high-level of customer service and demonstrate you can finish a home on time and on budget.
Bidding is one of the most challenging and time-consuming parts of a builder’s job. Find out how Buildxact software gets it right, while saving time.
Review the different ways contractor management software can benefit your business.
Learn how builders and remodelers use modern software to better manage all phases of home construction.
Takeoffs go by many names. No matter what you call it, counting materials and assigning costs should ensure your next custom home project runs smoothly.
Tracking building projects is a challenge. Keep on top of all the moving parts with construction management software, an essential tool for the custom home construction businesses.
Accurate construction plays a crucial role in a successful
custom home construction project. Learn how construction estimation software speeds the bidding process.
Successful home construction pros stay competitive by mastering the art of bidding to bring in their share of work.
Learn how centralized project management using construction management software allows builders to react and adapt to changing circumstances.
For the second year running, Buildxact continues to earn accolades from users of software review web sites provided by Gartner Digital Markets.
Learn how to properly price a project while maintaining a reasonable profit.
The smart builder takes the time to create detailed estimates because accurate estimates save money. Learn how to consider all the factors that go into an accurate home construction estimate.
Learn important tips for growing your home construction business in a challenging economy.
Learn how supply chain management in custom home construction requires collaboration with subcontractors and material dealers.
Learn about federal and state energy efficiency rebates builders can use toward home remodel and construction projects.
Learn how to manage the different business risks presented by today’s custom home construction industry.
Learn how to add quality control procedures to your next home construction project.
Home construction budgets help you maintain financial control of your projects. Learn more how budgeting helps your business grow.
Rising costs demand an accurate framing takeoff. Learn the basics and how estimating software can help.
Learn about the key differences between OSHA 10 and OSHA 30, and how training makes your job site safer.
Understand the basic building blocks for planning and executing your next home construction project.
Construction and demolition activity produces 600 million tons of waste each year. Learn how to reduce waste on your job site.
Housing demand is on the rise, with new home builders always looking for a way to break into the market. So what trends are in store, and what do they mean for construction costs?
Recently, intense demand has led to an uptick in building materials prices, but the market is changing. Rising interest rates and price growth declines are stressing buyer demand and what it costs to b
Are you looking for the latest trends in design and construction? We’ll explore the latest information to help strategize your goals.
New technology in construction is advancing and with supply shortages and prices uncertain, adapting these technological trends is vital.
Listen as award-winning architect and builder David Pollard offers ways to reframe the negative thoughts customers can have about remodeling.
Custom builders better manage new material purchases using online tools. Today, many homeowners look to sustainable materials in their custom home projects.
Builders can grow homeowner trust using estimating templates and multifunctional custom home building software.
With greater focus on risk management, successful builders are navigating today’s volatile business climate.
In a tough economy, it’s important to learn new ways of planning custom home projects. Learn how lean construction can grow your business.
Learn what Subcontractor Management is and why its critical for construction company success.
By bringing stakeholders together to review project scope, schedule and budget, you avoid potential issues and delays down the road.
No matter rising costs, for many home builders construction cost forecasting proves too time consuming. Others find forecasting difficult and don’t know where to begin. This doesn’t have to be you. Today, tools exist that make forecasting a simpler, more predictable process.
A recent study found that, on average, sustainable construction practices save project owners and contractors up to 4% of the total construction cost.
The importance of a building quote
The foundation of a successful home construction project lies with a detailed construction quote and resulting contract. Clarifying, via a quote to the homeowner, the project scope, specifications, costs and timeline reduces payment delays and unfortunate disagreements. The use of a building quote template leads to a higher level of customer se
Check out these top tips to get the most out of the Florida Home Builders Association’s SEBC 2022.
For the best customer experience, custom home builders know that good planning, coupled with proper management of homeowner expectations, is critical–especially in a tough construction industry experiencing potential cost fluctuations that make every dollar count.
By the time a home construction project is ready to break ground, months and tens of thousands of dollars have bee
Paying attention to the preconstruction process helps set a project schedule and budget that can be maintained and lowers the risk of hold-ups.
The most successful dealers are working more efficiently to carve out the time sales representatives need to consult with their customers.
Custom home builders have a strong need for a complete, modern document management system.
The process of bid leveling manages a variety of project information from bids in a way that the client can easily understand.
Builders headed to Dallas for the Texas Association of Builders 2022 Sunbelt Builders Show July 12-15 know the yearly event offers a lot to see
How you estimate and conduct your project management can affect the accuracy of the budget for construction costs and that budget can reveal as early as possible if the job will deliver a satisfactory result for the homeowner and turn a profit for you, the builder.
It’s critical that you always submit competitive, complete bids if you are to win the amount of work required to grow your business. To do this, you must have accurate estimates of labor costs and material costs‑especially during the current economy.
