How to check the reputation of a construction company: 7 tricks that will protect you from scammers 

Modern construction software is designed to solve a wide range of business process automation and management problems. Correctly selected software facilitates financial planning, allows you to interact more effectively with counterparties and regulatory authorities, helps complete projects on time, and reduce direct costs and overheads.

Specialized construction software collects in one place a list of data on contracts, contractors, nomenclature, volume, types and costs of work. Such programs are customized to solve specific problems specific to the construction industry.

Why automate the work of a construction company?

More and more construction companies are implementing modern IT solutions to take advantage of automation to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. Construction projects often involve multiple parties, including field crews, suppliers, contractors and subcontractors. Collecting disparate data in a single program or programs that can be integrated provides business managers with the necessary information about the progress of the project and allows them to make operational management decisions depending on the situation.

Specialized software saves time and human resources on processes such as:

• preparation of accounting and financial statements, closing documents, acts (for example, KS-2, KS-3);
• exchange of technical documentation;
• electronic document management;
• project scheduling and plan-actual analysis of work;
• obtaining up-to-date data from various construction projects and sites;
• budget planning and management accounting;
• planning the purchase of consumables;
• interaction with clients, keeping records of real estate sales.

Where to find construction contracts for a construction organization: 9 best technologies of 2021

Content

1. Subcontracting exchange

2. Connections with major market players

3. “Word of mouth”

4. Advertisements on billboards and poles

5. Distribution of flyers and business cards

6. Publication in newspapers and magazines

7. Internet promotion: your website and online advertising

8. Visiting construction sites

9. Intermediary services

10. Video instructions “How to find subcontracts. Tender winners. Construction. Orders".

In conditions of fierce competition in the field of construction services, finding a profitable order for a construction team, even with high quality of work performed and responsibility, is possible only with active and independent actions. Specialists usually use a set of 2-3 established technologies, but in an ideal case, they can use everything.

Subcontract Exchange

A simple and obvious way to find an order is to contact the target audience. Advertising in newspapers, on poles, distributing leaflets and other methods are built on this principle, which do not always have the desired impact, because in order for a specific offer to find its addressee, many coincidences must occur. Otherwise, only a small percentage of proposals will receive a response in the form of a client.

The best way is well known: contact large construction companies that have received a large order and obviously need help. The only thing left to do is to find such companies, and this is what often becomes an obstacle to receiving a “fat” order. But this problem is easily solved - today you can find subcontracting on the exchange, a special service that accumulates information about the winners of government construction tenders worth hundreds of thousands and millions of rubles. If previously this information was scattered and it was necessary to study a lot of sources, now all the necessary information has been collected together - all that remains is to use it wisely.

The "" service provides small and medium-sized construction organizations with the widest database of companies that have won a competition and entered into a large government contract. The conditions for fulfilling government orders are quite strict, and compliance with the specified deadlines is the most important requirement. To complete the work by the scheduled date, the winner of the tender often resorts to the services of subcontractors, so the service is actually a base of potential clients who urgently need a contractor, and this is a real chance for a small construction company to receive an order.

Benefits for the construction organization

1) Access to contact information of companies that have received the right to carry out large orders, the possibility of direct communication and offering their services;

2) convenient search by region of the country;

3) search by type of work, which, together with regional reference, allows you to quickly identify the most interesting companies;

4) current and constantly updated information;

5) the service allows large companies to place an application for a subcontract and find a contractor, which for small organizations becomes invaluable information about real orders - there is no need to even call and ask whether a subcontractor is needed or not.

You need to understand that you must be able to use the presented database.

Firstly, not every organization that wins a tender needs help.

Secondly, if she needs help, there may be several companies among those willing to provide it, potential subcontractors to find an order for construction work

To increase the likelihood of receiving a profitable order, carefully study the contract, and when calling, try to briefly and vividly describe the advantages of working with your organization. The customer must be convinced that the organization is worthy of cooperating with him. It is better to prepare in advance all the necessary data about the price of services, qualifications of specialists, and experience of similar work. A personal meeting and conversation with the person who makes the decision, and not the secretary, is much better than a commercial proposal sent by mail. You may have to make more than a dozen calls, but you will only be dealing with a target audience that may need help right now - a lot depends on the ability to present information, persuasiveness and perseverance.

