Do You Have Business Interruption Insurance?
By Michael StoneBusiness Interruption Insurance is among the least understood and often most poorly written coverage.
Underbidding a Job
By Michael Stone“I’m a contractor and underbid a house. I’m almost done and just figured that out. I can’t afford this loss. What can I do besides bankruptcy?”
When Clients Do an End Run
By Michael StoneStay ahead of your clients. Write a detailed contract that protects you from as many unpleasant scenarios as possible, and work from written agreements with both your subcontractors and your employees.
Be Fair to your Customers – and Yourself
By Michael StoneI talked with a young guy the other day who called about our coaching service. His company was upside down and I could tell he was hurting.
Salary and Markup
By Michael StoneOne of our clients called with cash flow problems. Leads were coming in, sales and production was good, correct number of employees for the volume of work, but no money.
Is it a Construction Business, or a Hobby?
By Michael StoneQuestion came from a friend the other day. He said, "Michael, how do you determine whether someone in construction has a business or a hobby?"
Protect Your Business – Change Work Orders
By Michael StoneMichael discusses a ploy some building owners use to not pay for all of their change work orders. It happens in both residential and commercial projects.
Financial Plan for Success and Survival
By Michael StoneIf you thought you were the captain of your ship, 2020 taught otherwise.
Rapidly Increasing Material Costs
By Michael StoneQuoting a firm fixed price is riskier when material costs are increasing rapidly, which is why your contract needs to address unexpected material cost increases.
Construction Cash Flow and Business Success
By Michael StoneConstruction cash flow is like every other business; there must be more cash flowing in than flowing out or the business won’t survive.
Growing a Construction Business
By Michael StoneGrowth is inevitable when you successfully market your business and have solid business practices but growing a construction business brings a few challenges along with the blessings.
Educating on Quality
By Michael StoneHome and building owners need to know that hiring the least expensive contractor often means compromising on quality.
Trucks, Phones and Language
By Michael StoneKeeping your business sharp and profitable is an ongoing process, and it’s easy to get lax about little things that can cost big money.
Promoting and Working With Insurance Claims
By Michael StoneWe’ve seen some incredible storms already this year, and there always will be more. Michael shares some thoughts on insurance work.
Cost-Plus, Cost+, Time and Materials, T & M
By Michael StoneA coaching client was working with a potential customer who wanted a remodeling job on a cost-plus basis instead of a fixed fee contract.
Contract Cancellations
By Michael StoneCancellations happen, even with the best of salespeople. Clients have all kinds of reasons to cancel an agreement, and you need to be prepared.
Relationship Between Sales and Owner’s Salary
By Michael StoneWe had a question come in this week from a contractor asking about how to calculate the volume of business a company needs to support the owner’s salary.
Your Clients and Your Subs
By Michael StoneNow, if you are a subcontractor, it doesn't matter what trade, if a general contractor has hired you to work on a job your obligation is to that general contractor only.
Paying a Bonus to Employees
By Michael StoneWe are approaching the time of year when the subject of bonuses comes up. Your employees might be saying, “Do you suppose they will pay us a Christmas Bonus this year?”
Client Outrage
By Michael StoneReal or fake outrage can be a client’s attempt to elicit an emotional response from you to get what they want. It often puts you in the position of questioning yourself and your company, not dealing with the subject at hand.
Resolve Estimate Details Before Quoting
By Michael StoneHis salesperson sold a kitchen remodel without resolving some details. The homeowner insisted it wouldn’t be a big deal. It was a big deal.
Family Fights
By Michael StoneThe topic is uncomfortable but if you’re involved in residential sales, you’ll see family disagreements. It helps to know what to do.
Borrowing Jacks
By Michael StoneI recently had to face what I thought would be an uncomfortable personal conversation. I fussed all morning, then went to visit the person involved.
It’s Not For Us
By Michael StoneMichael Stone shares about a note from a contractor who initially found the Markup & Profit Revisited book “too extreme” and “not for us” – but now realizes it makes sense.
When Business Dries Up
By Michael StoneIf 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.
Charging a Fair Price
By Michael StoneYou can be the most ethical person in the world and if you aren’t charging enough for your work, you stand a good chance of cheating someone else.
Doing Work Without a Permit
By Michael StoneDoing work without a permit is a mistake. Pulling permits protects the homeowner; when a contractor doesn’t want to pull a permit, there’s always a reason.
Renegotiating the Price
By Michael StoneHow should you respond when a client wants to change the price AFTER the job has started?
Setting Priorities
By Michael StoneIf you’re a business owner, prioritizing how you spend your time is critical. There aren’t enough hours in a day to do everything that needs doing.
Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst
By Michael StoneIf the worst happens, will those left behind be able to either carry on or close shop without your presence?
Failing Expectations
By Michael StoneMichael shares a note from a contractor dealing with multiple mistakes he’s made in his business.
Avoiding Debt, Business and Personal
By Michael StoneCredit card and supplier debt is the easiest thing to fall into. The only one who wins is the credit card company.
Walking Into Nasty Homes
By Michael StoneIf you’ve been in selling remodeling or taking service calls in a home for any length of time, you’ve walked into nasty homes. Do you want to take on jobs like that?