Welcome to our June edition of Product News! The Buildxact team are excited to share the work we’ve been doing to help dealers and sales reps deliver value add services to their builders. Through simplifying the sales process, dealers can continue to grow a loyal customer base.
Let’s jump straight in!
Respond to quote requests in Buildxact
When responding
Tendering in the construction industry is the process of requesting and receiving a price for a specific scope of work.
Wondering how to best help your builder while also nailing your own sales strategy? Consider SaaS software for better customer collaboration.
Buildxact’s latest features deliver an end-to-end platform for dealers to work collaboratively with builders throughout a job.
Welcome to our first product update for the year!
We’re super excited to collaborate with you and share our exciting new features, helping you save time and win more jobs. Let’s kick it off with the latest releases that will help give you more time to do the things you love most!
Organize your week in a dash
Seeing what tasks are coming up for th
Knowing how to reduce construction costs can help you revolutionize your business model so that you run more cost-effective processes and maximize returns.
Using conceptual estimating, you can use current and historical data to anticipate cost demands before beginning work on a project.
A construction estimate is the most crucial part of winning building jobs and is key to any successful project completion.
A good way for custom home builders to stand out from competitors is to specialize, or become an expert in a niche.
Project management software helps deliver the accuracy and professional touch needed to impress your clients.
We will discuss the steps in the cost estimating process and offer some strategies to help you win more tenders and bids, and greater project success.
To make cash in the construction industry you must ensure that your outlay is covered and profit margins maintained.
By using construction management software everyone involved can find out real-time job costing information, communicate effectively, stay on track and complete projects.
Here, we will look at why proposals are important, what they should include, and how to create a construction proposal that wins you bids.
Here is why construction takeoffs are used to create a cost estimate and why it is an essential part of any construction project.
A construction estimator prepares estimates for the overall cost of a proposed project. They visit construction sites and work closely with construction management teams, playing an integral part in any construction project.
By keeping your finances under control, you’ll be in a better position to build your carpentry business and seek new work opportunities. You’ll also find it easier to navigate tax time and the financial responsibilities of business ownership.
Estimation is not a process of guesses. An estimate is calculated through knowledge, experience and accurate data. An estimate can be performed manually or with the aid of estimating software.
No more spreadsheets or paper. A construction estimator is the budget or contract bids maker of a building project. The person who keeps things on track, running on budget and on time.
The construction industry saves money by using only one package to produce quotes, keep track of actual, produce reliable cost estimates, schedule in your project hours, and integrate all accounting.
Each cost estimation has a specific purpose in the building process. Here, we will explain how to estimate construction costs so you can win jobs, maintain your profit margin and improve your business’ reputation.
Learn about the four under-utilized tools in Buildxact which will help you save time and money. Discover Tax Profile, Client Portal, Redistribution & Allowance Items and Customizable Quote Letters.
There’s only one way to improve your business’ cost estimating and that’s with fast, accurate and easy to master building cost estimator software. You’ll have a quantity takeoff produced, a cost estimate compiled, a quote written and sent all in about 80% less time than it used to take.
Supply chain managers, builders, and contractors must be aware of current trends and issues to communicate with their clients and set the right expectations effectively. People get upset when they are surprised, and custom home builders can significantly diminish the element of surprise with effective and constant communication.
Pro dealer integration in the platform makes life easier for both custom home builders and pro dealers. It provides transparency into pro dealers so builders can make informed decisions and communicate directly with their pro dealers whenever convenient to them.
Once a builder and pro dealer establish a strong relationship, most builders continue purchasing with that specific pro dealer, becoming a customer for life. Pro dealers like nothing more than having a solid and consistent customer base they can rely on to sell their materials.
In construction, a quantity takeoff is a list of all the physical materials necessary to complete a job and their costs. It does not consider labor costs, permits, overheads, equipment, or other incidentals.
Productive construction managers have clear processes and procedures for getting the work done.They rely on the effective execution of these processes to ensure the project stays on time and on budget.
The process to join the construction industry involves gathering the experience and skills for the job, applying for a contractor’s license, getting funding, marketing your new business and gathering referrals once you start winning construction projects.
To put together an accurate schedule for a construction project, the best source is project data from similar jobs performed by the same crews.
Starting a construction company and keeping it running can be expensive, depending on the type of work you’ll be performing. Startup costs can include licensing, permits, insurance, marketing, software, field labor, equipment and tools.
Soft costs typically are important to include in project budgets because they can make up 25 – 50% of the total project budget. Quantifying them early in the project is also important so you can calculate your final project delivery return on investment.
