Elevate takeoffs for faster bids and increased project success for FREE. See Details Here.

PlanHub’s Q2 Research Reveals Many Opportunities. Register for the Webinar and Learn More

USCON and PlanHub: Transforming Subcontractor Networks

planhub meeting image

Challenges

The webinar, titled “Building Bridges: Strengthening Subcontractor Networks in Construction,” was conducted in a bilingual format, with English being the main language and Spanish part of the presentation. The event was generously sponsored by PlanHub, an essential tool for subcontractors seeking to optimize their Return on Investment (ROI) through valuable educational resources. 

The webinar host was Guadalupe Vasquez, Co-Founder & President of USCON. Alongside her, Don McDaniel, a respected Relationship Builder from New Era Construction Group and a PlanHub member, served as a guest speaker.

Drawing from his extensive experience in the construction industry, Don McDaniel highlighted the challenges subcontractors face in establishing and expanding their professional networks. He emphasized the need for a centralized platform to provide comprehensive information on available resources and job opportunities. Traditionally, subcontractors relied on cumbersome methods such as yellow pages and phone directories, resulting in time-consuming searches and limited access to relevant connections. Another big issue for subcontractors is being out of the game before the game even starts. When making their original bid, many subcontractors tend to miss some critical information, such as COIs, W9, and Prequalification, in their initial bids.

Solution 

“PlanHub is my go-to. I don’t send jobs anywhere else. In fact, I send direct ITBs to my database of subcontractors, which is also loaded into PlanHub,” said Don McDaniel.

Don McDaniel recounted his journey and explained how he discovered PlanHub as a groundbreaking solution to streamline subcontractor networking. Recognizing the power of online marketplaces, Don McDaniel and his business partner established New Era Construction Group five years ago to gain independence in choosing projects and collaborators. By joining PlanHub, they found a platform that met all their requirements, consolidating a diverse range of subcontractor resources and job listings. Don McDaniel highlighted that he exclusively relies on PlanHub for his project requirements and even shares his database of subcontractors directly through the platform.

Don McDaniel emphasized that PlanHub is crucial in mitigating common issues subcontractors face. With all project-related information accessible online, subcontractors have everything they need at their fingertips, including the details of general contractors. This eliminates the challenges associated with physical paperwork and ensures streamlined collaboration. Don McDaniel shared that New Era Construction Group has expanded its scope by merging with a more significant development firm specializing in rehab and mental health hospitals. Their portfolio includes various projects, from hotels to baseball parks. PlanHub has been instrumental in their success, facilitating connections that have propelled their growth.

Results 

“I was looking for a way as a small firm to make connections and find resources without having to rely on yellow pages and phone directories constantly. I wanted to find a platform where I could conveniently discover both people and job opportunities in one place,” said Don McDaniel.

Don McDaniel emphasized that PlanHub offers unparalleled speed, efficiency, and accuracy in connecting subcontractors with suitable projects. The platform equips subcontractors with essential tools to showcase their skills, staff, location, and qualifications, ensuring they stand out as the ideal fit for prospective projects. Important features include prequalifications, Certificates of Insurance (COIs), W9 forms, and streamlined communication channels such as efficient email responses and voicemail capabilities. In the current economic climate, they are characterized by compressed timelines and demand for efficiency, subcontractors without a comprehensive online presence risk being left behind, as general contractors prioritize efficient and proactive collaborators.

Don McDaniel reiterated that relationships form the cornerstone of success in the construction industry. PlanHub transcends the label of a mere tool by fostering connections and relationship building. However, he also acknowledged certain turn-offs within the platform usage. Subcontractors who submit incomplete information or bids and expect general contractors to do the work for them undermine the purpose of efficiency. Similarly, attempting to bid outside of PlanHub is strongly discouraged, as it goes against the collaborative ethos of the platform.

During the final Q&A session, Don McDaniel addressed key inquiries from participants. He highlighted that PlanHub indicates whether subcontractors must bid for time only or both time and materials. Additionally, it is important to separate taxes in bids as a distinct category. Don McDaniel emphasized that all trades, regardless of scope, are valuable for a successful project. Subcontractors offering multiple trades are encouraged to showcase their versatility. He advised against short bidding oneself if there is potential to provide additional services. Bidding on various trades within a project does not result in any disadvantage, as it allows subcontractors to demonstrate their full capabilities.

In conclusion, the webinar organized by USCON and PlanHub aimed to bridge the gap between subcontractors in the construction industry. Don McDaniel’s experience showcased the effectiveness of PlanHub as an essential tool for subcontractors in optimizing their networking efforts, fostering efficiency, and cultivating relationships. The webinar was a valuable resource for subcontractors seeking to strengthen their networks and leverage opportunities through the PlanHub platform.

Be the first to know

PlanHub insights, resources, and news, sent directly to your inbox.

    planhub
    planhub icon

    Data and Deep Insights

    We make construction smarter by connecting with the right people, at the right time, for the right project.

    With our technology and data intelligence, we empower construction professionals to easily build the right business relationships, streamline pre construction processes, and make efficient decisions.

    From competitive intelligence in each project allowing you to know how many other contractors are downloading or bidding to insights as to contractors’ performance, we provide the data you need to lead your business to success.

    By providing faster, simpler, and unmatched data insights in each step of the pre construction process, PlanHub helps your business lay a strong foundation for the success of the rest of the construction process.

    planhub icon

    Bid Leveler & Proposal builder

    Comparing bids to one another has never been easier. Users can now see bids side by side, compare bid amounts, and review subcontractors’ certifications and qualifications all in one place.

