Builder of the Year - BUILDER magazine’s, prestigious “Builder of the Year” has been awarded to SoftPlan user, The Green Co. Chosen for the criteria of “excelling within their market using innovative ideas and adapting to market conditions,” The Green Co. has become recognized for their unique, upscale attached housing developments built to suit both strict area building controls, consumer tastes, and Green building practices.

Green Co. began using SoftPlan more than a decade ago to help restructure the way their business worked. Originally, construction simply reacted to the sales program and market conditions of the time making it difficult to know from week to week how many homes would be built and what was to be included beyond the standards that were offered. This organized confusion became confining to production schedules and the Green. Co. decided to re-organize to an even flow form of building.

Vice President of Construction, Rick Maranhas, set out to find software that would support their new predetermined process and allow them to present and modify their floor plans so that they could accurately communicate between owners, office, and field personnel what was being built. Maranhas says, “In looking at a number of different software programs at the time, I found SoftPlan offered us the most flexibility, shortest learning curve, and was easily modified to our operating style and procedures.” And, SoftPlan’s ability to produce detailed estimates and material quantities was an added bonus.       

Maranhas notes, “SoftPlan simplifies architectural drawings for our homebuyers.” By reproducing specific drawings that isolate the area for which they are making their selections, i.e. kitchens, flooring, electrical, overlay options etc. The drawings are then modified with specific homeowner choices and any special notations, then posted to their Tradepartner website as PDF files for their use and reference.  

Over the last 12 years, a number of employees have learned the program and found the “building intuitive” setup that SoftPlan uses a great format that produces accurate drawings in a very short time. With their increased experience and now working in SoftPlan’s Version 13, Green Co. produces 3D drawings of room interiors, elevations, and more as they are being designed to help visualize the layouts and eliminate re-work.

And The Green Co.’s efforts to streamline their design process have paid off. With a “Builder of the Year” award under their belt, The Green Co. projects are selling well, and they will continue to log a steady margin of growth this year despite a wavering housing market. Looking toward the future, Green Co.’s latest developments cater to empty nesters and feature inventive site planning, mature landscaping, and innovative architectural design.