When was the last time you "wasted" money on something?

You took some hard earning money, bought a widget that ultimately gave you nothing in return, other than the initial feeling that you may get something out of it at some point.

• the exercise machine that is collecting dust (and clothes)
• that food mixer appliance that looked so easy on the infomercial but when you use it - not so easy, so you go back to the knife and cutting board
• that stock you bought, thanks to a tip from your buddy - you're still waiting that puppy to climb back up to the purchase price
• that box of software you bought a few years ago that promised the world, and now it's a bookend on your shelf

OK, now that I've re-opened a wound, let's cut to the chase.

Everyone comes to BuildIT looking for one thing - a solution to a problem. Finding the right solution will put money back into your jeans, or time back into your life, or will reduce the stresses of running your business... or if you're lucky, ALL 3 at the same time.

You part with your hard earned dollar to subscribe to BuildIT; mentally you are doing the math - the "what's in it for me" equation. You need to see a major return on investment, and you need to experience that return (make it yours) right out of the gate.

It's the story of many of our customers... and it can be your story too !!

Let's look at ways you can win with BuildIT.

1. Saving money - miscommunication

Every job you do requires a number of tasks, and responsibilities from other parties. The more tasks required, and the more people involved, the more mistakes will occur. Those mistakes generally are caused by miscommunication of some sort. Communication issues are the main cause of grief, and profit loss. This is an undeniable fact. Ask yourself, where do problems occur that cost you $$ or time, and chances are, you'll attribute that to a breakdown in communication.

BuildIT is the perfect solution for keeping you and others "on track". Any and all issues are documented in one place, tied to the job. There is no mistaking who is responsible for what, who said what, what was to be built and when - all that information IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO ENTER IT, is in one place, and there to serve your interests down the road.

Scott Sedam of True North Consulting, an advisor to high volume homebuilders, claims from his organization's research that for every residential construction job, there are about 30 - 35 subcontractors and vendors. There is typically one mistake that takes place for every 5 outside people involved in the project, so you can expect 6 - 7 mistakes per job. These mistakes, thanks in large part to miscommunication (not getting the information in time, red lined drawings that are unclear, building off outdated specs or schedules, etc.) WILL COST YOU time, money and aggravation. And the dollar cost will be well in excess of what our typical customer would pay for subscribing to BuildIT for a year.

Use BuildIT properly (even minimally), and you will reduce errors, and have a back up that protects your interests should errors occur, and passes the onus of responsibility on to the other party.

2. Saving money - labor

Think about what it costs you for a part time or full time "warm body" to help with the "administrivia" of running your business. Now imagine a full time office assistant that never calls in sick, is available 24/7, does not give you "attitude", does not spend hours you pay this person each month checking Facebook, Twitter, playing Solitaire, checking CNN's latest headlines, etc., does not contribute to shrinkage, does not increase your risk of embezzlement - and you get this for a whole month, at a fraction of the cost of that "warm body" (perhaps, 1 to 2 hours' wages of that person's time and loading) !! Our customers make this claim that BuildIT saves them $1000's per month in wages. I calculated with one customer in Texas that his return on investment with BuildIT was 47 to 1 - think about it - for every $1 he spends on BuildIT, he saves $47. Do the math.

Having said this, we recognize that you do need adequate levels of staffing to run your business effectively, and office administrators do play a vital role in the operations of many small to mid sized contracting businesses. BuildIT can augment your business, assist your team with becoming more organized for success, and even give your office administrators a tool to help them accomplish their tasks quicker and with less error. Each person knows where to go for the information, where to post the information, and this will free up your staff to do more valuable functions that drive your business forward in terms of professionalism and profitability.

3. Making money - new revenue

We have customers who use BuildIT to their advantage - to get new business.

How?

Simple. You're competing with other companies offering a similar product. Your price may be in line with theirs. What distinguishes you from the other guy? If you use the worn out platitudes like "we're honest", "integrity in everything we do", "unsurpassed customer service", your customers will blow right by. You need something that truly sets you apart.

Professionalism - customers want to do business with someone that looks good, and gives them the "feeling" that they're dealing with the pros. You use the many construction document templates in BuildIT, which can be printed off, or emailed, showing your letterhead and all the details. AND, you let them know about a system that will keep them informed 24/7 about their project, where you are at any point in the schedule, and a place where they can view any files pertaining to the job.

