How Buildertrend’s new Client Portal features are transforming construction communication

Ever spent half your Friday writing client updates instead of, you know, actually building houses? You’re not alone.

For many home builders and remodelers, keeping clients informed is a necessary but time-consuming task – one that often eats into valuable hours that could be spent managing jobs, solving issues or, ideally, heading home before dark.

But what if you could cut the time spent on updates by 97%?

That’s exactly what Buildertrend’s improved Client Portal is designed to do. With new AI-powered job summaries and enhanced Daily Logs, you can generate clear, professional client updates in just 6.5 minutes – instead of spending an entire afternoon crafting emails and organizing photos.

In this blog, we’ll break down:

• How these new tools are saving builders hours on client communication
• Real feedback from builders already using the updates
• What construction can learn from other industries about creating a top-tier client experience

Ready to build trust, save time and keep your clients happy – all with just a few clicks? Let’s dive in.

The power of AI: What’s new and proven results

In construction, time is money – and every minute spent on administrative work is a minute taken away from running projects, managing teams and growing your business.

That’s why Buildertrend’s latest Client Portal updates are designed to streamline communication without adding extra work to your plate.

With AI-powered job summaries and enhanced Daily Logs, keeping clients informed is easier than ever. No more sifting through notes, piecing together updates or writing long emails. Now, with just a few clicks, you can generate professional, polished client updates – saving time while boosting transparency and trust.

Introducing the new Client Updates feature

Ever wish you had a personal assistant to summarize your Daily Logs into a client-friendly update? That’s exactly what Buildertrend’s AI-powered Client Updates feature does. With this new tool, builders can:

• Turn daily job inputs into clear, concise progress reports automatically
• Select key details and generate a professional update in seconds
• Keep clients in the loop effortlessly, reducing unnecessary back-and-forth communication

This means no more late-night report writing or scrambling to remember what happened onsite. Instead, your updates are done in minutes, giving clients peace of mind while keeping projects moving smoothly.

Enhanced Daily Logs for better collaboration

AI-powered updates aren’t all that’s new. Daily Logs got several major upgrades, as well. Now, instead of being buried in notes and scattered updates, key details are front and center, making it easier than ever to track progress. Here’s what’s new:

• A details view that makes Daily Logs more actionable and intuitive
• Progress photos and notes are now the focus, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle
• Seamless integration with Client Updates, ensuring every log contributes to a clear, transparent project record

These enhancements make it simple for your team to stay aligned while ensuring clients receive regular, informative updates – without requiring extra work.

The proof is in the data

We know time savings matter, and the numbers speak for themselves:

• Builders now complete Client Updates in just 6.5 minutes on average – a 97% reduction in time compared to previous methods.
• Before AI-powered updates, builders reported spending 30 to 60 minutes per update, sometimes dedicating an entire workday just to client communication.
• In our beta test, 180 Client Updates were published, saving builders a total of 115.5 hours of work.

Imagine what you could do with that extra time – more site visits, more client meetings or even just finishing the workday at a reasonable hour.

But don’t just take our word for it – builders who have tested these new features are already seeing massive improvements in efficiency and client satisfaction. In the next section, we’ll share real stories from builders who are transforming their businesses with our enhanced Client Portal.

Real builders, Real results: How customers are using the updated Client Portal

It’s one thing to talk about the time savings and efficiency gains of our improved Client Portal – but the real proof comes from the builders who are using it every day. The feedback has been loud and clear: AI-powered Client Updates aren’t just a time-saver – they’re transforming the way builders communicate, build trust and manage projects.

Higher accountability, stronger client relationships

For Adam Copenhaver, co-founder of CopeGrand Homes, the new weekly Client Updates have taken his team’s communication to the next level:

“It’s been so amazing to use the test version, I’m excited for other builders to see it in a couple weeks. I think y’all will get a lot out of it, too. And Buildertrend just continues to impress us with their innovation and the new AI that they’re incorporating – I’m excited about the possibilities moving forward. Hope you guys enjoy it!”

For Adam and his team, staying accountable and proactive with client communication has strengthened relationships and streamlined operations. Instead of waiting for clients to ask for updates, they’re delivering them consistently, with minimal effort.

