It happens every year or two–a big wildfire or flash flood. In the aftermath, cities all over California need good contractors who can rebuild their homes and businesses. It’s a time when stress and emotions are running high. Here are a few ways you can be a respected source of information and service for people when they need it most. …
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In the busy world of construction, you might be handling sales calls on your way to and from the jobsite. When you get a lead, the trick is to avoid letting it go cold. Try these tips to keep prospective customers interested, and give them everything they need to make the right decision. Make Contact Quickly When clients are at …
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You’ve got the business, and the referrals are coming in. They want to see a portfolio of your past work. But what does this mean, and how do you give it to them in an ideal package? How do you distinguish between your residential and commercial services? Here’s what you should consider putting in your contractor’s portfolio. Make Details Easy …
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When business is booming, you might take on a few employees to help you complete your construction projects or handle administration tasks you don’t have the time to do. Finding good employees is difficult. In an industry with a labor shortage, keeping a great worker can be even harder. Here’s a few tips you can use to ensure that you …
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Despite the recent U.S. tariff on imports of solar energy equipment, the solar industry continues to grow. In fact, this industry offers huge potential for anyone who wants to get on board. If this is an area you’d like to explore with your contracting business, there are a few trends you should watch. Here’s what you need to know. Solar …
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Time and again, insulation proves to be one of the best investments property owners can make for their building’s efficiency. The trick for any good contractor working with insulation is to know what kind of insulation is out there, and how to use it best. In the past few years, there has been some serious innovation. New options and approaches …
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Protecting your contracting business against financial liability is vital to your ability to succeed. As a business owner, you’ll need to carry a variety of insurance types to protect yourself, your employees and your financial interests. Errors and Omissions insurance is a policy that provides you with support in the event that you have to pay for problems that occur …
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If you have worked in the construction industry, you know that confirming that the environment of the job site is safe from pollutants is an important job. The people who test and remove risky substances are a vital part of every construction project. If you think the career might be a good choice for you, here are a few things …
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Being properly insured can help you keep your business going, even when things go wrong. There are all kinds of policies, and liability insurance backs you when someone blames your business for an error or accident. With this information, you’ll know the common limits of liability insurance policies you might have for your construction business. How Does Liability Coverage Differ …
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From time to time, you will need to consult a lawyer to make sure you conduct business properly. Being able to choose wisely could cut down on the money you spend. These tips outline a few scenarios in which you might expect to hire a lawyer for your contracting business. Designing Contracts When you first start doing work for clients …
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Buying a big piece of equipment is a significant investment. You may be able to deduct a portion of it on your taxes. Here’s a few tax implications you should keep in mind as you plan. Decide on Tax Status There are many different ways you could choose to handle a purchase. Essentially, you have to pick between: buying it …
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A significant part of most contractor’s business comes from repairs from storm or other damages. For the vast majority of residential (and more than a few corporate) property owners, navigating the mess of paperwork that comes with filing an insurance claim is a nightmare. Fortunately, there are a plethora of knowledgeable insurance agents out there that can help with this …
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Making sure that existing buildings can sustain impacts from an earthquake is an important job. The Earthquake Brace & Bolt program offers a reimbursement for homeowners who hire a licensed contractor with the proper training to do the work. Here are the details of the program, and how you might use it to expand your contracting business. Why Are Seismic …
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By now, you probably know that doing well on an exam involves more than just knowing how to answer questions. Plenty of things you do on the day before and the morning of the test could affect your ability to think, solve and answer. Take advantage of this checklist to make sure you can set yourself up for success on …
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Property assessed clean energy (PACE) programs offer a way for property owners to finance special upgrades to structures and systems. This guide explains the basics of the PACE program, and how this kind of financing might affect your contracting business. Why Is Clean Energy Important? Reducing energy consumption by switching to more sustainable forms of energy can be a big …
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When you put a lot of information in writing and start to build some long-lasting customer relationships, you might end up with a whole lot of paperwork. With these tips, you will know how to decide what to save, the safest methods of discarding unneeded documentation, and what you really need to print. What to Keep You do have some …
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According to a piece that was first published in USA Today, general construction rates in the United States are significantly higher this year than they were during the same period of time in 2014. Though this is certainly good news for the industry, one factor is complicating matters: a shortage of qualified and mission-critical employees is happening at the same …
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You go to draw out a simple design for a customer, only to realize that you left your paper in the truck. Now your client wants to keep the sketch, and you’re not sure how best to get it to them. What if you could just bring out a tablet and have everything ready to go? These web-based tools help …
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If you have spent some time researching online marketing for your construction business, you probably already understand that having a solid online presence is key. But, how do you know that you have a solid online presence? With these tips and tools, you can get back-end analysis of your marketing approaches. That way, you can target your budget in the …
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Sometimes, the cost of materials or labor goes up. You might have to raise prices or risk cutting your margins too low. With these ideas, you can position a new pricing scheme in a way that is least likely to frustrate repeat customers. Evaluate the Needs of Your Customer Base If you want to deliver your message in the best …
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