Want to win a quote request? Take advantage of our achievements! We will help you win at least a third of the quotes!

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Communication with major market players

This option involves establishing connections with a large organization and, if possible, being invited to perform some work. A construction organization will have to look for contacts of large construction companies and contractors, take an interest in their current projects and options for cooperation. The advantage of this option is that you can declare yourself and be taken into account. The disadvantage is the lack of stability: the company may or may not need your services.

However, establishing contacts with large construction companies is a necessary and important stage of activity. Sometimes they subcontract work because they don’t have time to complete the order themselves, and they don’t want to lose a client. Of course, part of the profit will have to be given to the general contractor, but high-quality and timely completion of work is almost a guarantee that in the future you will have regular customers

Do you want to be guaranteed to win tenders? Send a request and get a whole staff of experts at your disposal with payment for results!

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"Word of mouth"

The good old method still works in the 21st century, although not as effectively as in the old days. Word of mouth is based on high-quality and punctual completion of work. If the finishing work, replacement of electrical wiring, redevelopment and other work are carried out efficiently, the customer will most likely recommend your team to neighbors, friends or relatives. Moreover, while work is being carried out in one apartment, people living next door may also decide to make repairs. The well-known logic comes into play: “if a neighbor has done it well, then we will do the same,” and why go far and look for someone from the outside without being sure of the quality.

A wide circle of acquaintances among potential customers is good, but it is equally important to have contacts among specialists in your industry, who can also sometimes help with orders. There are often situations when a customer asks to recommend someone to perform work in which this performer is not an expert.

It is important to remember that for large orders they rarely invite a team “from the street” - they go to those whose quality of work the customer is sure of. This means that connections and useful acquaintances need to be actively established, and for this, sometimes you shouldn’t be lazy and take on even small orders. Today you were asked to replace the socket, and tomorrow - the wiring in the entire apartment, if the customer liked your approach to work.

The main advantage of word of mouth is that it is thanks to reviews that you can receive a large order. In addition, there are no advertising costs, and the base of potential clients is gradually expanding. The disadvantage is that there is no certainty about the number and volume of orders; in order for word of mouth to work, you will first have to resort to other methods of advertising. The only thing I can advise is to work efficiently.

Do you want to enter into direct contracts without a tender? For you - the largest database of subcontracts and commercial orders that you can receive as a result of regular negotiations!

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Advertisements on billboards and poles

Placing advertisements about your services on a board at the entrance, on a pole or at a bus stop is a long-term, well-tested way to promote your services, which does not need a detailed description. Despite the conservatism, experts are confident that such advertising will work for a long time, and construction companies are convinced of its effectiveness by personal example.

Advantages:

small investments;

potential clients get the impression that the master offering the services lives nearby, which means it will be easy to contact him;

the opportunity to place advertising in the most preferred and profitable areas, for example, in the location of new buildings.

Flaws:

the likelihood that the ad will be torn off, painted over, or covered up;

a large customer rarely responds to such announcements;

there is no guarantee that a potential client will notice the ad.

This option is worth recommending to those companies and private craftsmen who have just started their activities, because the investment is, in fact, minimal, and there is a chance to receive orders.

A larger and more modern version of such promotion is a large billboard. It makes sense to place it in the area of ​​newly built residential areas.

Do you want to participate in tenders with an advance payment from the customer? For you - the most complete database of government and commercial tenders with advance payment from 30% to 100%!

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Distribution of flyers and business cards

You don’t have to paste ads, but throw them directly into the mailbox. Then no one will peel it off or spoil it, and the chance that a potential client will look at it is higher. Leaflets and business cards are also distributed at construction markets and construction supermarkets.

