Maximizing Efficiency: How Restoration Software Can Help You Get Paid Faster

The process of restoring a structure to its original state is highly complex and considerably differs from other types of construction. The difference is in the restoration project’s scope, scheduling, planning, design, and more concrete aspects like construction methods, materials used, and regulatory compliance. Seasoned restoration professionals understand the skills and tools they need to manage a project to get the job done right.

While, in many ways, the differences between restoration projects make processes harder to standardize, the similarities between them make it possible to automate much of the process. Maintaining high efficiency throughout a job is also imperative for restoration contractors who want to get paid expediently. For this reason, project management software offers contractors a way to streamline processes, track progress, and access all the tools necessary to make a restoration project run smoothly.

Maximizing Efficiency in Restorations with Project Management Software 

Generally, the quicker a job gets done, the sooner a contractor gets paid. Software that project managers use to support this effort should thus allow them to handle better any challenges that come their way while also making more mundane tasks simpler. But these capabilities should also extend to office staff and field workers.

Project management software for restoration should support tools that include: 

• Accounting applications offer financial management tools to help track finances, including budgeting, filing taxes, invoicing, and payroll.
• Centralized project management platform that acts as a hub through which all other software tools can be accessed; the best project management software should also be open-source to allow easy integration with other apps a contractor might already be using.
• Communications software that enables all stakeholders to stay in touch via email, telephone, texting, and other messaging platforms, while also keeping a record of these exchanges.
• Scheduling tools that replace old-school tools like whiteboards automatically notify relevant parties to ensure crews know exactly what they need to complete a project, including materials and equipment.
• A user interface that’s simple to use and allows quick, accurate interactions between the customer and restoration contractor, requiring minimal effort and improving a customer’s journey.

Restoration projects are often complex between contractors, customers, and assessors, but project management software can make it easier. Automating these aspects of a project gives restoration contractors greater flexibility while making the experience better for the customer.

Streamlining Processes

Anyone on a road trip understands that driving to a destination is easier and quicker if the road is smooth and straight, with fewer obstacles like traffic lights or stop signs. The same applies to a restoration project’s workflow. When there are hiccups, jobs take longer. While no project is without its challenges, it’s the project manager’s responsibility to ensure teams experience fewer obstacles. Ensuring teams have the proper equipment and materials is also a key part of project management. Software for restoration projects essentially makes the journey from the beginning of a job to its end quicker and easier, speeding up payment to the restoration business.

Project management software can help streamline processes that include: 

• Creating and storing project estimates, along with any detailed plans.
• Keeping a record of any agreements or contracts.
• Managing priorities like deadlines and due dates to keep work on track.
• Providing a means to connect with and record communications between different stakeholders.
• Scheduling assessments, equipment, teams, work orders, and other aspects of a project.
• Storing contact and other information – including insurance-related documentation like claims or customer policies – relevant to customers, assessors, and other stakeholders.
• Tracking equipment and teams.

With project management software, all project managers and other stakeholders can access information about a project so that deadlines are met expediently. It helps the project manager, field teams, office staff, and others involved in a project work seamlessly together, even when working from a far-flung location or if a single project manager needs to track the progress of several jobs simultaneously.

Real-Time Tracking

Before the arrival of project management software, a project manager would have to go back to the office to do most administrative tasks. Many of these can be done via a laptop, smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device in the field, as long as there’s an Internet connection. Mobile apps give restoration businesses real-time tracking capabilities, and implementing mobile technology helps support the speedy completion of a project. Management software allows all responsible parties to access critical information about a job instantly, allowing them to answer questions from customers or insurance assessors on the fly.

Having instant access to important documents like contracts, estimates, or insurance claims is critical to completing the job effectively. Cloud-based platforms can additionally store all the vital information needed for a project. Management software for restoration contractors allows access at any time of the day, allowing a contractor to respond quickly to emergencies. The most cutting-edge platforms have been developed with restoration contractors in mind, focusing on ease of use.

Having project management software helps:  

• Guarantee materials are on hand for a job.
• Keep important information regarding assets, equipment, and materials readily available, like purchase dates or serial numbers.
• Retain maintenance records for equipment, along with its current condition.
• Show which team currently has a specific asset in the field.
• Track assets in real-time to see where they are.

Tracking assets is an important aspect of project management. For example, software that can tell a project manager where the company’s nearest dehumidifier is can jumpstart a job to restore an office building damaged by flooding. Knowing where supplies and tools immediately enable project managers to oversee multiple projects effectively. Management software additionally keeps teams advised of approaching deadlines and other benchmarks.

Why Albi? Project Management Software Made by Restoration Contractors

Albi is project management software made by people who know the industry intimately. Since we understand the ins and outs of a restoration business, we’re passionate about making a product that will help make it easier to manage any restoration project. Management software for restoration contractors should allow business owners enough flexibility to grow their businesses, and that’s what we’ve done with Albi.

Some key advantages Albi offers include the following:

• Allowing contractors to tailor workflow and build configurable reports.
• Automating and configuring workflows to save time.
• Checking whether projects are compliant with relevant regulations.
• Easy collaborations with centralized communications so key information isn’t missed.
• Sharing documents and organizing files is simple.

The founders of Albi are passionate about both the software and the restoration industry, putting the needs of those who depend on us first. To learn more about what Albi can do for your project management goals, book a demo for Albi today.