Specify Hub, filling the gap between builders and homeowners
My client had worked in the building industry for years, both on the builder and client side. She saw over and over again the delays and frustration caused when communicating fittings and fixtures between client, trades and builders.
She saw an opportunity to streamline this process with an easy to use mobile app. A single source of truth for any renovation or new build.
My challenge was to work cost effectively to produce a scalable outcome that captured the complexity of the project management tool. The client wanted to build an MVP and at the same time the developer wanted to see the big picture so he could structure the code for future releases.
Working closely with the client and lead developer at Southern Mobile I led a lean process of discovery, wireframes, validation, brand and iterative hi-fidelity mockups.
Validating the concept
Over two working sessions the founder and I collaborated to explore the concept and create basic wireframes. Then we did a detailed walk through with the developer so he could assess the app’s build-ability and scope the project.
Some ideas didn’t make the cut. Mood boards and product libraries would delay launch. A desktop app would be extremely useful but would have to wait as would costing items and tracking budgets.
Good news! The concept fit the mobile app criteria. The plan was to build the simplest version and introduce more complex features down the track.
Creating the brand
The founder and I worked closely on naming the business. Visualising the brand helped the founder solidify her idea and take it from a concept to a legitimate business.
UI kit
Identifying users, permissions and onboarding pathways
We identified four potential user type and power user was the builder. Builders set up the project and detailed exactly what they needed and clients added every item needed before the build began.
Ideally, builders would use the app for multiple projects, recommend it to clients and require trades use it. They pay the subscription and invite clients and trades to join the team.
Bringing it all together
Through an iterative process of collaboration, design, prototype and feedback I brought the wireframes through to high fidelity designs Figma.
Imagine your a builder…
You have multiple jobs on and a new client has just signed off and is ready to move forward. We wanted the process of setting a new project to be something you could do one handed on smoko but not so simple that you loose valuable details.
Clients add selections
Adding fittings and fixtures via urls is the simplest way for clients to specify products. The problem is that not every site has the same metadata associated and plugging into individual suppliers APIs was a lot more work. We accounted for this by pulling in as much info as possible automatically and asking the client to fill in the outstanding detail. The most complex product was tiles so we worked backwards from there.
Contextual plus button
In different areas the plus button give you different options.
Outcome
After almost a year in development the app was released to the App Store and Google Play early 2024.
Being a lean process I wasn’t involved during the build phase but hope to chime back in with UI and UX fixes. There are a lot of potential improvements and I hope there is the opportunity to capture feedback and do more formal testing and iterations in the future.
“I’m so incredibly appreciative of everything you’ve done. Seeing a vision come to life is so great and you’ve been so integral in that above and beyond my original expectations.”
Bree, founder Specify Hub
