Best Practices

Tips and strategies for getting the most out of BLDR.

Form Design

Keep Forms Focused

• One form = one purpose
• Avoid 50+ field mega-forms
• Split complex processes into multiple forms

Use Clear Labels

• Write labels as questions: "Was PPE worn?"
• Avoid jargon workers won't understand
• Add help text for complex fields

Make Required Fields Obvious

• Only require truly essential fields
• Too many required fields = frustrated users
• Put required fields at the top

Use Sections

Break long forms into logical sections:

• General Info
• Work Completed
• Safety Checks
• Sign-Off

Team Management

Role Assignment

• Project Owners: Office staff, executives
• Superintendents: Field supervisors, foremen
• Field Workers: Crew members, laborers

Onboarding New Users

1. Send invitation email
2. Share the Field Worker Guide
3. Have them practice with a test form
4. Be available for questions the first day

Data Quality

Use Dropdowns Instead of Text

For consistent data, use dropdowns:

• Project names
• Equipment lists
• Trade categories
• Status options

This prevents typos and makes filtering/reporting easier.

Require Photos for Proof

Add required photo fields for:

• Work completion
• Safety hazards
• Equipment condition
• Material deliveries

Add GPS for Location Proof

Use GPS location fields to verify:

• Workers are on-site
• Where issues occurred
• Delivery locations

Workflow Optimization

Set Up Email Notifications

Auto-send submissions to:

• Supervisors (for review)
• Safety managers (for incidents)
• Office (for timesheets)
• Clients (for daily reports)

Pin Frequently Used Forms

Hover over a form and click the star. Pinned forms appear at the top of the sidebar.

Use Conditional Logic

Show/hide fields based on answers:

• If "Incident = Yes" → Show "Incident Details"
• If "Equipment Damaged" → Show "Damage Description"

This keeps forms short when extra info isn't needed.

Mobile Optimization

Test on Phones

Before deploying, fill out your form on a phone to check:

• Is it easy to read?
• Do buttons work?
• Is the form too long?

Add to Home Screen

Train your team to add BLDR to their home screen for quick access.

Prepare for Offline

Have workers open forms while connected so they're cached for offline use.