TLDR (Summary)
The best CRM software for architects is Plutio ($19/month).
Plutio connects client profiles to project drawings, design phase tracking, permit submissions, material selections, and budget revisions. When a client calls about their project, their profile shows the current design phase, pending permit applications, approved material selections, and recent revision history... so conversations start with complete context instead of searching through email or asking what was already decided. Contact databases store names and phone numbers but don't link to the design evolution that defines the client relationship.
According to research on professional services, 36% of goes to administrative tasks rather than billable design work. For architects specifically, that means hours spent tracking down client decisions, searching for permit status updates, and reconstructing project timelines from scattered emails and notes.
For additional strategies, read our client onboarding guide.
What is CRM software for architects?
CRM software for architects is software that manages client relationships with complete visibility into design phases, permit workflows, material selections, and project evolution rather than just contact information.
The distinction matters: generic contact management stores names, emails, and phone numbers. Architecture CRM connects client records to active design files, revision timelines, permit submission status, consultant coordination, and budget tracking. When a client relationship spans months from concept sketches through construction documents to permit approval, the CRM needs to carry the entire design evolution, not just when you last spoke.
What architecture CRM actually does
Core functions include tracking client communication alongside project phase progression, linking client preferences to material selections and design decisions, monitoring permit submission status with deadline tracking, connecting budget discussions to scope revisions, maintaining consultant coordination timelines, and preserving the complete revision history that shows how the design evolved through client feedback.
Sales CRM vs project-connected client management
Sales CRM tracks leads through a pipeline to close a deal. Architecture CRM tracks the ongoing relationship from initial inquiry through design phases, permit processes, and construction administration. The relationship doesn't end when the contract is signed... it deepens as design decisions get made, permits get submitted, budgets get revised, and the project evolves. Generic CRM treats clients as contacts. Architecture CRM treats clients as active participants in a months-long design process where every conversation builds on previous decisions.
What makes architecture CRM different
Architectural projects move through distinct design phases with specific deliverables, permit requirements, and client decision points. Concept design needs client input on spatial relationships and aesthetic direction. Schematic design refines those concepts with material selections and preliminary budgets. Design development finalizes systems and specifications. Construction documents detail everything for permits and contractors. Without CRM that tracks which phase the project is in, what decisions have been made, what permits have been submitted, and what client feedback is pending... conversations restart from zero every time instead of building on the established design direction.
When CRM connects to design files, permit workflows, and budget tracking, client conversations become continuations of the design process rather than starting fresh every call.
Why architects need CRM software
Architects who manage more than 3-5 active projects simultaneously face a compounding problem: client communication multiplies faster than the ability to remember every design decision, permit deadline, and budget discussion across all projects.
A residential project might involve 15-20 significant client interactions from inquiry to permit approval. Commercial work can involve 50+ coordination points. Each interaction builds on previous decisions about spatial layouts, material selections, budget constraints, and permit requirements. When those decisions live in email threads, meeting notes, and memory... reconstructing context before each client conversation becomes a second job that eats design time.
The context reconstruction problem
According to research, 36% of goes to admin rather than billable work. For architects specifically, that means hours spent searching email for what a client said about window specifications three weeks ago, checking permit portal logins to see if the zoning variance was approved, and asking clients to repeat decisions they already made because the discussion happened in a phone call that wasn't documented. Every project carries dozens of these decision points. Every client conversation should build on what was already established rather than starting from uncertain memory.
The fragmentation problem
You stack 4-6 disconnected tools: email for client communication, Google Drive for design files, spreadsheets for budget tracking, calendar for meeting scheduling, separate permit portals for each jurisdiction, and maybe a project management tool for internal task tracking. Each tool handles one function, but none share data automatically. The client's material preferences live in one email thread. The permit submission status lives in a government portal. The budget discussion lives in a spreadsheet. The design files live in cloud storage. When a client asks about timeline impact of their window specification change... the answer requires checking four separate places and mentally connecting information that should already be linked.
The permit coordination problem
Permit workflows have strict deadlines, specific document requirements, and multiple review cycles. Missing a submission deadline can push project timelines back by weeks or months. Architectural projects typically require multiple permit types: zoning review, building permits, fire safety approvals, environmental assessments, historic preservation review. Each has different submission requirements, review timelines, and approval conditions. When permit status tracking lives separately from client communication... telling a client when construction can actually start requires logging into multiple government portals, checking email for reviewer comments, and cross-referencing against the project schedule. Manual coordination work happens every time a client asks about timeline, which is one of the most frequent client questions.
