Your builder runs their business on GoBuild, and your client portal is your private window into your own project. It's where you review your proposal, watch progress, see photos, approve changes, and pay invoices — all from one link, on your phone or computer. There's no app to download and no username or password to remember.
This guide walks you through it step by step.
Your builder sends you a private link to your project. It usually arrives by text message or email, and looks something like:
https://yourbuilder.gobuild.ca/client/…
- Tap or click the link to open your portal. That's it — the link itself is your key, so keep it somewhere handy (bookmark it, or don't delete the text).
- You'll often get separate links for different things — one for your project portal, one for a proposal to review, and one for each invoice. They all work the same way: tap to open.
- The link is personal to you. Treat it a bit like a house key and don't post it publicly.
Tip: If your builder also has a website, you may be able to reach your project by going to their site and choosing Client login, then entering your phone number. When you log in that way, you'll always be asked for a texted code first (see below).
To keep your project and payment details private, your builder can protect your portal with a one-time code sent to your phone by text. When this is on, opening your link shows a short sign-in screen:
- The screen shows the last two digits of the phone number on file (for example, "•••• 42") so you know which phone to check.
- Tap Send code. A 6-digit code is texted to you.
- Type the code into the box and continue. Codes expire after about 10 minutes, so use it promptly.
- Once verified, your device remembers you for 30 days — you won't have to enter a code again on that phone or computer during that time.
A few things worth knowing:
- Codes are becoming the standard. GoBuild is moving toward texted-code sign-in as the default for client portals, so even if your link opened straight away in the past, don't be surprised to see a code prompt going forward. It's there to protect your information.
- Some builders instead use a simpler PIN — the last 6 digits of your phone number — typed into a box instead of a texted code. If you see a PIN screen, that's what it wants.
- If you didn't get a code, wait a few seconds and try Send code again (there's a short cooldown to prevent spam). If it still doesn't arrive, the phone number on file may be wrong or missing — message your builder and ask them to check it.
- Whether you see a code screen, a PIN screen, or neither depends on your builder's settings. All three lead to the same portal.
¶ 3. Reviewing and accepting your proposal
Early on, your builder sends you a proposal — a branded page with the scope of work, line items, a schedule, a payment plan, and the total price.
- Open the proposal link. Scroll through the whole thing: the overview, what's included, the estimated timeline, and how payments are staged.
- When you're ready to move forward, choose Accept.
- You'll be asked to sign. In most cases a secure e-signature panel opens right on the page — sign there, and the page confirms once it's done. (If e-signing isn't set up, you'll simply type your name to sign instead.)
- Accepting officially starts your project. As soon as you sign, your proposal becomes a live job and your builder's schedule kicks into gear — so only accept when you're genuinely ready.
- If you'd rather not proceed, choose Decline. You can always talk to your builder about a revised proposal.
Reviewing the proposal doesn't commit you to anything — only tapping Accept and signing does.
Once your project is live, your main portal link becomes a running feed of what's happening — newest at the top, a bit like a social feed for your build.
In the portal you can:
- See a progress bar and task board showing what's upcoming, in progress, on hold, and done. Your builder controls which milestones are visible to you.
- Read updates your builder posts — notes on what got finished, what's next, and any decisions needed from you.
- Browse photos from the site. Tap any photo to view it larger. Photos attached to an update show up right inside that update.
- Open shared documents your builder has made available to you (plans, warranties, spec sheets, and the like).
- Make product selections. If your builder asks you to choose finishes or fixtures, you'll see the options with prices; tap to choose. If a choice costs more, that price difference is added as an approved change to your project automatically.
- Ask a question using the built-in project assistant, which can answer general questions about your own project. For anything specific — especially money or scheduling — message your builder directly (next section).
- Report a warranty issue if something needs attention after work is done.
¶ 5. Viewing and paying an invoice
When there's a payment due, you'll get an invoice — either as its own link, or as a Pay button next to a milestone in your project feed.
- Open the invoice. It shows the amount, what it covers, and your builder's payment terms.
- Tap Pay. You'll usually be able to choose how to pay:
- Bank transfer (ACH) — the preferred method for larger construction invoices, because the fees are lower. This is often the default.
- Card — available if your builder has it enabled.
- You're taken to a secure checkout page (powered by Stripe) to enter your payment details.
- After paying, you're returned to your invoice, now marked Paid.
Good to know:
- Card payments confirm instantly. Bank transfers can take a little while to settle — your invoice may briefly show as pending and then flip to paid once the bank clears it. That's normal; you don't need to pay again.
- Payment details are handled by the secure checkout provider — your builder and GoBuild never see your full card or bank numbers.
- If online payment isn't offered, the invoice will show your builder's payment instructions instead (for example, how to send a check or transfer).
Sometimes the scope or cost of a project changes — an added request, an unforeseen condition, or a finish upgrade. Your builder captures this as a change order, which appears in your project feed for your approval.
- Open the change order in your feed and review what's changing and any price difference.
- To approve it, sign the change order. A secure e-signature panel opens on the page; sign there, and the page confirms once it's complete.
- Once approved, the change is locked in and your builder proceeds with it.
Note: if your approval came from choosing a paid selection (Section 4), that already counts as approving the related change — you don't need to sign it separately.
Your portal has a two-way message thread connected straight to your builder's office — the simplest way to ask a question or share something.
- Scroll to the message thread in your portal.
- Type your message and send it.
- Your builder is notified right away and can reply from their office system; their replies appear in the same thread.
Use this for anything specific to your project — a scheduling question, a decision, a concern about an invoice. It keeps the whole conversation in one place tied to your job, rather than scattered across texts and emails.
- "Link not found." The link may have a typo or your builder may have regenerated it. Ask them to resend it.
- No texted code arrived. Wait a moment and tap Send code again. If it still doesn't come, your phone number on file may be off — message your builder to update it.
- Asked for a code every time? Make sure you're not browsing in private/incognito mode and that your browser allows cookies — that's what lets your device remember you for 30 days.
- Something looks wrong on an invoice or change order. Don't pay or sign — message your builder first and get it sorted.
Your portal always reflects what your builder has chosen to share, and some features (like texted-code sign-in or online card payments) depend on their settings. When in doubt, your builder is one message away.