Real-world applications across 20+ industries
Overview #
Submittal & Spec Sheet Builder was originally designed for construction submittal packets, but it solves a broader problem affecting any B2B business with complex product catalogs.
Two Core Problems We Solve #
Problem 1: Time-Consuming Documentation
Many businesses spend excessive time creating product documentation:
- Sales teams manually creating spec sheets (2-3 hours each)
- Contractors building submittal packets for every project
- Engineers compiling product data for permits and approvals
- Distributors answering “what products do you have?” calls repeatedly
Problem 2: Large Catalogs That Don’t Fit on Websites
Businesses with extensive inventories face unique challenges:
- 500-10,000+ SKUs that can’t all be listed on product pages
- Complex hierarchies (categories → products → types → models)
- Technical specifications needed for project planning
- No self-service option for customers to browse and select
Our Solution #
Turn your product catalog into an interactive builder where customers:
- Browse your full inventory
- Select exactly what they need
- Generate professional PDF spec sheets
- You capture their contact info before download
Primary Market: Construction & Building #
What is a Submittal Packet? #
Construction professionals need to create submittal packets for general contractors, architects, and building inspectors. A submittal packet is a collection of product specification sheets required for:
- Building permits
- Code compliance
- Architect approval
- Project documentation
Time saved: From 2-3 hours per submittal to 5 minutes with automation.
Construction Industries #
Metal Framing Contractors #
Typical Products:
- C-studs, track, hat channel, furring
- Cold-formed steel framing
- Load-bearing and non-load-bearing studs
Pain Point:
Creating submittal packets manually for every commercial project. Each packet includes 10-30 product spec sheets with ASTM ratings, load tables, and certifications.
How the Plugin Helps:
- Organize catalog by gauge and flange size
- Generate branded PDFs with automatic table of contents
- Include load ratings and certifications automatically
- Reuse selections for similar projects
Typical Users: Drywall and framing subcontractors
HVAC Contractors #
Typical Products:
- Air handlers, condensers, ductwork
- Thermostats, controls, registers
- Refrigeration equipment
Pain Point:
Building inspectors require detailed equipment specifications for permits. Architects need submittal data for construction documents.
How the Plugin Helps:
- Filter by BTU rating, CFM, SEER rating
- Include energy efficiency documentation
- Generate equipment schedules
- Track which general contractors request which equipment
Typical Users: HVAC installers and mechanical contractors
Electrical Contractors #
Typical Products:
- Panel schedules, circuit breakers
- Transformers, switches, wire
- Lighting fixtures, controls
Pain Point:
Code compliance requires detailed electrical specs (voltage, amperage, phase, UL listings) for every component.
How the Plugin Helps:
- Organize by voltage and amperage
- Include NEC code references
- Generate material lists for permits
- Track repeat customers by project type
Typical Users: Electrical contractors and installers
Plumbing Contractors #
Typical Products:
- Valves, pipe, fittings
- Fixtures (toilets, sinks, faucets)
- Water heaters, pumps
Pain Point:
Architects need fixture cut sheets. Inspectors need pressure ratings and certifications.
How the Plugin Helps:
- Filter by size, pressure rating, material
- Include certifications (NSF, lead-free compliance)
- Generate plumbing schedules
- Create fixture schedules for architects
Typical Users: Plumbing contractors and mechanical engineers
Expanded Markets: Complex Product Catalogs #
Who Should Use This Plugin? #
If you have a massive inventory that can’t all fit on your website, this plugin creates a browsable, searchable catalog where customers build their own spec sheets.
Key indicators you’re a good fit:
✅ 500+ products or SKUs
✅ Technical specifications matter (not just pretty photos)
✅ B2B customers (contractors, facilities, designers, engineers)
✅ Customers need documentation for projects or compliance
✅ Sales team wastes time creating custom spec sheets
✅ You want to capture leads before they download specs
Industry-Specific Applications #
Landscape & Hardscape Supplies #
Typical Products: Pavers, stone, gravel, retaining walls, edging, drainage
Pain Point:
“We stock 2,000+ hardscape products. Our website can’t show everything. Customers call asking ‘what pavers do you have in 12×12 gray?’ all day.”
Solution:
- Customers browse full catalog by size, color, material
- Select products for their project
- Download spec sheet with dimensions, colors, installation specs
- You capture lead info (name, email, project type)
Results: 80% reduction in “what do you have?” calls. Know which products customers are considering before they call.
Fasteners & Hardware Distributors #
Typical Products: Bolts, screws, nuts, washers, anchors in every size/material/grade
Pain Point:
“We have 15,000 SKUs. Engineers need exact specifications (grade, thread pitch, load rating) but can’t find them on our website.”
Solution:
- Organize by type → material → size → grade
- Include torque specs, load ratings, certifications
- Generate custom hardware schedules
- Track which customers need which fastener types
Results: 70% reduction in spec request emails. Engineers find specs at 2am without calling.
