Standardizing workflows across business units

The Challenge

With nearly $3 billion in annual revenue and more than 1,700 employees spread across multiple business units and 18 regional offices, Big-D Companies is one of the largest and most complex construction firms in the industry. But with that scale came challenges. Each business unit operated with its own processes, making collaboration difficult, financial tracking inconsistent, and trade partner relationships harder to manage. Critical project data was scattered across different systems, slowing down decision-making and leading to inefficiencies in managing contracts, payments, and compliance.

The Solution

Big-D sought a single, unified platform that could streamline communication, provide real-time insights, and create consistency across its diverse operations. By implementing Procore, Big-D established a scalable system that standardized workflows, improved data accuracy, and enhanced collaboration—helping them function as a cohesive, efficient organization despite their geographical and operational diversity.

The Results

• Growth without added overhead by reducing time spent on administrative tasks, allowing Big-D to scale efficiently
• Smarter decision making with real-time access to accurate data enables teams to act faster and more effectively
• Improved coordination through a unified system strengthening communication across all business units

A Unified Vision for a Growing Enterprise

Founded in 1967 by “Big Dee” Livingood, Big-D Companies has evolved into more than just a single company—it’s a network of medium-sized businesses operating under one corporate umbrella. Spanning from California to Minnesota, this top-50 ENR contractor has over 1,700 employees tackling a diverse range of projects, from high-end residential to large-scale industrial and commercial construction.

Managing such a vast and varied enterprise posed challenges in consistency, communication, and efficiency. “It can be quite challenging to make sure that we’re all on the same page,” says Jonathan Gooch, Corporate Controller at Big-D. Each business unit had its own processes, clients, and workflows, making it difficult to function as a truly unified organization.

Big-D needed a solution that could integrate its many moving parts, streamline operations from project management to payments, and serve as a single, reliable source of truth. “We wanted something adaptable—something that could simplify our growing complexity and help us be more successful,” says Chantelle Menlove, Director of Construction Technology.

Determined to find a best-in-class solution for both employees and clients, Big-D implemented Procore’s Project Management suite in 2018, followed by Quality & Safety and eventually Procore Financials. By consolidating all teams and processes into a single platform, Big-D quickly began seeing transformative efficiencies, turning complexity into cohesion.

Unlocking growth without adding staff

Procore transformed how Big-D manages project data, consolidating everything from drawings and RFIs to budgets and subcontracts into a single platform. “Having up-to-the-minute information is a game-changer,” says Gooch. Instead of relying on accounting to pull and clean up reports, project teams now access real-time financial data instantly. “A project executive can log in and trust that the numbers are correct,” he adds. “We don’t have to guess.”

This confidence in data has fueled smarter, more informed decision-making. “Having everything in one place makes us more data-driven,” says Menlove. “Our teams have fully embraced digital transformation, and now we can analyze projects, track trends, and find ways to improve.” Tools like Procore’s Locations feature help identify where issues cluster in a building, allowing teams to focus efforts where they’re needed most.

Perhaps most significantly, Procore has enabled Big-D to scale without increasing staff. As the company’s revenue and project load grew, Procore’s integrated workflows and standardized processes prevented administrative bottlenecks. “We’ve expanded significantly over the past decade,” Gooch explains, “but thanks to Procore, we haven’t had to hire a bunch of extra people to keep up. It’s been huge for our company.”

Improved communication has also strengthened relationships with trade partners and owners. With shared access to real-time project data, everyone can see what’s needed—whether it’s updated insurance, a missing document, or a pay application revision—without endless phone calls and emails. “If a trade partner submits something, multiple engineers can see it instantly,” says Menlove. “Everything is in one place, readily accessible, and aligned with the rest of the project information.” Gone are the days of emailing spreadsheets or faxing pay applications into the void.

A Streamlined Payment Process

The impact of Procore Pay has been nothing short of transformative. “We’ve been searching for a way to pay our trade partners electronically and securely,” says Gooch. “Checks are increasingly unsafe, and fraud is out of control.” Procore Pay not only enables secure electronic payments but also streamlines lien waiver collection—a process once so cumbersome that a business unit leader considered hiring a full-time employee just to manage it.

With Procore Pay, trade partners have full visibility into what’s required for payment. They can verify their insurance, submit lien waivers, and avoid last-minute surprises. “Our goal is to pay our trade partners as quickly as possible,” Gooch emphasizes. “Procore Pay helps us do that. It gives us an end-to-end solution—allowing us to write subcontracts, issue change orders, and process payments all within Procore.” This seamless integration reduces errors, saves time, and fosters stronger relationships with trade partners.

A more data-driven future

For Big-D, adopting Procore wasn’t just about improving processes—it was about transforming how the company operates, collaborates, and grows. By centralizing project management, financials, and communication into a single, trusted platform, Big-D has positioned itself for a more efficient, data-driven future.

With real-time data access, teams can make more informed decisions, reducing guesswork and ensuring that projects stay on schedule and within budget. “We’re no longer reacting to problems after they happen,” says Menlove. “Now, we have the ability to spot trends, identify potential risks early, and take proactive measures to keep projects on track.” Whether it’s tracking project costs, monitoring subcontractor performance, or analyzing historical data to improve future builds, Procore gives Big-D the insights needed to continuously refine its approach.

Looking ahead, Big-D sees even more opportunities to harness data for strategic decision-making. The company is exploring ways to leverage predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation to further optimize operations. “Our industry is evolving, and having the right technology in place gives us the agility to adapt and stay ahead,” says Menlove.

At its core, Big-D’s partnership with Procore represents more than just software adoption—it’s a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. “It’s reassuring to know that at the end of the day, the system is working for us—and that we have a voice in making it even better,” says Menlove. “Procore is not just a tool; it’s a key part of our future.”