Advantages:

large audience;

the opportunity to receive a large order;

some people collect business cards and flyers that interest them for future use when the service is really needed.

Flaws:

business cards do not always reach those who need them;

Investments in printing promotional material are greater than in advertisements.

However, novice masters can save money by distributing or distributing cards themselves. Experts advise reaching an agreement with sellers of large construction stores, leaving them business cards and promising a small reward for a successful advertising campaign. At low costs the result will be good.

Want to win a quote request? Take advantage of our achievements! We will help you win at least a third of the quotes!

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Publications in the media

Despite the fact that we live in the era of Internet technology, there is still a category of people who are looking for services through newspapers. Naturally, it is necessary to publish in local newspapers, and if there are any specialized publications, then in them too. If a newspaper or magazine has an electronic version, then the ad may be duplicated there as well.

Newspaper advertisements do not work as effectively as we would like, while advertising must be constantly updated and paid for, and only those who buy the newspaper will see it, i.e. limited circle of people. The disadvantages of such promotion include the limited size of ads and the inability to present your competitive advantages. True, sometimes construction companies order entire articles constructed in the form of hidden advertising.

Advertising looks more colorful and informative on radio and television, but it also costs more, and it is heard by a wide audience, most of whom do not need the advertised services.

Do you want to be guaranteed to win tenders? Send a request and get a whole staff of experts at your disposal with payment for results!

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Promotion on your website using online advertising

A huge part of the population uses the Internet today. Most people search for the necessary products and services using the Internet. Moreover, the Internet, through numerous tools, makes it possible to show advertising only to those users who may actually be interested in it.

The best way to carry out an advertising campaign on the Internet is to create your own website, which will briefly and succinctly describe what services the organization provides, what guarantees and benefits it provides, what fees it charges, how to contact it and other organizational issues. On Internet pages you can demonstrate your work as clearly as possible by providing relevant photos.

Advantages of your own website for a construction company:

detailed presentation of information about services;

motivating the user to action (with a competent and professional approach);

the presence of only the target audience;

effective tools for running an advertising campaign on the Internet.

Creating a website, filling it and running an advertising campaign will not be cheap and will require the involvement of specialists, so this is unlikely to be suitable for start-up companies, but there are other ways to advertise your services on the Internet:

advertising on city notice boards;

advertising on city websites;

advertising on social networks.

Visiting construction sites

To search for orders, you can visit construction sites and talk with the customer, finding out whether he is satisfied with the contractor. In any case, the organization has a high chance of being noticed and receiving an order in the future;

Each constructed apartment building complex has a sales department. If you promise managers a certain reward for each client they secure, you can count on a good amount of work.

Do you want to enter into direct contracts without a tender? For you - the largest database of subcontracts and commercial orders that you can receive as a result of regular negotiations!

Get a free selection of direct commercial contracts

Intermediary services

There are companies and individual Internet portals that connect the contractor and the customer. The construction company receives a significant advantage in the form of no need to look for orders - you can focus only on work. But intermediary companies charge a percentage for their services, and sites will require a fee for access to a database of orders, and this is without a guarantee that you will be able to find something.

Of course, no advertising will help if you treat your work in bad faith, so the main thing is to do your work efficiently, communicate well with clients and meet deadlines. In your customer search strategy, it is better to use several areas of promotion at once, choosing those that will be most justified at this stage of development.

Do you want to participate in tenders with an advance payment from the customer? For you - the most complete database of government and commercial tenders with advance payment from 30% to 100%!

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Video instructions “Find clients in 2 clicks | Instructions for DUMMIES | iTender-Win.ru [UNFIGLED]"

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Types of modern construction software

Specialized software is necessary for companies of any size, because the development of such software takes into account the specifics that exist in the construction industry. There are IT solutions created specifically to solve the problems of contractors, customer-developers, and large construction holdings.