Kitchen & Bath Showrooms #
Typical Products: Faucets, sinks, tile, vanities, shower systems
Pain Point:
“Designers visit our showroom, take notes, then we manually create spec sheets for their contractors. Takes 45 minutes per project.”
Solution:
- Designers select products during client meetings
- Generate spec sheet with finish samples, dimensions, SKUs
- Email PDF to client and contractor
- Track which products are most popular with designers
Results: Time per spec sheet reduced from 45 minutes to 3 minutes. Designers appreciate the ease and specify your products more often.
Flooring Distributors #
Typical Products: Carpet, tile, hardwood, LVP, underlayment
Pain Point:
“Hundreds of flooring options with different wear ratings, warranties, installation methods. Contractors can’t keep track.”
Solution:
- Filter by room type, traffic level, aesthetic
- Include wear ratings, warranty info, maintenance
- Generate floor plans with product selections
- Capture leads from architects and designers
Results: Pre-qualify projects before showroom visit. Sales team focuses on serious buyers.
Industrial Plastics & Materials #
Typical Products: Sheet goods, rods, tubes (acrylic, polycarbonate, HDPE, etc.)
Pain Point:
“Engineers need material specs (chemical resistance, UV stability, food-safe certification) but our PDF library is scattered.”
Solution:
- Organize by material → thickness → size
- Include chemical resistance charts, certifications
- Generate material specs for fabrication shops
- Track which industries use which materials
Results: Engineers spec materials without sales calls. Self-service improves customer experience.
Restaurant Equipment Suppliers #
Typical Products: Commercial ovens, fryers, refrigeration, prep tables
Pain Point:
“Architects need equipment specs for health department and electrical/gas hookups. We email PDFs back and forth for weeks.”
Solution:
- Filter by kitchen type (QSR, fine dining, institutional)
- Include electrical requirements, BTU ratings, dimensions
- Generate equipment schedules for health department
- NSF certifications and Energy Star ratings included
Results: Architects self-serve instead of waiting for sales rep. Faster project timelines.
Window & Door Manufacturers #
Typical Products: Custom configurations, energy-efficient windows and doors
Pain Point:
Multiple configurations (sizes, glass types, hardware finishes, energy ratings) make it difficult for builders to specify correctly.
Solution:
- Create builder-friendly product selector
- Include energy codes (ENERGY STAR, R-value ratings)
- Generate specs for permit submissions
- Track which window types builders prefer
Results: Builders get accurate specs first try. Fewer callbacks and modifications.
Success Stories #
Metal Framing Contractor: Steeltech Framing Inc. #
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Challenge:
“We bid on 15-20 commercial projects per month. Each submittal packet took 2-3 hours to manually compile. We were drowning in documentation.”
Solution:
Organized 500+ product SKUs into hierarchy. Sales team now generates submittal packets in 5 minutes.
Results:
- Time saved: 30-60 hours per month
- Faster proposals: GCs received submittals same day instead of 2-3 days
- Won more bids: Responsiveness impressed architects
Landscape Distributor: Green Valley Supply #
Location: Denver, CO
Challenge:
“We stock 2,000+ pavers, stone products, and landscape materials. Landscape contractors were calling constantly: ‘Do you have 12×12 gray pavers?’ We couldn’t show everything on our website.”
Solution:
Built searchable catalog. Contractors now browse 24/7, create spec sheets, download PDFs. Lead capture enabled.
Results:
- Call reduction: 75% fewer “what do you have?” calls
- Lead capture: 150+ qualified leads in first 3 months
- Sales efficiency: Sales team focuses on quoting, not product info
Fastener Distributor: Precision Hardware Supply #
Location: Cleveland, OH
Challenge:
“15,000 SKUs. Engineers email us part numbers asking for specs. We’d look up PDFs and email back. Took hours every day.”
Solution:
Imported entire catalog with technical specs. Engineers self-serve 24/7.
Results:
- Email reduction: 60% fewer spec request emails
- Global reach: International customers browse during their work hours
- Lead tracking: Know which companies need which fasteners
Am I a Good Fit? #
Use these questions to determine if this plugin is right for your business:
Product Catalog Questions #
- ✅ Do you have 500+ products or SKUs?
- ✅ Do products have technical specifications that matter?
- ✅ Is it impractical to show all products on your website?
- ✅ Do products have multiple variants (size, material, capacity)?
Customer Questions #
- ✅ Are your customers B2B (businesses, not consumers)?
- ✅ Do customers need spec sheets for projects or compliance?
- ✅ Do customers ask “what products do you have?” frequently?
- ✅ Would customers benefit from browsing your catalog 24/7?
Sales Process Questions #
- ✅ Do sales reps create custom spec sheets manually?
- ✅ Does it take 30+ minutes to create each spec document?
- ✅ Is capturing contact info before download valuable?
- ✅ Do you want to track which products interest which customers?
