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Save time, win more jobs, increase profit, and get paid faster with Bolster.
Get startedBefore adopting Bolster’s construction estimating software, Mangino Home Improvements relied on basic PDF quotes, a system that couldn’t keep up with the accuracy, speed, and professionalism required for larger renovation projects. With Bolster, they now create detailed, interactive estimates that impress clients, streamline communication, and win more high-value jobs.
“It didn’t inspire confidence to price a $100,000 project with a two-page document,” says co-owner Caylor. “Clients couldn’t see what was included, and neither could we.”
As the business grew, so did the complexity of its projects. The brothers needed a faster, smarter way to create accurate, professional quotes that earned trust and won work. That’s when they turned to Bolster, a modern estimating software built for residential contractors.
Caylor adopted Bolster (formerly CostCertified) about five years ago, and it quickly became essential.
“Bolster is basically Excel for contractors,” he says. “Once I built my assemblies, I just enter dimensions, sanity-check, and send.”
Using Bolster’s flexible assemblies and formulas, he built a complete catalog for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions. What used to take hours now takes minutes.
Today, even a simple bathroom proposal can stretch to six or seven pages, with every material, fixture, and labor line item clearly listed.
“Clients see exactly what they’re paying for. It’s all there in black and white, and that builds trust immediately.”
Bolster’s client-facing upgrade feature has become a game-changer for Mangino’s upsells.
Instead of having uncomfortable conversations about added costs, customers simply see live prices and select what they want, right inside the proposal.
“If you tell someone the price of heated floors, they might say, ‘That’s too expensive,’” explains Caylor. “But when they see it in the quote, they just click it. We’ve grown job sizes because of that one feature.”
This transparency lets homeowners design the project they want, and helps Mangino boost profit margins effortlessly.
Caylor starts every day the same way: coffee, email, and Bolster’s Pipeline dashboard.
“Between checking my mail and Bolster, that’s my daily routine,” he says. “It keeps everything organized.”
The company now uses Bolster’s lead form integration, so prospects who visit the Mangino website can submit project details that flow straight into the pipeline.
No spreadsheets. No manual entry. Just qualified leads ready for estimates.
“I can pump out four or five estimates in about four hours. Before, one estimate took the whole evening.”
Now, the brothers stick to a Monday–Friday schedule, reclaiming weekends and evenings once lost to admin work.
“I can send multiple quotes in an afternoon and still be home for dinner. That’s huge.”
When Caylor’s brother joined the business full-time, he learned Bolster in just two weeks.
“He’d never even logged in before,” says Caylor. “Now he clicks the bathroom assembly, plugs in dimensions, and it spits out a price.”
Caylor handles back-end fine-tuning, but his brother manages day-to-day estimates, proof that Bolster is easy to learn, fast to adopt, and built to scale.
Mangino Home Improvements doesn’t compete on price, Caylor and his brother compete on trust and presentation.
“Clients tell us, ‘You weren’t the lowest, but your quote was the most professional and precise. That’s why we went with you.’”
Bolster helps the team stand out by offering detailed, transparent proposals that eliminate confusion and prevent disputes later.
“We’ve even quoted full custom homes. A 1,200-sq-ft new build takes me about 45 minutes to fine-tune because everything’s already built in Bolster.”
Even when other contractors underbid, Caylor often hears back after the fact.
“Customers tell me, ‘We should’ve gone with you, the other guy ended up costing more after change orders.’ That’s validation that we’re doing it right.”
Caylor now sends invoices and collects payments directly through Bolster, whether by ACH or credit card.
“I love it. I don’t have to chase checks or go to the bank. It’s just paid.”
And when questions come up, support is always there.
“Ryan’s phenomenal. He replies within minutes, even if he’s in a meeting. He screen-shares, fixes it, and I’m back to work. That responsiveness keeps me moving and making money.”
Bolster didn’t just save Caylor time, it transformed how Mangino Home Improvements presents their business.
“If you want to make more money, make the investment,” says Caylor. “Bolster is clean, professional, and it helps you win. We recommend it to everyone.”
The brothers are now preparing to move into custom home building, the natural next step in their growth.
“We’ve done every part of a house separately. Now we’re ready to put it all together.”
With their estimating systems already perfected in Bolster, the transition will be smooth and scalable.
“Without Bolster, I wouldn’t even feel comfortable bidding on a $700,000 home. But now I know exactly what it costs before we start. That confidence changes everything.”
Mangino Home Improvements proves what’s possible when craftsmanship meets technology. With Bolster’s construction estimating software, they’ve built a system that wins more jobs, increases revenue, and gives them their time back.
If you’re ready to quote faster, look more professional, and grow your business, Bolster can help.
Hear from other contractors who have experienced success using Bolster.
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"If you're willing to invest in your business and work with Bolster, you're going to exceed your expectations of what you can achieve. If you put in the work, you'll see a return on investment quickly."
