How to Use Voice Commands in Built Simple: Hands-Free Construction Management

Built Simple’s voice command features let you update schedules, create tasks, and capture notes hands-free, ideal for on-site work when hands are dirty or gloves prevent touchscreen use. This guide explains all voice features in the Built Simple mobile app.

Internal link placeholder: Add link to overview of Built Simple mobile app features.

Why Voice Commands Matter

Construction Site Reality

• Hands often dirty
• Gloves prevent touchscreen use
• Safety gear makes typing difficult
• Time pressure requires fast updates
• Multitasking while performing tasks
• Immediate documentation of issues

Voice Command Benefits

• Up to 3x faster than typing
  
• Hands-free operation
• Natural language input
• Works offline
• Automatic transcription
• Reduces errors

Getting Started with Voice

Initial Setup (Mobile App)

Step 1: Enable Voice Features

1. Open Built Simple app
   
2. Go to Settings → Voice Commands
   
3. Toggle Enable Voice ON

Step 2: Grant Permissions

• Allow microphone access
• Enable speech recognition
• Optional: offline voice data
• Accept privacy policy

Step 3: Choose Voice Settings

• Language: English (AU) recommended
• Activation: Button or wake word
• Confirmation: Required or auto-accept
• Voice feedback: On/off

Testing Voice Input

1. Tap microphone icon
2. Say: “Test voice input”
3. Check transcription accuracy
4. Adjust microphone sensitivity
5. Test in noisy environment

Voice-to-Schedule Feature

Overview

Speak naturally about schedule changes; Built Simple interprets construction terminology to create or update schedule tasks.

Accessing Voice Scheduling

From Schedule View

1. Open project schedule
2. Tap microphone button
   
3. Speak your update
4. Review interpretation
5. Confirm or edit

From Quick Actions

1. Long-press app icon
2. Select Voice Schedule
   
3. Record immediately
4. Review same as above

Voice Schedule Commands

Creating New Tasks

• “Plumber coming Thursday morning”
• “Concrete pour scheduled for Monday”
• “Electrician needs 2 days starting Wednesday”
• “Tiler booked for next Tuesday to Friday”
• “Frame inspection tomorrow at 2 PM”

What Built Simple Understands

• Trades: Plumber, electrician, tiler
• Timing: Today, tomorrow, next week
• Duration: 2 days, half day, all week
• Specific times: 9 AM, afternoon, morning

Advanced Examples

• “Reschedule the concrete pour from Tuesday to Thursday because of rain”
• “Add safety inspection before roofing”
• “John’s crew doing bathroom rough-in Monday and Tuesday”
• “Cancel the painter for tomorrow, weather’s no good”

How It Works

1. Record: Up to 30 seconds
2. Transcribe: Convert speech to text
3. Parse: Extract meaning
4. Match: Identify trades and dates
5. Create: Generate schedule entry

AI Understanding

Built Simple recognises:

• Australian trade names
• Construction terminology
• Common abbreviations and site slang
• Weather references
• Relative dates

Review and Confirm

• Confirmation screen shows task details, assigned person/trade, dates, duration, confidence level
• Options: Confirm, Edit, Speak Again, Cancel
  

Voice Task Creation

Quick Task Entry

Speak task details instead of typing:

• “Need to order bathroom tiles”
• “Check with council about permit”
• “Remind John about safety meeting”
• “Follow up on window delivery”
• “Get quote for extra electrical work”

For creating formal client-ready quotes, see [How to Create Professional Estimates in Built Simple: Complete Guide].

Task Voice Commands

• “Create task for Mike to check the roof”
• “Add todo to call the building inspector”
• “New task: Order cement, due Friday”
• “Remind me to check waterproofing tomorrow”

Captured Information

• Task description
• Assigned person (if mentioned)
• Due date
• Priority
• Project context

For a full breakdown of task management features, see [How to Manage Tasks and To-Dos in Built Simple: Complete Guide].

Voice Notes on Tasks

Adding Notes

1. Open existing task
2. Tap Add Voice Note
   
3. Speak your update:
   • “Completed except for final touchup”
   • “Waiting on materials delivery”
   • “Client requested change to color”
4. Note attaches automatically with timestamp

Voice Documentation

Site Notes

Capture observations instantly:

1. Tap Voice Note in project
2. Speak observation:
   • “Foundation ready for inspection”
   • “Bathroom plumbing issue found”
   • “Weather damage to stored materials”
3. Auto-transcribed and saved
4. Optional: attach photo

For organising and sharing all project files, see [How to Manage Documents and Files in Built Simple: Complete Guide].

