ChallengeVerve Electric used three spreadsheets, each an independent silo of information, to manage clients, estimates, and invoices alongside a basic online calendar to share project information when away from the office. Finding a client, their associated projects and files, and then communicating detailed information from office to jobsite was difficult, time-consuming, and limited. |
SolutionThe unified database provided by ConstructionSuite enables Verve Electric to quickly search across their projects. They can now easily find estimates and invoices for any given client, improving their processing speed and streamlining their workflow for both new jobs and numerous repeat customers. Integration with ConstructionOnline’s powerful Mobile App made it possible for Nathan to easily view the same centralized data set in the field, making it possible to open a project’s estimate and files away from the office. |
Creative Carpentry & Design, Inc. first came around in 1985 as a small carpentry business whose main focus was small additions and renovations. Now in its 21st year, the White Plains, New York company takes on projects in the range of six hundred thousand to a million dollars. In between two of these larger jobs, Sam Gaeta, Jr., President of Creative Carpentry & Design, took a few minutes to discuss his ConstructionOffice experience.
"I've been using it for approximately 2 years now, and after we worked through some of the initial kinks, I got to know how it could really help us out. I may not even be using it to its fullest potential, but what I am using it for has worked well."
With ConstructionOffice, Sam centers his project management around the scheduling component, improving communication with his customers and keeping him on track.
"For the homeowner, it gives them a detailed map or a visualization of where the project is going, how it's going, and when they need to have money in. They can really see where it's going to hit them - the dates and such - so they can manage their money the right way, which helps me out, too."
"The scheduling also keeps me in check - especially the reminders. Like if there's a specialty item such as a garage door that takes 6-8 weeks to order, I set a reminder to tell me that it has to be ordered by this date. And it really keeps the projects moving so smoothly. I've done two large-scale projects with it this year, going into the third one now, and I can say that we've come extremely close to our expected finishing date because of this program."
"For this third project that we just signed, we had to go through an interview with the homeowner and architect during the bidding process. I took them a copy of the last project's schedule, and it really wowed them over because it showed a level of professionalism that the company is going to provide for them, and that really sold the job."
"Of course, we had some high recommendations, but once I did the presentation and showed them how the whole package is put together for them with the schedule and all of the documents we use, that's what pushed us over the top."
Aside from winning bids on new projects, Sam has also seen other benefits from using the ConstructionOffice system.
SAM GAETA, Creative Carpentry & Design
Before purchasing ConstructionOffice, Sam had another scheduling system in place, so he knew that he wanted a complete system that offered a Gantt chart scheduling. But what interested Sam the most about ConstructionOffice was the advanced integration offered between components and other programs.
"I knew that I wanted something with a Gantt chart, but I really liked the integration between the Gantt chart and Microsoft Outlook, and also the integration with QuickBooks - basically the marriage of everything together."
"You can back the schedule into an estimate, and I really liked that quite a bit, and then go into QuickBooks and use the job costing for that. So really, that was the whole thing - it integrated programs together that either I had already been using or were similar to what I was using, and I thought ConstructionOffice would be the best program to integrate everything."
MICHAEL SAURI, TriVista USA
Professionalism and quality are both incredibly important for TriVista USA to do exceptional work with superior results. Michael explains, "Communication is 90% non-verbal, and if you show up with a level of service that starts at a high level, and that level remains consistent as you dive into the job - if the specs look good and contract is well-presented - if everything looks good and is tight and neat - then everything, including your company, looks professional because it is. Obviously, it begins and ends with you doing what you say you're going to do, but ConstructionSuite helps people do that and get stuff to clients on time, stay on budget, and that's the beginning and end to me."
A few of TriVista USA's current jobs get Michael really excited, especially one extremely unique home in the D.C. area. "We're working on some very cool things right now - specifically this amazing home that is set into the side of an extremely steep hill. So steep in fact, that a parking deck had to be built to give the family parking access from the street. From this parking deck, there is an architecturally beautiful bridge they walk across to get into the house but the space beneath the bridge and parking area has gone completely unused so far," said Michael. He continued, "TriVista is recreating this area to make a gorgeous flagstone patio and the family will finally start enjoying this amazing space."
Excitement, passion, and love for what you do is extremely important, especially when you have the hectic schedule that Michael Sauri has. His passion truly shines every day when he has the chance to develop creative solutions. He says "I love the design part of what I get to do - the first few meetings are always the best. I meet with my clients and they've got something in their home that just isn't working for them. I have the privilege to come in and transform that space, usually with a solution they never thought possible."
Another thing that keeps Michael excited and challenged is the fact that everything TriVista works on is custom made. "It's easy to just do something you did in a previous project because you know it works, but we don't do that. Everything we do is custom made and by making yourself come about something with a brand new approach each time, it ensures that your end results will be even better," said Michael. The end results are extremely important to Michael, as he explains "in my industry, I am constantly building things that outlive me - every single day. I am very aware of that in everything I'm doing, because in ten years, I may not be here, but my work still is, and honestly, I don't want that to suck."
It may be that mindset that contributes to TriVista USA's exceptional work which continues to earn notice. Michael was just recently selected to be the Green Building Technology and Strategies on-camera spokesperson for the online component of Remodeling Magazine, Remodeling TV. He is featured on Remodeling TV to discuss the ins and outs of Green Building. TriVista USA was also recently selected to be featured on BobVila.com for their recent work on a home in Washington, D.C.
While these adventures just add to Michael's busy schedule, he's extremely excited to be a part of it. He said, "What I hope comes from these opportunities with Remodeling TV and Bob Vila is that I'm going to help other business owners who are in similar situations by giving them insight into what's been working for us. Hopefully those who see my ideas will reach out to me, either by giving me constructive criticism or just telling me their different opinions. That alone will help TriVista USA and myself grow and improve because really, bouncing ideas off of each other is going to make us better and also the industry as a whole."
Media attention isn't the only attention that TriVista USA has been receiving. The solid results they've produced have resulted in the 2009 Arlington County's Green Home Choice Award as well as multiple National Association of the Remodeling Industry's Contractor of the Year (COTY) Awards. TriVista USA was recognized in 2008 with COTY Awards for their work on a commercial interior at the Robert Shields Interiors office space, and for an entire house renovation for a home in Silver Spring, Maryland. Additionally, they were awarded COTY Awards in 2007 for their commercial interior work in the Washington D.C. restaurant, D'Acqua, and for their residential exterior renovation of a home in McLean, Virginia.
EMMA ZIMMERMAN, Model Remodel
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