Case study · Custom app
Two hours back on every report: a custom inspection app for Tradies United
Tradies United Building Services inspects and repairs defects and water leaks in strata buildings and units across Sydney. I built them an app that turns a technician's photos and notes into a finished, branded report in one tap.
- Client: Tradies United Building Services
- Industry: building maintenance
- Result: around 2 hours saved on every report (Tradies United's own estimate)
At a glance
- Client
- Tradies United Building Services, Sydney
- Industry
- Building maintenance: defects and water leaks in strata buildings and units
- Services
- Custom app development and report automation
- Runs on
- iPhone, Android, iPad and desktop
- Report types
- Inspection, quotation and job completion
The challenge
After each job, the technician sent rough notes and photos to the office. Someone in the office then had to sit at a computer, open Word, type in the customer and site details, paste in the notes and insert every photo by hand.
That was around two hours of admin for every report, before it could be sent to the customer.
What I built
I built the app on the systems Tradies United already used, so there was no new platform to learn.
Made for the phone
A mobile first app that works on iPhone, Android, iPad and desktop.
Client, building and unit
The technician picks the client, building and unit, and can add a new unit on site.
Photos and videos
Photos are taken with captions. Site videos upload straight from the phone's library, several at once.
Works with poor signal
Drafts can be saved on the device and synced later.
Optional AI write up
The app can draft the defect write up with AI. The technician always reviews it.
Branded PDF in one tap
One tap creates a branded PDF with all the details, the photos, and links to the original photos and videos. It's emailed from the company's own address, with CC and BCC.
Three report types
Inspection Report, Quotation (scope of works, with pricing sent separately) and Job Completion Report, all from the same template.
Admin area
The office manages staff, clients, buildings and units in one place.
Their data stays theirs
All data stays in the client's own accounts.
Inside the app
The results
- Around 2 hours saved per reportRoughly 80% of the time each report used to take.
- Check and sendThe office opens the finished report, makes any small edits and sends it.
- Consistent and brandedEvery report has the same layout and the company's branding, every time.
- Everything in one placeEvery job's photos and videos are stored together.
Time savings are Tradies United's own estimate.
“The app helps us in the preparation of inspection reports, saving time, improving organisation and efficiency, and delivering more professional reports to our clients.”
Built with
- Microsoft Power Apps
- SharePoint
- Power Automate
- Google Gemini AI
Still putting reports together by hand?
If your trades or building services business still types up reports after every job, get in touch. Tell me how reports are done now and I'll show you what an app could take off the office's plate.