Scroggs Construction Services: Simplifying communication between subs and business owners with Buildertrend

Their story: A construction company on the rise

Founded in 2016, Scroggs Construction Services is owned by a father and son team and specializes in both home remodels and custom builds. Although the company has only been around for a few years, this team is already making a huge impact on the area they serve.

Each year, they complete around 30 to 50 projects. Additionally, they’ve been awarded distinctions of excellence by the local housing authority, Asheville Home Builders Association. Construction project software helps them do it all.

Their goal: Taking the work out of construction workforce management

As a design-build firm, Scroggs Construction prides their business on handling the entirety of services to construct a new home. Since clients don’t have to juggle several companies, the expectation is for builds to be tighter and more efficient.

To achieve that level of efficiency, streamlined processes are needed at every stage of the construction process. Whether it’s managing subs, utilizing financial tools or communicating with clients, Buildertrend was the all-in-one platform the Scroggs Construction team needed.

Just six months into business, Nick found Buildertrend when searching for project management solutions online. This platform had what his current tech lacked. From takeoff to closeout, Buildertrend was equipped with digital tools that took every stage of construction from chaotic to calm. He knew this was the system to empower his team – and the subcontractors who act as an extension of it.

“I tried to build something of my own, and I even used some other generic project management software that was going to take a long time for me to work the way I wanted it,” Nick said. “Buildertrend was just what we needed: software tailored specifically for construction that’s user friendly and tackles our unique challenges.”

Their solution: Features for better subcontractor control

“As soon as that happened, I said we’re not having another sub step on the job without first completing a purchase order in Buildertrend. Every sub needs to do that if they expect to get paid.”

The Purchase Order tool in Buildertrend allows contractors to send electronic agreements to subs for sign-off on the scope of work and payment. Right from our app, construction teams can track approvals, status and invoices – and pay their subs with the push of a button. It’s a win for Scroggs Construction because it easily communicates financial terms in one spot, and it’s a win for subs because it simplifies their processes, too.

“We have had subcontractors come to us and ask if we use project management software,” Nick said. “A plumber we work with said he actually prefers us because of Buildertrend. He forgets to send out invoices when the job is done, but with Buildertrend, purchase orders are connected to the completion of a job – and now he gets paid quicker.”

Buildertrend’s Purchase Order and Change Order tools not only save money but time, too. Nick said his team once worked with an electrician who said he was going to complete 20 to-do’s; however, that list kept growing even after an initial quote was accepted. The confusion it created is no longer an issue because they use Buildertrend.

With the Change Order tool, Scroggs Construction can create and deliver change orders right within Buildertrend. Electronic signatures easily collected from the internal team and client help ensure that all work is approved and within budget before it begins.

“With that electrician, we were running around internally and externally trying to figure out what all the costs were for. In those situations, I would have to call the sub first, then the project supervisor to see if the work was approved, then ask if they made a change order, then ask the client if it was approved on their end. It was a really big pain,” said Nick. “Buildertrend saves me hours a week not having to go through that.”

The benefits of subcontractor management in Buildertrend go beyond its financial tools, too. The project management features are just as rewarding for the Scroggs Construction team. Instead of balancing countless emails, text messages and voicemails, communication is centralized through messages with subcontractors and clients sent right in the app.

The Scheduling tool simplifies things, too. Each subcontractor is given a separate account they can log in to access tools shared with them by Scroggs Construction – including timelines of their jobs. It’s here where they can see when they’re needed and how their work fits into the larger scheme of a given project.

“The only way for us to be scalable and to stay organized is with software that’s specific to what we do and helps us take on more work. It honestly wouldn’t be possible without Buildertrend,” Nick said.

Their success: Happier subcontractors, more satisfied clients, better bottom line

Scroggs Construction Services saves thousands per year by avoiding subcontractor management mistakes – and countless hours of time, too. The stress is off them, their subs and, most importantly, the clients they serve. Homeowners can rely on this design-build firm to get the job done right and right on time.

Plus, the company is four years into business and is already the envy of other teams.

“I’ve literally had people call me and ask what program I use that allowed me to grow my business so quickly. I recommend Buildertrend to anyone that wants their business to last long term,” said Nick.

“Whether it’s between a contractor and client or a contractor and subcontractor, people used to be okay with handshake relationships. All the details were handled between handshakes and talks. I don’t see that way of business lasting much longer. Success needs something more solid to stand on.”