You Are the Foundation

Do you know how...?
...working as a contractor looks so easy?

...you build a house for a client and they love it. It is creative, you get to work with your hands?

...you employ a happy crew of subcontractors, with whom you share a beer after a productive day?

Well, imagine instead...

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...this is a business. And you must look at it as a business. You will be responsible for marketing, pricing, job site safety, dealing with regulators, working with demanding clients, and squeaking out a profit for your family.
See How

The Start-Up

Do you know how...?
...you have the urge to get out there in the marketplace and really see how successful you can become?

...but the idea of having to commit to so many unknowns scares the hell out of you?

Well, imagine instead...

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...that you start the process prepared, knowing what is going to be required, knowing how to make decisions, and knowing where the business is headed.
See How

Your Operations

Do you know how...?
...you thought running your own construction business meant not having to work for a crazy person every day, and then discovered that to keep your business alive, you had to become that crazy person?

...getting new jobs, taking care of ongoing work, breaking up turf wars between employees, keeping the money flowing... YIKES!!!?

Well, imagine instead...

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...that you have written policies, processes and procedures which proactively handle most issues.

...organization structure is in place, based on what needs to be done, not who is going to do it.

...you know how you are going to bring in new business and deal with clients.

...you know where the cash flow is coming from, and it is sufficient.
See How

Your Marketing

Do you know how...?
...you worry that the market you're in is so competitive that the last dollar seems to be wrung out of every deal you make because the only way you can compete is by being the lowest cost builder in your market (and we all know where that ends)?

...you have no brand identity and are just another "me-too" builder in the market?

Well, imagine instead...

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...you have identified and own a market segment that values your product and your expertise, so you can close sales, budget accurately and price profitably.

...your market opportunities are quantified and you know which new markets you are targeting for the future.

,,,you know your company's relative strengths and weaknesses.
See How

Estimating

Do you know how...?
...every time you prepare an estimate or proposal, you wonder if this is going to be the one that comes back to bite you?

...you don't really understand the difference between Mark-Up and Margin?

...estimates are based on hope, profits are based on luck?

Well, imagine instead...

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...that you have put together an up-to-date database that calculates the correct margin on the products and labor you are bidding.

...that your estimating platform will allow you easily to track budget-to-actual on each job...

that you use a program that will let you adjust your margin to maximize profits on every sale.
See How

Your Sales Process

Do you know how...?
...you work like hell to get prospects to contact you, and then when they do, you watch helplessly as the ball is fumbled again and again: qualifying the prospect, specifications, estimating, controlling expectations?

It's a wonder anyone gets to the goal line.

Well, imagine instead...

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...that you have created a process which anticipates questions every prospect is going to ask.

...that everyone in your office understands how to handle a buyer making the biggest purchase of their life.

...that your salespeople know where each sale fits on your road to profitability.
See How

Managing Your Clients

Do you know how...?
...you are ecstatic when you sign the contract and collect the first deposit, but then the fear sets in?

...there are so many ways for an unreasonable client to hurt your company?

...you wind up holding your breath until the project is complete?

Well, imagine instead...

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...your client relationships are a series of pre-planned interactions.

...all important meetings, phone calls and other communications are documented for your benefit and gathered in one job binder.

...you are in control of the job and the client is aware that is so.
See How

Managing Your Associates

Do you know how...?
...subcontractors give you a price and then argue about what is included after the fact?

...employees don't understand their role in making the company stronger?

...vendors are not informed about changes in time?

...Change Orders grind away at your profits?

Well, imagine instead...

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...subcontractors know and follow your systems if they expect to get paid.

...your employees understand exactly what is expected from them and what they are accountable for.

...your vendors alert you regarding new trends in construction to keep earning your business.

...you have a system that stays on top of Change Orders
See How

Project Management

Do you know how...?
...this is the part you like the best, sticks in the air?

...you can see exactly what you want, so, why can't they get it right?

...why do you have to constantly re-explain?

...you find yourself wondering, "Why should I pay him when I have to come out and do it myself?"?

Well, imagine instead...

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...each step in the production process is planned in advance.

...the subcontractor has a Scope of Work describing how you want the work done and knows his work will be inspected.

...scheduling is up-to-date, and the Daily Progress Report is filed and available so you know exactly what is happening every day on the project.
See How

Your Accounting

Do you know how...?
...you avoid talking to your banker because he may ask a question about your financial performance, and you know that your accounting numbers are so out-of-whack that you don't have any answer, let alone the correct one?

Well, imagine instead...

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...that the accounting system is cleaned-up, that you can trust the numbers that you see.

...when you ask your bookkeeper a financial question, not only is the answer right, but you understand what she is saying.

...your books are set up the way the IRS requires.
See How

Your Financial Management

Do you know how...?
...you sometimes get a little short of breath because you have no idea how your business is performing?

...you know the financial reports are important, because the lender asks about them, but don't understand which reports you need or how to find them?

Well, imagine instead...

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...that you are making management decisions based on your analysis of the numbers, and tracking performance over time.

...you can read the financial story of your business and look to the future with clarity because you have a financial early warning system in place.
See How

The Technology Toolbox

Do you know how...?
...you know that the technology you need is available to help
1) run your business,
2) manage your clients, subcontractors and employees,
3) plan your projects more efficiently, and
4) know exactly where you are financially?

...but you don't have the time to go find it?

Well, imagine instead...

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...that someone has done that treasure hunting for you.

Here are the low-cost platforms I have been using in my construction business to improve communication, handle accounting and finances and run a lean operation.
See the Technology Toolbox