The construction industry plays an invaluable role in the economy and wider society. However, the industry can be wasteful and quality timber, glass, bricks and many other types of materials are often sent to landfill. At the same time, millions of people are living in informal housing in cities around the world and are forced to build homes using substandard materials. In this research update, we look at how a team of consultants in Arup’s Cape Town office have begun developing an app-based service which could address these two problems.