    Bid Leveler’s apples-to-apples approach allows you to easily drill down and see detailed, easy-to-scan cost breakdowns. Indicate bid preference, hide bids that don’t meet your needs, and request needed information from subs.

    planhub icon

    Full Bid Management

    From the initial decision to pursue a project to the final bid submission and follow up, bid management plays a central role in pre construction.

    Effectively managed bids during the preconstruction phase set the stage for a successful project execution and satisfied clients.

    Streamline bid management from project posting to estimating, bidding, and awarding in one place with easy project posting, project-contractor automatic matching based on trades, location, and qualification with PlanHub.

    Use bid planner, bid builder, bid leveler, and award tools to always know what’s going on with each project and bid.

    planhub icon

    Estimation and TakeOff

    Let’s face it—time is money. And the more time it takes to perform takeoffs and submit bids, the more you risk losing out on valuable revenue opportunities. Manual methods and locally installed desktop software slow your takeoff process, and many digital solutions currently on the market can be overly complex and not user-friendly. 

    Build faster takeoffs, get more bids out the door, and win more projects. Forget pen and paper, outdated desktop software, and overly complicated digital takeoff solutions. PlanHub’s easy-to-use Takeoff tool helps you and your team build accurate takeoffs faster, minimize errors and material waste, and win more projects that boost your business growth. Performing your takeoffs with PlanHub allows you to:

    • Streamline and integrate your process: Perform your takeoffs in the same platform you use to manage your network and bids.
    • Avoid costly estimating errors: Get better accuracy with digital tools instead of traditional, mistake-prone pen and paper.
    • Collaborate easily: Share and work with your team, no matter where you—or they—are located.
    • Submit more bids and win more projects: Get quality bids in front of general contractors faster and get ahead of your competition.
    planhub
    planhub icon

    Document Management

    Organize, store, and manage various documents, blueprints, drawings and other information related to projects before the actual construction phase begins.

    This phase is crucial for setting the foundation of a successful construction project, and effective document management plays a significant role in ensuring that all necessary information is accessible, accurate, and up-to-date to all interested parties.

    Access, review, work on, and share large complex documents in one platform with amazing speed. From project definition, drawing management, takeoff, estimation, bid management, and contracts, everything happens in PlanHub.

    planhub crm
    planhub icon

    CRM

    Be part of a construction professionals’ ecosystem that enhances collaboration, streamlines project management, and fosters smart relationships between companies, construction professionals, and projects.

    Enjoy seamless communication, build strong relationships, and streamlines project management. By leveraging the power of connections and collaboration, we enhance efficiency, save time and resources, and drive collective growth in the industry.

    planhub network
    planhub icon

    1M+ pre-qualified network

    PlanHub is the leading platform that connects companies, construction professionals, and projects in the pre-construction industry, focusing on building and developing meaningful relationships to enhance efficiency and productivity.

    We have integrated general contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers’ workflows in one platform to simplify the complex back and forth usually present in preconstruction. By allowing all interactions to be done through PlanHub, tracking projects and relationships is much easier, saving contractors and material suppliers time and money. Interactions in the platform are tagged and measured to provide insights to users.

    General contractors create bid packages that are shared in PlanHub as projects. They can include templatized lists of all CSI cost items as part of the new Baseline feature. Baseline allows for faster and more accurate bid requests, facilitates homogenization of subcontractors’ bids, and simplifies the comparison of incoming bids.

    Subcontractors are automatically matched with relevant projects based on their profile, preferences, and pre-qualification information saving hours of research to both sides. They can review project details, documentation, and blueprints.

    planhub icon

    High-quality projects

    Your one-stop job for qualified hard-to-find private project leads in varying stages like pre-planning, bidding, etc., and across different geographies, zip codes, or distance to your office.

    Projects include plans, specifications, bid dates, and other relevant project information.

    You can segment project leads by type of project, status, project building use, trades and sub trades, or create your own list of keywords — and be notified when one of them is found in a posted project’s documentation or plans.

    We make it simple to find projects that match your business — and make sure you are notified right away.

    				
    					<script src='https://planhub.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js' id='jquery-core-js'></script>
    <script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/embed/v2.js"></script>
    <script>
      hbspt.forms.create({
        region: "na1",
        portalId: "7063061",
        formId: "ced7254f-5c61-49b9-9ce0-6f870b79a958"
      });
    </script>
    				
    			

    Get the report!

    From the very beginning, PlanHub has been a place where people can do meaningful work and build strong relationships.

    Come grow with us! We’re building innovative technologies that simplify preconstruction for everyone.

    Expand your network and connect with general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and suppliers – not to mention thousands of relevant projects at your fingertips.

    Generate relevant leads, faster and with precision. With access to private, hard-to-find projects, you can connect with architects and owners on projects still in the pre-design and design stages.

    PlanHub’s advanced suite of bid management tools allows you to increase productivity, identify relevant projects using data, build bids with Takeoff, and manage bids through the entire process.

    Create quicker, improved takeoffs effortlessly. PlanHub’s Takeoff Core aids your team in accurate, faster estimates, minimizing errors, and driving business growth.

    Expand your network and connect with general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and suppliers – not to mention thousands of relevant projects at your fingertips.

    Generate relevant leads, faster and with precision. With access to private, hard-to-find projects, you can connect with architects and owners on projects still in the pre-design and design stages.

    PlanHub’s advanced suite of bid management tools allows you to increase productivity, identify relevant projects using data, build bids with Takeoff, and manage bids through the entire process.