This month’s Toolbelt features Steve Yates on what’s ahead for the new year, a snapshot of customer achievements from 2025, faster estimating with Blu, plus a customer spotlight, upcoming events to find us at, and the latest industry news.
2025 Recap
A message from our CEO, Steve Yates
Over the past year, we saw a meaningful shift in how builders use Buildxact – not just to estimate, but to run smarter, more connected construction businesses. Behind the scenes, we expanded what AI can take off a builder’s plate, helping smaller teams operate with a level of capability that used to be out of reach. That progress sets the stage for what’s coming next, with major product updates to be unveiled this February.
2025 Built
Powered by Buildxact – Built by You
| 1.1 M Purchase Orders Created | $612 M Work Estimated by Blu | $12 B Work Built | $67 B Work Quoted |
Your work continues to raise the bar. In the last six months alone, Buildxact customers used AI to define $612M in construction value. Throughout 2025, builders quoted $67B+ in work, created and sent 1.1 M purchase orders to suppliers, and delivered $12B in completed projects.
These numbers reflect the real impact of builders like you – moving faster, building smarter, and driving the industry forward.
Product Highlight
New ways to get more done in Buildxact
Use AI to Build Your Estimate
Start 2026 building faster. The Blu Estimate Generator cuts estimating down to seconds, giving you a head start on every job. As Blu works through your project, you’ll see each part of the estimate come together in real time.
The result? Faster pricing, quicker approvals, and more jobs locked in for the new year. Make speed your advantage in 2026.
Feature Releases
Fresh improvements ready for you to use
Introducing New Cost-Plus Purchase Orders & Invoicing
- Need to bill customers in stages? Create multiple installment invoices from one cost-plus purchase order (PO). It’s a cleaner, clearer way to bill customers as work progresses.
2025 Golden Hammer Award Winner
Blu by Buildxact, recognised for real builder impact
Blu has been named a 2025 Golden Hammer Award winner, recognising the most impactful new products and innovations in the home improvement and building supply industry.
With 22% of builders investing in AI tools (Customer Home Builder poll), this recognition reinforces that Blu is a trusted, industry-validated solution designed to improve speed, efficiency, and margins.
Customer Spotlight
Real builders, real workflows, real wins
Faster Quoting that Supports Growth
Growth at VW Building Projects meant long nights spent quoting by hand and racing tight timeframes. Based in Melbourne, Brett and Josh needed estimating tools that matched how builders really work. With Buildxact, they now create fast digital takeoffs, use live supplier pricing, and produce accurate, competitive quotes in less time – helping them win more jobs, run more efficiently, and get time back out of the office.
Got An Idea? We’re listening
We’ve moved Feature Suggestions into the Community tab to make it easier for you to share ideas and feedback directly with our team. This helps us better understand what matters most to you – so we can focus on building the features that make the biggest difference in your day-to-day work. Share a feature idea
Events
See what’s on the calendar
Builders Guide to 20%+ Margins
25 Feb | Virtual | 11 AM NZST
A live workshop on how to focus on the right work and stop wasting time on low-value jobs. Learn practical ways to attract better clients, quote more confidently, and stay in control of your workload.
Contractor Success Summit 2026
4 Feb | Virtual | 12 PM PST
Built for builders who want to simplify their business and scale smarter. Learn from four industry experts covering estimating systems, marketing, AI, and tools that dive real results.
Blogs
How to Become a Contractor
Learn how to become a contractor, including licensing requirements, state and territory regulations, and the systems you need to build a profitable business. Read more
AI Construction Estimating Software
Learn how AI tech can serve as a digital assistant to speed up the entire process of writing estimates and winning more business. Read more
Latest Industry News
Must-read trends shaping the trade
- Why Construction Sector is Ripe for AI Disruption by The Urban Developer – Read more
- How Builders Can Protect Their Reputation and Their Business by The Good Builder – Read more
Join the Community
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