Structural Bid Workflow
- 1Takeoff submitted to GC via portal
- 2Sequence of follow-up emails every four days
- 3Meeting request sent if no response after ten days
- 4Contract status updated in dashboard
Systems for Framing Crews
Operational Infrastructure for Framing Contractors
Framing contractors bring in revenue by hitting strict production schedules and maintaining high volume for developers and general contractors. Profit often leaks when change orders go undocumented, lumber deliveries are mistimed, or takeoff bids sit in a pile without follow-up.
Construction & Trades
- Bid Follow-Up Automation
- Change Order Capture
- Missed Call Text Back
- Retention Tracking Dashboard
- Lumber Delivery Alerts
How the business actually works
How the work flows, start to finish.
- 01
Bidding
Detailed takeoffs are submitted to general contractors or developers for structural wood or steel packages.
- 02
Pre-Construction
Blueprints are finalized, lumber packages are ordered, and site conditions are verified for readiness.
- 03
Rough-In
Wall plates are laid out and the main structure is erected according to the framing plan.
- 04
Sheathing
Exterior panels and roof decking are installed to dry in the structure.
- 05
Inspection
Local building officials verify structural integrity and hardware placement before MEP trades enter.
- 06
Punch Out
The crew addresses minor blocking, backing, and straightening before the drywall stage.
- 07
Closeout
Final lien waivers are signed and retainage is billed to the client.
Where it leaks
Common problems for framing contractors.
01
Lost Change Orders
Field modifications requested by the GC often go unbilled because they were never formally documented. This results in the framing crew performing extra labor and using additional materials for free.
02
Takeoff Stagnation
Large commercial bids often sit in a General Contractor's inbox without a response. Without a systematic way to track these submissions, the framing company misses out on high-value contracts.
03
Delivery Delays
If the truss package or lumber drop shows up when the site is not ready, downtime costs accrue. Poor communication between the crew lead and the office creates costly logistical bottlenecks.
04
Payment Retention
Framing is one of the earliest trades on site, meaning owners often wait months for the final percentage of their payment. Manual tracking of aged receivables leads to significant cash flow strain.
05
Crew Turnover
Skilled framers are in high demand and often leave for more organized outfits. A lack of clear scheduling and digital job site documentation makes it difficult to manage a stable workforce.
What LATTICE can build
Systems built around how you work.
Bid Follow-Up Automation
Automatically trigger emails or texts to GCs after a takeoff is submitted to stay top of mind for new developments.
Change Order Capture
Enable field leads to submit photos and details of structural changes for immediate office approval and client billing.
Missed Call Text Back
Ensures that when a developer calls while the owner is on a roof, they receive an immediate text to start the conversation.
Retention Tracking Dashboard
Monitor every project's held retainage and automate reminders to request payment once the building is dried in.
Lumber Delivery Alerts
Automated SMS notifications to suppliers and site supers to confirm delivery windows and site access.
Punch List Portal
A central location for GCs to submit framing corrections, ensuring nothing is missed before the MEP trades arrive.
Review Request System
Automatically ask for professional feedback from General Contractors once the framing inspection is passed.
Example systems
What it looks like in practice.
Change Order Approval
- 1Foreman uploads photo of required structural change
- 2System generates change order document
- 3GC receives SMS for digital signature
- 4Accounting notified to update the final invoice
Production Scheduling
- 1Job marked as 'Ready for Trusses'
- 2Automated notification sent to lumber yard
- 3SMS sent to crew lead with delivery time
- 4Confirmation photo uploaded to the project folder
Have a different problem?
Tell us what's slowing the business down. LATTICE can build around the way your business operates.
Questions from framing contractors
How does this help with commercial framing bids?
Commercial projects have long lead times and multiple decision-makers. The system ensures your bid is consistently followed up on without manual effort, increasing the chances of being selected for the project.
Can my crew leads use this on the job site?
Yes, the mobile-friendly interface allows your leads to capture photos, document site conditions, and report change orders directly from the field, which prevents information loss.
Will this help me get paid faster by General Contractors?
By automating the documentation of completed milestones and tracking retainage, the system reduces the time spent chasing checks. It sends professional reminders to the GC's accounts payable department on your behalf.
We deal with a lot of plan revisions. How is that handled?
The system organizes documents by version, so everyone from the office to the field is looking at the most current set of structural prints, reducing the risk of framing errors.
Is it possible to manage multiple crews at once?
The dashboard provides a high-level view of all active sites, showing which crews are at what stage, whether that is laying plates, setting rafters, or finishing the punch list.