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Are you using the Selections Tab?
The Selections Tab is specifically tailored for custom projects. Contact your client services
manager to turn this new tab onto your account free of charge.
The newest release of the Selections Tab is now available with easy-to-use new views! If you are currently using the List View as your default, check out the new
Category View. You may prefer this view. Your default view can be adjusted on your
setup tab. Please contact your client services manager for more information.
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BuilderTREND Solutions wins Constructech Top Products Award for the Third Consecutive Year
BuilderTREND Solutions, Inc., the leading provider of web-based software for small to medium sized custom home builders and remodel professionals, is proud to announce that BuilderTREND has earned The Constructech 2011 Top Product award from Constructech magazine for the third consecutive year. READ FULL STORY
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Customer Spotlight - Fatboy Construction
Company Profile:
Name: Fatboy Construction.
Founded: 2000
Owner & President: Mike Boyle
Office Location: : Steilacoom, WA (Greater Seattle Area)
Employees: 6
Website: www.fatboyconstruction.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FatBoyConstruction
BuilderTREND: What type of projects do you specialize in?
Mike : Full Service Remodeling and Renovations (In many cases the homeowners will actually move out of the home during the job).
BuilderTREND: What are your expectations of 2011 in your market and what are you doing to improve your business this year?
Mike : We have already had a lot of activity this year and have design contracts that should take us into the Q3 2011.
I am working on getting our business processes much more efficient. For example, I am considering getting our Project Managers and Field Supers I-Pad's in the field so they can access BuilderTREND on the jobsite. Also, I am really excited about using the new Selections module within BuilderTREND.
I am also exploring stronger Trade-Partner Contracts with my subs and vendors.
BuilderTREND: How are you making yourself standout from the competition?
Mike : Building really strong relationships with our subcontractors, vendors, architects and engineers has been really important for our company. We have a good reputation because of our partners and the mutual success that we have when we work on a project. We value those relationships so much, because in many cases our next job could come from a referral that comes through one of our partners. Also, in the last few years we have learned a lot about not just taking the lowest bid from a subcontractor or taking a job to keep us busy. It's important for our team to work with the best and really that even includes our clients so that communication and expectations are very clear from both sides. This has really improved our overall business structure, which is leading us into better jobs.
BuilderTREND: Where does most of your business come from (marketing, referrals, etc.)?
Mike : We focus our attention to our website, Facebook page, signage on our jobsites, and being active in our local builders association. For example, we have won multiple awards from our local builders association for "Best Remodel" and this generates a lot of buzz and name recognition in our community. Also, we have really invested in some high quality signs for our jobsites. We are working in a lot of nice areas and when the neighbors drive by it is really hard for them to miss our signage. We also have our company logo on all of our trucks and vans to build name recognition.
A lot of our work will come from referrals from past customers and our trade partners, architects and engineers.
BuilderTREND: What was one of the main factors for purchasing BuilderTREND two years ago?
Mike : It is such a great tool for homeowners, that was my initial reason for purchasing BuilderTREND. Giving my clients online access to critical job information in my opinion is a must in today's world.
BuilderTREND: What feature in BuilderTREND do you find to be the most valuable to your business?
Mike : Obviously, the homeowner side is really great. I really like having the online schedule for my team and using the documents section to store plans and manage bids with trade partners.
BuilderTREND: Do you use BuilderTREND in your sales process; if so how do you use it and what other sales methods do you use to win jobs?
Mike : We will use BuilderTREND during the Design Phase & Bidding Phase. We are requiring our customers to pay us a retainer during this phase, that way we know that the customer is serious about doing work and we are not wasting a bunch of time on a hard estimate. We will put all of the plans on BuilderTREND and let our subcontractors and vendors go to BuilderTREND to access the plans for a bid. I really like this feature because back in the day I would get a few sets of plans from the architect and I would have to drive all around town to distribute them and then keeping track of them was a huge hassle.
BuilderTREND: What tip would you give to a new BuilderTREND customer or a builder who was thinking about using BuilderTREND?
Mike : Homeowners and consumers are so much more educated than they were in the past; having access to on-demand information is a new reality of doing business. If you have a specific place for your customers to go online like BuilderTREND it is only going to improve the satisfaction of the homeowner and keep your team all on the same page.
BuilderTREND: We met you first in Baltimore at the 2009 Remodeling Show and we have seen you at other industry events. Are there any organizations or events that you think are a must for builders to be involved in or attend on a regular basis?
Mike : I belong to the Remodelers Advantage Group, which is a terrific group. If you are not familiar with Remodelers Advantage they are a group that really helps builders step out of their business and take a hard look at what they are doing and how they can improve upon it. For example, this last year after being in business for 10 years I actually wrote my first business plan. It's a great way to connect with builders throughout North America, collaborate on ideas and get feedback and coaching from some of the top industry experts.
(*BuilderTREND Solutions, Inc. is a Strategic Sponsorship Partner with Remodelers Advantage Group)
BuilderTREND: I know that you have had some really interesting jobs; can you tell us about some of them?
Mike : I was a crab fisherman in Alaska, which was a really great job, really hard with a family though. If I was not a builder today, I would be a mountain guide; unfortunately the pay is not that great.