Conventionally, software for construction companies can be divided into 4 main categories:

1. Drawing up estimates and budget documentation. It includes various documents: design, resource or summary estimates and statements;
2. Automation of all types of accounting as the basis for the business and economic activities of an organization;
3. Automation of work planning and management of construction projects;
4. Automation of individual departments and construction sites.

About construction teams

If your choice falls on a construction team, then keep in mind several features when working with private owners.

• Do not give money and start work without a contract. Even a small team must have individual entrepreneur documents.
• Don't give money to buy a tool. A normal brigade has everything of its own. If specific devices are required, please discuss this immediately.
• If there is no individual entrepreneur, give money to the foreman only against receipt. Attach a photocopy of the foreman’s passport to the receipt. Important! In case of non-fulfillment of services, the receipt may become the basis for the return of money through the court or the reason for initiating a criminal case.
• Request photocopies of passports of all persons involved in work at the site.
• Check the foreman or person to whom you will transfer the money using the bailiff database. If it has debts, then we can assume that the advance will be used to pay them off.
• Check the estimate and list of works carefully. Stipulate immediately and definitively that the price will not change.
• Define clear boundaries for turnkey work.
• Determine a strict payment schedule and deadlines for completing work.
• Require only cash receipts or strict reporting forms for the purchase of material, transportation costs, and other additional services.
• Check the quantity and quality of purchased material. Check the balances.
• Stipulate penalties for missing deadlines or any violations at the construction site. If you find an employee with fumes at your site, then this should be financially punishable.
• Monitor the progress of work and visit the site as often as possible. If neighbors live near the construction site, then agree with them so that they report incidents at the site.
• Be a challenging customer with quirks. Pay attention to the little things. This will allow you to obtain the maximum quality of work.
• Don’t make friends with the crew, don’t trust empty chatter, believe the facts.

No matter how critical this attitude towards private teams may seem, it should be understood that it is better to immediately show serious intentions than to later run after the foreman asking him to finish or correct something.

Experience shows that the more careful control is in the process, the fewer problems there are at the end.

Software for construction automation

More than 15,000 successful implementations for construction companies

• Accounting for construction projects;
• Schedule and resource planning;
• Construction project management;
• Control of construction materials consumption;
• Mobile foreman.

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A distinctive feature of software implementation in medium and large companies is that various software components are used in certain departments/divisions. Thus, the estimate department uses software to ensure efficient work, and the accounting department functions through the use of 1C components. Of course, all departments are connected to each other, but it is important for the company owner to take care of providing the basic needs of each segment. In this case, software products will be selected individually.

Design programs

The software allows you to obtain a two- and three-dimensional image of a future object. The finished layout can be easily saved in the cloud and demonstrated to contractors and main departments. The main advantage of the program is the availability of ready-made libraries that offer a choice of construction and finishing consumables, various decorative elements and decorations.

BIM is a process that is created on the basis of intelligent volumetric models. Technology helps specialists and architects more effectively plan, design and construct buildings and various urban infrastructure facilities.

Software for calculating the cost of work and drawing up estimates

The calculation program resembles a calculator, with which you can determine the final amount of consumables for the construction of one object, the cost and other technical parameters.

The program for preparing estimates works effectively with ready-made databases and checks documentation for compliance with official standards, which are included in a special federal register.

Automation of accounting

Accounting automation software helps the contractor and developer interact effectively, without unnecessary time losses, and promptly prepare reports for regulatory authorities. Within a company, such software allows you to calculate employee salaries. The solution provides financial management, budgeting and management accounting in a flexible manner.

Cloud technologies

Cloud programs allow you to relieve work computers as much as possible and increase the speed of data processing. Such solutions can control most business processes (from the design stage to delivery of the finished facility). The program helps minimize delays, improve company performance and reduce the time frame for implementing complex projects.

Mobile solutions have only recently been used in the construction industry, but such software has already proven its versatility. The main advantages of cloud software are: high quality, maintenance of modern security techniques, low cost, quick implementation and the ability to use anywhere.

