🛠️ A Smarter Way to Manage Selections USING CHS:

  • SEND A BID REQUEST WITH A LIST OF ITEMS TO YOUR VENDOR

  • SEND CLIENTS DIRECTLY TO YOUR VENDOR TO MAKE SELECTIONS

  • HAVE YOUR VENDOR SEND YOU A QUOTE (or BID) BASED ON CLIENT SELECTIONS

  • Update THE Items list IN YOUR ESTIMATE - based on the client selections

  • ACCEPT THE VENDOR’s BID BY SENDING A Purchase Order TO YOUR VENDOR

Online selection systems may seem convenient, but they depend on supplier and trade pricing databases that are cumbersome to maintain and quickly outdated. That means inaccurate budgets and frustrated clients.

CHS gives you a better way: send clients directly to vendors for selections and quotes. Builders can create and send a Bid Request to vendors with a clear list of items to bid on—so when the customer arrives, the vendor is prepared. Each bid request can also include links to plans, uploaded documents, or photos, ensuring vendors have the right information from the start.

Why This Works Better Than Online Systems

  • Accurate Costs – Vendors provide real, current quotes tailored to actual materials, finishes, and installation needs.

  • Expert Guidance – Clients benefit from vendor expertise in complex decisions like cabinetry, flooring, and fixtures.

  • Hands-On Experience – Clients see and touch products in showrooms, leading to more confident selections.

  • Customization & Flexibility – Vendors can offer alternatives and special options beyond standardized online menus.

  • Better Communication – Bid requests with plans and specs ensure vendors quote against the correct details.

  • Stronger Relationships – Direct interaction builds trust between clients, vendors, and builders.

  • Smarter Coordination – Dependencies (like flooring thickness affecting door swings) are caught early.

The Efficiency Advantage

With CHS, once vendor quotes are approved, you can issue purchase orders instantly. Clients then log in to review their selections online—streamlining the process, keeping budgets on track, and saving everyone time.

👉 Stop juggling outdated databases—show clients a transparent, efficient process with CHS.

 
 

Advantages of sending custom home customers to vendors and obtaining quotes compared to an online selection system

While online selection systems offer convenience and speed, sending custom home customers to individual vendors for selections and quotes often works better for custom home builds due to several key advantages: 

1. Accurate and detailed quotes

  • Custom home building involves intricate details and unique preferences that can significantly impact cost.

  • Direct interaction with vendors allows customers to convey their exact vision and receive accurate quotes that reflect the specifics of their desired materials and finishes.

  • Vendors can account for the exact quantity, quality, and installation requirements, providing more reliable cost estimates compared to online systems that may rely on standardized pricing or broader allowances. 

2. Personalized expertise and guidance

  • Vendors specialize in their specific product areas and can offer valuable insights and recommendations based on their expertise, guiding customers toward choices that align with their style, budget, and functional needs.

  • This personalized guidance can be crucial for complex selections like flooring, cabinetry, or fixtures, where material choices and installation methods significantly affect the final outcome. 

3. Physical experience with materials

  • Online selections can be limiting when it comes to experiencing the tactile qualities of materials like textures, colors, and finishes.

  • Visiting vendor showrooms allows customers to see and feel the materials firsthand, ensuring they make informed decisions that meet their aesthetic and functional preferences. 

4. Enhanced customization and flexibility

  • Custom home builds thrive on the ability to tailor every aspect of the home.

  • Direct interaction with vendors allows customers to explore a wider range of options and negotiate potential customizations that might not be available or easily accessible through a standardized online system. 

5. Building trust and relationships

  • Working directly with vendors helps foster a sense of trust and collaboration, which can be invaluable throughout the custom home building journey.

  • Open communication and the ability to address questions and concerns in person contribute to a positive customer experience. 

6. Addressing complex dependencies

  • Custom home selections often have interconnected dependencies (e.g., flooring affecting foundation height) that may not be easily discernible through online systems.

  • Vendors and builders can work together to address these complexities, ensuring that selections are coordinated and compatible, minimizing potential issues or delays during construction. 

While online selection systems can be helpful for initial exploration or managing smaller selections, the unique nature of custom home building often necessitates a more personalized approach that prioritizes direct vendor interaction, detailed quotes, and expert guidance to ensure customer satisfaction and project success.

CHSSupport@chsontheweb.com