At BuildZoom, we’re currently considering several additional features to help contractors run their businesses more efficiently. Some of the ideas we are considering:
Making it easier to create and execute work agreements that protect both parties and comply with state regulations.
Helping contractors structure and accept payments online.
Helping contractors share progress on the projects they are working on with the client.
We'd love to hear what you guys think. Let us know whether you find these ideas helpful or if there is something else that you really could use help with!
Improving Buildzoom's general web presence, and therefore improving the web presence of its member Contractors to help them get noticed at the top of a general or specific web search.
Notify a Contractor when he/she has been "Endorsed" and encourage endorsed contractors to "Endorse" the original endorsing Contractor i.e.: quid pro quo.
Connect Contractors with Architects, Designers and Realtors in their areas.
Offer mediation of minor disputes for Buildzoom Customers and Contractors.
Sponsor and/or support local and national "Best Of" competitions like the yearly Hour Detroit "Best Home" etc.
Allow Contractors to upload videos.
Allow better formatting and centering of the main (top) photo on the Contractor Buildzoom page.
Tie-in with local/national websites like LinkedIn and Facebook.
Allow Contractors to post important updates and/or status on their Buildzoom page.
The most important help Buildzoom could provide a Contractor is a better website presence. It would be great if someone typed in "Home Builder" or "Roofer" in Farmington Hills Michigan, and the first thing that popped up was either Buildzoom or the Contractor’s Buildzoom page.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to suggest ways to help Contractors.
Keep up the good work, Buildzoom is the best!
Matthew G. Strickfaden
The best way that Buildzoom can help contractors is by creating a web presence. I have been in business many years and am affilated with many websites and web pages but I had not seen this site until now. Being that we live in such a tech savvy world, marketing is best accomplished by the internet.
Ask if they have Workers Compensation insurance as a seperate line items. This will help with more qualified contractors who are properly insured get jobs and weed out the competion.
I totally agree with previous comments of WEB PRESENCE. This site has major potential to be the staple for consumers,of where to find quality verified contractors, and to weed out the good leads for myself, and my fellow contractor bretheren and women in the industry.
There are other sites out there that are okay… but not polished. And the unlicensed and illegal activity on sites like Craigslist have turned that site into a complete circus,and has conditioned the consumer to think that all contractors are shady,rip off artists,too expensive,and try to get me to compete with the now infamous “$20 an hour handyman”.I decided to try placing ads on that site a few weeks ago,(currently have a few ads on there and I think at this point more for amuzement),field calls,and it’s a freakshow! Because of all that unlicensed activity,it has driven prices down to where it has majorly affected our livelyhoods and the industry,in the billions of dollars.The cost of running our businesses goes up and these bogus fly by nighters are low balling bids,driving insurance and bonding rates up,and basically stealing from the legit contractors.
Buildzoom could be the saving grace and drive the traffic away from sites like that, and showcase properly licensed and quality craftsmanship.
More leads would be nice. I have recently updated my profile on Buidzoom with more detail as the work that I perform and hopefully it will be considered for more leads. I urge other contractors on Buildzoom to do the same. Good luck in business everyone.