To learn more about Fatboy Construction, please visit them on the web at www.fatboyconstruction.net
Tell us your story?
If you are interested in being featured in our Builder Spotlight please contact Dan Houghton at 402-905-2506 x 1002 or dhoughton@buildertrend.com
Jim Schneider Custom Homes Awards BuilderTREND Solutions, Inc. with Diamond Pride Vendor of the Year
Schneider Custom Homes names BuilderTREND Solutions, Inc. Diamond Supplier of the Year
We would like to thank Jim Schneider of Schneider Custom Homes for naming BuilderTREND "Trade Partner Supplier of the Year for 2010". Schneider Custom Homes informed us of the award at the 2011 IBS in Orlando, FL. We are extremely humbled and very thankful for the recognition.
Free Branded Marketing Video & Branded Marketing Brochure
We now offer a new and improved (FREE) Client Login Portal. The new BuilderTREND Client Login Portal includes a branded video that you can add to your website and share with potential customers. Also, we now offer a free branded brochure to use as a marketing tool.
For more information please contact Jon Marion at 402-905-2506 x1012 or support@buildertrend.com
Support Center - Recent Program Updates & New Features
We've Been Busy Making BuilderTREND Better!
1. Message Tab Upgrade - Emails now go directly into BuilderTREND
The messages tab will now accept external email replies. What does this mean for you? If you receive a new message alert from BuilderTREND to your external email, you can now reply directly to that email, and your response will go back into the appropriate jobsite on the messages tab.
2. Uploading Docs/Photos via External Email
You can now email documents and photos directly into BuilderTREND. This is especially convenient for uploading photos and docs from the field on phones and tablets. Each folder has a unique e-mail address. You can access these unique addresses on the "Edit" pages for each photo or document folder.
3. One-Time Schedule Item Alert to Subcontractors
You can now send an instant alert to a subcontractor with the details of a particular schedule item. This "email now" link is available on the schedule item details page.
4. Schedule Item Shift Tracking
An entire schedule item shift history is now accessible on the baseline view, as well as the individual schedule item view. This update allows you to see all the specific reasons the schedule was delayed.
5. Workday Exceptions (Non-Work Days, and Over-Time Days)
You can now easily manage your Non-Work days, and Over-Time days on your schedule. The latest update allows you to override a specific Saturday or Sunday for instance, and make it a work day. On the same note, it will also allow you to add a non-working day or block of non-working days as well for occurrences such as Holidays, rain delays, etc.
6. Multiple Predecessors
Schedule items previously only allowed for one predecessor. The latest development update has allowed for multiple predecessors per schedule item. This will allow for more robust critical path schedules.
7. Faster Mobile Photo Access
Browsing your photos on a mobile unit, (or any slower internet connection for that matter) just got a lot faster! The system now stores two different versions of a photo. A large version, and a much smaller thumbnail version. This will allow you to load photo albums much faster.
8. Customizing The Names of Tabs
Although the terminology in the building industry is fairly standard, we understand that you may want to change the name of a tab. That is now possible. Simply email your account manager and request that a tab be renamed.
 BuilderTREND Customer Feedback
We are always looking for your feedback to improve BuilderTREND. We currently have the most effective and easy to use software program in the marketplace. In order to stay on top, we count on our customers for feedback to make BuilderTREND even better.
Please submit all suggestions and product enhancements to support@buildertrend.com
Thank you for your feedback!
Curious how our research and development works?
Our support and development teams meet on a weekly basis to evaluate EVERY customer suggestion. There are three main factors we take into consideration during this evaluation process. First, what percentage of our userbase will benefit greatly from this new feature? Second, how much more complicated will this new feature make the system? Third, how much of a development investment is necessary to "Go Live" with this new feature? So, when a suggestion is found to positively impact a large percentage of our user-base, without complicating the program too much, it is scheduled on the development calendar!
Be Rewarded for a Customer Referral:
Participating in the customer referral program is easy.
1. Complete the form - Complete the online referral form. We will then verify your eligibility and check that the form is complete and accurate. If we are not already working with the prospect, and you meet other requirements, BuilderTREND will give you a $10 credit on your account.
2. Complete the form & make an introductory 3-way call - Complete the online referral form and introduce us on a 3-way telephone introductory call with the potential prospect. We will then verify your eligibility, make sure we're not already working with the prospect, and BuilderTREND will give you a $50 credit on your account.
3. Successful referrals - If this referral results in a new signed contract for BuilderTREND, your company will receive a $200 BuilderTREND credit.
FAQ
What is a referral?
- a referral is a potential prospect you notify us of that you feel would be a good fit for using the BuilderTREND system. This prospect cannot be someone that our sales team has already been involved in the sales process with.
When did the program begin?
- The program began in 2009. All NEW referrals starting January of 2009 are eligible for the referral program.
What if I have more questions?
- We sincerely appreciate your business and support. If you have any questions about this program please feel free to call us at 402-905-2506.
For more info or to submit a referral click here: http://www.buildertrend.com/contactreferral.aspx
BuilderTREND Presentation and Speaking Engagements:
Are you looking for a guest speaker or sponsor for your next association meeting? If so please contact Dan Houghton at 402-905-2506 x 1002 or dhoughton@buildertrend.com
2011 International Builders Show iPad Drawing Winner
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