Every GC has tried to impose software on their subcontractors. Most subs resist, and for good reason: the software is designed for the GC's workflow, and using it creates work for the sub without giving them anything in return. They end up entering their own invoices into someone else's system so that someone else can manage them.
BLT approaches subcontractor management differently. The manager maintains the subcontractor records. Subs don't need accounts to be managed within BLT. But the experience for the sub — in terms of how their work is communicated about, how their invoices are tracked, and how fast their payments are processed — is noticeably better.
Clear Scope Documentation
The subcontractor registry in BLT tracks each sub's approved scope of work — not just "Plumbing" but the specific scope they signed up for. When scope questions arise (and they always do), the manager has the documented scope visible and can attach comments and files to the subcontractor record.
Subs who've worked with BLT-managed builders report that scope disputes are resolved faster because the context is organized. The manager pulls up the subcontractor record, sees the approved scope, sees the comment thread on the disputed work, and has a basis for a conversation instead of a he-said-she-said situation.
Invoice Tracking That Subs Trust
Each subcontractor in BLT has a running financial dashboard: original estimate, total invoiced to date, total paid to date, and remaining. The manager can share this view informally — a screenshot, a quick call walking through the numbers — and the sub can see exactly where they stand.
Subs who work with builders using BLT appreciate knowing that their invoices are being tracked accurately and that payment status is visible. "What's the status of invoice #47?" becomes a question that can be answered in 30 seconds instead of a conversation that requires the manager to dig through email threads.
Faster Payment Processing
Because BLT's weekly settlement workflow includes subcontractor payments alongside PM expenses and labor costs, the manager's payment cycle is more regular than in a manual workflow. Subs who work with organized builders on a consistent weekly payment cycle get paid faster and more predictably than subs working with builders managing finances in a spreadsheet.
The Future: Subcontractor Portal
BLT's Phase 3 roadmap includes a limited subcontractor portal — a view where a sub can log in, see their scope, submit invoices directly, and track payment status without needing the manager to relay information. This eliminates the "what's the status of my invoice" call entirely.
Until then, the current model — where the manager maintains records and the sub benefits from better-organized information — already represents a significant improvement over the informal tracking most small builders use today.