Blogs | General | Groundplan

Effective Marketing Strategies for Service-Based Trade Businesses in 2023

Out-manoeuvre your competitors by adopting proven marketing strategies that are working right now.

Brad Halcrow

January 19, 2023

General

Four Simple Ingredients to Increase Referrals

Here are four simple ways you can increase your referrals and ensure you make a great impression on your customers.

Groundplan

November 11, 2022

General

Create a Lightspeed Connection Between Groundplan and Intuit Quickbooks

Integrate with Quickbooks and bridge the gap between your estimates and finances.

Groundplan

October 21, 2022

General

Turn Hours Into Seconds with Count Assist

Groundplan is proud to officially announce the release of our most highly requested feature. Now you can simply select a symbol, and within seconds, Groundplan will find the rest.

Brad Halcrow

October 12, 2022

General

Give Your Estimate The Visual Flair It Deserves

With decades of experience under his belt, Gary Frank has a few tips to pass along to the next generation of electricians and business owners.

Groundplan

September 15, 2022

Case Studies

Just how fast is Count Assist

We put our new feature, Count Assist to the test against the fastest human Estimator we could find. The results may surprise you, or it may not.

Groundplan

September 1, 2022

General

How to Approach Your Next Tender to Maximise The Chances of Winning

This guest post by seasoned estimator Clint Hewish from Concept Electrical Estimating explains how to maximise the chances of winning your next tender.

Clint Hewish

May 31, 2022

General

Reduce Wastage using Pinpoint Digital Detail

In the third instalment of our 3-part series on reducing wastage, we talk to Groundplan co-founder, Rex Redden. Rex explains where small plan details can be revealed in a digital system that would otherwise be missed using paper and highlighters.

Brad Halcrow

April 19, 2022

General

Reduce Wastage On-Site using Increased Accuracy in the Office

Benny Taylor was a carpenter in a past life and then spent five years as a Construction Manager. Nowadays he’s a Groundplan Trades Expert and this week's interviewee.

Brad Halcrow

April 11, 2022

General

Superuser Series: Significant Groundplan Features released in 2021

In this 2-Part Webinar Series, our Superuser trainer Cazz will show you how and when to use our most significant features and tools released in 2021.

Brad Halcrow

December 15, 2021

Training

Build Your Skills with our Free Groundplan & Xero Superuser Webinar

We’re holding yet another free webinar to help existing users enhance their the Groundplan & Xero integration experience.

Brad Halcrow

March 22, 2021

Training

Get more from your Groundplan & AroFlo integration with our Superuser webinar

As a cloud-based application, Groundplan is able to integrate with a complimentary network of software partners. Those integrations provide tremendous opportunities to further enhance your workflow.

Brad Halcrow

January 7, 2021

Training

Groundplan & simPRO Superuser webinar

A recording of the webinar is now available. It’s an hour out of your day to add a lifetime of increased efficiency.

Brad Halcrow

October 22, 2020

Training

Superuser Series Part 5: Project and Take-off Templates

In Part 5, Groundplan's in-house trainer, Cazz Byrne demonstrates how to save hours with our powerful Project and Takeoff Templates.

Brad Halcrow

September 29, 2020

Training

Superuser Series Part 4: Worksheets and Quantities

In Part 4, Cazz details how to manage and export data using Worksheets and Quantities.

Brad Halcrow

September 22, 2020

Training

Superuser Series Part 3: Designing Plans and Editing Tools

In Part 3 you'll learn how to create an accurate and attractive plans using the range of editing tools available in Groundplan.

Brad Halcrow

September 1, 2020

Training

Superuser Series Part 2: Taking Off Plans

In Part 2 we take your existing takeoff process into the digital world of Groundplan.

Brad Halcrow

August 26, 2020

Training

Superuser Part 1: Setup and Creating Projects

In case you didn't manage to register for our ever-popular Groundplan Superuser Series, we've uploaded the recorded sessions for you to reference any time.

Groundplan

August 18, 2020

Training

PDF Plans vs Paper Plans: Why It's Time to Make the Switch

This article covers why the industry is moving toward paperless construction, the actual cost of paper plans, what the switch looks like in practice and how to address common objections that keep contractors on paper longer than they need to be.

Brad Halcrow

August 19, 2026

General

How to Scale a Trade Business by Plugging Profit Leaks

Most trade business owners chase one number: sales. But profitable growth comes down to two things: having the right people and measuring the right numbers.

Jerome Jacobs

August 10, 2026

General

Recently released updates we think you're going to love

We recently released a lengthy list of powerful updates to further speed up your workflow and a couple of new features we think you're going to love.

Brad Halcrow

July 30, 2026

General

Spreadsheets vs Estimating Software: When It's Time to Switch

Still estimating in Excel? Compare spreadsheets with estimating software and find out when it makes sense to upgrade your process.

Brad Halcrow

July 17, 2026

General

Construction Quotes That Win More Jobs: Templates, Tips and Best Practices

This guide covers what a winning construction quoting template includes, how to choose the right format for the job and how to price without undercutting yourself.

Brad Halcrow

June 30, 2026

General

Markup vs Margin: The Guide Every Contractor Needs to Read

Markup is what you add to cost, but margin is the amount you keep in terms of revenue. The gap between them can lead to the annual profit quietly disappearing.

Brad Halcrow

June 10, 2026

General

The Complete Guide to Electrical Estimating: Best Practices for Sparkies

In this guide, we cover the best ways to estimate electrical jobs accurately in the Australian market.

Brad Halcrow

June 4, 2026

General

Two Big Improvements to the Groundplan Fergus Integration

Thanks to an API update by Fergus, we’re able to bring some significant improvements to the Groundplan Fergus integration.

