Job management software is quickly becoming essential for small builders and trades who want to accelerate growth and reach their business goals. This is true for those that work on one job at a time, as well as builders that manage multiple jobs simultaneously.
In this day and age, managing such things as your schedules, cash flow, variations, profit, etc, without the use of software is not sustainable, and you’ll find it increasingly difficult to compete against those that are using technology to maximise the way they operate their business.
Construction software helps you win more work
When pitching for new work it’s incredibly important to get your quotes right, and the best and most efficient way to deliver a top-notch quote that differentiates you from your competitors is by using estimating and job management software.
It will enable you to up the ante on the accuracy, presentation and timeliness of your quotes, ensuring that your business comes across as professional and competent, and this will definitely give you a leg-up when pitching for new work against your competition. Moreover, it will also allow you to analyse previous quotes, fine tune them, and use them as templates going forward. This means more accurate revenue, profit, cost and cashflow projections, and a better bottom line for you.
An all-encompassing, professional and accurate quote will reduce the number of surprises (eg. costly variations) for your clients later down the track. This contributes to building a good reputation which in turn helps confirm your business value, instil trust and increase referrals.
It gives you back time and money
Do you spend your day onsite, arriving home late at night to reply to emails, put together quotes, sort out invoicing and all the other admin that comes with running a business? Do you find that there simply aren’t enough hours in a day to get everything done?
This is a good time to reflect on ‘how’ you work. There are fantastic opportunities to slash hours off your quoting and admin by using fit-for-purpose estimating and job management software. It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ it becomes unmanageable to grow your business and have a balanced life by operating the traditional way.
Online software platforms such as Buildxact can assist you to break this cycle, whether you’re building a new home, completing a reno or working in a trade.
You’ll be able to efficiently manage all aspects of each job from quoting, scheduling, purchasing and invoicing; and best of all, you’ll be able to do a lot of this onsite and not have to wait until you get back to the office, or be in front of your computer at home late at night.
Increasing efficiencies throughout each aspect of a job can save you anywhere from 50% to 80% in time, helping ensure that your jobs are delivered by their due date and to budget. And you’ll find that you’ll be able to take on more work and have a better control of your cash flow and profits.
It helps manage your people
Imagine if you could send automatic email and SMS messages to remind your subcontractors when work is to be commenced. With trade push-backs and scheduling changes frequently occurring, you need a bird’s eye perspective of your projects and an efficient way to manage people.
Fortunately, construction job management software helps you with this, enabling you to easily communicate with your subcontractors and help ensure that they adhere to the schedule. Forgetting to notify them of changes will be a thing of the past because everything will be automated.
In addition, software platforms such as Buildxact integrate seamlessly with Deputy, for time-sheeting, and accounting programs such as Xero, MYOB and Quickbooks to help streamline payments. So while you stay on top of each job’s financial status, you still have everything you need in your cloud accounting software without the inefficient and error-prone double handling.
Technology is the only way forward if you want to grow your business
The level of technology adoption in the residential construction industry is rapidly increasing as the benefits are clearly being seen across the board. As the industry becomes more competitive, there will be winners and losers, and using the right technology can help you be on the right side.
Those builders and trades that can respond faster, have professional quotes, and are able to run multiple jobs profitably are at a clear advantage. As more small builders and trades implement technology to quote and run their jobs, those that don’t may quickly find themselves struggling.
Job management software will increase efficiencies across the board in your business, helping you work smarter and not harder, and giving you back time and money to concentrate on the growth of your company. Now is the time.
Buildxact has been developed specifically for small builders and trades, is easy to learn and easy to get started with. Why not check it out for yourself by starting a free 14 day trial or booking a one-on-one demo.