Scoring:
- 8+ YES answers: This plugin is an excellent fit
- 5-7 YES answers: This plugin will likely help, but may be overkill
- Fewer than 5 YES: You may not need this level of functionality
Industry-Specific Setup Tips #
For Construction Contractors #
Catalog Organization:
Category = Product family (C-Studs, Track, Hat Channel)
Type = Gauge (20 Gauge, 25 Gauge)
Model = Specific dimensions (362S162-20)
Specifications to Include:
- Size, Flange, Thickness, KSI
- ASTM ratings, load tables
- Fire rating, STC rating
Branding:
- Upload company logo
- Set brand color to match company
- Add company info (address, license number)
For Distributors with Large Catalogs #
Catalog Organization:
Category = Product type (Pavers, Stone, Edging)
Product = Material or style (Concrete, Natural Stone)
Type = Size or finish (12×12, Smooth Finish)
Model = Specific SKU with color variants
Specifications to Include:
- Dimensions, weight, coverage per pallet
- Material composition, finish options
- Installation requirements, recommended uses
Lead Capture Strategy:
- Enable lead capture (Pro feature)
- Route landscape contractors vs. homeowners (Agency)
- Set up weekly lead export to CRM
For Equipment Suppliers #
Catalog Organization:
Category = Equipment type (Commercial Ovens, Refrigeration)
Product = Brand or line (Hobart, Southbend)
Type = Capacity or size (6-Burner, 4-Burner)
Model = Specific model number with options
Specifications to Include:
- BTU rating, electrical requirements (voltage, phase, amps)
- Dimensions, weight, clearances
- NSF certification, Energy Star rating
- Warranty, lead time
Documentation Strategy:
- Include installation requirements
- Add spec sheets for health department
- Generate equipment schedules for architects
Return on Investment by Industry #
Construction Submittal Automation #
Before: 2-3 hours per submittal packet
After: 5 minutes automated generation
Volume: 20-50 submittals per month
Time Savings: 40-150 hours per month
Labor Cost Savings: $2,000-$7,500/month (at $50/hour)
Annual ROI: $24,000-$90,000 saved
Plugin Cost: $99-$299/year
Payback Period: Less than 1 week
Self-Service Catalog Lead Generation #
Before: Website visitors browse, leave without contact info
After: Lead capture on every PDF download
Example Metrics:
- 500 monthly website visitors
- 100 download specs (20% conversion)
- 85 provide contact info (85% capture rate)
- Result: 85 qualified leads per month
Value Calculation:
At 10% close rate and $5,000 average order = $42,500/month in new revenue
Annual ROI: $510,000 potential revenue
Plugin Cost: $99-$299/year
Payback Period: Immediate
Sales Team Efficiency #
Before: Sales reps spend 10 hours/week creating spec sheets
After: Automated generation = 1 hour/week monitoring
Time Savings: 9 hours per week per rep
Annual Savings: 468 hours per rep
Labor Cost: $50-$100/hour fully loaded
ROI per Sales Rep:
468 hours × $75/hour = $35,100 saved annually
Plus, reps focus on selling instead of admin work, leading to higher close rates.
Getting Started by Industry #
Step 1: Organize Your Product Data #
Construction:
- Export product list from accounting system (QuickBooks, etc.)
- Group by product family and gauge
- Add specifications (size, thickness, ratings)
Distributors:
- Export SKU list from inventory system
- Organize by category and material
- Include dimensions, colors, pricing tiers
Equipment:
- Gather manufacturer spec sheets
- Extract key specs (electrical, dimensions, certifications)
- Organize by equipment type and capacity
Step 2: Import or Build Catalog #
Small Catalogs (under 100 products):
- Manually add via admin interface
- Use drag-drop tree editor
- Takes 2-4 hours
Large Catalogs (100-10,000 products):
- Use CSV import (Pro feature)
- Map your data to plugin fields
- Bulk import in minutes
Import Format:
Category, Product, Type, Model, Spec1, Spec2, Spec3, etc.
Step 3: Configure Branding #
All Industries:
- Upload logo (300×100px recommended)
- Set brand color
- Add company information
- Configure footer text (optional)
Agency Users:
- Create brand presets for each manufacturer
- Set default preset for auto-application
- White-label mode to remove plugin credits
Step 4: Enable Lead Capture (Pro) #
Recommended for:
- Distributors wanting to capture browser contact info
- Equipment suppliers tracking which products interest whom
- Sales teams needing qualified leads
Setup:
- Enable lead capture in settings
- Set notification email (where leads are sent)
- Test with sample PDF generation
- Export leads to CRM weekly
Step 5: Launch & Promote #
Add builder page to your website:
- Create page with
[submittal_builder]shortcode - Add to main navigation menu
- Promote on homepage
Marketing ideas:
- Email customers: “Browse our full catalog online”
- Social media: “Download spec sheets 24/7”
- Sales team: Use builder during customer calls
- Trade shows: Demo self-service catalog
