Three ways builders can reduce time spent on admin
Running a building business is a high-pressure occupation, whether you specialise in extensions, renovations or new builds. The boss of a building firm is typically involved in estimating, liaising with clients, design work, planning permission and approvals, liaising with subcontractors, purchasing, health and safety… the list is long.
But are you making the most productive use of your working day? Improving productivity during your 9-5 will not only save time, it’ll help you become a more successful business to boot! And I’m not talking about working harder; I’m talking about working more efficiently and reclaiming your precious evenings and weekends.
Here are 3 simple steps you can take to reduce the time you spend at your desk:
1. Make software your friend
Use software to speed up time-consuming tasks
When your to-do list is long, technology is the hero. No doubt there are tasks that you’re currently carrying out manually which could be completed more quickly using software – estimating or health and safety paperwork, for example. You may have to invest a few hours in learning the software up front – but doing so will save you days and weeks in the long run.
2. Streamline your processes
Avoiding repetition is a great way to save time - and your sanity! Look for areas where you can streamline tasks in your business. For example, add a software tool such as BuildingWorks to your business and you can estimate projects while you draft the plans – that’s 2 birds with 1 stone. Or if design work isn’t your thing, check out EstimatorXpress. EstimatorXpress enables you to estimate projects quickly, using templates which are pre-loaded with the relevant material and labour calculations. Just type your project dimensions into on-screen diagrams and the software does all of the maths for you. Plus, you get an automatic written customer quotation, with as much or as little detail as you like, at the click of a button. Think of the hours you’ll shave off every quote you produce with software like this.
What’s more, EstimatorXpress is part of a suite of programmes – including Health & Safety Xpert and ContractsXpert. This means you can synchronise the data across the different programmes so you only have to input the project data once.
Reduce the time you spend at the merchant
3. Plan ahead with your material ordering
Don’t waste time going to and fro to the builders’ merchant every week. At the beginning of every project, make a list of all the materials you need and when. Or, make life even easier and use estimating software that will produce a material ordering report for you. Both EstimatorXpress and BuildingWorks generate material order schedules automatically off the back off your estimate. All you need to do is send the schedule to your merchant and arrange to have the materials delivered to site when you need them.
Start saving time today
Download an estimating software trial and see for yourself how you can reduce the time you spend estimating and quoting for work.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling completely overwhelmed, consider outsourcing your estimating. Check out HBXL Estimating Service for more details.