The scaling tipping point
You hit a threshold around 4-6 active projects where the manual coordination approach breaks down. Up to that point, it's possible to remember which client preferred the charcoal tile, which permit reviewer had questions about the fire egress, and which budget discussion is pending. Beyond that threshold, the mental overhead of context switching between projects overwhelms the ability to maintain complete project history in memory. Conversations start requiring preparation time to review notes and reconstruct decisions. Client calls get postponed because it takes 15 minutes to remember where the project stands. Design work gets interrupted by searching for information that should be immediately accessible.
Connected CRM software absorbs the administrative coordination work that would otherwise scale linearly with each additional project and client interaction.
CRM features architects need
The essential CRM features for architects connect client relationship tracking with project phase progression, permit workflows, material selection documentation, and budget evolution while handling the long-duration, multi-decision nature that architectural projects require.
Core CRM features
- Client profiles with project linkage: Every client record connects to their active project, showing current design phase, recent file uploads, pending decisions, and communication history. Profile shows project context, not just contact information.
- Communication timeline: Complete record of every client email, meeting note, phone call summary, and decision point in chronological order. See what was discussed, when it was decided, and what follow-up is pending without searching inbox.
- Project phase tracking: Tag client interactions by design phase so you can see all concept design feedback together, all schematic design decisions together, and track progression from one phase to the next with client approval dates.
- Document management linked to clients: Design files, presentation boards, permit submissions, consultant reports, and budget spreadsheets attached to client profiles so every project artifact is accessible from the client record.
- Task and deadline tracking per client: Permit submission deadlines, client review dates, consultant coordination milestones, and budget discussion schedules tied to client profiles with automatic reminders so nothing falls through cracks.
Architecture-specific features
- Permit workflow tracking: Record which permits have been submitted, which are under review, what reviewer comments need addressing, and when approvals are expected. Client asks about construction start date, you see permit status immediately. Industry standard is 3-6 month for commercial projects.
- Material selection documentation: Track client decisions on finishes, fixtures, and materials with photos, specifications, and approval dates. When client asks "which tile did we pick"... their profile shows the decision with reference images.
- Budget revision history: Connect budget discussions to scope changes so you can show exactly when and why the project budget shifted. Design evolution causes budget changes, and clients need to see that connection.
- Consultant coordination tracking: Record structural engineer feedback, MEP consultant coordination, landscape architect integration, and other specialist input linked to the client project. Multidisciplinary work requires tracking who said what and when.
- Revision timeline visualization: Show design evolution through revision history with dates, client feedback that drove changes, and current status. Projects evolve through dozens of revisions, and that history explains current design decisions.
Platform features that multiply value
- White-label branding: Custom domain, logo, colors. All client-facing communications show your brand, not generic software interface.
- Unified inbox: All client messages arrive in one place whether they reply to proposal, comment on design, or ask about permits.
- Permissions: Control what clients see, what team members access, and what consultants can view.
- Automations: Create rules that trigger actions without your involvement - permit deadline approaching, send reminder; client approves schematic design, create design development phase tasks.
The deciding factor for architects is integration depth. CRM software that connects client profiles with design files, permit tracking, and budget management eliminates duplicate data entry and context reconstruction before every client conversation.
CRM software pricing for architects
CRM software for architects typically costs $20-60 per month for contact management alone, with integrated platforms providing complete project connectivity and avoiding separate subscriptions for scheduling, invoicing, and document management.
What architects typically pay for CRM tools
- HoneyBook: $39-78/month for client management with proposals and contracts, but lacks architecture-specific permit tracking and design phase workflows.
- Dubsado: $40-60/month for CRM and client workflows, but doesn't connect to project files or track permit submissions.
- 17hats: $60/month for business management including CRM, but limited project phase tracking and no permit workflow tools.
- Monday.com: $24-44 per user/month for project management with CRM features, but not designed for architecture project evolution and permit coordination.
Contact-only CRM like HubSpot or Salesforce starts free but lacks project connectivity architects need. Generic business CRM treats clients as sales prospects rather than ongoing design collaborators across months-long projects.
