Family Firm's New Software Brings Full House 3D Visualisation Into Reality

Leading independent timber and construction supplier, the Donaldson Group, has developed a unique 3D house visualisation software tool to help housebuilders market new homes.

The fully walkable virtual home selection software, Spec3D, provides everything needed to digitalise entire show homes and manage and sell upgrades in full 3D.

Using cutting-edge technology, the platform gives housebuilders the power to let customers select key elements - such as kitchen units, bathroom tiles and bedroom enhancements – put them together and explore a realistic 3D version of their new home, from any device, at any time. The tool prices items as they’re added, and it has a customer management system that helps sales staff sell their homes easier.

The tool has seen immediate success, and within just nine months, the Spec3D team has signed deals with a number of housebuilders, including construction company, Easy Living Developments for a site in Fife, as well as securing two clients to supply website visualisers for their brands.

The software creation is the result of an intern initiative with Entrepreneurial Scotland’s Saltire Scholars programme. Managing Director of Spec 3D, Euan Gibson Smith, was initially brought on board at the Donaldson Group as an intern, tasked with a project investigating the potential of virtual reality (VR) across the 17 businesses the Group.

After developing a visual selector tool for the Group’s kitchen retailer business, Kitchens International, Euan recognised that the technology could be effective for all parts of a house.

On completion of his internship, Euan was given a full-time permanent position and began work on extending the technology to include full house visualisation, which led to the creation of Spec3D.

Euan explains: “While show homes, samples, plans, and photos of existing developments have their place, some people struggle to see the full picture. This software lets homebuyers really see what their new home will looks like, and all from the comfort of their own home."

“The reaction so far has been fantastic. Customers are finding that it dramatically decreases sales consultation times; reduces errors with a more streamlined management system; increases average upgrade order values and provides a more enjoyable house buying experience for all. Crucially, it allows housebuilders and developers to showcase all their new homes – and sell them – before they’ve even been built.”

Jacqueline Hutchison, Sales Liaison at Easy Living Developments said: “I couldn't believe Euan hadn't been in one of our houses when he sent the initial models over—it looked exactly like our House Types. The attention to detail was incredible, and it really feels like you are in the home when using the software."

“This software is going to completely transform how we sell homes and allow customers to easily customise their selections. We can’t wait to fully integrate it with our clients and see the impact and I can already tell it’s going to dramatically enhance the customer experience.”

Currently led by the sixth generation of Donaldson, the 164-year-old Donaldson Group comprises a total of 17 specialist timber and building product businesses and brands, operating throughout the UK from 47 locations employing over 1,500 people.