You offer them the following:

"Mr. Future Customer, if you choose us, we have a web based service that will allow you to view your project schedule at any time of the day. Through this system, you can see how your job is progressing, and you can even communicate with us on any particular task on the schedule. I will also post files for you to review - contracts, specifications, progress reporting, pictures - anything that you need to see along the way will be available through this service. There is no website to remember, no username and password to maintain - just check your email and I'll send you a link."

All things being equal, by you offering this service, you are now set apart from 95% + of your competitors who haven't yet graduated to web based construction tools like BuildIT.

4. Saving Time

Have you ever calculated what your time is worth, per hour?

Have you ever calculated how much time you would save on each project if you carved off, say, 5% of the time?

Time is money - do the math. And start saving time today by using BuildIT. Take the time saved and invest it in new business. New business = new revenue = increased profits for the year.

Do this, and then call us with your answer so we can brag even more about how BuildIT contributes to our customers' bottom line.

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In short, you're not here to buy technology because it's cool (although, we admit, it is a cool tool). It HAS to either save you time, make you $$, help you avoid embarrassment or costly call backs, or help you get the next job and have a leg up on your competition.

Put it to the test today - we'll partner with you, and help you get some success under your belt.

Scott Hutchinson, ROI guy
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

Oxymoron is defined as a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms.

Truth. Advertising.

Contradictory?!

Can't say that I'm finding much truth in the advertising I'm coming across lately, maybe I'm just skeptical.

Or, it could be that we talk to 1000's of contractors across the planet, and we hear "the other side".

Flipping through the pages of the most recent Construction Executive magazine (March 2009 Issue), I was drawn, obviously, to the construction software ads. I'm always amused by the claims, and the cut throat competition out there is getting nasty.

I wouldn't say any of these are our competitors. We are a niche software product, for small to mid sized contractors, with a particular focus on construction scheduling, file management (organization) and communications.

But the "big guys" are out for blood.

For instance...

Software A

• states they're so far ahead of their competition, it's not even fair
• claims they are the leader in construction management software since the early 80's (was there even software back then?! can't remember, perhaps the VIC-20 or Commodore 64)

Software B

• warns you to "beware of imposters" - those that offer integrated construction solutions... but apparently don't in B's humble opinion 
• claims if you use other software besides theirs, you'll be left dead in the water (ouch, this is serious business)

Software C

• claims to be America's #1 construction accounting software (sorry Canada, and the rest of the world, we're only talking America here)
• has a pretty picture of the CEO on practically every ad (still trying to figure that one out - I guess he's the guy that's writing huge checks for ad space... with your money!!)

So which of these software companies are telling the truth? And how on earth are you and I going to test any of their claims?

Personally, I have never knowingly spoken to any contractor that has used, or is using any of the aforementioned programs, so I'm not here throwing mud. But I do want to raise the issue of whether you and I are getting the truth in any of these ads (or any others we come across). Because, if we buy something based on a claim that ends up being untrue, well, how would you feel?!

A wise colleage said to me years ago... "The truth is good enough." He followed up with another maxim that "it's only true when it's true for you."

So now for the "truth" about BuildIT.

• We're web based - nothing to install, nothing to maintain, no software headaches - period.
• We're small - you call us, you'll speak to one of the owners of the company
• We have extremely low overhead - your subscription goes to pay us - to build a better product - for you
• We've been around since 2000, so in "Internet" years, we're old
• We have never advertised in Construction Executive magazine
• We generally don't do print advertising - most of our leads (including you most likely) come through the Internet from search
• We're inexpensive, so you should see a return on investment within the first 30 - 60 days if you get lift off with the program

BuildIT has a great system that has helped many contractors over the years get control of their scheduling. It has helped them get more organized, and thus has been responsible for gaining efficiencies, building profits and avoiding costly mistakes, that if all added up... who knows what that number is. But I'll bet it's a big number collectively.

Recall the sage advice - if you think BuildIT is the best fit, test your claim, and see if it's true for you. Try BuildIT on a monthly basis, and if you don't see massive ROI in the short term, cut it loose... and you haven't sunk $1000's into some bloated software product that promised the world, and made some rather clever, if not misleading, claims.

Keep in mind, according to a recent article in Construction Executive, it's highly unlikely you'll use even 50% of a software product's capabilities... so why pay for the excess!? Determine what you need, what you're highest priorities (must-have's) are, and if they have anything to do with scheduling, file management, or improving communications within your team (and with those outside your organization), then there may be a good fit here with us.

(By the way, notice anything wrong with the compass graphic above!? - remember, "truth in advertising").

See you on the inside!

