Cheryl Cassidy Edit

 Web References

1. 1. BSU's TECenter Offering Online Software for Home Buyers, Contractors

   remodeling.hw.net/industry-new - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/16/2004   Last Visited: 12/16/2004

   Principal Cheryl Cassidy, who worked in the Boise real estate market with several firms for seven years, said she noticed builders often struggled with coordinating customers' selections of flooring and other specifications with their suppliers and subcontractors.
   
   Two local starter home builders have or are building design centers, where customers can go to one place to choose appliances, cabinets, counters, and lighting and plumbing fixtures. Hubble Homes has a new home showroom and Corey Barton Homes plans to finish its design studio by Feb. 1.
   
   But Cassidy said she isn't aware of any Idaho contractors for the mid-level market that offer this option. As a result, contractors send customers all over town to meet with their suppliers for carpeting, tile and the like.
   
   Home buyers aren't the only ones inconvenienced by this process. If home buyers procrastinate in meeting with suppliers and deciding on their specifications, it can mean wasted time for the contractor.
   
   Thinking an online program might be the best way to solve the problem, Cassidy began researching virtual design centers and came across HomeSpec, designed by Michigan software engineer Scott Kammeraad with the help of a builder and developer.
   ...
   The creators of HomeSpec retooled the software for contractors in the Boise market, who Cassidy says are more prone to do spot building than Michigan contractors.
   
   Cassidy started Builders Advantage, which employs two people on an independent contractual basis, nearly a year ago to distribute HomeSpec, but to date hasn't had a single client.
   
   She applied for help from the TECenter, which has helped connect her market to potential clients and draw up business plans.
   
   Additionally, she's made contacts through the Building Contractors Association and another business she owns, Builder Resources Group, a co-op of small builders that buy their supplies together to get better price rates.
   
   Though Builder Resources Group pays the bills while she tries to get Builders Advantage off the ground, Cassidy said she's used TECenter's assistance to bolster both businesses.
   
   Though she's encountered resistance from builders who want to see how it works for someone else in the area, she says many are interested when they hear about the Michigan builders that used it.
   
   Michigan contractors who adopted the software are definitely saving time and money on the building process, Cassidy said.
   
   In a survey, the contractors reported the software allowed them to spend 50 percent less time working with customers on product selections; cut errors on the job site because subcontractors were on the same page regarding specifications; and cut time waiting for customers to make their selections and communicating those selections to subcontractors by 10 to 15 percent, she said.

2. 2. BSU's TECenter Offering Online Software for Home Buyers, Contractors

   www.builderonline.com/industry - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/6/2004   Last Visited: 12/14/2004

   Principal Cheryl Cassidy, who worked in the Boise real estate market with several firms for seven years, said she noticed builders often struggled with coordinating customers' selections of flooring and other specifications with their suppliers and subcontractors.
   
   Two local starter home builders have or are building design centers, where customers can go to one place to choose appliances, cabinets, counters, and lighting and plumbing fixtures. Hubble Homes has a new home showroom and Corey Barton Homes plans to finish its design studio by Feb. 1.
   
   But Cassidy said she isn't aware of any Idaho contractors for the mid-level market that offer this option. As a result, contractors send customers all over town to meet with their suppliers for carpeting, tile and the like.
   
   Home buyers aren't the only ones inconvenienced by this process. If home buyers procrastinate in meeting with suppliers and deciding on their specifications, it can mean wasted time for the contractor.
   
   Thinking an online program might be the best way to solve the problem, Cassidy began researching virtual design centers and came across HomeSpec, designed by Michigan software engineer Scott Kammeraad with the help of a builder and developer.
   ...
   The creators of HomeSpec retooled the software for contractors in the Boise market, who Cassidy says are more prone to do spot building than Michigan contractors.
   
   Cassidy started Builders Advantage, which employs two people on an independent contractual basis, nearly a year ago to distribute HomeSpec, but to date hasn't had a single client.
   
   She applied for help from the TECenter, which has helped connect her market to potential clients and draw up business plans.
   
   Additionally, she's made contacts through the Building Contractors Association and another business she owns, Builder Resources Group, a co-op of small builders that buy their supplies together to get better price rates.
   
   Though Builder Resources Group pays the bills while she tries to get Builders Advantage off the ground, Cassidy said she's used TECenter's assistance to bolster both businesses.
   
   Though she's encountered resistance from builders who want to see how it works for someone else in the area, she says many are interested when they hear about the Michigan builders that used it.
   
   Michigan contractors who adopted the software are definitely saving time and money on the building process, Cassidy said.
   
   In a survey, the contractors reported the software allowed them to spend 50 percent less time working with customers on product selections; cut errors on the job site because subcontractors were on the same page regarding specifications; and cut time waiting for customers to make their selections and communicating those selections to subcontractors by 10 to 15 percent, she said.

3. 3. BSU's TECenter Offering Online Software for Home Buyers, Contractors

   www.remodeling.hw.net/industry - [Cached]

   Last Visited: 12/14/2004

   Principal Cheryl Cassidy, who worked in the Boise real estate market with several firms for seven years, said she noticed builders often struggled with coordinating customers' selections of flooring and other specifications with their suppliers and subcontractors.
   
   Two local starter home builders have or are building design centers, where customers can go to one place to choose appliances, cabinets, counters, and lighting and plumbing fixtures. Hubble Homes has a new home showroom and Corey Barton Homes plans to finish its design studio by Feb. 1.
   
   But Cassidy said she isn't aware of any Idaho contractors for the mid-level market that offer this option. As a result, contractors send customers all over town to meet with their suppliers for carpeting, tile and the like.
   
   Home buyers aren't the only ones inconvenienced by this process. If home buyers procrastinate in meeting with suppliers and deciding on their specifications, it can mean wasted time for the contractor.
   
   Thinking an online program might be the best way to solve the problem, Cassidy began researching virtual design centers and came across HomeSpec, designed by Michigan software engineer Scott Kammeraad with the help of a builder and developer.
   ...
   The creators of HomeSpec retooled the software for contractors in the Boise market, who Cassidy says are more prone to do spot building than Michigan contractors.
   
   Cassidy started Builders Advantage, which employs two people on an independent contractual basis, nearly a year ago to distribute HomeSpec, but to date hasn't had a single client.
   
   She applied for help from the TECenter, which has helped connect her market to potential clients and draw up business plans.
   
   Additionally, she's made contacts through the Building Contractors Association and another business she owns, Builder Resources Group, a co-op of small builders that buy their supplies together to get better price rates.
   
   Though Builder Resources Group pays the bills while she tries to get Builders Advantage off the ground, Cassidy said she's used TECenter's assistance to bolster both businesses.
   
   Though she's encountered resistance from builders who want to see how it works for someone else in the area, she says many are interested when they hear about the Michigan builders that used it.
   
   Michigan contractors who adopted the software are definitely saving time and money on the building process, Cassidy said.
   
   In a survey, the contractors reported the software allowed them to spend 50 percent less time working with customers on product selections; cut errors on the job site because subcontractors were on the same page regarding specifications; and cut time waiting for customers to make their selections and communicating those selections to subcontractors by 10 to 15 percent, she said.