In the News: Builders & Homeowners Both Benefit from Tech on the Jobsite
Contractors Now Routinely Using Smartphones, Laptops, Online Tools & More
A little over a year ago, someone in the building products industry who I consider very smart and for whom I have the greatest respect told me, “Contractors just aren’t using smartphones, laptops and the Internet in their jobs.” Over the ensuing months, the topic came up again and again, each time ending with us agreeing to disagree.
Well, thanks to respected Nashville daily The Tennessean, I now get to say, “I told you so,” though I suspect it’s no longer necessary. Not only are builders using the latest portable communication technologies, says real estate writer Bill Lewis, they are quickly adopting tools such as smartphones, iPads, online project tracking portals and laptops and using them almost as much as they’re using other tools. In this excerpt, Lewis discusses the real value of technology on the jobsite.
“Builders and homeowners now use computers and handheld electronic devices to instantly share information about the progress of construction projects. To-do lists, schedules, change orders and reports of each milestone are posted on a password-protected website, where they’re just a click of a mouse or a tap of a touch-screen away.”
To read the full text of Lewis’ story, visit The Tennessean online here. Based on the number of communications technology companies and service providers I saw exhibiting during the recent International Builders’ Show, I can only imagine that the usage of high-tech tools among professionals in the building trades will increase exponentially in the coming years.
How about you? Do you have your own tech-on-the-jobsite examples to share? Post ’em up in the comments and let’s get a conversation going.
About the author
Todd Fratzel
Todd Fratzel is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz, and the President of Front Steps Media, LLC, a web based media company focused on the Home Improvement and Construction Industry.He is also the Principal Engineer for United Construction Corp., located in Newport, NH. In his capacity at United he oversees the Residential and Commercial Building Division along with all Design-Build projects.He is also the editor of Home Construction & Improvement.
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I used to fall into that camp. I really didn’t think a smartphone was all that necessary on the jobsite. After having one for the last year I can tell you it’s my most valuable tool.
I can pull up PDF drawings to discuss details with sub-contractors, my own crew and even owners. I take pictures, enter task lists and even search for product spec sheets all while on the jobsite.
Great topic!