Scott Hutchinson (showing you my mug shot because, well, Software C guy might be on to something !!)
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

We like being on top.

It makes it easier for us to meet folks like you.

Since 2004, we've been showing up on the 1st page of Google, Yahoo and other search engines for keywords relating to construction scheduling.  Anyone using Google to find help with construction scheduling, will not only find us, but find us at or very near the top of the pack.

So what does this mean for you, the guy looking for a software solution?

Simply, we're the most relevant for your search and worth a look, if you're looking.

Our customers are contractors, regular business owners, artisans perhaps. Like you, they're looking for help. And all they need to run BuildIT is a computer with Internet access, and a desire to improve their scheduling, and business organization.

We're looking foward to meeting you... officially!  Raise your hand, let us know who you are, by clicking that big green button up there in the top right of the screen, and we'll see you on the inside.

Scott Hutchinson (proud Googler)
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

I saw an ad in the January 2008 Construction Executive magazine for an estimating software company. The text read:

"He thought all-in-one software meant "all-is-well" software. He thought wrong."

And there's a picture of this frazzled guy in a suit going balistic. I love it, and I agree.

Made me think about the landscape of construction software options you are likely coming across in your research. And the opinions offered by the self-appointed professionals (read: sales guys that want to sell you their software) on what you should consider before buying software.

For most small to mid sized construction businesses, having one software system that does it all may sound good in theory, but it rarely works. Imagine a mechanic having one tool that does it all - I picture a Swiss Army knife type ratchet that weighs 100 LBS and does as many things.

So what about the Swiss Army knife of construction software? If it exists, it has to cover a lot of ground, end to end, all facets of your business. It will be comprehensive, complicated, and come at a high price. And for most construction pros we talk to, most of the time, it's overkill.

BuildIT is narrow in focus, by design. We saw the gap in construction software back in 2000 and how an Internet accessible system could span that gap. So we only focus in 3 main areas: scheduling, file management and communications.

We didn't see the need for more/better construction accounting software. Quickbooks (contractor edition) has been around for some time, and is used by the majority of construction pros that have connected with BuildIT. It's a "back office" system, done offline typically, and by a bookkeeper or consultant.

As for estimating software, we make recommendations but again, most are using a spreadsheet that they have developed... and we're not about to build a watered down version of Excel.

The gap - managing the details, the scheduling, the mountain of information that is created throughout the building process, information that needs to be stored, accessed, communicated/shared, and archived.

We also realized another thing... a printed schedule is out of date about an hour after it's printed. We knew that construction pros needed more than a pretty Gantt chart on a piece of paper. They need a real time scheduling system that keeps all key people on track, singing off the same song sheet. That is where BuildIT really shines. The system integrates your jobs with scheduling, contacts, and files... all project related information is in one place, stored securely, and accessible 24/7 by the folks that need to see it and act on it.

OK, if we're a Swiss Army knife, with 3 attachments, then we're somewhat manageable. Or you can buy construction software like the picture above and spend the next year or two trying to figure it out! Then again, it may be the right decision for your company (there's a buyer for every product out there).

Scott Hutchinson
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

I was in a car accident last summer. Got rear-ended big time. I heard the guy behind me lock up his tires, then bang.

Here's a photo - so much for that "new car smell" ! 

Six months later, the insurance company gives me a call.

"For your pain and suffering, we're prepared to offer $X - this is the high end of what we typically offer for soft tissue damage".

My lawyer laughed. He said "add $100,000 to that, and you'd be at the high end".

For a minute there, I smiled, and my opinion of lawyers suddenly changed for the better  

Then he said, "it's a game, they'll tell you what they want, so you'll settle, and not call a lawyer. Kind of like a used car salesman. They'll tell you pretty much anything to sell the car - buyer beware."

Then I thought about the stuff we read on websites (construction software websites, besides ours of course !) and take as the gospel truth. Sometimes it's downright amusing. Many times it's a lesson in what NOT to do. Sometimes it gets under my skin. Because I know you're reading it too, and some of you may be taking it as the truth.

Here's a quote I read recently:

"Most people who TRY software X, BUY software X". That came right from their CEO.

Seriously, do you believe that? Is that true of any product anywhere in the world? Let me know if you find something where this is true - I want to speak to their marketing department !

A wise mentor once told me that "the truth is good enough".

So here's the truth with respect to BuildIT: "most people who try BuildIT, DON'T buy BuildIT".