Digital technologies are becoming an increasingly important part of the construction sector, and companies that do not adopt them may find themselves at a disadvantage as they increasingly lack the ability to efficiently manage their workflows.
Construction project estimators, whether that’s you or an estimator on your team, use material takeoffs as ingredients for their project estimates.
Knowing your construction costs helps ensure that you take on profitable jobs so you can get ahead and compete with other construction companies in a very competitive construction industry. It takes a lot of time, and if you’re still creating them by hand or Excel, there’s more potential for costly errors.
Time inefficiencies are costly for construction management professionals and builders too. If you are a general contractor, you are likely carrying added costs from overtime/second shifts on most of your construction projects due to project schedule slippage.
Discuss changes within the industry and the forces impacting pro dealers and builders such as the increase of home building demand across the United States and a decrease in available supply.
We know it can be a struggle to balance hands-on job site work and running the day-to-day business, but there’s a better way. Here are the top features’ builders like you are using when they choose Buildxact
The best construction takeoff software can streamline your estimating process, setting your residential construction business up for success.
Now more than ever, it’s essential to keep your business alive throughout the economic recovery and into the future by ensuring you’re making a profit and reaching your goals.
There are many reasons why this may not happen — in good times and not so good times — such as poor money management, no marketing strategy, inactive quotes, and inaccurate estimates.
If you’ve used or are still using Excel,paper plans, calculator, and ruler as your primary takeoff and estimating tasks, there’s a better way. Save time and frustration by using a project management software solution that centralizes these manual tools into a single automated platform, like Buildxact.
Developing a solid strategy will guide your marketing efforts to help you stand out in the crowded construction industry. Marketing your residential construction business online a necessity. The process of changing the way you market your business might seem intimidating, but it is pretty easy to learn.
Estimating is one of the most challenging — and time-consuming— yet essential elements of the job. The accuracy, or lack of it, can make or break a business’s profitability. Accurate estimating takes time, practice, skill, and reliable data because not every job is the same. An accurate estimate helps boost your construction business’s average profit margin.
For most small builders, remodelers, and contractors, the owner does all the duties of a project manager and a whole lot more. There are ways to automate many of the functions of a typical construction project manager, achieves. Project management software allows you to save time and become more productive to handle more construction projects and have time for yourself.
While the industry continues to expand, technology remains a catalyst for crucial industries, including the built environment and one of the largest and most influential groups today: millennials. Not only are they able to adopt new technology quickly, but they are also ready to buy a home.
Even though you may only focus on estimating projects at the moment, think about where your business will be in a year’s time. Getting started with a new software platform takes time, and once in place, it may be hard to replace; so make sure you choose one that will support your business as it scales over time.
The hardest part of being a successful builder and business owner is not the craft of building. It’s the day-to-day running and growing your business. The issues facing the construction industry affect large and small companies alike
Creating an accurate construction estimate takes practice, skill and reliable data because each job has different variables. It remains one of the most challenging yet most important skills in construction. A recent study by Quickbooks determined that just two or three inaccurate estimates can be detrimental to a business.
There are ways to automate many of the functions of a typical construction project manager. Project management software allows you to save time and become more productive to handle more work and have time for yourself.
There are several estimating software systems on the market today, and many specific to the residential construction industry like Buildxact. Designed for the small builder, remodeler, and contractor, Buildxact offers an easy-to-use construction estimating software, as an integral part of an affordable construction management platform.
Cloud-based construction takeoff software allows you to speed up the process while not compromising accuracy. Top-notch accuracy can make a big difference for a custom home builder’s bottom line since they will have the capacity to take on more work because they have more time.
While the construction industry is considered an essential business, it hasn’t been immune to change and work productivity. As a result, many construction business owners, both large and small, have a newfound resource: time.
This blog explains how home builders can win more work in a competitive marketplace by focusing on accurate quoting and marketing
This blog explains the critical steps for growing your custom home construction business and operate with a business-development mindset.
The pandemic is forcing the construction industry to evolve now more than ever, and that includes technology, whether its new or enhanced. No matter what size business you own, make a plan to change how you do business because your customers expect it.
Business decisions are won or lost on the strength of their return on investment. It’s no different if you’re a small builder or remodeler looking to increase profit and take your business to the next level. Investing in cloud-based construction software is a cost-effective way to help make this a reality.
This blog explains the different features and benefits of Buildxact construction management software including takeoff and scheduling.
Project management software will increase efficiencies across the board in your business, help you work smarter and not harder, and give you back time and money to concentrate on your company’s growth. Now is the time.
To help you get there, we’re counting down 7 of our favorite software picks to complement your existing tools so your construction teams can get ahead and succeed.
The best construction estimating and project management software is the one that addresses the needs of your business. If your construction business needs help with project management, there are programs, like Buildxact, that offer project management tools to help employees work more efficiently.
