S6 Ep. 2: Winning more bids in less time

Welcome to “The Better Way: A podcast by Buildertrend.” Here you’ll learn to simplify and establish processes that will make meaningful changes to your company and help you achieve your goals. Because there’s a better way. The Buildertrend way. Tune in this season as Marge Haley, senior manager of customer success, chats with Buildertrend experts on how to master Takeoff and ace pre-project planning.

 

On today’s episode, Marge Haley and David Livingston, estimating and takeoff specialist, discuss how using takeoff software can help you win more bids in less time. Stop relying on someone else to run your numbers and go from waiting weeks to just days by running your own takeoffs.

 

What are some ways that general contractors can benefit from running their own takeoff?

 

David: I'll give you an example. I spoke to a guy that had a lumber supplier that took six weeks to run a takeoff for him, and he was able to cut it down into one or two days once he learned and developed his understanding of our takeoff system. So, with that time savings, that allows you to sell jobs faster, you can get quotes out to your homeowner faster, and it allows you to get more competitive pricing. So, you're not stuck with one supplier that does your takeoff every single time.

 

How can general contractors get numbers to their subs quicker using Buildertrend’s estimating tool, Takeoff and Bids feature?

 

David: Every line item in Buildertrend has the ability to be populated as a bid, and you can choose multiple line items in the estimate to ask pricing for. So, you could ask for a lump sum price for drywall, or you could tell them, "We need 500 sheets. What's your price per sheet to install this?" So basically, using line item actions and using real-time data that's being created and calculated in Takeoff, you can then take those line items from Buildertrend and then line item action them to create bid packages and release those bid packages. Your subs don't have to be active in Buildertrend. It's just like sending out an email.”

 

LINKS AND MORE

 

Related content:

 

Read this blog post to learn about the new and improved Estimate feature.

 

Learn how to increase your profits with Bids and other financial tools in Buildertrend.

 

Listen to “The Building Code,” Buildertrend’s biweekly podcast exploring people, technology and innovation across the construction industry.

 

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