The warning comes from HBXL, the building software specialist company, which is expecting a marked increase in the cost of building materials in the New Year as demand starts to outstrip supply across the build sector.
With many builders having quoted for jobs months in advance of starting on site and materials increasing in price during that time has meant some face losing out.
The double whammy of time delays and cost rises is extenuated further by the fact that many builders use out of date price lists to quote for jobs. These may be months old so by the time they’ve quoted for a job, been appointed and then started ordering materials on site could see their profits being eroded alarmingly faster than anticipated.
Joanna Mulgrew, marketing director at HBXL said: “It’s fantastic news that the build sector, which has taken massive hits during the recession, is starting to show vast improvements in the level of activity.
“Those who have weathered the recession will no doubt have learnt that maintaining a decent profit margin was the difference between survival or potentially going bust.
“With builders now starting to increase their activity means demand on materials has also risen which will impact on profits so keeping an eye on costs will be imperative for a successful future.
“It’s vital builders develop a work smart mentality otherwise, having ridden the worst economic recession in living memory, all that hard work would have been for nothing.”
Fortunately builders wanting to make sure they make a healthy profit on the jobs they quote for can make use of HBXL’s EstimatorXpress software that uses live builders merchant’s price lists via the internet.
It means all estimates produced use the most up-to-date prices, ensuring the best profit margins on any job.
Joanna added: “Research has proved that those who use our software can produce their estimates much, much quicker cutting the time spent estimating by 60%. Users of EstimatorXpress have also been proven to win 230% more business.
“As well as having a higher win ratio, the time from the presentation of quotes to winning the work is also reduced meaning that the prices quoted are more accurate by the time materials are ordered on site.
“This has a big impact on margins and those builders wanting the good times to roll would be well advised to make the most of technology specifically developed for them.”
For further information on EstimatorXpress or any other HBXL product please call T: 0845 1234 065 or visit the web site www.hbxl.co.uk
