Build vs Buy
The strategic decision between building custom software for specific operational needs versus purchasing off-the-shelf or SaaS solutions. The decision depends on workflow complexity, competitive advantage, and long-term operational goals.
Why It Matters in Construction
Most contractors default to buying without evaluating whether purchased software actually fits their workflows. The build vs buy decision should be driven by process analysis, not vendor marketing.
Common Examples
- Buying SaaS for commodity functions like email and file storage while building custom for core operations.
- Evaluating whether a platform's configuration options can truly match company-specific approval workflows.
- Calculating total cost of ownership including workarounds, integrations, and productivity loss from poor fit.