R_How to Set Up a New Home in Builder Signal
For Builder Admins setting up new homes in Builder Signal, so App Users can send updates to homeowners.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Log into the Builder Signal Dashboard as a Builder Admin
Ensure you’re logged into the web application with your admin credentials. Only Builder Admins can add new homes and edit existing homes. - Navigate to the Home Management Page
Go to the drop-down Menu in the upper-right hand corner of the screen and click Homes. - Click 'Add Home' in top left of the page
- Assign the Homeowner to the Home (optional)
Select the Homeowner from the drop-down menu, if there is one. The email address associated with that Homeowner, as configured in the setup of the Homeowner User, will receive the email notifications when updates are sent. If the Homeowner is not listed in the drop-down, see our article, How to Set Up and Manage Users in Builder Signal.
The Homeowner field is optional so builders can make updates for their inventory homes. Many use the Builder Signal website link for inventory homes in their marketing efforts. They can then later share the link with the Homeowner once the home is purchased so the Homeowner can experience the construction of their home from start-to-finish. - App User (required)
Assign the Builder App User to the home for making updates (e.g., the construction manager, sales agent, project manager, etc.). Multiple App Users can be assigned to make updates to the same home. If the App User is not listed in the drop-down, see our article, How to Set Up and Manage Users in Builder Signal.
You will not be able to save the Home without assigning an App User. Be sure to create Users before Homes. A helpful way to think of it is that people build homes - add Users (people) before adding Homes. - Enter Home Details
Fill in the home information:
• Home Address. Address 1 (required). Address 2 (optional). Some builders use Address 1 for the street address and Address 2 for community/lot information, or vice versa, depending on your process. The address field(s) entered will be displayed on the Homeowner Website and the App User's list of homes.
• City and State (required)
• Zip Code (optional)
• Community (optional). If you are not seeing the Community in the drop-down menu, see our article, How to Add and Edit Communities in Builder Signal. - Upload Elevation Image (optional)
An image uploaded here will appear on the Homeowner's website. This can be a rendering of the home elevation, a photo of the buyers at contract signing, or any other imagine specific to that Homeowner. If no image is uploaded, the default image assigned by the builder will be displayed. That image can be found at Menu > Settings > Branding. - Additional Email Recipients
Use the Additional Email Recipients field to add any people, other than the Homeowner, that would appreciate receiving construction updates for the home. These Additional Email Recipients will receive the same email notifications when updates are made, just like the Homeowner. Other interested parties frequently included are spouses, partners, relatives, Realtors, and even internal builder staff. - Site slug (URL)
The Site Slug is the unique URL for the Homeowner Website. It will be displayed in their web browser when they click on the link to view their updates. By default, the Site Slug (URL) uses the value entered in the Address 1 field. It can be personalized by entering a unique value of your own choosing. - Construction Status
The Construction Status setting controls a line of copy that displays on the home's website, "Coming soon to CITY " (per the City field in the home details). Builders with inventory homes often prefer having the "Coming Soon to CITY" designation displayed on the website. By default, the "Coming Soon" message is displayed. To remove it, select "Construction Complete." - Home Status
The status is Active by default. You should only Archive homes once construction is complete and you no longer need to post updates to the home. The Homeowner will still have access to their website even once the home is in Archived status. - Review and Confirm
Double-check all the information you’ve entered. Make sure the app user, home details and additional email recipient addresses are accurate before confirming the new home entry. - Submit and Finish
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Submit to complete the setup process. The home will now be added to the system and app users will see the new home in the list of homes assigned to them so they can begin to send updates.
Common Issues:
- Can’t Find the ‘Add New Home’ Button?
Make sure you have the correct Builder Admin permissions. Only Builder Admins can add new homes. - Can't Find the App User in the Drop-Down Menu?
Assigning an App User is a requirement in the Add Home process. Be sure to create user(s) before adding a home. To add a New User, see the article: How to Set Up and Manage Builder Users in Builder Signal. - Homeowners Not Receiving Updates?
Review the email addresses for the Homeowner in User Setup, and the Additional Email Recipients fields. If email addresses are entered incorrectly, they won’t receive update notifications. Also, have Homeowners and Additional Email Recipients check their Junk/Spam folders.
Next Steps:
Besides setting-up Homes, you must also configure Users and Building Phases to begin making updates. See our articles:
How to Set Up and Manage Users in Builder Signal
How to Add and Edit Building Phases
Learn more about how to send updates in our articles, How to Send Updates in Builder Signal:
For Builder Admins Using the Web Version