Intro
Maybe you’re here because you’ve been told you need to get a “CRM.” Or maybe you’re already using a CRM, and need a better one. Either way, in this article, I’ll outline 7 of the top CRMs for remodelers and home builders, and the unique strengths of each one.
So, what does CRM even mean?
CRM just stands for “customer relationship management.” Most CRMs at least have basic contact management, appointment scheduling, and reporting. But some tools have more features that are useful to remodeling companies specifically - like project management, employee time tracking, marketing automations, e-signing capabilities, and more.
No CRM does everything perfectly. What you’ll find is that certain CRMs do a few things really well, and other CRMs do many things moderately well. Each CRM has their own unique capabilities. The key is to find a CRM with the features that make the most sense for you specifically.
Also, don’t rule out using multiple CRMs. Lots of remodelers use one CRM for its automation, another CRM for its project management, and so on.
Stuff to Ask Sales Reps
As you hunt for a good CRM and talk to lots of sales reps, here are some things you’ll want to know about besides the CRM’s features.
1. Can the CRM integrate with other software?
You might need your CRM to receive and send data on autopilot. For example, having new leads from lead providers automatically be entered into your contacts. Or once you sell a new job, you may want the info to automatically push to a software that’s geared more towards project management. If this is important to you, make sure to ask about it before signing on to a CRM provider.
Most CRMs have direct, built-in integrations with other CRMs. You’ll have to ask your sales rep to find out about the direct integrations available. But what you’ll really want to know is, can the CRM do custom integrations with Zapier or with an API. If it can do custom integrations, then virtually any other system out there will be able to “talk to” your CRM.
2. Will you own your data?
The time may come when you need to move on from a CRM. If that’s the case, you’ll want to make sure that you own all the lead data. Ask your sales rep if there’s an easy way to export all of your lead data and notes, and if you’ll be allowed to even if you decide to stop using the CRM. The last thing you want is to try to switch to a different CRM only to find that your current CRM is holding your data hostage.
3. Can the CRM be used from a phone?
Can the CRM be easily used from a phone? Not every CRM has a mobile app, and that’s okay. But if you aren’t in front of a computer all day and will need a way to use it on the go, it should at least have a mobile-friendly browser version for you to use.
4. Will you be able to regularly use it?
CRMs are only powerful when they are used consistently; meaning your data is updated, marketing automations are firing, and you are utilizing the features to make sales and manage projects. Otherwise it’s not worth it. So when you sign up for a CRM, make sure it looks like one that you will end up regularly using.
7 of the Top CRMs for Remodelers
Here are 7 of the top CRMs for remodelers, in no particular order.
1. Hatch
Unique advantage: Exceptionally strong marketing and sales automation with email, text, ringless voicemail, and AI agents.
Hatch is an automation powerhouse that’s designed for the sole purpose of helping you turn leads into sold jobs. To do this, Hatch lets you create custom text, email, and voicemail campaigns that run on autopilot.
For example, every new lead you get can receive a series of texts and emails until the lead takes action. Or every time you quote a lead, you can set the software to follow-up with the lead all by itself for weeks or even months. You can also see all the communication history with each contact.
To help take the load of scheduling leads off your shoulders, Hatch also has an AI agent feature that will text with leads and try to get them scheduled on your behalf!
The best use for Hatch is to automate follow-up efforts for new leads, automate specific follow-up campaigns based on where leads are in the pipeline, and rehash old leads. You can customize the messages, timing, and when the automations trigger.
Since it doesn’t have much in the way of project management, time tracking, billing, etc., lots of remodelers use Hatch together with other CRMs that do have those abilities. Hatch makes this a breeze, with lots of direct integrations and support for custom integrations. If you have a high volume of leads to work through, this CRM might be exactly what you need.
Website: https://www.usehatchapp.com/
Pricing: Unknown, please schedule a demo.
Capterra Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars
2. LeadPerfection
Unique advantage: An enterprise-class system to help you manage multiple locations, sales reps, and a call center.
LeadPerfection is a great choice for large companies who need to manage hundreds or thousands of leads every month. With a high volume of leads and jobs to manage, small inefficiencies become big issues. With the ability to automatically assign leads based on location, automatically present the best dial to your call center, and with highly efficient appointment management, LeadPerfection can help a large sales team run like clockwork.
