Technology and the Homebuilder: An Interview with Jim Irvine of the Conifer Group - Jim Irvine, one the homebuilding industry’s foremost experts, recently sat down with SoftPlan to talk about the issue of technology and the homebuilder. Jim has served as the president of the NAHB, worked on the visiting committee for the Harvard School of Design, is an ATA conference speaker, and a writer on new technology, homebuilders, and the value of technology in the modern world. Jim Irvine has been a home builder himself for over 35 years, founding the Conifer Group based in Portland, Oregon.

SoftPlan: Jim how does using SoftPlan benefit homebuilders? Why is integrating technology so important?

Jim Irvine: Well, using SoftPlan helps home builders out in a lot of different areas. From a client perspective, having the ability to show the client  the design in 3D mode…a lot of home buyers know what they want in terms of products but they have a hard time expressing the design and functionality of the house. How a family is utilizing the home is important. For example, if the primary use is child rearing, a home business, entertaining—focusing to maximize utility keeps the cost of the home down. We try to keep the design distinct to how they’re going to use the house. You can only get that connection with the 3D.
 
SoftPlan: So 3D is important to the client. What other areas does SoftPlan help the process?

Jim Irvine: From a warranty perspective, we have working drawings of every home. If there’s a product liability issue, we can easily reference these drawings. For management, it helps by being able to call out studs, create framing schedules, and just generally keeping costs down on the job site.

SoftPlan: Those seem like some important reasons to use SoftPlan. How does the program work so well in accomplishing this?

Jim Irvine: The key with SoftPlan is useability...ease using libraries of existing walls, ease of modifying, saving, and duplicating. Everything is very simple and the program allows you to continue to build on that. And, a  simple HD plotter will print out all your plans, or you can just run down to the printer and pick it up.

For the smaller homebuilder you’ll have better control know how a home’s being built. You’ll be able to keep overhead down whether you’re building yourself or working with framer, and you’ll have a clear understanding of how its coming together. In short, I really believe builders should be using this software. It's a tool that's cheaper than a new truck and much more functional.