Article appeared in Master Builder, May 2008

So let’s take a look at how software can help the challenges that builders face each day:

The market has significantly changed since the dawn of the Internet and the days of a big yellow printed directory are numbered. It is now essential for every business to have a presence on the Internet and a simple website will give you the competitive edge as well as generate leads and new business in a world where consumers look for tradesmen online.

The Internet is also now a great tool for researching new products, recruitment of skilled tradesmen and material ordering.

ESTIMATING

TV programmes advise consumers to get multiple quotes for any building work so competition for work can often be high. Builders can spend evenings and weekends calculating estimates and typing up quotes only for someone else to win the work which can be frustrating and costly. It can be tempting to pay someone else to do the estimates but when the work isn’t guaranteed this can be expensive too. Indeed some builders continue to guesstimate which is always a risky game and unprofessional.

Estimating software is proven to be the most economical and cost effective way to estimate, helps win more work and saves up to 60% of time spent putting together quotes.

Estimating is a complicated process with hundreds, sometimes thousands of variables to consider for just one phase of a job but good estimating software will do all the calculations automatically. A small investment in estimating software can increase accuracy, win more jobs and reduce costs.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Some statistics claim that on average jobs finish 175% late and incur 150% cost overruns. Builders can’t always account for late deliveries, bad weather or sickness but planning ahead ensures contingencies are in place to keep workers productive at all times which prevents the loss of money.

Good estimating software does more than just cost the job, it also gives reports that effectively manage and schedule the job, plan deliveries and lets subcontractors know when to be on site. It will work out when materials need to be ordered, when they need to be on site, what the cashflow looks like, where your profits are coming from, and where the costs are going and much more.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Construction is the largest and most dangerous industry in the UK which means that building companies of all sizes must provide extensive amounts of paperwork to prove they have considered the risks and dangers on site. This involves the production of risk assessments, COSHH assessments, Site inspections, Permits to work, Method statements and many more documents that are in place to ensure the correct procedures are followed.

With legislation changing all the time it’s often hard to keep up-to-date and more often than not, for the smaller building firm, it feels impossible to find the time to author the necessary documents. Health and Safety software helps produce all paperwork quickly and easily ready for printing, checking and then using to assist in improving the safety on site. Good health and safety software will keep abreast of changing health and safety legislation to ensure builders are always aware of changes before they happen.

PLANS & DESIGNS

Consumers more often than not want to visualize the building project before it begins and plans always need to be drafted for planning applications and building regulation submissions.

It can be a costly process going to an architect but it is difficult to imagine drafting plans yourself if you are not used to it. CAD (Computer Aided Design) software historically has been complex to use however in the last few years there are several packages on the market that have been designed to be quick and easy-to-use and full of construction symbols to make the process a simple drag and drop process. There’s even CAD Software that will link to Estimating software to accurately price the plans at the click of a button making both processes quick and easy ready for you to get out on site.

CIS & ACCOUNTS

To run a successful building business, builders need to keep a close eye on the accounts and in particular the cash flow. However, as most builders would agree, making sure that the books balance is probably not their strongest subject and accountants are expensive. Fortunately, there are now accounting software packages tailored specifically to the construction industry to make sure all invoices are paid and that the VAT is up to date.

Not only this, leading accounts packages help to handle the new 2007 CIS Scheme and subjects such as Invoices and Job Costing, Retentions, Applications (Stage payments) and Certifications.

Today there is software software to help every aspect of the business which all help to make your life easier, reduce costs, win more work and improve profits – now that can’t be bad!

For further information on HBXL and any of its products please call 0870 850 2444 or visit the web site www.hbxl.co.uk