We're so high up the search engine rankings, and our website is referenced in a gazillion directories online, that we get people launching free test drives daily, from around the world. Our competitors even take us out for a test drive - they don't even hide the fact. They're certainly not going to buy BuildIT !

Sales 101 - the sales funnel. 

As in any business, you have leads.

A percentage of those leads, the majority, are "just looking", kicking the tires as it were, doing research, getting an idea of what's out there, shortlisting possible solutions for the boss.

Then there is that smaller percentage of leads that are serious, in desparate need of a solution, and we are the best match. They buy (immediately, or eventually with further research), and they benefit.

Like I say, it's like OJ Simpson's glove - it's just gotta fit.

But to get to that point, you've got to put your solution out there, and have folks test drive it.

Haven't started your free test drive yet? No prob, click the big GREEN button in the top right of this page, and you'll be on the inside in minutes !

Scott Hutchinson
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

I was reading a competitor's newsletter the other day. They were talking about their pricing.

"...pricing as low as $ XX per project per month..."

Clever. Penalizing those with more projects on the go. The more success you have, the more you pay the piper.

It got me thinking.

There's a lot of fine construction software out there (some real duds too), and each company puts their spin doctors to work on how to share pricing with you, the prospective buyer. And each company is trying to figure out how to extract as much $$ from your wallet, and still make you feel like you're getting great value.

They'll marginalize the cost (dollars per day, dollars per project) and hide some of the extras. Some will "bait and switch" you, get you on board, then upsell you to the package/module you really need.

Here's the formula, simple and sweet:

You'll buy when PV > 10C (that is, "perceived value is at least ten times greater than cost").

For instance, when you pay BuildIT $795 for a 1 year subscription, in your mind, if you don't see $8 - $10K in your pocket by year's end, you'll go elsewhere (or stick with your free legal pad or spreadsheet).

When we started BuildIT many years ago (an eternity in Internet Age years), we sat around a small particle board desk and tried to figure out what we should sell our first release for. We knew it had to be greater than 0 (we weren't registered as a non-profit). We came up with a number, and surprisingly, people bought.

Over time, we've refined the application, figured out the language of our customer, added more valuable time-saving tools to the system, and one other thing:

We've drastically reduced our price.

Why?

We understand a few things that the other guys are having a hard time figuring out.

1. We can't be all things to all people. BuildIT is not an "all in one" solution. It is a tool which helps you in 3 main areas: scheduling, online file management, and communications. Because we have a narrow focus, we can have a narrow price point as well. The big guys that offer complex, enterprise suite solutions, well, their pricing is also complex, and enterprise level (read: big money).
2. You'll pay for many features you won't ever use. You'll pay thousands just to get started. And you'll pay equally as much if not more in getting ramped up, training, lost time during the transition. And sadly, the thing you bought may end up on the shelf in the back room just next to your year-end file box from 1998.  We know that simple and rudimentary is a good thing. It means those on your team with the least amount of technical aptitude (that may be you) have a shot at using BuildIT with success. Get them using the email system, and viewing the schedule on a regular basis ... and the battle is half won. Simplicity and ease of use - it's definitely the ace up our sleeve.
3. We've kept our company simple, not adding layers of staff, management, overhead, boardroom furniture, stuff that our competitors get YOU to pay for. We don't spend $1000's on advertising, expensive trade shows, playing trains/planes and hotels. We don't have "distributors" - there's no need for that added cost. We are the envy of the industry - just Google: construction scheduling software, and look who comes up on the first page.  Our competitors are still trying to figure that one out.

4. We've made the system easy to use, and easy to learn, at any time of the day, in any time zone. This allows us to price BuildIT ridiculously low, so pricing is the least of your hurdles to getting started with us.

BuildIT pricing: $795, for 1 user account, 1 year term discounted.

Or if cash flow is a priority, pay $85 per month.

Of course we have some other items on the menu, but they're optional.

So, whether you're doing 2 projects this year, of 200, you'll pay the same price.

We're honored to be competing with packages that are in the $5K plus range. I often refer our test drivers to those packages. See what's out there at that price.

Your PV (perceived value) of BuildIT will skyrocket in their shadows.

Scott Hutchinson
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

Nope, sorry.                                      

It's a question that pops up from time to time. And it sounds cool. But, do you really want what you think you'll be getting?

Two separate software companies, two separate design teams, two separate histories... and an often rickety bridge to connect the two!?

