Digital Tools to Help Home Improvement Businesses Navigate COVID-19

Last Updated: April 16, 2020

COVID-19 is impacting how we do business as home improvement professionals.

Fear and financial uncertainty is causing more cancelled appointments, fewer installs, and is frankly hurting cash flow.

In these unprecedented times we need to find less traditional ways of moving business forward - going digital is great place to start.

This guide will help you find the best digital tool for your home improvement business.

Looking for a Specific Tool? 

• Quoting and Estimation
• Financing
• Virtual Appointment
• Photo and Video Apps
• Lead Generation
• Business Messaging
• CRMs

Quoting and Estimation Tools

Quoting tools saves you time and increases accuracy when you create estimates. Quotes can be sent digitally over text and email, so you don’t need to be in person. Then, use Business Messaging tools to follow-up and communicate with leads.

Leap

With Leap, home improvement companies can create estimates, contracts, and proposals, and provide financing options all in one Apple iPad application. They integrate with major home improvement CRMs like MarketSharp, improveit 360, and LeadPerfection.

Highlighted Features

• Estimates
• Contracts and Proposals
• Electronic Signature (via DocuSign)
• Finance Options
• CRM Integrations (Salesforce, MarketSharp, improveit!360, LeadPerfection, and more)
• Exclusively for Apple iPads

Pricing

Leap pricing starts at $95 per month, per user.

Check out more information on Leap, and an article about them on Pro Remodeler.

Jobber Quote Management

Jobber provides a comprehensive home improvement management software. Their quote management tool allows companies to create, send, and track quotes from one place. Quote management is currently available on all Jobber plans.

Highlighted Features

• Approvals and Change Requests
• Electronic Signature
• Quote History
• Reminders and Follow-Ups
• Payment Collection (via Jobber Payments or Stripe)
• Web and Mobile App

Pricing

Jobber pricing starts at $29 per month, per user. They offer a free trial.

Learn more about Jobber, voted as a top 10 most innovative software company by Fast Company.

Estimator360

Estimator360 is an estimating and project management software for home improvement companies. Their estimating tool allows home improvement companies to collect bids from suppliers, which automatically updates pricing lists to then be referenced in an estimate.

Highlighted Features

• Bid invitations
• Automatically updated price lists from bids
• Group materials, labor, subcontractors, or services together into an assembly
• Material lists
• Estimate templates
• Pricing options and alternatives
• Quickbooks integration

Pricing

Estimator360 pricing starts at $260 per month.

Virtual Appointment Tools

With COVID-19 resulting in lockdowns and quarantines, your sales team may not have the ability to get in front of customers for appointments.

We’ve found that a number of home improvement companies are turning to virtual appointments, allowing your customer to give you a remote walk-through of their home. Here are our favorite tools for adding virtual appointments to your toolkit.

WhereBy

We like WhereBy because anyone can join from a mobile device without downloading an app.

This takes the stress out of meetings (especially with your older, less tech-savvy audience). WhereBy operates in rooms, which gives multiple members of your team the chance to join an appointment. 

Highlighted Features

• Real-Time Chat
• Record & Playback Ability
• Screen Sharing
• Two-Way Audio & Video
• Video Conferencing
• Mobile Access

Pricing

Whereby pricing starts at $9.99 per month. There is a free version.

Zoom

Zoom is well-known industry standard software that is widely used for one-on-one meetings internally and externally. Zoom’s robust tool removes geographic barrier, allowing your team to interact with customers remotely. Although the free app is needed for cross-platform interaction, it is a reliable choice for companies on the go.

Highlighted Features

• Electronic Hand Raising
• On-Demand Webcasting
• Presentation Streaming
• Presentation Tools
• Private Chat
• Real-Time Chat
• Record & Playback Ability
• Screen Sharing

Pricing

Zoom pricing starts at $14.99 per month, per user. There is a free version.

Google Hangouts Meet

As part of Google’s robust online toolkit, Google Meet is an offshoot of Google’s Hangouts business messaging software tool. Meet adds capabilities for video conferencing, allowing your team to take connectivity to the next level.

Highlighted Features

• Alerts/Notifications
• Audio Calls
• Discussion Threads
• Mobile Access
• Real-time Chat
• Search
• Video Conferencing

Pricing

Google Meet is a premium addition to Google Hangouts. Pricing is currently free. 

Lead Generation Tools

Lead Generation tools matches homeowners with your services and provides one location for you to purchase and handle new leads. Since many home shows and events have been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, Lead Generation tools can help fill your sales funnel with qualified homeowners.

Modernize

Modernize matches window, roofing, solar, and HVAC companies with qualified leads through Modernize.com and their other digital marketing channels. They are the largest private residential lead generation service in the US.

Highlighted Features

• Home improvement leads
• Customized targeting
• Company profile
• CRM integrations
• Lead management tool

Pricing

Modernize charges a cost-per-lead based on trade and location. Pricing is available by request.

Learn more about Modernize and how Modernize customers can use Hatch to instantly engage with their leads over text, email, and phone.

HomeAdvisor

Since 1999, HomeAdvisor has matched over 30 million homeowners with relevant home improvement professionals. They provide flexible budgeting and their software allows companies to connect with leads over email or phone.

Highlighted Features

• Home improvement leads
• Flexible budgeting
• Customized targeting
• Lead management tool

Pricing

HomeAdvisor charges a cost-per-lead ($15 - $60+), depending on the size of the job. Learn more about HomeAdvisor.