Managing Documents in HomeBuilder
Your Complete Guide to Attachments and Categories
Learn how to organize vendor contracts, insurance certificates, and price lists in HomeBuilder’s document management system. This guide walks you through uploading files, creating custom categories, and setting up Azure BLOB storage for future vendor portal access.
Managing documentation across multiple vendors and phases can quickly become chaotic. HomeBuilder’s document management system gives you the tools to organize everything from price lists to insurance certificates—and retrieve them when you need them.
What You’ll Learn
Setting Up Document Categories
You can create custom categories that make sense for your business. Need to track insurance documents? Set up an “Insurance” category with a “Certificate of Insurance” type. Want to organize vendor pricing? Create a “Prices” category. You decide where these categories appear—vendor contracts, phases, lots, or all three.
Uploading and Categorizing Files
When you attach a document to a vendor contract, you’re not just storing a file—you’re building a searchable system. Upload a price list from a vendor, categorize it as “Prices,” and you can instantly see all pricing documents across your entire operation. The category and type fields turn random attachments into organized information.
Finding Documents Quickly
Instead of clicking through vendor contracts hoping to find that insurance certificate, you can search by category. Go to Home Builder Setup > Document Management, select your category, and see every document of that type—with details about where it’s stored and what it contains.
Choosing Your Storage Location
You can store documents directly in Business Central’s database or set up Azure BLOB storage. Azure storage is inexpensive and required if you plan to use HomeBuilder’s vendor portal later. Your IT provider can help you configure this, and the setup only takes a few minutes.
Tracking Unclassified Documents
The Builder Documents page shows you every file in your system—including ones people uploaded but never categorized. This helps you maintain data quality and ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
Why This Matters
When your vendor sends an updated price list or insurance renewal, you need to track it somewhere. HomeBuilder’s document system ensures you can find that information months later when questions arise. You’ll know exactly which prices applied to which phase, when certificates expire, and where to find the original documents.
Getting Started
Start with categories you know you’ll need—insurance, pricing, and contracts are common choices. Upload a few test documents to see how the system works. Once you’re comfortable, expand to other document types your team needs to track.
The key is consistency. When everyone on your team categorizes documents the same way, you build a reliable system that actually helps you find information instead of hiding it.
HomeBuilder by Suite Engine
HomeBuilder is a comprehensive software solution designed specifically for residential production builders. Developed by Suite Engine, it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to provide modern and secure construction management capabilities.
Key Features of HomeBuilder:
- Phase, Model, and Lot Management:
- Efficiently manage construction phases, models, and lots.
- Track vendor contracts and control budgets directly from the system.
- Budget Control and Reporting:
- Monitor budget-to-actual reporting.
- Manage model and lot pricing, as well as installment payments.
- Purchaser and Contact Management:
- Handle lot closing dates and sales status.
- Automate closing adjustments.
- Décor Center:
- Pre-determined color chart selections with visual aids.
- Invoice purchasers or include selections in closing adjustments.
- Warranty and Inspections:
- Create service issues and work orders for trades.
- Track work order progress and generate reports.
- Integration and Automation:
- Fully integrated reporting and financials.
- Natively integrates with the Microsoft stack, such as Power Automate, Power BI, and more.
Benefits of Using HomeBuilder:
- Enhanced Financial Visibility: Provides detailed financial reporting and control over costs.
- Improved Efficiency: Streamlines processes and keeps operations organized.
- Mobile Accessibility: Accessible on PC, tablet, or phone, allowing for flexibility and remote management.
- Customer and Vendor Satisfaction: Offers portals for contractors and home buyers to access relevant data, improving communication and satisfaction.
HomeBuilder is designed for residential builders who construct 30-150 units per build cycle, making it suitable for townhouses and condominiums. By automating and streamlining day-to-day operations, HomeBuilder helps residential developers manage their businesses more effectively and professionally.
HomeBuilder is Modern and Secure Software for Production Builders | Built within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
- Learn more about HomeBuilder.
- Get the App on Microsoft AppSource today, or request a personalized demo!
- Get going in no time with our HomeBuilder ‘How-To’ videos
