Contractors
3 Ways you can start digitizing your construction business today
Many contractors still use old-fashioned ways to run their business - paper checks, outdated software, and paper files to organize documents. These manual techniques can slow you down as a business, and can often lead to unnecessary stress. Where did I store that lien waiver? Will my clients check clear on time? Why do I have so much paper on my desk? In order to grow your construction business, you must first build a well-organized infrastructure to keep it running as smoothly and lean as possible.
Sep 13, 2023
By Grace Dela Cruz
In the fast-paced world of construction, staying competitive means embracing new technology and digitizing as much of your operations as possible. Many contractors still use old-fashioned ways to run their business - paper checks, outdated software, and paper files to organize documents. These manual techniques can slow you down as a business, and can often lead to unnecessary stress. Where did I store that lien waiver? Will my clients check clear on time? Why do I have so much paper on my desk? In order to grow your construction business, you must first build a well-organized infrastructure to keep it running as smoothly and lean as possible.
Here are three actionable ways to start digitizing your construction business today using Flume:
Send invoices and estimates via email
Traditional paper-based estimate and invoice processes can be time-consuming and can lead to expensive errors. Luckily, Flume provides a way to create estimates within the app; and then to turn your estimates into invoices in just a few clicks! With the FlumePay app you can:
Customize your estimates and invoices to include your company logo, payment terms, and any relevant extra details; ensuring they are easy to read and understand.
Create detailed line items and optionally attach photos to your estimates to guarantee accuracy on all your subsequent invoices.
Utilize all of Flume's various tracking features to monitor your project status, receive notifications for approved estimates, when payments are made against invoices, and when a client provides you with that important document you requested [which can also be done through Flume].
Your prospective clients can seamlessly review and approve or deny your estimates via email [and our secure portal].
Organize your projects and contacts
Organizing projects effectively is crucial for contractors in order to ensure smooth operations, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality results. Without proper organization, projects can become chaotic, which could lead to delays, miscommunications, and missed deadlines. The FlumePay Projects feature gives you the ability to keep your projects organized right from your phone - allowing you to store and review key documents, track vendor information, and check your recent transactions from anywhere. Read more on how to organize your projects with Flume here.
Some key features of the FlumePay Projects feature include:
Keep all of your important details securely in one place - including your files (photos, documents, etc.), contact information, estimates, invoices, payments, and payments due.
Contacts are automatically connected to a project when used to create an estimate, invoice, or payment affiliated with the project.
Easily download transactions related to your project [that are completed or recorded in FlumePay] to track your project revenue and expenses.
Digitize your onboarding process
For most contractors, onboarding new hires can be a long and tedious process. Waiting on paperwork from new employees can delay the process and slow down your jobs, especially when you need to hire someone fast! With FlumePay, contractors can easily request necessary documents via email, and have the new employee store them securely from our portal directly to the app. This saves you valuable time not having to deal with paperwork, and guarantees you know exactly where your onboarding documents are at all times. Important contracts, SOWs, W9s can all be stored directly in a project.
How to Initiate a File Request
Click on “Projects” from the side menu on your Flume dashboard
Click “New project”
Give your project a name, color icon, and (optional) description
Click “Create project”
Once your project is created, click on the project to open it
Select “File requests”
Click “Request file” (optionally, you can find the request file option under the “Create” button/menu)
Choose a recipient for the file request
Select or create a new file type (ex. 1099, W-9, Lien Waiver, etc.)
Add an optional message or instructions to the recipient
Click “Send request”
After sending the file request you’ll be able to track the status in the app, and quickly resend the request if needed. We’ll also let you know by email once the file request has been completed and the file uploaded into your project, so that you don’t have to waste time constantly checking to see if it has arrived.
Digitizing your construction business is not just a modernization trend - it's a strategic move to stay ahead of your competition, save valuable time, reduce errors, and get more organized. When you use the FlumePay app to send estimates and invoices via email, organize your projects, and digitize your onboarding process, you'll streamline various aspects of your business, ultimately leading to improved efficiency and a much leaner infrastructure. Start your digital transformation journey today with Flume! Try it out for free with a three-month free trial.
