TapeAndFloat.com for small builders & GCsKeeping clients and subs updated without project management software
Keeping clients and subs updated means a short, regular status message: what happened, what is next, and what you need from them. Big platforms sell client portals for this; Buildertrend says on its pricing page it was built for builders who oversee 5+ projects a year, and many small firms run fewer.
A weekly client update in five lines
Job: 412 Oak St kitchen Done this week: cabinets set, electrical rough inspection passed Next week: countertops template Tue, tile starts Thu Decisions needed: faucet choice by Friday Open change orders: CO-3 pantry shelving, awaiting your signature
Same day each week, by email. Clients mostly want to know it is moving and what they owe a decision on.
A sub look-ahead
Each Friday, send each sub a two-week look-ahead: their dates, the trade before them and anything they need on site. A missed handoff between trades costs more than any software.
Keep one source of truth
A shared Google Sheet with one tab per job (schedule, decisions, change orders) is enough for most small builders. The hard part is keeping it current.
Where an assistant helps
TapeAndFloat drafts the weekly client update and sub look-ahead from your Sheet and recent emails, for you to edit and send.
Free 60-day pilot: forward your job emails to the assistant, keep working in your own Sheet, and get a short daily list of what is slipping. No new app, no card. Request a pilot spot.
More guides
- How small builders track change orders across every trade
- Chasing sub paperwork: COIs, W-9s and lien waivers for small GCs
- How small builders get paid faster on draws and invoices
- Procore and Buildertrend alternatives for small builders
Frequently asked questions
Do small builders need a client portal?
Not necessarily. A consistent weekly email and a shared sheet cover what most clients ask for.
How often should I update clients?
Weekly on a fixed day, plus right away when a decision or change order needs their signature.
What should a sub look-ahead include?
Their start and finish dates, the trade before them, site access and any materials or decisions they depend on.
Can the assistant send updates automatically?
It drafts them; you approve and send.
Want this tracked for you? Join the free pilot.