Domino’s Sends Updates. So Can You.

Order a pizza and you get a play-by-play.

It’s being made.
It’s in the oven.
It’s on the way.

That kind of transparency is the norm now. It sets expectations, builds trust, and keeps people from second-guessing their decision.

Now compare that to the homebuilding experience.

A buyer signs a contract. Then days or even weeks go by with little to no communication. They don’t know what stage their home is in or what’s supposed to happen next. Most won’t speak up right away. They wait, hoping someone will reach out first.

But the longer they wait, the more anxious they get.

And anxious buyers don’t stay quiet.

They start calling. They start emailing. Or they show up at the jobsite unannounced.

Unscheduled visits create safety risks, disrupt workflow, and often cause confusion. A buyer might see something mid-stage, with no context, and panic over what’s completely normal. That puts unnecessary pressure on your team and erodes trust in the process.

In some cases, anxious buyers don’t just ask questions. They back out.

When confidence drops, so does commitment. Especially in a market where buyers are already stretched thin by rates, timelines, and competing resale options.

Visibility isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a retention strategy.

Consistent data across the industry shows that regular construction updates are the number one factor influencing whether a buyer will refer their builder.

Not the finishes. Not the incentives. Not even the build quality.
It comes down to communication.

In a recent survey, buyers said that regular updates would improve their satisfaction, even if nothing else about the experience changed. When people feel informed, they feel cared for. When they feel cared for, they refer.

Clear Communication Reduces Post-Close Tension

Builders who keep buyers informed during construction often see lower warranty ticket volume. That’s not just about process. It’s about perception.

When buyers understand what’s been done, what’s normal, and what’s next, they don’t enter the warranty period with frustration already brewing. They walk into their new home feeling supported, not suspicious.

A Simple System That Pays Off

Some builders are getting ahead of this. They’re mapping out key construction milestones and sending short, visual updates at each stage. Grading. Framing. Drywall. Paint. Final clean. Closing day.

No overhaul. No new tech stack. Just a clear, repeatable system that gives buyers what they need to stay engaged.

A photo. A walkthrough video. A short checklist.

Just enough to show buyers progress without weighing the team down.

Tools like NoviHome’s Home Tracker make this easy. Builders can pre-load content into each milestone and automate updates as homes move through the process. No extra admin work. No missed communication. Just a branded experience that keeps buyers informed, excited, and confident from contract to close.

Because when buyers feel in the loop, they stay in the deal, they refer more often, and they enter the warranty period with confidence instead of complaints.