Despite the expansion of the construction sector over recent decades, initiating projects often poses significant challenges.
What contributes to this? One significant issue is the protracted permits and entitlements procedure—a critical yet exasperating aspect of construction marked by governmental inefficiencies that can bring projects to a standstill.
Enter Eric Owusu Sekyere’s Brace. Brace is an innovative data platform designed to streamline some of the most labor-intensive elements of new construction by collecting and structuring permit information, assisting builders with their application submissions, and aligning businesses with construction opportunities that suit their area and expertise.
Local Authorities: The Hindrance to Efficient and Affordable Construction
Navigating regulatory compliance and permits constitutes a major hurdle in the construction domain due to the vast array of regulations that must be adhered to for a successful build. As one of the most stringently regulated industries, construction grapples with constraints spanning from building codes to environmental regulations.
Moreover, the permit acquisition and compliance maintenance process can be both time-intensive and costly, frequently leading to project holdups and escalating expenses. Indeed, inefficiencies and poor documentation are estimated to cost the sector roughly $177 billion each year.
However, many construction firms remain reluctant to embrace new technologies capable of optimizing these processes, ultimately clinging to obsolete systems that isolate information and heighten the potential for mistakes. Consequently, despite the potential of modern construction software to facilitate compliance and documentation management, the industry’s aversion to change allows many organizations to maintain inefficient workflows.
Yet, visionaries like Eric are convinced that these companies merely require the appropriate solution.
How Brace Facilitates Access to Government Services
With a background in consulting top-tier sales enterprises in Australia and leading data science teams at Fortune 500 firms such as DoorDash, Eric Owusu Sekyere is well-positioned to confront these obstacles.
After departing from DoorDash, he initially crafted tailored sales solutions for professionals across diverse sectors, but after building connections with construction experts, he recognized a significant opportunity to apply his data proficiency in an industry that sorely lacks it. This led to the creation of Brace, a data platform specifically designed for the construction sector, which offers a variety of tools to enhance and expedite a usually lengthy and complicated procedure.
For instance, Brace enables builders to easily input the project’s address and instantly identify the relevant building department to contact.
“It may sound straightforward,” Eric states, “but determining whether to send documents to the city, county, or an unincorporated region can be quite perplexing and result in delays.”
Additionally, Brace equips construction professionals with smart tools that offer insights aimed at keeping schedules tight. “Depending on your county,” Eric explains, “the timeframe for project approval can be quite ambiguous. This is where our data and platform prove invaluable.” For example, if someone wants to build a warehouse in either Phoenix or Tucson, Brace can assist in identifying which location will secure approval more quickly.
By simplifying these procedures, Brace empowers construction professionals to connect with the right government contacts and advance their projects with fewer hassles.
Furthermore, one of Brace’s standout features is its capacity to significantly ease the permit application process. By offering insights into prior permit applications, users gain visibility into what tends to get approved and what doesn’t. The platform also provides real-time suggestions to minimize mistakes and expedite the approval timeline.
Thanks to Brace’s AI-driven search engine designed for non-tech-savvy individuals, users can effortlessly input the permit type, location, and project valuation, gaining access to all necessary project summaries and permitting particulars. This consolidated information assists construction professionals in securing new opportunities and obtaining project approvals with ease.
How Brace Assists Suppliers and Subcontractors in Securing New Work
Brace also enables suppliers to gain an edge by providing early visibility into construction projects that are still in the planning phase, allowing them to engage with architects, engineers, and contractors before construction commences.
“Some projects have detailed schematics,” Eric clarifies, “while for others, there might be just a basic outline of what is being constructed. Our AI model analyzes these descriptions and plans to ascertain the likely materials required.” This allows suppliers to seek out pertinent projects needing their materials and discover the right opportunities.
Similarly, Brace aids subcontractors in finding employment. “For instance, if you’re a roofer seeking residential projects,” Eric adds, “you can use our tool to filter for only residential jobs. From there, you can directly connect with general contractors and begin to establish your foothold.” This positioning makes Brace an excellent resource for new tradespeople eager to develop their business in an industry that can be challenging to penetrate.
Accelerate Your Construction Process with Brace
An overwhelming number of regulations, permit submissions, and the tedious quest for appropriate building departments can render construction projects stagnant. Thankfully, Eric Owusu Sekyere’s Brace offers a savvy, intuitive solution that optimizes project approvals, fosters connections, and stimulates job creation.
Visit Brace for further information on Eric’s platform, and connect with him on LinkedIn for additional insights.
