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4 Hardhats L.L.C.

A collaboration of ideas by the Flint/Saginaw-JATC 4th year class (2020)

Introduction

4 Hardhats LLC (4HH) plans to create a mobile app and website which will connect residential home owners, individuals, or businesses with qualified construction contractors, and provide a centralized platform as a medium of exchange for payments and services.

Challenge

Why is it that a mobile platform for construction trades has not been developed that functions similarly to Uber, GrubHub, or any of the hundreds of platforms that are used for e-commerce? Sites like Angie’s List or Home Advisor may come to mind, but these are actually advertising platforms that simply provide referrals. Several companies have tried to launch sites similar to 4HH, but have been unable to clear two major hurdles. The first major problem is how do you develop a nationwide network of contractors. The second is how do you develop a pricing model based on market rates that vary dramatically from coast to coast. Our company has discovered solutions to these major issues that have been overlooked by the business community as a whole.

For decades the business community has seen organized labor as a burden, to be avoided at all costs. This is where our company is different. 4HH wants to utilize the tools that organized labor provides. Not only can organized labor provide a qualified, trained, and professional workforce, it also provides the tools that other companies have overlooked in the past. Organized labor has already established a nationwide network of contractors and employees, and it can also provide us with market labor rates based on defined geographic areas. By embracing the model of organized labor 4HH will have a tool at our disposal that will make our business successful where others have failed.

Purpose

4HH mobile application and website will utilize geographic collective bargaining agreements (CBA) to determine customer pricing for services in their area. Clients will have the ability to solicit services from contractors through the app and website. Pricing for services will be calculated by the app, and bid on by the contractor based on when they will be available to complete the tasks requested. Contractors will have the ability to define their preferred work area and will be alerted when work orders have been placed. When a service order becomes available, the contractors will bid on it by the time that they will be available for services rather than price. The customers will then be sent a list of contractors, when they will be available, and the contractors satisfaction rating generated from peer reviews. The clients will then be able to determine who will be awarded the work order. Payments will be made through the app or website once the work is completed. Profits will be generated by applying service fees to transactions made through the app.