Buildwire - The Official Buildsoft Blog

4 Templates Builders Can Use to Save Time

Written by David Cartwright | Dec 29, 2017 5:02:00 AM

Templates can help your business operations to run more smoothly, and they can also help your communications with clients and suppliers to be more professional. Instead of reinventing the wheel every time you produce a document, you can save time, avoid errors and reduce mistakes by using polished and professional templates.

With the countless tasks that construction professionals need to complete each day, every time-saving strategy should be considered. Here are four templates that you can use to save time.

 

Quote Templates

Quote templates allow you to easily produce complete and impeccable quotes. With a template at the ready, you can simply insert the required information for a particular job and you’ll have an accurate and well-formatted quote to send to potential clients. 

Your quotes set the tone for your communication with a new client, which is why it’s important to make them as professional as possible. Include your logo, your business name and pertinent contact information so clients can easily reach you to discuss the quote.

It’s also important for your quote templates to include the following information:


  • Accurate estimated costs
  • Project schedule
  • Requirements
  • Terms and conditions
  • Signatures

 

Tender Cover Letter Templates

Like other business documents, tender cover letters don’t vary hugely from letter to letter. They all convey similar information, which is why they’re excellent candidates for using templates. 



Not only will a tender cover letter template help you to produce letters with excellent formatting and professional language, they’ll also remind you of essential elements that should be included in every document. Without a template, you risk forgetting important information, including:
 

  • Date
  • Contact Information
  • Reference to the specific project for which you’re submitting a tender
  • Information about why you’re the best contractor for the job

 

Marketing Plan Templates

Contractors don’t stumble across effective marketing by accident. Results-based marketing requires a long-term strategy, and marketing plan templates can help you to create and follow through with that strategy with very little inconvenience to the daily operations of your business.

As you develop or look for a construction marketing plan for your business, think about what kinds of marketing efforts have been effective for you in the past. It’s also helpful to find out what’s working well for other contractors in your area. 

 

 

Most marketing plan templates begin by having you spell out the objectives of your marketing. What is it you hope to gain through your marketing? New clients? Expansion into a new territory? Improved brand recognition? Your mission will help guide your actions and goals. 

For most contractors, it’s helpful to find a marketing plan template that includes the following items:

  • Goals
  • Description of target audience
  • SWOT analysis
  • List of potential marketing channels
  • Preparation
  • Marketing action plan
  • Regular reviews of marketing plan


Invoice Templates

Just like you want to start off a business transaction with professional communication, you also want to follow up with professional, accurate invoices. 

When you use invoice templates, you not only ensure payment in a timely manner, but you also make a good impression and set the stage for a long-term business relationship. Your invoice templates should include the following elements:

  • The word “Invoice” (you never want clients to be confused about what constitutes your official invoices)
  • Name of your business
  • Seller information (ABN etc.)
  • Invoice number
  • Invoice date
  • Payment due date
  • Payment terms
  • Product or service details
  • Sales tax
  • Applicable discounts
  • Notes


Conclusion

With all of these templates created and at the ready, your business operations will run much more smoothly and efficiently. You’ll be able to create professional, accurate quotes and tender cover letters as soon as you have the customised information necessary. You’ll also be in a better position to keep up with your marketing plan and collect payments on your invoices.

When it comes to running your construction business, every little efficiency helps. By using templates, you can work faster and produce attractive, professional documents that will impress your clients and help your own staff to stay on track. 

To learn how our natural estimating solution, Cubit, can help your business run more smoothly with professional, accurate estimates, get a free 14-day trial below.