Buildxact’s end-to-end software is deliberately designed to help small builders and remodelers easily commence, plan and complete projects all in the one system, without having to jump back and forth between different types of software.
https://youtu.be/-IvyTSBAZoo
This video covers what a client portal is, how to set it up and invite people to it, notifications your client gets and notifications you get as changes are made in Buildxact.
This video covers how to use item assemblies for decking and flooring.
How to manage wall framing and junctions using Buildxact item assemblies.
This video will take you through how to set up a drywall and insulation item assembly.
This video will show you how to load your own price catalog into Buildxact.
This video covers completion percent invoicing
This video covers cost plus invoicing.
This video is for people who’ve just been invited to a project via the Buildxact Client Portal.
Learn about creating invoices and refundable deposits, go through what your invoices look like and how to print, edit invoices and change orders.
Learn to process change orders (settling allowances) in Buildxact. You’ll learn about over and above change orders, how to fill out details, as well as printing and accepting change orders.
Send your work orders and manage internal costs with Buildxact. Learn what work orders are for, how to use them, and your timesheeting options.
Learn how purchasing functions work within Buildxact and see how to manage your receiving costs. We’ll also go through the three types of purchase orders.
See how scheduling works in Buildxact. This includes structuring your schedules, methods of creation, easiest setups, and the various views and functionalities available with the scheduling feature.
Create a job within the Buildxact platform, see the different types of jobs and default invoices, as well how job acceptance works.
Make your quotes look amazing while meeting your client’s needs using the different options available with the Buildxact custom quote letter tool.
This video takes you through how to add markup to your Buildxact custom quote letters, based upon category or items.
Look at what recipes (assemblies) are, how they work, and how to build them in Buildxact.
Count individual items on plans using the Buildxact takeoff tool.
See the entire process from requesting the quote, to accepting the quote, and what the client views. Learn a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Buildxact.
See the most common lineal feet takeoffs you can do with the Buildxact takeoff tool.
Learn pitched SF, such as a roofing or raked ceilings takeoff using the Buildxact takeoff tool.
Learn to complete SF takeoffs on vertical surfaces from a top view plan using the Buildxact takeoff tool.
We’ll explain redistribution, the moving of a markup, and how you can use specifications or job timeline in Buildxact.
Learn to make the most of the Buildxact takeoff tool by reusing takeoffs. See how to add wastage and rounding to measurements.
Learn the most common square-feet takeoffs using Buildxact. We’ll show you the best ways to use the Buildxact takeoff using tips and tricks to save time.
Learn to load and scale your plans in Buildxact to create takeoffs.
Learn to load and scale your plans in Buildxact to create takeoffs.
This page features the methods and video tutorials of downloading, uploading and using demo plans in Buildxact
Begin an estimate in Buildxact in the correct and most efficient way. Enter information such as customer details, work location and uploading documents.
Learn the main parts of Buildxact, capture client leads, and start an estimate.
Setup your account with your business details and logo, add users and edit your Buildxact subscription.
This Buildxact video gives you an overview of the software, what you can find inside and how to get the most from the entire video series.
Learn how tendering works for home building, and how your business can use Buildxact to win more work.
Learn how to estimate quicker and more accurately with our ultimate guide to accurate estimates for home builders.
Learn construction bidding secrets you can use right now to revitalize your construction quotes and win more work.
Learn the essentials of a great preconstruction estimate and quote
Learn how to build your business by creating quality branding.
Avoid wastage and save your business money by learning the ins and outs of lean construction.
Learn strategies you can implement to improve your profit margin
Learn the six ways dealers can boost the success of their builder customers.
Download this eBook to learn three steps to having a profitable relationship with your dealers
Download this infographic to understand the mistakes pro dealers are making that’s costing them customers.
Download this infographic to get a deeper insight into how material delays are impacting builders’ profits.
Learn how top dealers are using SaaS to create deeper relationships with builders.
Learn how to estimate faster with your construction takeoffs with cloud-based construction management software. Download the ebook now!
Learn how to maximize your profits by using cloud-based construction management software. Download the ebook now!
Social media, remote work, and online communication tools — and today, companies and consumers alike are researching and purchasing online.
The right construction management software can save you loads of time and help you be more profitable. This guide will take you through the ins and outs of construction management software, key features to look for, and what a quality software can do for you and your business.
When estimating the costs of a construction project, it’s important to include all of the costs in order to stay profitable. These are typically split into hard and softs costs. Check out our guide where we explore the difference between these two types of costs, give some examples of soft costs, and explain why soft costs need to be included in project budgets.
Estimating software helps streamline the bidding process, reduces errors, and makes pricing more accurate. Learn more with this helpful guide.
