3 ideas are worth a look.
For construction contractors, selling to small construction contractors and site managers. We explored 6 ideas and searched for each one. 4 already exist.
Already exists, so we dropped them
- Site Diary Voice LogMultiple established construction apps already turn voice notes and photos into dated daily logs with weather and crew. buildpass.ai
- As-Built Markup CaptureFieldwire, Drawboard and iFieldSmart already do photo and redline markup on drawings from site. fieldwire.com
- Snag List Handover PackSnag and punch list apps with photos, voice notes and PDF handover reports are a crowded category. snagid.com
- Subbie Inductions On FileDedicated subcontractor compliance platforms already centralise inductions, tickets and insurance with expiry tracking. evidash.com
Variation Text Trail
Captures spoken and texted variation instructions from a client or main contractor into a timestamped record, so small contractors can prove what they were asked to do.
- Who pays
- Small subcontractor chasing unpaid variation work
- The problem
- Small subs get told to do extra work by phone or text, then get told it was never agreed. They have no timestamped record when the invoice is disputed.
- The gap
- Existing change order tools are built around formal pay applications and contract documents, not the informal phone call or text that starts the variation. Nothing captures the raw instruction at the moment it is given.
- Already out there
- Siteline siteline.com
Change order log and pay app tracking, but assumes a formal change order process already exists.
- CM Fusion cmfusion.com
Change order tracking for GCs and subs, again built around formal documents.
- RIB Software rib-software.com
Advises using project management and contract management software for variations, which is heavy for a small sub.
- Siteline siteline.com
- People asking for it
- Client has not paid for work I did reddit.com
Contractor asking how to get paid for completed work a client has not paid for.
- Tired of clients who do not pay reddit.com
Handyman frustrated by clients not paying for completed work.
- Subcontractor took money from clients reddit.com
Thread about a change order and money changing hands mid project.
- Client has not paid for work I did reddit.com
- The big assumption
- Small subs will actually record instructions at the moment they are given, rather than only when a dispute starts.
- Test it this week
- Ask 10 small subs to forward you the last variation instruction they received by text or voicemail, and see how many can find it.
Tool Checkout WhatsApp Bot
A simple chat number where crews text which tool or plant they took and from which site, so gear stops disappearing between jobs.
- Who pays
- Small contractor with 2 to 5 crews sharing tools
- The problem
- Tools move between sites and crews with no record, and the owner finds out something is missing weeks later. Crews will not adopt an app that needs training, but they already use chat all day.
- The gap
- Existing tool tracking products rely on QR codes, tags or an app install, and the Reddit thread on tracking tools between crews shows the limiting factor is coworkers actually using the system. A chat first flow removes the install and training barrier.
- Already out there
- ShareMyToolbox sharemytoolbox.com
App based tool assignment to projects and users, requires crews to use the app.
- TOOLTRIBE tooltribe.com
Jobsite tool inventory app, still an app crews must open and use.
- ToolSense toolsense.io
Assigns tools to sites and users, built around a tracking system rather than chat.
- ShareMyToolbox sharemytoolbox.com
- People asking for it
- Tracking tools between crews reddit.com
Discussion on how crews track tools, with manual card in a spot as the workaround.
- How does your company track tools between jobs reddit.com
Person planning QR code checkout says the limiting factor will be coworkers using the system.
- How to stop losing tools gocodes.com
Vendor article stating tool loss keeps happening unless approached systemically.
- Tracking tools between crews reddit.com
- The big assumption
- Crews will send a short chat message every time they take a tool, without being chased.
- Test it this week
- Run a shared WhatsApp group with one contractor for two weeks and count how many tool moves get logged unprompted.
Subbie Inductions On File
Keeps each subcontractor's induction, tickets and insurance in one place per site, so a main contractor asking for proof gets it in minutes.
- Who pays
- Small contractor working under main contractors with compliance demands
- The problem
- Main contractors ask for induction records, tickets and insurance proof, often with little notice. Small subs dig through email and phone photos, and risk losing the job or a payment over missing paperwork.
- The gap
- Existing compliance platforms are sold to main contractors and enterprise safety teams to manage many subcontractors. There is no cheap tool for the small sub to hold their own crew's documents ready to hand over on request.
- Already out there
- Evidash evidash.com
Subcontractor compliance software aimed at construction teams managing many subs, not the sub managing itself.
- Cloud Assess cloudassess.com
Compliance training platforms that deliver and record inductions, priced and built for employers at scale.
- Sign In App signinapp.com
Onboarding and credential validation for employees, contractors and volunteers, a general workplace product not built for small construction subs.
- Evidash evidash.com
- People asking for it
- Are your subs covered quarles.com
States it is standard practice for a GC to ask a sub for proof of insurance before starting work.
- Subcontractor insurance requirements gritinsurance.com
Notes GCs repeatedly ask subs what insurance they need and want standardised proof.
- Why contractors should require certificates of insurance hcandcinsurance.com
Explains certificates of insurance are a routine requirement from subcontractors.
- Are your subs covered quarles.com
- The big assumption
- Small subs will pay to store documents they currently keep in email and phone photos.
- Test it this week
- Ask 10 small subs how often they have been chased for a certificate of insurance or induction record in the last six months, and whether they would pay to stop it.