Procurement Practices

Why traditional material purchasing methods could be holding your business back

Eric Helitzer
,
March 5, 2025
Ordering construction materials has always been a painfully time-consuming task for subcontractors. The process is slow, manual, and scattered across emails, phone calls, spreadsheets, and texts, assuming you have somewhat of a process dialed in. Tracking orders, managing costs, and keeping everything organized takes more effort than it should.
Modern tools are changing that. Instead of forcing teams to overhaul their workflow, material ordering software simplifies the purchasing process – automating repetitive tasks, improving accuracy, and making it easier to stay on top of material requests, orders and deliveries.

The problem with traditional purchasing methods

The outdated, manual way of buying and tracking materials is inefficient. Orders take too long,  data entry mistakes are common, and too much time is wasted tracking down information. Without a centralized tool, communication is messy, and sharing real-time information is almost impossible.

These inefficiencies don’t just slow things down – they can impact budgets and project timelines. Small errors add up, and when materials arrive late or incorrect, the entire job may be thrown off schedule.

How modern tools improve material purchasing efficiency

Modern material purchasing platforms for construction solve these problems by:

  • Automating repetitive tasks: Cutting down manual entry and reducing errors while keeping logs up-to-date.
  • Improving tracking: Providing a real-time view of order status  that speaks to your workflow.
  • Streamlining communication: Keeping everyone on the same page with a centralized system.

By removing these bottlenecks, teams can focus on more valuable work – like planning, problem-solving, and getting the job done right the first time.

Better process lead to better project outcomes

When material orders are accurate and arrive on time, projects run smoother, stay on budget, and finish faster. The tangible benefits for subcontractors include:

  • Fewer delays: Materials arrive when and where they’re needed.
  • Better cost control: Accurate orders mean fewer budget surprises.
  • Easier collaboration: Everyone has access to the same up-to-date information.

Why now is the time to upgrade

The U.S. construction industry is under pressure. With labor shortages and increasing demand, efficiency is more important than ever. Subcontractors that adopt modern purchasing tools gain a competitive edge, attract skilled workers, and take on more projects without being held back by outdated systems.

Now is the time to make the switch. The sooner a company adopts these tools, the better positioned they’ll be for long-term success.

Contact us to Book a Demo and see the benefits of material purchasing software for yourself!

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