How to collect as much information as possible about a contractor: 7 verification techniques

If you are looking for a construction company on the Internet, then use the recommendations for collecting information and some tricks that can help you identify scammers. To choose a contractor, you need to understand who you will be dealing with and check their reputation. Of course, it’s difficult to find the ideal option, but you should look for builders who are a little better and a little more honest.

This list contains extensive experience in verifying counterparties.

1. Be extremely wary of sites that lack an address or contact information for the company. If there is only a mobile phone or you are asked to leave your contact details, leave this site even despite the low prices indicated.
2. Find out from the contractor whether he works on a cashless basis and whether he provides cash receipts and strict reporting forms (not to be confused with a receipt order). If the company does not provide this and does not have a current account, cross it off the list of applicants.
3. Ask for a contract with details and compare the details received with the information on the company’s website. If the website of a potential contractor talks about a group of companies or a holding company, but the details indicate an LLC or individual entrepreneur, then most likely you are dealing with an intermediary who will have to overpay.
4. Find the company's TIN in the company's details and check it through the website of the Federal Tax Service. There you will receive an extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities/Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs, which will contain the following information: year of formation, address of the company, information about the founders and managers. Compare the information received with that indicated on the website. If the website indicates the company’s many years of experience, but the tax authorities find out that the company is only a year old, then you should think about the reliability of the rest of the information on the website.
5. Using the details, find out on the State Registration Bulletin website whether the company is in the process of bankruptcy or reorganization.
6. On the “Electronic Justice” website, find out what court cases the counterparty has had or is currently pursuing. If there are any, then study court decisions and draw a conclusion.
7. Check out the potential contractor through the bailiffs website. If he has debts, then the advance payment may be seized under a writ of execution.

This check will take no more than three hours, but it will help you save your earnings for years.

And also on FORUMHOUSE you will learn: about the main mistakes when building a foundation; about how to choose a house among standard economy class housing; and also watch a video about how to decide to move from a metropolis to a country house.

How to choose software for the construction industry. Criteria for evaluation

Selecting the right software starts with careful analysis. The following indicators are used as software evaluation criteria:

1. Conditions for software implementation. Selling a new product does not mean it will work successfully. IT companies interested in the final result study the client’s situation in detail, give their recommendations and select a solution or solutions taking into account the IT infrastructure and scope of tasks. The average integration time is from a couple of days to several months, depending on the complexity and scale.
2. Reliability of the development company. You can look in open sources to see how long the company has been on the market and how long it has been developing construction software, in particular, geographical coverage and presence in your region. It is also useful to study customer reviews, business cases and examples of implementations in construction companies.
3. Functionality and ease of use of the software. It is important to make sure that the program contains exactly the capabilities that a construction organization needs, and that employees will be able to successfully use them in their activities. It is also worth taking into account the principle of providing subsequent support services: technical support, provision of consulting assistance on technical issues, the opportunity to train and receive free updates in the future.

Where to start looking for builders?

Typically, the search for builders begins with interviewing friends and neighbors. If someone has built one of them, they will definitely recommend a team or company. It is, of course, very good that there are friends who will advise, but what they will advise is a question.

It is not uncommon for contractors to pay a referral fee for referring a client. You need to be wary of this, since the opportunity to earn extra money for a recommender can play a cruel joke on you. The information received from such a friend must be verified.

First, you need to carefully inspect the house that the recommended team or company built, and do this with a person who understands construction. “The house is good, and the guys are great” is not a criterion for choosing builders. Everything needs to be inspected - from the foundation to the wiring. If the inspection reveals obvious defects or errors, then there is no guarantee that these “jambs” will not appear in your home.

Secondly, you need to ask for gas bills and, through a simple analysis, determine how warm this house is. In a cold building, winter gas bills will be 10-20% higher than in a warm house with the same area and similar boiler parameters. This is, of course, not an axiom, but some conclusions can be drawn about the thermal insulation properties of the building.