Brad Halcrow

March 9, 2026

General

What is Takeoff Software and How Has it Changed Construction Estimating?

Designed to save time and improve accuracy, online takeoff software has become an invaluable solution in the modern construction industry.

Brad Halcrow

September 5, 2025

General

Episode 5: How Groundplan brings remote teams together

Despite the distance, he remains the central point of contact for all things estimating, project management and documentation.

Brad Halcrow

July 3, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 4: Getting the Project Manager onboard

In episode 4 of our 5-Part series we asked Brent how he’s incorporating the project manager into the process so that the above walkthroughs from site can be clearly documented back to the office and vice versa.

Brad Halcrow

July 1, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 3: Documentation for the builder

In this episode, Brent walks us through the process for tracking changes on site and how it benefits all future trades.

Brad Halcrow

June 29, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 2: From Tendering to Walk Through Stage

In episode 2, Brent reveals how he manages project revisions to help project managers understand the project’s history.

Brad Halcrow

June 26, 2026

Case Studies

Episode 1: Keeping Your Projects Organised

In this five-part series, Brent Drew from Modern Vision Contractors has been generous enough to show us exactly how he estimates projects 1000 km's from head office.

Brad Halcrow

June 25, 2026

Case Studies

When day spills into night, something’s gotta give

Building a serious electrical business and spending time with the family can potentially conflict, until you put the right infrastructure in place.

Brad Halcrow

May 29, 2026

Case Studies

How J-Tech Systems Supercharged Estimating and Quoting

Scaling a business in the trades isn’t just about winning more projects—it’s about smart decisions & smart systems. Enter Groundplan & Simpro.

Brad Halcrow

May 18, 2026

Case Studies

Profit Visibility: The Key to Keeping Cool

The end of a project should be cause for celebration. Instead, one significant question often remains unanswered even after all those weeks of physical labor: "Did I actually make money on this job?"

Brad Halcrow

March 31, 2026

Case Studies

The Ultimate Toolkit for an Electrical Business to Thrive

No integration is more popular than our connection to Simpro. But how does it actually benefit your workflow?

Exclusive Discount – 1 Day Online Trades Business workshop with Profitable Tradie

We’ve been given an exclusive $150 discount for Groundplan members to attend the 1-Day Online Workshop “How To Grow Your Profits & Take Control Of Your Trades Business”

Groundplan

September 1, 2020

General

Groundplan Software updates (17 August 2020)

Plan Compare gives you the option to compare a plan to a previous revision or another plan in the project. While comparing plans, you can count, measure, annotate, and select items as usual.

Groundplan

August 18, 2020

General

Groundplan Software updates (12 March 2020)

We've been working hard to make taking off plans a whole lot easier! While we've kept the basics the same, you'll now have an easier time selecting, moving and editing your measurements.

Groundplan

March 11, 2020

General

How to avoid the pitfalls of measuring and pricing for tenders manually

There are several common mistakes made when tendering for construction projects which can harm the chances of the bid being successful.

Groundplan

October 8, 2019

General

Groundplan & AroFlo: The estimating process is complete

Groundplan and AroFlo have teamed up to make your entire job estimating process a breeze. The partnership between these 2 industry-leaders is the bridge that crosses the great estimating divide.

Groundplan

January 9, 2019

General

General

Effective Marketing Strategies for Service-Based Trade Businesses in 2023

Four Simple Ingredients to Increase Referrals

Create a Lightspeed Connection Between Groundplan and Intuit Quickbooks

Turn Hours Into Seconds with Count Assist

Give Your Estimate The Visual Flair It Deserves

Just how fast is Count Assist

How to Approach Your Next Tender to Maximise The Chances of Winning

Reduce Wastage using Pinpoint Digital Detail

Reduce Wastage On-Site using Increased Accuracy in the Office

Superuser Series: Significant Groundplan Features released in 2021

Build Your Skills with our Free Groundplan & Xero Superuser Webinar

Get more from your Groundplan & AroFlo integration with our Superuser webinar

Groundplan & simPRO Superuser webinar

Superuser Series Part 5: Project and Take-off Templates

Superuser Series Part 4: Worksheets and Quantities

Superuser Series Part 3: Designing Plans and Editing Tools

Superuser Series Part 2: Taking Off Plans

Superuser Part 1: Setup and Creating Projects

PDF Plans vs Paper Plans: Why It's Time to Make the Switch

How to Scale a Trade Business by Plugging Profit Leaks

Recently released updates we think you're going to love

Spreadsheets vs Estimating Software: When It's Time to Switch

Construction Quotes That Win More Jobs: Templates, Tips and Best Practices

Markup vs Margin: The Guide Every Contractor Needs to Read

The Complete Guide to Electrical Estimating: Best Practices for Sparkies

Two Big Improvements to the Groundplan Fergus Integration

What is Takeoff Software and How Has it Changed Construction Estimating?

Episode 5: How Groundplan brings remote teams together

Episode 4: Getting the Project Manager onboard

Episode 3: Documentation for the builder

Episode 2: From Tendering to Walk Through Stage

Episode 1: Keeping Your Projects Organised

When day spills into night, something’s gotta give

How J-Tech Systems Supercharged Estimating and Quoting

Profit Visibility: The Key to Keeping Cool

The Ultimate Toolkit for an Electrical Business to Thrive

Exclusive Discount – 1 Day Online Trades Business workshop with Profitable Tradie

Groundplan Software updates (17 August 2020)

Groundplan Software updates (12 March 2020)

How to avoid the pitfalls of measuring and pricing for tenders manually

Groundplan & AroFlo: The estimating process is complete

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