"I quoted on Monday. By Friday nobody had followed up, and the client went with someone else."
For builders, electricians, plumbers, installers and contractors who run the business from site and the bakkie.
What slips in a construction and trades business
- 1Quotes and variations go out, then go quiet.
- 2Site schedules change and half the team hears about it late.
- 3Safety files and certificates lapse between jobs.
- 4Bakkies, trailers and tools miss services and licence renewals.
- 5Subcontractor invoices get paid late, or twice.
- 6Variations agreed on site are never written down.
What Forenota does about it
1. Quotes and variations go out, then go quiet.
Every quote gets an owner and a follow-up date, and Forenota nudges them when it goes quiet.
Thabo, the Botha quote has been quiet for 5 days. Worth a call today? From your quote email on Monday.09:002. Site schedules change and half the team hears about it late.
Schedule changes go only to the people on that site, and they confirm.
Sipho, Thursday moved: you're at the Naidoo site from 07:00, not Parkview. Reply OK to confirm.09:003. Safety files and certificates lapse between jobs.
Certificates and safety-file documents sit in the vault with expiry reminders.
Pieter, your working-at-heights certificate expires in 30 days. From your profile.09:004. Bakkies, trailers and tools miss services and licence renewals.
The asset register tracks licence, service and insurance dates, and asks for odometer readings monthly.
The Hilux licence disc expires on 14 Nov. Lerato, can you book the renewal this week?09:005. Subcontractor invoices get paid late, or twice.
Supplier and subcontractor payments due in 3 days are flagged to whoever pays them.
Anika, 2 subcontractor payments are due Friday: R12,400 and R8,900. From your creditors list.09:006. Variations agreed on site are never written down.
Say it or send a voice note; Forenota turns it into an item and logs the decision.
Noted: Botha kitchen variation, extra plug points, quote by Wednesday. Thabo owns it.09:00
Illustrative examples. Names are made up.
Compliance and admin it tracks
COIDA return of earnings
Annual return to the Compensation Fund, with a reminder before the window closes.
CIDB registration and grading
Renewal dates you enter, with reminders well ahead.
Safety certificates and safety files
Per-person and per-site documents with expiry dates.
Vehicle licences and services
Licence discs, services and insurance for every vehicle and trailer.
SARS: EMP201, VAT201, IRP6
Payroll, VAT and provisional tax dates, moved for weekends and public holidays.
You choose which apply and enter your own dates. General guidance only; confirm dates with your accountant or the issuing body.
A week with Forenota
Mon
morning summary lists 3 quotes waiting on a reply.
Tue
site team confirms the moved Thursday start.
Wed
a voice note from site becomes a variation quote task.
Thu
the Hilux licence renewal is booked before it expires.
Fri
wrap-up shows what got done and what slipped.
Recommended plan
Team, R1,999 a month
Most trades teams have a few people on site and someone in the office. Team covers up to 20.
Excl VAT. 14-day free trial, no card needed.