According to most estimates, at least 75% of all professional
builders now use the Internet in the
course of their work. In addition to sending and
receiving e-mail — probably its single most popular
application — builders also use the Internet as a library
for researching products and materials, looking up
specs and rough-in dimensions, and keeping an eye on
competitors’ web sites. Online merchants such as
Amazon’s Tool Crib of the North are proving popular
with builders shopping for price, as well as those in
rural areas with few local sources of specialized tools.
A growing number of builders are also taking advantage
of online procurement, which allows them to
check the