When it comes to using technology in the construction world, there is a significant amount of pushback from folks who have been in the industry a little longer and are used to a specific process. It is essential for construction company owners to understand that there are far more pros than cons to utilizing trades technology to better your business, including a prominent increase in your legal team’s ability to make sure you are getting paid what you are owed and are protected from potential issues that could arise between you and your clients. Additionally, many of the doubts some contractors have about trades technology are not as scary as they seem. For this blog, we spoke with Eric Fortenberry at JobTread to debunk some common fears and show you why trades technology could improve your chances of getting the job.
Debunking The Mean Myths of Trades Technology
There are some common, reoccurring reasons people push back against the wave of technological implementation in recent years. Usually, construction contractors are concerned that technology is inherently complicated, expensive, and unreliable. Some folks are especially worried that not only will learning the software come as a challenge to them, but their teams will be resistant to learning a whole new way to approach their work as well. Fortunately for users, many tech companies prepare for these doubts specifically and have custom-built platforms to counteract them.
There is technology that is easy to learn, easy to teach, cost-effective, and backed by actual people you can promptly contact if your software is causing issues. And even if the construction tech you want to use costs you on the front end, it can easily pay for itself and then some by saving you labor costs and even in legal fees. Especially if you were to find yourself in a legal dispute, one of the most time-consuming, costly parts of developing a case is discovery, which is when your attorney must look through your documents to find supporting evidence. When information is organized and readily accessible, you save yourself and your representation significant time, and allow them to develop a stronger and more well-supported case.
Furthermore, by involving your team on the front end and getting their buy-in before presenting them with technology, you can heavily mitigate the fears that they might be unwilling to learn a new system. Including them in the preliminary steps of the selection process and investing in a company backed by real people who will personally teach you the system are steps you can take. Just be sure to research the product and company when looking, and you will undoubtedly find the software built to eliminate your specific doubts and complement your wants and needs because they are out there!
The Cromeens Law Firm is here to protect you and your business. Our hope is that you never get stuck in a legal battle because you were not adequately informed or prepared. Work with us to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to protect your business and your hard-earned money.
Construction Industry: Tech vs. Traditional
Some folks committed to manual management do not realize that, in many cases, individuals who utilize technology to improve and streamline their communications and processes may be more likely to get work. Comprehensive construction industry software, such as JobTread, can aid with hugely impactful elements such as a professional-looking proposal, clear communication, and open access to how a client would be communicating with the team they hire. When you can send and receive visual updates, respond more promptly, and organize your documentation for clients to see, they are far more likely to trust your professionalism and work and, therefore, more likely to hire you. Especially if the trades software you use has a customer portal through which clients can monitor progress, approve changes, and even pay you, you market a level of transparency and honesty that other businesses may not be able to boast.
A General Contractor or Owner can be more confident in someone who is visibly organized with their processes and documents. Nobody wants to hire someone who is missing steps and forgetting deadlines. When things fall through the cracks, issues arise. Miscommunication and overlooked issues in the contract are a leading cause of legal issues in the industry. Nobody wants to engage in a situation that they can see has the potential to lead to a nasty legal dispute. Well-kept documentation will allow you and your hiring party to avoid any he-said, she-said issue that could arise on a project. Strong organization of the documents you exchange is the key to strong legal protection. You owe it to the folks interested in hiring your company and those working on your team to prioritize that protection. Ultimately, the more pieces in the chain, the more important organization and communication are. If you can provide the customers who are looking to hire you with visible evidence that you are a cut above in both areas, you have a great shot at winning the work.
In Conclusion
If you say no to something that could change the way you do business for the better, without ever trying it, you lose out on potential success and potential growth. Trades technology may seem like an intimidating new frontier to some, but ultimately it is being created to allow contractors and other construction business owners to build better businesses. From allowing you to streamline your processes and enabling you to scale your business beyond what you originally thought possible to allowing you to have airtight legal support from your construction law team, implementing trades technology can truly elevate your operations as a construction company in today’s market. It is worth taking the leap and giving it a shot. Protect your business, fine-tune your processes, and see the success it can bring.
This article is intended as a general educational overview of the subject matter and is not intended to be a comprehensive survey of recent jurisprudence, nor a substitute for legal advice for a specific legal matter. If you have a legal issue, please consult an attorney.
