Cove Builders: Seamlessly connecting field and office with a construction mobile app

Their story: A communicative, customer-focused construction company

This next-level client, subcontractor and team communication wouldn’t be possible without Buildertrend’s handy app.

Their goal: Embrace Buildertrend’s scheduling features

“I was told, ‘if you don’t use Buildertrend, you’re dumb.’ And I don’t want to be dumb,” Kerby said.

However, adapting to new project management software was about more than not wearing a dunce cap. Cove Builders was looking for a tech solution that could help them better manage their leads and scheduling all in the same platform.

Buildertrend delivered this – as well as a full set of features that tightened their financial processes, streamlined workflows and leveled up team communication. The best part? It could all be done from wherever, whenever with the Buildertrend mobile app.

Their solution: A construction tech platform unlike any other

Development builders aren’t like other home builders. They’re not doing business one or two projects at a time. Instead, Cove Builders is simultaneously running four, six and sometimes eight jobs at once. In the blink of an eye, the team has to switch back and forth between all of these innovative home building projects.

That’s the power of a construction management mobile app. It makes the seemingly impossible projects probable and possible.

“The app allows us to be more scalable. We’re not having to reinvent things over and over,” Todd said. “We can simultaneously flip between projects more quickly, access selections items in seconds and jump back and forth from job to job. That adds up to major time savings.”

Smart scheduling is where those time savings start. The Scheduling tool and its accessibility in the field is one of the major wins of Buildertrend for Cove Builders. They can add selection choices, documents and daily logs right to a created timeline in the app. That tagged selection then further links to purchase orders, RFIs and more.

The benefits of this are threefold. First, subcontractors appreciate the transparency and clear direction – meaning they want to work with the team again and again. Second, the management side is simplified because project owners are getting fewer calls and emails with information accessible right in the app. Last – but certainly not least – the level of detail at hand on the job site mitigates mistakes before they happen.

“If you think about the dollar amounts we are dealing with, the average home is about $700,000. Consider how costly a single mistake can be. You’re looking at tens of thousands of dollars because of miscommunication,” Kerby said.

Even before a build begins, the mobile app proves itself invaluable to Cove Builders. The team displays the program in sales meetings to show off its full functionality and how it helps them achieve the fanatical communication they’re known for.

“We really walk through the ins and outs of the homeowner side, how they’ll be using the app to stay in touch,” said Tricia Griffey, sales and project development director. “Clients see how they will interact with it, how they have a real-time viewpoint into every aspect of the build and are sold.”

Additionally, every cent is accounted for and tracked with the help of Buildertrend’s financial tools. As the job progresses, Cove Builders can manage bills, purchase orders, invoices and expenses with a suite of handy financial features.

“We don’t look at much else besides Buildertrend to manage our project budget,” Kerby said. “We know what’s paid, not paid, lien waivers – that’s all done in Buildertrend.”

Their success: More time for better home builds

No more running back and forth between field and office. Job details all recorded in one place and linked together. Financial processes that flow seamlessly.

The Buildertrend app has empowered Cove Builders to accomplish all this – and the time they’ve saved has shaved four to six weeks off every build. What’s an ambitious team like theirs to do with all those gained hours? Build more, of course. For 2021, they’re projecting record revenue as they’re able to take on more projects without more overhead.

“We’re able to interact and communicate with clients at a far greater level than competitors because of Buildertrend’s app. The same applies to subs and vendors,” Todd said.

“If you aren’t using Buildertrend, you’re using two or potentially four other systems. That’s ludicrous,” Kerby added. “There’s no better system for keeping your financials and communication tight. Buildertrend’s app gives you everything you need on demand.”