For decades, contractors have relied on a paper notebook that they use to keep track of stacks of mailed checks waiting to clear. But, since the invention of the iPhone, contractors have increasingly shifted towards digital. In fact, many customers are starting to expect it, thanks to cloud-based field service apps on the iPhone or tablet on site.
From Filing Cabinet to Cloud
These tools cover all the bureaucratic aspects of running a trade business, like estimates, invoicing, payments, and customer records. There’s no longer a battered filing cabinet in the company office filled with ambiguous files. Instead, you rely on a digital repository that’s maintained in the cloud and accessible from any device with login credentials. This means that contractors can access data on site on demand, instead of having to call someone at the office and have them leaf through a filing cabinet for a file that may or may not exist.
Quicker Estimates on Site
Apps like Joist, have also boosted efficiency in estimating when making quotes. Conventionally, contractors would often have to sit down with a pen and paper and figure out the estimate. But doing the same job with the latest breed of digital apps can take a few minutes on site with a digital paper trail, photos attached, and a digital signature from the client ready to go there and then. These tools allow contractors to put together a clean, professionally formatted estimate right there with the customer. Presenting estimates in this way tends to significantly speed up client payment, as when presented with an estimate right there, they’re less likely to procrastinate as they tend to when mailing checks.
Faster Payments, Better Cash Flow
Waiting for checks is hard on cash flow, and that’s what keeps smaller contracting crews going. Without enough income to offset expenses, smaller crews can fall into financial difficulty despite having many profitable contracts. According to the Federal Reserve Banks’ 2024 Small Business Credit Survey, 51 percent of small employer firms considered uneven cash flows as a significant financial challenge. You can use a payment app or scan a bank or credit card to make an initial payment there and then.
Smarter Scheduling
These apps are also very effective at scheduling. When the schedule is done through a centralized system, it’s clear to everyone who is available and who will be working on a particular project. When taking bookings, these systems can also instantly pull up detailed records of previous work done. And when you have a detailed repository of work history with clients, you can sometimes use the records to figure out the problem before you get to the site.
Worth the Learning Curve
While there’s a learning curve and some older contractors are likely resistant, these platforms can handle estimates, payments, and scheduling under a single subscription. The potential boost in efficiency makes them well worth the effort for any small construction business that wants to appear professional and efficient. On-site estimates are a great way to inspire confidence from potential new clients.
The New Standard
The transition to field-service applications is increasingly becoming a standard expectation for small construction businesses. Contractors who implement these tools at an early stage are more likely to appear more professional and receive payment promptly.
If you’re interested in learning more about industry trends, see our other articles.
