One contractor’s quest to make finding one easier

For many homeowners looking to have a remodeling project done, bids follow the same pattern, said Mike Fortune.
Say they call five contractors. “Three will be interested, two will show up for the meeting and they’ll get 1-2 bids,” said Fortune, a contractor himself.
With Homecraft Advantage, Fortune is looking to help more bids that line up with the scope of work come in.
The platform has a way to put all of the project in one place before seeking out who will do the work. Along with uploading plans and photos, homeowners complete a survey about the project. The SmartBuild system, which is initially free to homeowners with the option for add-ons, is designed to get all of the info so contractors know the scope of the project.
Then, it offers a way to connect with the contractors. The project details can be posted in an open marketplace, where contractors can bid. The homeowners get to choose the bid they want.
“You’re in full control,” Fortune said.

This creates the potential to get the details in front of more contractors, and increases the likelihood that they will have the specific expertise homeowners want. For contractors, who must pay to use the service, it can eliminate the time of pursuing leads that ultimately won’t produce business, said Fortune, of Jarrettsville. And there is guesswork involved on both sides that may result in an inaccurate bid.
Having worked in commercial contracting, Fortune saw the detailed process that gets everyone on the same page when a project goes out to bid. The platform recently launched, and the team building out the company is made up of three people.