“With APARBooks, we don’t have to worry about embarrassing mistakes in our bids. It’s taken a huge weight off our shoulders, letting us focus on the project rather than double-checking formulas.”
— Riverside Contracting
Introduction of the Company
Riverside Contracting is a general contractor specializing in large-scale commercial builds. With a team of skilled project managers and estimators, Riverside has a reputation for quality, but like many contractors, they rely on accurate project bids to secure new work and maintain profitability. Bidding errors, especially simple math mistakes, can damage client relationships and impact their competitive edge.
Challenge
In a highly competitive market, Riverside Contracting found that even small mathematical errors in their project bids had significant consequences. Relying on Excel for complex calculations often led to mistakes—incorrect sums, misplaced cells, or even wrong formulas.
In one case, a bid for a $1.5 million project was off by $50,000 due to a formula error that overlooked a key line item. The client questioned the discrepancy, and while Riverside managed to clarify the issue, it left an impression of carelessness and almost cost them the contract.
On another occasion, a minor calculation error led to underbidding on a project, which ultimately squeezed profit margins and left them struggling to cover expenses.
These issues didn’t just harm Riverside’s reputation; they also put a strain on their finances. When mathematical errors in bids go unnoticed, they roll over into the actual project, affecting everything from budget allocation to resource management. Small mistakes can snowball, especially if they continue across multiple bids, potentially damaging Riverside’s long-term profitability and client trust.
APARBooks’ Solution
Riverside turned to APARBooks to solve this recurring issue. APARBooks’ system automatically calculates all sums, project costs, and retention rates, eliminating the need for manual formulas. Every detail, from material costs to labor estimates, is accurately calculated within the platform. By automating these calculations, APARBooks removed the risk of math errors and allowed Riverside to confidently present bids without having to worry about incorrect figures or formula mistakes.
Results
Since implementing APARBooks, Riverside Contracting has significantly reduced manual errors in their bids, improving both their accuracy and professionalism. Not only has this improved client trust, but it’s also enhanced their financial control, allowing them to bid more competitively without risking profit margins. With APARBooks, Riverside can now focus on building strong client relationships and growing their business without the fear of small mistakes making a big impact on their projects.
