Sales Automation vs CRM for Contractors: Which One Finds the Work?
A CRM stores the contacts and deals a contractor already has; sales automation finds new ones. For a trade selling to builders, sales automation starts from building permits, times each project to the award window and reaches the decision maker, then hands the won job to the CRM. Builtie is the sales automation half.
The same four steps, whether the buyer is a builder, a designer, an owner or a company you want to acquire.
Side by side
| CRM | Sales automation (Builtie) | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts from | Contacts and deals you add | Building permits: projects nobody has told you about |
| Finds new clients | No | Yes: the builder on every permit |
| Knows when to call | Only if you set a reminder | Yes: the trade's award window |
| Finds the decision maker | No | Yes, verified |
| Sends outreach | Templates you send | LinkedIn and email sequences that run daily |
| Tracks won jobs, invoices | Yes | No: keep your CRM or job tool for that |
Why trades end up with an empty CRM
A CRM is only as full as the prospecting behind it. Why your construction CRM is empty
By trade
Excavation and Site Work, Construction Site Security, Concrete and Foundation, Structural Steel, Elevators, Framing, Painting, Masonry, Waterproofing, Roofing, Windows, Doors and Glazing, Electrical, HVAC and Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Signage and Wayfinding, Insulation, Drywall, Low Voltage and Data, Tile, Cabinetry and Millwork, Flooring, Countertops, Finish Carpentry, Appliances and Equipment, Landscaping
Plans
Builtie's Starter plan is $79 per seat per month (CAD) for 20 projects; Growth is $99 for 50 projects and adds the LinkedIn and email outreach you run yourself. Opening a project spends one credit, and the decision makers, emails, phones and AI call script inside it are included. Your monthly credits reset at each renewal, and extra credit packs are valid for 30 days. The free trial runs 7 days with 10 projects. Custom, where Builtie's team runs the outreach for you, starts from CAD $1,500 a month on top of a Growth seat.
Frequently asked questions
Is Builtie a CRM?
No. A CRM stores the contacts and deals you already have. Builtie is sales automation: it finds the projects from building permits, times each one to your trade's award window, finds the decision maker and runs the LinkedIn and email outreach. Most customers keep their CRM or job-management tool for the work they win.
Do I still need a CRM?
For the jobs you win, often yes: quotes, scheduling and invoices live there. Builtie finds and reaches the clients before that.
What does Builtie cost?
Starter is $79 per seat per month for 20 projects; Growth is $99 for 50 projects and adds LinkedIn and email outreach. There is a 7-day free trial with 10 projects.