Saving hours on communication every week

For builders managing dozens of projects at once, writing client updates can become a full-time job in itself. Michael Gutelli, co-founder of Clark + Aldine, knows this all too well:

“The clients can get an update on everything from the schedule, any changes, where we’re at financially, any daily updates that ourselves or our subs update on the project, photos, videos, everything. It’s just a quick, nice weekly recap, powered by AI. It really saves a lot of time and creates efficiencies in our business.”

Before AI-powered Client Updates, his team spent an entire half-day each week compiling project summaries:

“Prior to this, our team had to spend usually from about noon until 4:30-5 o’clock writing out updates for all of our projects. And you can think about it – if you’re running 15-17+ projects in various stages, that’s a long half-day spent. And it’s a lot of work. So, shoutout to Buildertrend for the Client Updates. We’re excited to get this out of beta and roll it out to everyone’s hands.”

Now, rather than sinking hours into client communication, his team can focus on running jobs more efficiently – all while keeping clients more informed than ever.

What construction can learn from other industries about client experience

It’s no secret customers expect on-demand information, transparency and proactive communication – no matter the industry. While construction has traditionally lagged behind in adopting digital tools for client experience, sectors like finance, healthcare and hospitality have already mastered the art of seamless, automated communication.

So, what can builders learn from these industries? A lot. By implementing similar strategies, construction businesses can enhance trust, improve efficiency and ultimately create a better client experience. Here’s how.

1. Finance: Real-time updates build trust

Think about how online banking has changed the way we manage money. With just a few taps, customers can instantly check their balance, review transactions and receive fraud alerts. This level of real-time transparency builds trust and reduces uncertainty.

What builders can do:

• Use Buildertrend’s Client Portal to provide real-time project insights, just like banking apps provide real-time financial updates.
• Share live job progress, recent changes, and upcoming schedules so clients don’t have to ask, “What’s happening next?”
• Give clients a centralized place to check project updates, invoices and messages ­– just like a banking dashboard.

2. Healthcare: Communication enhances confidence

Patient portals have revolutionized healthcare by giving patients direct access to their records, upcoming appointments and doctor communication. These tools reduce confusion, eliminate unnecessary phone calls and keep patients informed about their health.

What builders can do:

• Automate weekly project updates to give clients peace of mind – just like a doctor’s office sends appointment reminders or test results.
• Use AI-powered summaries to clearly explain job progress, upcoming milestones and any potential delays.
• Offer a message center within the Client Portal, so clients feel connected to their builder – just like patients can message their doctor for quick answers.

3. Hospitality: Proactive communication prevents surprises

Hotels and airlines proactively send guests itinerary reminders, flight updates and check-in notifications – eliminating guesswork and improving the customer experience. A great stay starts with great communication.

What builders can do:

• Use AI-generated Client Updates to proactively inform clients about project status, upcoming work and potential schedule shifts – before they have to ask.
• Send automated milestone notifications (e.g., “Drywall installation starts next Monday!”) so clients always know what’s next.
• Ensure updates are mobile-friendly and accessible anywhere, just like travel apps make it easy to check flight details on the go.

Other industries have already proven the power of real-time updates, proactive communication and AI-driven automation – and now, construction is catching up.

Buildertrend’s enhanced Client Portal brings these best practices to builders, helping them save time, build trust and improve client relationships.

The future of client communication is here – are you ready?

The days of spending hours crafting client updates, fielding endless emails and struggling to keep homeowners informed are over. With Buildertrend’s enhanced Client Portal, AI-powered Client Updates and seamless project tracking, you can spend less time on admin work and more time actually building.

For established home builders, every minute spent on tedious client communication is a minute not spent managing jobs, coordinating teams or growing your business. But with the right tools, you can eliminate the bottlenecks, boost efficiency, improve client satisfaction and set your company apart.

See the difference for yourself

Imagine finishing client updates in under seven minutes instead of losing an entire day.
Imagine fewer client calls and emails because they already have the answers they need.

Imagine a professional, automated system that makes your business look polished, modern and reliable.

Now stop imagining – because Buildertrend makes it a reality.

Ready to see how it works? Book a free demo today and discover how Buildertrend can help you:

• Save hours every week with AI-powered Client Updates.
• Keep clients happy and informed without the back-and-forth.
• Stay ahead of the competition with smarter, faster communication.

Your time is valuable – let’s help you get more of it back.