Plutio pricing (January 2026)
- Core: $19/month: Unlimited CRM plus scheduling, proposals, contracts, invoicing, project management, and client portals. Up to 9 active clients.
- Pro: $49/month: Unlimited clients, 30 team members, advanced permissions for multi-person firms.
- Max: $199/month: Unlimited team, white-label with custom domain, single sign-on for enterprise firms.
The ROI calculation for architects
- Context reconstruction time saved: 15-30 minutes per client conversation when project history is linked to client profile rather than scattered across email and files. At 3-5 client interactions per project per week across 5 active projects, that's 4-10 hours saved weekly.
- Missed deadline prevention: Automated permit deadline tracking prevents late submissions that delay projects by weeks or months. One avoided permit delay pays for annual subscription.
- Tool consolidation: Replace separate contact database ($10-20/month), scheduling tool ($15-20/month), proposal software ($30-40/month), and document management ($10-15/month) with single platform.
CRM software ROI comes through time saved reconstructing project context before client conversations and prevention of permit deadline misses that delay entire projects. Plutio pays for itself when it prevents one missed permit deadline or saves 3 hours weekly on administrative coordination.
Why Plutio is the best CRM for architects
Plutio handles CRM as part of a complete platform where client profiles link directly to project files, permit tracking, budget management, and communication history rather than as a separate contact database that needs manual connection to design work.
Client profiles connected to complete project context
Every client record shows their active project with current design phase, recently uploaded design files, pending material selection decisions, permit submission status, and budget discussions. When a client calls, their profile loads with complete tools to continue the conversation from the last decision point. No searching email for what was discussed. No asking what was already decided. The project context lives with the client record, and both update together as the design evolves.
Project phase tracking that mirrors architecture workflow
Tag projects and tasks by design phase - concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, permit review, construction administration. Client profile shows which phase their project is in, what deliverables are complete, what decisions are pending, and when the next phase begins. When clients ask about timeline, you see exactly where the project stands in the process without reconstructing from memory or checking multiple tools.
Permit deadline tracking with automatic reminders
Create tasks for permit submissions with deadline dates. System sends automatic reminders as deadlines approach. Client profile shows all permit-related tasks with status updates. When permit reviewer comments arrive, attach them to the permit task so all submission documents, reviewer feedback, and response deadlines live together. Missing a permit deadline can delay a project by months... automated tracking prevents that from happening because of calendar oversight.
Material selection and client decision documentation
Attach photos, specifications, and approval notes to client decisions about materials, finishes, and design details. When client asks "which countertop did we choose" three months into the project... their profile shows the decision with reference images, specification sheets, and the date it was approved. Design projects involve hundreds of these decisions. Documenting them as they happen prevents repeat conversations and conflicting instructions to contractors.
Budget tracking linked to scope changes
Connect budget discussions to design revisions so you can show exactly how scope changes affect cost. Client wants to add a second-floor addition... the budget discussion links to that scope change with timeline impact and cost implications documented. When budget conversations happen in isolation from project scope... clients don't understand why costs increased. When budget links to specific design changes... the relationship becomes clear.
Proposal-to-project workflow automation
Send proposal with design services scope and fee structure. Client accepts proposal digitally, signs contract, and pays retainer. Plutio automatically creates the project with phases, sets up file folders, establishes client portal access, and schedules first invoice. What used to require 20 minutes of manual setup across multiple tools happens automatically when proposal is accepted.
Client portals for design review and document access
Clients log into branded portal to view current design files, review material selections, approve budgets, pay invoices, and book meetings. Portal shows project-specific content based on what you've shared. Clients access their design evolution without email attachments or Dropbox links. You control what they see and when, and portal activity feeds back into client profile so you see what they've reviewed.
White-label everything
Use your own domain. Upload your logo, set your brand colors and typography. Every client-facing touchpoint shows your brand: proposals, contracts, invoices, client portals, booking pages. Clients experience your firm, not generic software interface.
Unified inbox for all client communication
When a client replies to a proposal, comments on a design file, asks about a permit, or responds to an invoice... the message appears in one inbox. Reply directly without opening email. All communication stays in context with the project it relates to. No switching between email, file comments, and project messages to track client conversations.
Granular permissions for team and consultant access
Control exactly who sees what at the level that makes sense for your practice. Junior designers see project files but not budgets. Consultants access specific projects but not client financial information. Principals see everything. Permissions prevent information leakage while enabling collaboration.
