In the competitive world of residential construction, precise budgeting is crucial. Labor costs can range from $650-$1200 per opening, and material prices fluctuate rapidly. CountBricks provides trade contractors with tools to create accurate budgets quickly, ensuring profitability even in volatile markets.
• Crews frequently change projects, and overtime costs can escalate. Subcontractor rates vary seasonally, making static spreadsheets inadequate.
• Prices for materials like lumber and copper can increase by 5% overnight. Delays in supply chains can lead to costly substitutions if not tracked in real-time.
1. Use your phone to walk the site and dictate tasks—'Frame 2,400 sq ft, install 24 squares of architectural shingles, set eight 3068 fiberglass slabs.'
2. CountBricks transcribes, categorizes, and quantifies instantly, eliminating the need for manual note-taking.
• Each task links to CountBricks' material and labor database, updated daily from regional suppliers and trade wage reports.
• Access current costs, avoiding outdated price books.
• Set default overhead and profit percentages by division.
• Apply tax rates by jurisdiction, with automatic calculations by CountBricks.
• Add contingency as a fixed sum or percentage, with transparent client-facing amounts for approvals.
• Lock material prices for 30 days by generating purchase orders directly from the estimate.
• Use separate cost codes for rough-in and trim phases to detect scope creep early.
• Track allowance draws within CountBricks to prevent margin surprises.
• Export budgets to the CountBricks mobile dashboard for foremen to approve daily cost-to-complete figures.
• Run 'what-if' scenarios before contract signing to see instant profit updates with material cost changes.
• Copy-and-paste errors: CountBricks automatically inserts quantities, eliminating manual edits.
• Forgotten small tools: A customizable small-tools factor applies to each labor hour, ensuring payment for consumables.
• Untracked change orders: Voice-capture changes on-site, and CountBricks creates new budget lines, updates cash flow, and sends for client e-signature.
CountBricks collaborated with Westlake Framing on a 12-unit townhouse project. The AI blueprint takeoff identified an additional 1,300 linear feet of rim and 288 clips, adding $4,980 in materials and $2,240 in labor, preserving an 18% profit margin.
Ready to control every aspect of your construction budget? Visit CountBricks.com to schedule a demo or upload your spreadsheet for a complimentary reconstruction. Let our AI handle the math so you can focus on building.
CountBricks goes beyond estimates, transforming your construction budget into a real-time management tool.
1. Convert approved estimates into a Gantt chart with one click. Tasks inherit budget codes, allowing site managers to see budget versus scheduled costs for each phase.
2. As tasks are completed in the CountBricks app, committed costs update the budget dashboard, highlighting variances.
• Foremen clock crews in and out, attach delivery slips, and document work with photos. This data updates labor and material actuals daily.
• Live variance tracking allows for material reordering, crew adjustments, or renegotiations before overruns occur.
• Share a client-view budget that hides markups but shows allowance balances and approved change orders.
• Automated notifications maintain client confidence and expedite payment draws, protecting cash flow.
Pinecrest Builders integrated CountBricks mid-project, identifying a 6% labor overrun. By reallocating carpenters, they reduced labor costs to 98% of the budget, saving $3,450. The owner, informed through the shared portal, released the second draw early.
Your construction budget should be a control center for the entire build. Book a strategy session at CountBricks.com and see how our AI keeps every project on track.
