Buildiro launches a same-day delivery service for London-based tradespeople sourcing tools and materials from local builders’ merchants.
Buildiro, positioning itself as “the world’s first mobile app for materials procurement” and launched in London in September 2019, is introducing a new service on Monday 20 January 2020, just under a year since the startup launched its prototype app (February 2019 post). Buildiro Direct will deliver crucial, small, missing items to tradespeople within London, offering a 0.5% discount off every purchase via a points collection system and free courier returns.
Having solved one problem – knowing merchants’ stock availability (helping tradespeople become more productive and merchants build better trade customer relations) – Buildiro is now seeking to resolve another pain point: discovering missing items that threaten to hold up jobs.
Buildiro Direct: 90-minute or same-day delivery
Buildiro Direct will deliver from a list of over 20,000 items held on the Buildiro app whether that’s a tool, cable or valve, items that are necessary for the smooth running of jobs. Tradespeople can select from either the 90-minute or same-day delivery option which will run every day (including Bank Holidays) from 7.30am to 6.30pm on items which will typically be under 12kg in weight and fit on a motorbike or small van.
Michael Strnadel at LM Solutions London Ltd has been trialling Buildiro Direct in beta, and said:
“With Buildiro Direct I don’t need to leave the job I’m on any more as I can get what I need delivered within 90 minutes! On top of that, the e-invoicing system is just amazing, my accountant is now connected to my Buildiro account so I don’t have to worry about invoices at all because it’s all automated.”
This app enhancement comes on the back of substantial investment in the app from investors who became aware of Buildiro’s UK success. Luke Polach, CEO and founder, says: “We’re pleased with progress to date – tradespeople have told us that they are saving time and money in their search for supplies and, as a result, have widened the list of merchants they know and use. The trade has been crying out for innovation, “we need an UberEats or Deliveroo for the building trade”, and we are delighted to have delivered.”
Polach says that tradespeople will continue to use Buildiro to source all key supplies faster, more cost-effectively, reducing time wasted spent driving to merchants to source items: “The new enhancement will help in the day-to-day smooth running of jobs on site as a small, one-off requirement can be even more time-consuming than sourcing larger items if it puts a job on hold.”
At the same time Buildiro is reminding UK users of its e-invoicing option which can be linked to any accounting software which saves merchants’ time and helps their customers to seamlessly comply with the UK’s Making Tax Digital scheme.
The Buildiro app was developed in-house and runs on the Google Cloud Platform, where data is secured and protected. It is available from the Google Play and Apple app stores and is currently expanding its list of merchants. Fast, same-day delivery will cost £6.90 and the 90-minute delivery option will cost £14.90. Buildiro’s reach will be extended to other cities “soon”.