No-code automations
Create rules that trigger actions without your involvement. Common architecture automations include: concept design approved, create schematic design phase tasks; permit submission deadline approaching, send reminder to team and client; invoice paid, send thank you message and next phase timeline; client uploads site photos, notify project team; budget discussion scheduled, attach current cost estimate to meeting.
Native integrations for architecture workflows
Connect Stripe and PayPal for retainer and progress payments. Sync Google Calendar or Outlook for client meetings and permit deadline tracking. Use Zapier to connect 3,000+ other apps including AutoCAD, Revit file management tools, permit application systems, and consultant coordination platforms.
Everything runs from one app with your branding, your design phase terminology, and your workflow logic. Client profiles connect to projects, projects connect to permits, permits connect to timelines, and timelines connect to budgets... so every piece of client relationship data builds on what came before rather than living in isolation.
How to set up CRM in Plutio
Setting up CRM in Plutio takes 2-3 hours for initial configuration including client import and template creation, then 5-10 minutes per new client after your workflow templates are in place.
Step 1: Configure default settings (20 mins)
Set your firm name, upload logo, choose brand colors for client-facing materials. Configure default timezone for meeting scheduling. Set calendar availability for client booking pages. Link payment processors (Stripe/PayPal) if collecting retainers through proposals. These settings apply to all clients automatically.
Step 2: Create project phase templates (1-2 hours)
Build 3-5 project templates covering your common architecture services. For architects, recommended templates include:
- Residential New Construction: Phases for concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, permit review, bidding support, construction administration. Each phase includes standard tasks like client presentations, consultant coordination, permit submissions.
- Residential Renovation/Addition: Modified phases accounting for existing conditions documentation, phased construction approach, permit variance applications common in renovation work.
- Commercial Tenant Improvement: simplified phases focused on code compliance, landlord approval coordination, fast-track permitting timelines typical of commercial lease-driven projects.
- Master Planning/Feasibility Study: Front-loaded research and analysis tasks, zoning review, site analysis, preliminary budgeting without full construction document development.
- Historic Preservation: Specialized phases for historic documentation, preservation board approvals, SHPO review, tax credit applications if applicable.
Step 3: Connect integrations (20 mins)
Link Stripe and/or PayPal for proposal retainers and progress billing. Connect your calendar (Google or Outlook) so client meetings sync. Test each integration before using with real clients - send yourself a test invoice, book a test appointment, verify calendar sync works bidirectionally.
Step 4: Import existing clients (30 mins)
Export client list from current contact database or email system as CSV. Upload to Plutio with fields mapped appropriately: name, email, phone, current project phase if active, notes. Don't try to import complete project history initially - focus on active clients and forward-looking data. Historical context can be added to individual client profiles as needed.
Step 5: Test with one real project
Run through the complete workflow with an actual incoming client inquiry rather than a test account. Send proposal, collect digital signature and retainer, let system create project from template, invite client to portal, upload preliminary design files, track first permit submission. Real workflow testing reveals gaps in templates and automation logic that hypothetical testing misses.
Step 6: Set up permit deadline tracking
Create recurring tasks or project milestones for common permit deadlines in your jurisdiction. Building permits typically take 2-4 weeks for residential, 6-12 weeks for commercial. Zoning variances add 4-8 weeks. Historic preservation review adds 8-16 weeks. Set reminder automations for 2 weeks before deadline to make sure submission happens on time.
Common setup mistakes to avoid
- Over-customizing project templates too early: Start with minimal phase structure and 5-10 essential tasks per phase. Refine based on actual project needs rather than trying to template every possible scenario upfront.
- Ignoring mobile app during setup: Download iOS or Android apps during initial configuration and test key workflows - client calls come when you're away from desk, and you need project context accessible from phone.
- Skipping automation setup: Configure permit deadline reminders, invoice payment confirmations, and proposal follow-ups during initial setup rather than adding later. Automations prevent missed deadlines from day one.
- Trying to migrate complete project history: Import active client data and current project status. Don't spend weeks recreating historical project archives - legacy information can live in old systems while new work flows through Plutio.
Build project templates for the 80% of projects that follow standard phases and permit workflows. Custom projects can be adapted from templates faster than building from scratch every time.