One powerful feature of LeadPerfection, for example, is the ability to estimate actual drive time from one appointment to another. This helps your call center schedule appointments for your sales reps efficiently and cut down on wasted drive time. Another feature is the ability to define territories by zip code, and automatically assign the right leads to the right salesperson. LeadPerfection is a favorite among large remodeling organizations like Statewide Remodeling, as well as some Luxury Bath and BathPlanet locations.
Website: https://www.leadperfection.com/
Pricing: Unknown, please schedule a demo
3. BuilderPrime
Unique advantage: Covers almost everything you’ll need to run your business in one software!
BuilderPrime offers an insane level of functionality at a very low cost - making it a favorite software among remodelers and earning itself a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Capterra! Whatever you can think of that needs to get done - BuilderPrime probably does it!
A few of the things that BuilderPrime can handle are:
- Marketing automation
- Scheduling
- Job costing
- Employee time tracking
- Project management
- Payment collection
- Invoice and contract generation
- A sales pipeline
- And more
While BuilderPrime might not do everything that Hatch does for automation, or might not do everything that BuilderTrend can do for project management, it does do a little bit of everything. Unless you need some really advanced, specific features, you’ll be able to keep most of your operations in one single software.
And if you look at feature by feature comparison for the price, BuilderPrime is almost sure to win. A former client of mine, who uses BuilderPrime, says “BuilderPrime can do 90% of what other CRMs can do at about 10% of the cost.”
BuilderPrime also has several videos on their website that demonstrate real time use of the software, as well as a comparison page that shows how it compares with other similar CRMs. They also offer a free 14-day trial. All this means you can get a good, detailed look into the software before signing up.
Website: https://builderprime.com/
Pricing: Starts at $99 per month
Capterra Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
4. MarketSharp
Unique advantage: Strong focus on lead generation and the unique ability to run mailing campaigns.
While most of the CRMs on this list have the ability to manage leads, MarketSharp comes with the unique ability to help you generate leads. With their “radius marketing” feature, you can advertise to homeowners who are nearby the projects you’re working on. If done right, this could be a great way to sell more jobs and boost your revenue.
MarketSharp is also the only CRM I’ve seen that lets you run mailing campaigns. If you’ve found success with mailers in your local market, MarketSharp’s ability to run mailing campaigns might just be right up your alley.
Overall, MarketSharp has a strong focus on lead generation, marketing, and sales. It has email and text automation, call center scripting, and can accept payments through the app. It also has some project management features.
Website: https://www.marketsharp.com/
Pricing: Starts at $199 per month
Capterra Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
5. HouseCall Pro
Unique advantage: Makes scheduling and invoicing customers a breeze.
HouseCall Pro focuses on scheduling, dispatching, and payment collection - and it does it like a boss!
While HouseCall Pro isn’t really geared towards sales, or project management, it is geared towards companies who run a high volume of small jobs. So if you’re less concerned about turning leads into appointments, and more concerned about efficiently managing the appointments and jobs you already have coming in, HouseCall pro is probably just what you need.
Website: https://www.housecallpro.com/
Pricing: Starts at $69 per month
Capterra Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
6. Leap (JobProgress)
Unique advantage: A more modern take on a CRM, with a powerful tool for creating estimates and getting signatures on the spot!
Leap (formerly Job Progress) is a full CRM system designed to make scheduling, payment collection, and project management a breeze. They also have a mobile app for both iOS and Android, making it easy to use on the go! Their “SalesPro” package has a tool for job costing and instantly creating a beautiful quote that can be signed by customers.
What I love most about Leap is how modern and beautiful it looks compared to the other CRMs on this list. It makes you want to use it. And since consistent use is key for success with any CRM, the fact that it looks so good might actually impact your bottom line.
They also have a helpful live demo on their site that allows you to walk through the CRMs features and see how it works in real time, explaining it along the way. It feels like you’re actually using the app.
Website: https://leaptodigital.com/
Pricing: Starts at $79 per month
Capterra Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
7. Builder Trend
Unique advantage: A project management powerhouse.
BuilderTrend is an advanced project management CRM for home builders, remodelers, and specialty contractors. With BuilderTrend, you can manage projects, do job costing, collect payments, manage change orders, and more. BuilderTrend’s advanced client login portal allows you to communicate with homeowners through the app, lets them see how projects are progressing, and even lets them upload files.
In my opinion, BuilderTrend is best suited to contractors that manage long, complex projects. While it does have basic lead management features, project management is really where it shines. BuilderTrend costs from $199 to $799 per month, depending on the features you need.
Website: https://buildertrend.com/
Pricing: Starts at $199 per month
Capterra Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
