Lowball Pricing in Construction
It’s not unusual to find a contractor who sells by deliberately underpricing or underbidding jobs and making up the difference with change work orders.
Specialty Contractors and Down Payments
Should specialty contractors require down payments even when working through a General Contractor?
Remodeling Sales: Setting the Budget
A business owner in the UK asked a question that illustrates that remodeling sales challenges are the same regardless of your location.
The Skinny on Change Work Orders
A compendium on change work orders on a new home, remodeling or renovation project; why they matter, how to price them, what to include, and more.
Building a Successful Construction Business
I take many calls from contractors whose business is more like a low-paying job than a successful construction business. Some ask, “Is it even possible in today’s economic climate? Can my business make money?”
Family Matters More Than Business
Our goal is to help construction-related business owners build a better business. We receive many phone calls and notes from our clients, and most of the time we hear good things. Sometimes we hear another side of the story.
You Have Better Things to Do than Estimate
Getting a commitment from potential clients is critical if you want to save yourself a ton of time and work putting together an estimate that won’t go anywhere. You have better things to do with your time.
Clients and Your Job Schedule
One of the concerns a homeowner has when they’ve hired a contractor is whether they’ll do what they said they’ll do. It is a legitimate concern. They don’t know what’s going on in your head, only what’s happening with their job.
Who Pays for On-the-Job Training?
Training in construction is important, especially with a shortage of employees. A general contractor asked about a subcontractor who is training an apprentice.
The Sales Call: Budget and Design
Budget doesn’t need to be a major worry during the design and build of a project if you handle it properly during the sales call.
Cost-Plus Contracts
Why cost plus and time & material contracts should be avoided, for both contractors and building owners.
Shady Contractors
If you’re doing residential construction, you’ve met all kinds of people. There are also all kinds of contractors, and some of them don’t operate ethically.
Estimating Labor in Construction
Our last newsletter triggered a question on estimating labor.
Estimating Errors Cost Money
Estimating the cost of a remodeling, renovation or specialty project accurately is critical if you want to be profitable.
When Business Returns
At some point this health crisis will slow down and go away. When it does, there’s a good chance we’ll be doing some things differently. But some things won’t change.
When Business Dries Up
If sales have dropped off significantly or you’re under a stay-at-home order, here are 3 things that you need to do now for both your business and your family.