Why This Matters to Distributors: Richards Building Supply is developing software to connect contractors’ insurance estimates, project revisions, and material pricing. The pilot extends the distributor’s services into the administrative work surrounding storm restoration projects while giving contractors a role in shaping the tools.
Richards Building Supply is recruiting contractors to help develop and test software tools for insurance restoration work, with releases planned for the first through third quarters of 2027.
The Homer Glen, Illinois-based building materials distributor announced the pilot program Nov. 13. It is seeking roofing, siding, window, and door contractors who handle storm damage and insurance-related repairs to evaluate planned additions to its RBS CRM customer relationship management platform.
The proposed tools would help contractors import insurance adjuster estimates, revise project scopes, track requests for additional claim payments and update material orders as projects change. Participation is free, with no enrollment deadline or limit on the number of contractors who can join.
Richards plans to add artificial intelligence-assisted imports of Xactimate estimating files, using EagleView measurements to update quantities. The tools would allow contractors to bring insurers’ descriptions of covered work into the platform without manually reentering the information.
Other planned features include automated price books that populate estimates with current Richards material prices and tools to revise estimates as claims develop. The company also plans an AI estimate builder incorporating Xactimate line items and an AI assistant within the platform.
The proposed additions extend beyond estimating and claims administration. Richards plans weather and hail maps, tools to help contractors canvass storm-affected neighborhoods and the ability to generate estimates for multiple properties at once.
The development plans also include siding estimates, window and door counts, and integrated email and calendars to keep communications with homeowners, adjusters, and crews within job records.
Richards said the features remain subject to development and testing. Their availability, scope and release dates are not guaranteed.
“Our goal is to help contractors spend less time moving information between systems and more time managing their jobs,” said Ronald M. Guzior, president and CEO of Richards Building Supply. “This pilot gives contractors a direct opportunity to show us where the process gets difficult and help shape tools that fit the way they work.”
Participants will receive priority onboarding and timely access to features as they become available. Through calls and on-site visits, they will help Richards identify problems in their processes, from initial inspections through final requests for additional claim payments.
Richards said eligibility, onboarding arrangements and access to individual features will be confirmed before participation. Any applicable third-party service costs will be identified separately.
The pilot would expand RBS CRM’s existing capabilities. The platform currently provides Richards customers with tools for proposals, material estimating, lead management, financing, project management, scheduling, invoicing, and homeowner communications, according to the company. It also includes IKO and Westlake templates and embedded EagleView measurement tools.
Founded in 1978, Richards is a family-owned wholesale building materials distributor with more than 60 branches across 16 states. It serves contractors, builders, remodelers, and restoration companies, supplying roofing, siding, windows, doors, and other building products.
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