Future build trend points towards light houses

The desire to bring the ‘outside in’ has led to home owners looking at ways in which they can maximise the amount of light entering their property.

That’s one of the hottest trends currently sweeping the country on new builds, refurbs and renovation projects.

Rise in planning applications creates bumper pay day

The relaxation of rules towards affordable housing and tariff style contributions under the National Planning Practice Guidance has resulted in a glut of revised planning applications being submitted by landowners, home owners and small scale property developers.

Software helps decorators and plasterers roll in the profits

Painters and decorators wanting to improve profitability and the speed at which they produce estimates can make use of a new software package that has been specifically designed for their trade.

Called EstimatorXpress Plastering & Decorating Trade edition, the software has been developed by HBXL – the country’s leading developer of estimating software.

Deal puts HBXL in the frame

The UK’s leading developer of estimating software has teamed up with one of the country’s best known manufacturers and suppliers of PVC-U windows, doors, conservatories and roof lights.

It means builders and tradesmen who use HBXL’s EstimatorXpress estimating software will be able to access live material prices from Crystal Direct which produces and supplies PVC-U products direct to the trade.

EstimatorXpress: getting down to the facts

Here are nine impressive facts about our award-winning software, EstimatorXpress. With figures like these you can see why we're number one!

PVC-U prices and drawing tool updates

HBXL have partnered with PVC-U company, Crystal Direct to bring their customers the latest, competitively priced access to a range of PVC-U doors, windows, roof lights, conservatories, composite doors and bi-fold doors.

Country's leading estimating service joins forces with TradePoint

Users of the country’s leading estimating service will now be able to incorporate prices from TradePoint, the trade only arm of B&Q.

It means builders and tradespeople who utilise HBXL’s Estimating Service will be able to request the use of live material prices from the TradePoint material price list when their estimates are being put together.

PVC-U Bonus Pack for EstimatorXpress

HBXL have partnered with PVC-U company, Crystal Direct to bring EstimatorXpress customers estimating calculators for accurately estimating PVC-U doors, windows, roof lights, conservatories, bi-fold, sliding and composite doors. 

Rise of the garden plot

Pressure on space across the country’s urban sites is encouraging developers to look carefully at alternative land for development.

With urban areas being dictated by lack of room, there is not a lot of space to play with. It means developers are constantly on the lookout for suitable brownfield sites or are thinking outside the box to make the best use of spare plots and includes a growing number of garden sites.

And another Builder Success Story: EstimatorXpress

Graham Saunders of Trentace Limited in High Wycombe, would be the first to admit that he’s not particularly computer savvy. But thanks to the support he’s had from the HBXL support team (and the fact that the software was designed for builders in the first place!) Graham has successfully mastered EstimatorXpress and has been using it for some time now.

In fact to quote Graham, “They’re always extremely helpful even when I ask Noddy questions!

“The complimentary training webinars have been excellent as well. They’re extremely comprehensive and the guys don’t end the session until they’re happy that every question has been fully answered. They’re very enthusiastic and helpful.”

Graham is typical of the vast majority of our software users and like them, he’s finding life in the trade better than it has been.

“We primarily do new builds, extensions, loft conversions – that kind of thing. Before I discovered HBXL I was using paper and pencil for my estimates. Not surprisingly I was always forgetting something in the quote that either reduced my profit, or actually lost me money. 

“EstimatorXpress is like a ‘crutch’. It forces you to look at areas more deeply than you would otherwise do.”

We asked Graham what difference it makes to present an HBXL quote to a customer.

“Rather than just focussing on the end price on the quote, the customer looks at the individual breakdown EstimatorXpress has produced. It helps make the pill much easier for the customer to swallow.”

Graham explained that he likes to show the customer the quote by build phase and the illustrations of the building stages created by the software not only make it clear, but actually help justify the price.

“I reckon my win rate is better than 50% now, which is all I can ask for. So I’m very pleased.”

Graham has since gone on to buy PlansXpress. As he noted, it’s early days but he’s already recognised the potential it has as another revenue stream.

To find out how HBXL software could benefit your building business, give one of our experienced software consultants a call on 0845 1234 065 or 0117 916 7898. 

Rise in material costs impacts builder's profits

With the economy continuing to improve, builders are being advised to keep a keen eye on their margins or risk making a loss.

Another Builder Success Story: Premium Project Toolkit

Charles Okell, Managing Director of UK Pro-Build Ltd in Cheshire saw HBXL as the software company with the right tools to help him modernise his entire business operations.

After careful research he invested in the Premium Project Toolkit to demonstrate the professionalism of his growing business. 

Read Charles' own word-for-word account of his HBXL experience below:

EstimatorXpress update due this spring!

HBXL’s software developers are always on the lookout for new shortcuts – EstimatorXpress’ ever-growing list of helpful features just keep on coming! 

Our latest EstimatorXpress software update will be here in the spring, and it’s full of improvements and new features to help make your estimating even easier. 

NEW Invoice Generator Bonus Pack

It’s the moment you builders have been waiting for! Our software developers have been hard at work and, alongside the release of our EstimatorXpress update, we’re pleased to introduce a new much sought-after EstimatorXpress add-on this spring – the Invoice Generator Bonus Pack.

You’ll now be able to raise invoices for your customers – and save them (as a Word document) to edit with your own details and company logos. The Bonus Pack also allows you to generate credit notes linked to invoices already raised, to a variation or by a custom amount.

Rise of the building entrepreneur

The country’s leading software developer for small to medium building firms is reporting a significant upturn in the number of new entrepreneurs entering the construction sector as a direct result of the recession.

Smart is Visual Estimating

HBXL’s revolutionary Visual Estimating software gives life to a whole new method of estimating; making it possible for you to take the job details straight from a set of plans, by synchronising CAD drawing tools with estimating calculators.

New energy ratings presents builders golden goose on commercial refurb work

New legislation that means commercial property with a poor energy rating cannot be leased or sold has presented builders who provide refurb and upgrade work a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity.

Government move to reactivate derelict sites welcomed by build software specialists

Build firms are being advised to get themselves prepared following the announcement by the chancellor launching a major new housing offensive aimed at building 200,000 new homes on brownfield land across the UK.

STOP PRESS: This July, come to one of our Visual Estimating Demo days!

We thought we'd let you know about this valuable opportunity for you to take advantage of two software events put on by HBXL this month. Here's your chance to see a live presentation and demonstration of Visual Estimating – the new way to estimate all domestic building work.

‘Working smart’ solutions, from HBXL

The day-to-day running of a business is important, but taking the time out to make sure your processes are efficient and you’re working smart will make both everyday business tasks, and future ones, so much easier.