If you are satisfied with the house on display, then you need to look at the rest of the projects completed by the contractor.

Here the main criterion is the same - a good builder must build and have a sufficient number of houses for demonstration. The presence of objects indicates the demand for the contractor.

During the inspection, you need to talk with previous customers and find out what problems arose during construction. If possible, you should inspect all buildings. There are a lot of questions to ask at this stage. If some problem comes up in a conversation with all customers, then it is worth focusing on this.

Review of the best software for the construction industry

Construction project management software

The BIT.Construction/Construction Project Management software solution is used to automate the work of two main sectors of a construction organization - planning, technical and economic departments.

The main features of the solution include:

• planning work depending on certain resources and costs;
• keeping records of obligations under executed contract agreements;
• uploading estimate documents, tracking the completion of work;
• planning and accounting of work;
• storing the history of estimate documentation;
• writing off remaining materials depending on work already completed.

The implementation of the solution is aimed at ensuring timely completion of construction projects by improving planning processes and automating control.

Mobile foreman

The mobile application for the BIT.CONSTRUCTION/Supply and Warehouse module allows you to keep track of the movement of material and technical assets at sites and warehouses. It is intended for foremen, department heads, and storekeepers.

Program functions:

• control of the application processing process;
• reconciliation of the total quantity and names of consumables;
• transfer of materials into operation;
• issuance and return of workwear to employees of warehouses and departments.

How can you save money when building a house?

A competent house design can reduce the cost of construction and subsequent operation. An experienced architect will always tell you how to optimize what is necessary and what can be safely abandoned. Thus, the rational location of the building on the site will allow you to save on the length of utility lines.

The shape of the building, which is close to a square, will reduce the area of ​​the external walls and increase the thermal efficiency of the house. Eliminating the basement will reduce the cost of construction by 20-30%.

By replacing reinforced concrete floors with frequently ribbed ones, you can reduce costs by 10-20% and reduce the load on the foundation by 2 times. You can save on roofing by simplifying the shape of the roof and thereby reducing its area.

A garage attached to the house will require the construction of a heavy and expensive foundation that is the same as the house. It is much more rational to build a separate structure from lighter and cheaper materials.

CRM in a construction company

The developers included two programs as popular CRM software - Bitrix24 for contractors and Bitrix24 for developers.

Bitrix24 for a construction contractor

A universal tool for automating company processes. Using software, it is possible to organize effective management of construction projects. It is successfully implemented into document flow.

List of tasks that can be solved using the program:

• automation of current business processes;
• joint management of construction projects;
• accounting of time spent and resource control.

Bitrix24 for developers

Users of the software highly appreciated the intuitive interface of the program. Bitrix24 is a comprehensive tool for digitizing and automating active work processes. Separate options allow you to control the process of communication with potential clients.

Main functionality:

• full automation of sales processes;
• CRM marketing support (e-mail newsletters, creation of personal offers depending on consumer needs);
• integration with the real estate sales accounting automation program BIT.STROITELSTVO.

Ready-made software for construction companies helps in solving an extensive list of tasks, so it is important to select software depending on the specific needs of the company.

Still have questions about the program? Get a free consultation from specialists in your city.

How much is it?

Ordering a log house from timber will be cheaper than turnkey, but in this case the foundation and finished roof, finished ceiling and floor will need to be done independently. This means that another 60% needs to be added to the basic cost of the log house.

The basic cost of a log house in Moscow includes:

1. Log house made of timber
2. Floor and ceiling beams.
3. Rafter system.
4. Sheathing, gables.
5. Nails, roofing felt, inter-beam insulation.
6. Delivery of the box to the customer’s site (in Moscow and the Moscow region).
7. Assembly.

We are talking about a house made of profiled dry timber. If you want glued, then you need to add about 30% to this cost.

Houses made of timber have shown themselves in Russia only on the good side for decades. But if the material is not of high quality, then you should not hope for a positive result. Therefore, it is so important to choose a good manufacturer and developer company in Moscow.