Quality Issues

Document problems immediately:

• “Crack in concrete slab near garage”
• “Tiles not level in main bathroom”
• “Wrong paint color on feature wall”
• “Missing insulation in ceiling”

Progress Updates

• “Framing 80% complete, on track for Friday”
• “Electrical rough-in finished, ready for inspection”
• “Painting delayed due to weather”
• “Kitchen install started this morning”

Voice Commands List

Schedule Commands

• Add: “Schedule [trade] for 2026“
• Move: “Reschedule [task] to 2026“
• Cancel: “Cancel [trade] for 2026“
• Check: “What’s scheduled for 2026“

Task Commands

• Create: “Create task [description]”
• Assign: “Assign to [person]”
• Due date: “Due 2026“
• Complete: “Mark [task] as complete”

Note Commands

• Add note: “Note that [observation]”
• Issue: “Problem with [description]”
• Reminder: “Remind me to [action]”
• Update: “Update: [status]”

Quick Actions

• Call: “Call [contact]”
• Message: “Text [person] about [topic]”
• Photo: “Take photo of [item]”
• Find: “Show me [item/person/task]”

Voice Recognition Tips

Speaking Clearly

• Normal pace, clear volume
• Natural Australian pronunciation
• Minimise background noise
• Hold 15–30cm from phone

Construction Terminology

• Trades: Sparky, chippy, plumber
• Tasks: Rough-in, fit-off, set-out
• Materials: Gyprock, reo, formwork
• Timing: Knock-off, smoko, arvo
• Aussie terms: Ute, site shed, dunny

Improving Accuracy

• Find quieter spot
• Use earbuds with mic
• Shield phone from wind
• Wait for machinery breaks
• Speak slightly louder

Common Issues

• Wind noise → turn back
• Echo → move away from walls
• Multiple speakers → one at a time
• Machinery → pause
• Radio → turn down

Advanced Voice Features

Voice Shortcuts

• Custom commands for repetitive actions
• Batch commands for multiple tasks
• Contextual understanding based on project/schedule/task

Offline Voice Features

• Download language pack
• Full processing on device
• Sync when online
• Slightly less accurate, basic commands only

Privacy and Security

• Voice processed securely, encrypted, not permanently stored
• Options: offline-only, clear history, disable cloud processing

Troubleshooting

Voice Not Working

• Check microphone permission
• Test in quiet area
• Update app, restart, re-enable

Poor Recognition

• Speak clearly
• Reduce background noise
• Check language settings
• Clean microphone

Commands Not Understood

• Use simpler phrases
• One topic per command
• Say trade names clearly
• Include time markers

Best Practices

Daily Use

• Morning: “What’s scheduled today?”
• On-site: Quick updates
• Document issues immediately
• End-of-day progress summary
• Prepare reminders for next day

Effective Commands

• Be specific with names and dates
• One topic per command
• Confirm important changes
• Review transcription

Team Training

• Demonstrate benefits
• Practice together
• Share command list
• Celebrate adoption

Voice Analytics

• Track commands per day, time saved, accuracy
• System learns voice patterns, trade preferences, site terminology

Integration with Other Features

• Photo Capture: “Take photo of bathroom progress” → auto-tags transcription
• Location: Voice notes include GPS
• Team Chat: “Message team about tomorrow” → sends with optional voice memo

Future Voice Features

• Wake word activation
• Multi-language support
• Voice search
• Voice reports
• Team voice messages

Quick Reference Card

Essential Commands

SCHEDULING:

• “Schedule [trade] for [day]”

• “Move [task] to [day]”

• “What’s on [day]?”

TASKS:

• “Create task: [description]”

• “Assign to [person]”

• “Mark complete”

NOTES:

• “Note: [observation]”

• “Issue with [item]”

• “Reminder: [action]”

QUICK:

• “Call [person]”

• “Take photo”

• “Show today”

Next Steps

1. Mobile power user guide
   
2. On-site documentation
   
3. Team collaboration
   
4. Offline features guide
   

Need Help?

• In-app tutorial: Voice guide
• Guides & Tutorials
• Support: [email protected]
• Community: Share voice tips