CRM organization for architects
Organizing CRM creates clarity about project status, client decision points, and permit timelines while enabling efficient coordination across multiple simultaneous projects.
Client organization by project type and status
- Active Design Clients: Projects currently in concept, schematic, or design development phases with ongoing client decision-making.
- Permit Review: Projects submitted to building department, planning commission, or other review authorities awaiting approval.
- Construction Administration: Permitted projects under construction requiring site observation and contractor coordination.
- Prospective Clients: Inquiries and proposal stage before contract signing.
- Completed Projects: Archived clients for reference but no longer active design work.
Project phase stages
- Concept Design: Initial spatial layouts, aesthetic direction, preliminary site response. Client decisions about fundamental approach and design direction.
- Schematic Design: Refined floor plans, elevations, key material selections, preliminary structural approach. Client approval of overall design before detail development.
- Design Development: Detailed specifications, final material selections, coordinated mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems, structural engineering integration. Client sign-off on all major decisions before documentation.
- Construction Documents: Permit-ready drawings, technical specifications, code compliance documentation, coordinated consultant drawings.
- Permit Review: Submitted to authorities, responding to plan check comments, obtaining approvals.
- Bidding/Negotiation: Contractor selection, budget reconciliation, construction contract negotiation.
- Construction Administration: Site observations, submittal review, RFI responses, punch list completion.
Information to track per client
- Current project phase and completion percentage
- Material and finish selections with approval dates and reference images
- Budget discussions including original budget, scope changes, and current forecast
- Permit submission dates, review status, approvals received, conditions to address
- Consultant coordination status - structural, MEP, civil, landscape, other specialists
- Client feedback and revision requests with dates and resolution status
- Meeting notes with decisions made and follow-up items assigned
- Contract scope, fee structure, payment schedule, invoices sent and paid
- Document deliverables provided with version dates
Proven methods for architecture CRM
- Document decisions when made: Client approves schematic design in meeting, photograph presentation boards and note approval in profile immediately rather than waiting until back at office when details fade.
- Link files to decisions: Material selection approved, attach specification sheet and product photo to that decision record. Three months later when client asks which tile was chosen, the documentation is linked to the decision date.
- Track permit workflows separately per jurisdiction: Different cities have different processes, timelines, and reviewer preferences. Tag permits with jurisdiction so you can reference similar past approvals.
- Use calendar reminders for all deadlines: Permit submission dates, client presentation schedules, consultant coordination meetings, invoice due dates. Architecture has too many moving deadlines to rely on memory.
- Update project phase tags when phases change: Client approves design development, update project tag to Construction Documents and shift task focus. Accurate phase tracking enables filtering by where projects actually are in process.
Organized CRM enables instant project status visibility. Client calls, you see current phase, recent decisions, pending permits, and upcoming deadlines without reconstruction. Structure serves speed.
Client portals for architects: CRM connection
Client portals connect CRM data to client-facing access, creating smooth design collaboration where clients review current drawings, track project progress, and access documentation through branded interface that reflects your organized project structure.
Portal as project collaboration hub
Clients access their complete project through branded portals. Current design files, material selection options, permit status updates, budget tracking, meeting schedules, and invoices in one place. CRM organization determines what clients see - project tagged as Schematic Design shows schematic drawings and material options, not detailed specifications that come later. Your internal project structure powers client-facing experience.
Consistent professional experience
Portal presentation reflects the organized design evolution in CRM. Design files appear in chronological order showing project progression. Material selections group by category with approval status visible. Permit timeline shows submission dates and review milestones. Professional, consistent client experience across all project touchpoints eliminates confusion about which file version is current or what was already decided.
Self-service access to project information
Clients find their own design files, permit status, payment history, and meeting notes. CRM organization enables client self-service without creating administrative burden for your firm. Client wonders about permit status, they check portal and see submission date and expected approval timeline. Client needs copy of approved floor plan, they download from portal. Questions that previously required email or phone calls get answered through portal access to organized project information.
Two-way design visibility
Portal interactions feed back into CRM. Client views design presentation, you see they reviewed it. Client comments on material selection, comment appears in project timeline. Client activity adds to your understanding of their engagement level, what they're focused on, and what decisions need discussion. Complete picture from both perspectives - your view includes project management and permit coordination, their view shows design progress and decision points.
