Why We Built Our Own Construction Software: Introducing Builder Base
- Corey Brown
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Table of Contents
1. The Problem with "Industry Standard" Software
At Kiwi Built, we have a simple philosophy: if a tool isn't doing the job, you find a better one.
If a better one doesn't exist, you build it.
For years, we relied on the so-called "gold standard" of construction management software.
We paid nearly $14,000 a year for a platform that promised to handle everything from scheduling to financials. But the reality was frustration.
The software was clunky, over-complicated, and fundamentally didn't understand how a modern, transparent New Zealand building company operates.
We found ourselves fighting the software rather than using it.
Instead of streamlining our work, it was creating administrative roadblocks.
So, we made a bold decision.
We stopped renting our tools and built our own.
2. The "Open Book" Nightmare: Why We Left Our Old Software
The breaking point for us was Open Book contracts. An Open Book contract is based on trust. The client pays the actual cost of materials and labor, plus an agreed margin. To work, it requires total clarity.
The old software claimed to support this, but in practice, it was a mess. It had a major flaw: it couldn't easily distinguish between the Internal Cost (what we pay a staff member) and the Charge-Out Rate (what the client pays).
To make the client's budget look correct, we had to "manipulate" the system—entering the client's charge-out rate as the "cost."
But this broke our own internal budgeting, meaning we lost visibility on our actual margins.
Conversely, if we entered our true costs, the system would show those private figures to the client, which isn't how business works.
We were forced to use "plaster-fix" workarounds just to do our job.
That wasn't good enough for us, and it wasn't good enough for our clients.
3. Introducing Builder Base: Built by Builders, For Builders
Over the last few months, the Kiwi Built team has been developing our own proprietary software solution: Builder Base.
Builder Base is a cloud-based project management platform designed specifically for the New Zealand construction market.
It is built on a modern tech stack (Next.js and Firestore), meaning it is fast, mobile-friendly, and capable of real-time data syncing.
We didn't just want a digital timesheet. We wanted a central brain for our business that handled everything from lead generation to the final invoice, without the bloat and confusion of the legacy systems.
4. The Game Changer: Dual-Layer Financial Tracking
The crown jewel of Builder Base is how it handles financials. We fixed the problem that the billion-dollar software companies couldn't.
How It Works: Builder Base utilizes a Dual-Layer Budgeting System.
The Company View: We see the true cost of every hour worked, allowing us to track internal profitability and staff costs with 100% accuracy.
The Client View: The client sees the agreed Charge-Out Rate as per their contract.
There is no manipulation. No "fudging" the numbers.
Both budgets are mathematically correct and live-updated.
This means when a client logs into their portal, they see a transparent, accurate reflection of their spend—and we retain a transparent, accurate reflection of our business health.
5. Key Features for Our Clients
While the backend is powerful, the client experience is where Builder Base truly shines.
When you build with Kiwi Built, you get access to a dedicated Client Portal that puts you in control.
Real-Time Site Diaries: No more wondering what happened on site today. Our crew logs daily updates with photos directly from their mobile app.
You can see progress from your phone, anywhere in the world.
Live Financial Dashboard: Track your build cost in real-time. See invoices, approve variations, and monitor the budget without waiting for end-of-month spreadsheets.
Document Hub: All your warranties, plans, and council documents are stored in one searchable, secure place.
6. The Future of Construction Tech in NZ
Innovation doesn't stop at framing and foundations.
By leveraging AI-powered estimating and automated workflows, Builder Base allows us to run a leaner, more efficient business.
We aren't wasting hours on admin or paying exorbitant software subscription fees—savings that ultimately benefit our clients.
Builder Base is proof that the best solutions often come from the people on the ground, not Silicon Valley.
We are proud to be leading the way in construction technology in Wellington.
A Note for Our Industry Colleagues: Since we started talking about Builder Base, we’ve had a lot of interest from other construction companies asking if they can use it too. The answer is yes—we built this as a multi-company platform from day one. However, we are currently in a closed testing phase to ensure it is perfect before we roll it out widely. We are onboarding a small number of new companies each month. If you are tired of the current industry options and want to see what we’re building, follow us on social media for updates on the next intake.