The construction industry is booming, with housing prices soaring and home remodeling for remote office spaces on the rise. This creates a high demand for skilled tradespeople. However, the industry faces a significant challenge: a skilled labor shortage, exacerbated by an inefficient, word-of-mouth system for procuring labor. This is where Toolbelt, a company with the tagline “where construction connects,” steps in.
Founded by CEO Josh Englebret and with Mark Berger as Director of Channel Partners, Toolbelt has created an innovative and efficient platform to connect contractors with the skilled tradespeople their businesses depend on. Their mission is to connect the entire construction industry, recognizing its inherently collaborative nature. Building a single house, for instance, requires approximately 21 different trades, from roofers and painters to electricians.
Streamlined Recruitment and Connection
Toolbelt addresses the industry’s inefficiencies by providing a direct connection platform. Unlike the traditional method of calling multiple contacts, Toolbelt facilitates direct contact between contractors needing labor and skilled tradespeople seeking work. The platform streamlines the recruitment process, making it more efficient for both parties.
Contractors can easily post jobs with detailed scopes of work, and tradespeople can create in-depth profiles highlighting their specific skills and preferences. This allows for a more precise matching process, ensuring that the right person with the right skills is found for each project. The platform features include galleries of work and contractor bios, creating a transparent and easy experience for users to find the perfect match.
The App: Simple and Effective
The Toolbelt app, available on both Android and Apple devices, is designed for simplicity. Contractors can download it, build a profile, and post a job—all within about 60 seconds. For skilled tradespeople, the process is similar but encourages a deeper profile to showcase their specific craftsmanship and draw in relevant contractors.
Real-World Impact
Toolbelt has already proven to be a beneficial tool for many in the industry. Users have reported finding reliable, licensed contractors with work history and references, which significantly reduces the research time typically required. The platform has also helped contractors to accurately price projects by providing competitive rates from various subcontractors.
One compelling success story shared by Josh Englebret involves a builder who had just moved to a new area with no pre-existing relationships. This builder was faced with a 10-home custom sub-development and was spending two months making calls based on a list from another builder. After trying Toolbelt, he was connected with all the necessary trades for his development within just 10 days.
For Mark Berger, who has been in the construction industry for a long time, the most meaningful aspect of Toolbelt’s work is its support for small contractors. Many small businesses start with a passion for building but often struggle to find consistent work. Toolbelt provides these businesses with an opportunity to grow and develop by connecting them with the projects they need.
In an industry that thrives on collaboration but struggles with connection, Toolbelt offers a powerful solution, making it easier for everyone to connect and build.