Cross-project continuity for repeat clients
Portals maintain client relationship across multiple projects over time. Architect-client relationships often span years with multiple commissions. Returning clients find their project history in portal - previous designs, past material selections, prior budget discussions. Connection maintained between projects. New commission starts with context from previous work rather than starting relationship from zero.
Portals make CRM client-facing. Internal organization of design phases, permit workflows, and decision tracking translates to external experience where clients see their project evolution through professional interface.
How to migrate CRM to Plutio
Migration from another CRM or contact database typically takes 3-4 hours of active work spread over a weekend, with the best time to switch being between projects rather than mid-design phase when you're coordinating active permit submissions.
Step 1: Export from your current tool
Most CRM and contact management software provides CSV export. Here's what to export from common tools:
- HoneyBook: Settings → Data & Privacy → Export Data. Exports clients, projects, and communication history as separate CSV files.
- Dubsado: Settings → Import/Export → Export Clients. Includes contact information, project status, and custom fields.
- Excel/Google Sheets contact lists: Already in CSV format. make sure columns are labeled: Name, Email, Phone, Company, Project Type, Status, Notes.
- Generic CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce): Export contacts with all custom properties. Filter to clients only, exclude old leads.
Step 2: Clean and prepare data (30-60 mins)
Review exported CSV before importing. Remove duplicate entries, standardize phone number formats, combine notes into single field, verify email addresses are valid. Add column for current project phase if not already present - tag active clients with their design phase so they import into correct status category. Focus on data quality for active clients; less critical for archived projects.
Step 3: Build project templates in Plutio (2-3 hours)
Use your exported project data as reference to create new project phase templates. Review past 10-15 projects to identify common patterns - most residential projects follow similar phase progression, most commercial projects share permit workflows. Build templates for those patterns. Focus on forward-looking workflows based on how you want to work, not exact replication of old system structure.
Step 4: Set up integrations (20 mins)
Connect payment processing (Stripe/PayPal) before importing clients so retainer invoices can be sent immediately after import. Connect calendar sync (Google Calendar/Outlook) so client meetings and permit deadlines transfer. Test each integration with dummy data before relying on it for real client work.
Step 5: Import client data (20 mins)
Upload your cleaned CSV to Plutio. Map fields appropriately: CSV "Client Name" → Plutio "Contact Name", CSV "Email" → Plutio "Email", CSV "Current Phase" → Plutio "Project Status". Import creates client profiles with basic information. You'll add project-specific context (files, permits, budgets) to individual clients as you begin working with them in new system.
Step 6: Run parallel for new projects
Use Plutio for all new client inquiries and proposals while keeping the old system active for projects already in design phases. New proposal goes out through Plutio with contract, payment collection, project creation from template. Active project in permit review continues in old system until permit approval, then transitions to Plutio for construction administration. Parallel operation typically lasts 60-90 days while in-progress design work completes.
Step 7: Transfer active projects manually (30 mins each)
For projects you need in Plutio before they naturally complete, transfer manually one at a time. Create client profile, create project from appropriate template, upload current design files to project folder, document material selections already made, note permit submissions already filed, set up remaining tasks and deadlines. Manual transfer captures current project state without trying to recreate complete history. Focus on what's needed going forward - pending decisions, upcoming deadlines, current file versions.
Step 8: Phase out the old tool
Once all active projects are operating in Plutio and old system holds only archived completed work, cancel that subscription. Keep final data export as backup archive. You keep old CRM data for 1-2 project cycles (2-3 years) before permanently archiving in case historical project information is needed.
Common migration pitfalls to avoid
- Trying to migrate complete project histories: Focus on active client data and current project status. Don't spend weeks trying to recreate every historical note and file from past projects. Legacy information can live in old system archive while new work flows through Plutio.
- Switching mid-permit review: Finish in-progress permit submissions in old system where documentation is already organized. Transfer to new system after permit approval or during natural project transition points.
- Not testing integrations before going live: Verify payment processing works, calendar sync is bidirectional, and automations trigger correctly before relying on them for actual client work. Send yourself test invoices, book test appointments, trigger test automations.
- Importing without cleaning data first: Bad data imports as bad data. Take 30-60 minutes to clean duplicates, standardize formats, and remove outdated contacts before import rather than cleaning up after the fact.
The investment in migration pays back in time saved on every future client conversation when project context loads instantly instead of requiring search and reconstruction.
