Tools for Growth: How Technology Can Help Contractors Succeed

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Author: Brett Knox
November 12, 2024 - 3 MIN. READ

Which tech solutions do you use? If you’re like most contractors, you're probably not using the latest technology to its full potential. 

This trend is changing as more contractors view tech as a driver of growth. Today's technology is more accessible and valuable than you might realize. 

Here’s what you need to know about leveraging technology for business success. 

The State of Technology Adoption 

In the trades, most businesses are behind when it comes to adopting technology. Among building trade contractors, digital skills are an obstacle for 42% of businesses, closely followed by budget limitations. 

These obstacles are a reality for many small businesses, especially in the context of shrinking profit margins. As projects become increasingly hard to find and material costs keep increasing, few businesses have the funds to invest and adopt new tech solutions. 

The Solution: Partnering With the Right Vendors 

The right vendor can make a world of difference when it comes to tech adoption. Along with providing relevant tech products, the right partner can guide you through the adoption process and help you develop efficient workflows to fully leverage these tools. 

Here are some key benefits of partnering with the right tech provider: 

  • Processes can be automated, freeing up time for high-value tasks. 
  • You can collect and analyze data across your business. This data will help you make better decisions and be more strategic with how you plan your projects. 
  • Tech can also enhance the customer experience, such as providing faster quotes or improving visibility into project status. 

What Makes Raiven an Ideal Tech Partner? 

Raiven's mission is to connect contractors and suppliers through a powerful digital supply chain network. On top of offering pre-negotiated savings on the materials and equipment you need, Raiven’s network includes vetted vendors who offer tech tools and business services. 

These vendors specialize in supporting businesses in the trades industry, making technology accessible and affordable while delivering proven results. 

Let’s take a closer look at a few use cases for technology adoption in the trades. 

Bid Management Software 

Take off and bid management software is a game-changer for contractors. These tools can deliver accurate bids faster by using real-time pricing for the supplies needed, as well as historical data from similar projects. 

Being able to deliver an instant quote is a powerful differentiator that captures the attention of customers who are shopping around. Bid management software also enhances the accuracy of your quotes, leading to better projections and protecting your profit margins. 

Lead Generation Partnerships 

Raiven partners with trade-specific marketing companies to bring contractors high-quality leads. As a Raiven member, you’ll get access to these services that use proven organic strategies to raise the visibility of your website in your local area and find you leads who are ready to hire. 

You can expect a steady stream of work from high-quality leads, freeing up plenty of time to focus on other important tasks. 

Integration With Your Enterprise Resource Planning Software 

Raiven’s buying platform integrates with your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or accounting software. This capability eliminates double-entry and gives you complete visibility over your buying activities, including tracking costs and inventory with precision for a better buying process where you’re in full control of your spending. 

AI-Powered Buying Tools 

No business is too small to use AI. Raiven makes this groundbreaking technology available to everyone thanks to AI-powered buying tools. 

These smart tools can track pricing changes in real-time, locate products that are hard to find, and eliminate rogue spending to create a centralized buying process. 

Technology and Future-Proofing Your Business 

Don’t make the mistake of not prioritizing tech adoption for your business. The trades industry is reaching a turning point: 

  • New technologies are emerging, creating demand for electrification and energy management jobs, among other lucrative opportunities for contractors ready to scale up. 
  • All of the trades have a shortage of skilled labor, necessitating contractors to leverage technology to digitally transform their business.  Processes in the office and in the field need to be automated to do more with less.  

The use cases mentioned above are building blocks that will help you stay competitive and enhance what your business can do with the resources you have in this challenging environment. 

With a vendor like Raiven by your side, technology can become a powerful differentiator that helps you thrive in this difficult market and creates a clear path forward as you pursue electrification and other opportunities. 

As the industry continues changing, Raiven is committed to expanding its network, consistently adding new vendors to provide products and services that will help you adapt and grow. 

Unlock the Power of Technology With Raiven 

The Raiven community brings together contractors like yourself with vendors who offer parts, materials, equipment, and business services. 

Joining Raiven's network is the first step toward building a tech-enabled, modern business that leverages everything technology can offer while protecting your profit margins. 

As an electrical or HVAC contractor, you can win more bids and increase profits by paying less for electrical and HVAC materials and equipment as well as business essentials. 

Unlock unparalleled savings and streamline your procurement process with Raiven. We allow contractors to consolidate their purchasing power to negotiate exclusive discounts, favorable service terms, and priority access to supply chains. Say goodbye to the hassle of negotiating with multiple suppliers and enjoy significant cost savings on HVAC equipment and parts, wire, panels, conduit, EV charging stations, lighting, load shedding, tools, and more.  

Electrical contractors and HVAC contractors can gain access to pre-negotiated discounts of 7%-30% from industry-leading manufacturers and distributors, including Alpscontrols, Carrier, ChargePoint, Ferguson, Grainger, Graybar, HD Supply, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Office Depot, Sunbelt Rentals, Schneider Electric, and more! 

 Raiven is the go-to partner for electrical and HVAC contractors, providing unbeatable prices on equipment, parts, and maintenance supplies. Our intuitive purchasing platform streamlines procurement for maximum efficiency. Other key benefits: 

Raiven is your one stop shop to save time and money. Visit Raiven to learn more about saving and growing your profit margins with our buying program for contractors.

Summary: Too many contractors are failing to prioritize technology adoption. Between a lack of digital skills and limited budgets, it’s understandable, but here’s why working with the right vendor can make technology accessible.