For construction software, here's the formula:

Integration = pain x frustration²

(Where "pain" is the effort you go through to figure it out, and "frustration" is that feeling you get when you slam your fist on the keyboard when it doesn't work) 

While it sounds good in theory, I'm reminded of an analogy: can your Porsche integrate with my Tractor? You're talking two different vehicles, or in the case of software, two different and distinct applications.

Keep the Tractor on the Farm, let the Porsche loose on the Super Highway (work with me on this !).

The fact is, you have one system that is primarily "back office" - your accounting system. And for most folks in the construction industry, that would be Quickbooks Contractor Edition. Accounting, payroll, some pretty sensitive information on your clients, your cashflow, etc. Do you really want that information floating through the Net !?

BuildIT recognized years ago there was a gap. Accounting software was nailed for the most part. And show me a contractor that doesn't use a spreadsheet to create estimates and manage budgets ~ most do. What about the part where tasks need to be managed, and information shared? What about the "slippery items" in your business, that if not dealt with, cost time, money and major aggravation? The gap was filled by a system to help schedule, manage information, (including spreadsheets) and augment backoffice systems already in place like your accounting software.

BuildIT fills that gap.

Your bookkeeper stays happy ~ he/she likes Quickbooks or Simple or Peachtree, what have you, and they aren't too keen on learning something new written by contractors taking a shot at the world of accounting.

You stay happy, because you spent a bunch of hours creating some nifty spreadsheets that work ~ you just need a better way to share them with your team, manage them, track changes, and store them on a job by job basis.

The gap is filled. Put away the whiteboard or legal pad, start scheduling the easy way.

And leave the "integration" thing for those with way more time on their hands.

Reminds me of a time when a friend attempted to "sync" his Salesforce.com contacts with his Outlook and then onto his Blackberry. He ended up deleting all his contacts by accident in the process. Thank heavens for Salesforce.com's "undelete" function. I was called in to save the day. After trying to follow the instructions, I realized why I had avoided making IT a profession, and appreciated BuildIT all the more.

We don't integrate, and life is easier for everyone involved. But we can import data for you (your schedules, contacts, job list) and you can export data from BuildIT into CSV (comma separated values) files. We don't hold your data hostage, you're free to come and go as you please.

Scott Hutchinson
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

You've check us out, you've checked our competitors out. 

You've short listed a bunch of applications, some web based, some old school desktop software. You may have even narrowed it down to BuildIT vs [fill in the blank].

Now the big question: How much does BuildIT cost... what's the price?

Answer 1: too much if (a) it's the wrong package for you, or (b) it's the right package, but you're not ready for it.

Answer 2: too little if you're Tom, Dick or Harry. Keep reading...

Tom (not his real name of course) uses BuildIT for a year, then decides to move on to sofware X. They spend $7,500 for 2 licenses. Now they find their new software isn't living up to the claims on software X's website. Tom says it's "buggy", some data even goes missing. I could hear his pain. And to add insult to injury, Tom's web browser seems to be stuck on bringing up BuildIT's login page. With a smile, I suggest to Tom that this could be a sign. We'd love to have Tom and his team back again.

Dick (you guessed it, not his real name) test drove BuildIT the other day, but decided to go with software Z. Rats -- I thought we had him. Software Z had a cool pricing structure. I asked Dick if he was aware that software Z charges per active project per month... he said yes. The per project per month rate was about $500 at the time. I asked Dick how many active projects per month he was doing. 20. You do the math. Ouch!

Harry (again, not his real name) calls me up. He's being hounded by one of the big guys, software Y. I admire software Y, and software Y's salesman. They're trying hard to push this deal through. But Harry is only doing a few projects this year, and software Y would be overkill big time, and with a price tag of $5,000 to get started, and monthly fees of $200, well that's about $7,400 for the year. Harry bought BuildIT instead for $795... and he's getting everything he needed in a scheduling system at a fraction of the cost.

So how much is BuildIT? Well, if you don't get success with the system, then you paid too much at any price. But given what's out there, it's worth a shot at $795 (1 user account, 1 year term discounted, or if cash flow is a concern, go with the $85 monthly subscription). You risk a few $$ and your biggest investment will be time... and we can help accelerate your learning curve so you waste precious little of that.

We play in the sandbox with some great software developers who are putting out some great apps. But for a tenth or less the cost of some of them, you can get the features you need in BuildIT to help you organize your business, schedule your work, share information with the folks that need it, and communicate more effectively.

Try BuildIT first. Take advantage of our 30 day full money back guarantee. If you're not satisfied, or if you really need more bells and whistles, well, software X, Y and Z are standing by !!

Scott Hutchinson
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1