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You may have heard that California has a lot in the pipeline for construction over the next decade. It’s definitely a great reason to get invested in the industry as soon as possible. Transportation may be a very big part of that growth, especially as various governments and companies try to find ways to better connect the state. Here are …
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In the early years of your contracting business, you might be looking for any reasonable clients that you can find. It’s common to earn the business of your friends or family members as a way of growing your income and your credibility. But although the people around you may be eager to help you out, it isn’t always a good …
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Getting profits from your business seems like it ought to be simple. You spend a certain amount of money on each project, and the money you make on top factors into your profits. In order to get enough money, you’ll need to research and set your profit margins. The amount depends on industry norms as well as your own business’s …
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You probably know at least a few people who hired a friend or relative to do some work for them instead of hiring a licensed contractor. That might seem like an easy way for people to get what they want, but it’s full of problems. In fact, unlicensed contractors can make life a lot harder for reliable, honest contractors like …
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When the summer days get hot, you might wonder how you can work on the jobsite at a lower temperature. The idea of working at night may seem like the most obvious solution. You can avoid traffic and shave several degrees off the daily high temperature. But working at night isn’t always perfect, either. Here’s what you need to know …
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When you have a highly refined set of skills, that often means that you spend your day doing many of the same tasks over and over. Gradually, these movements can lead to strain or injuries to joints and muscles. Although these problems can get better, they can also become chronic or lead to other, more serious conditions. Follow these tips …
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Throughout the daily running of your contracting business, you’ll come in contact with a lot of people who make your life easier. Mentors who help you get started, other contractors who fill in when you need assistance, and even your employees can make a big difference in your business success. Here are five ways that you can thank them. Thank …
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If you read the news at all, you probably have heard some discussion about American dependence on the oil industry. And whichever side you fall on that topic, you can probably agree that oil can be an unpredictable commodity. Sometimes it’s cheap, sometimes it’s outrageously expensive. Here are a few ways to tell that your contracting business is too reliant …
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Since construction is so dependent on materials, the success of your contracting business depends heavily on your supply chain. As the recent delay of shipping due to a trapped ship in the Suez Canal revealed, there are a lot of issues you might face at the moment. Here are a few ways to minimize them. Update Your Estimates Issues with …
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There are a number of possible safety and practical concerns you will face on the job site. Some of them, like wind, are a little harder to control. However, with the right tools and practices, you can keep wind from blowing away your materials or creating hazards while you’re working. Here are a few things to keep in mind as …
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Running a contracting business may seem like periods of feast and famine at first. Sometimes you have lots of work and your cash flow is great. Other times may be leaner, and you might worry about your cash flow. To help keep it simple, you can manage your overhead expenses. Here are a few tips to help you do that …
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As a contracting business owner, you’ll probably pay for a variety of services. You may have subcontractors who do some part of the construction for you. You’ll probably also need other services, like accounting, printing, inventory management, and more. Here are a few ways that you can shop around for services, to ensure you can choose the best one. Search …
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When you’re studying for the contractor licensing exam, one of the best places to really focus is at home. But when the home is stuffed full of noise and chaos, you might not get a lot of good reading or practice there. Focus is important, so it’s worth testing out a few different locations that will work better. Try these …
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Spring is a great time to take stock of what you have and get it in order. Before you know it, you’ll be busy with projects and have less time for organization. If your workspace is in need of some care, you can get it into shape without a ton of work. Here are five things you can look at …
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Some people are born students. And then there is the rest of us. Not everyone is destined to have the kind of ideal focus that makes it so much easier to study and retain information. In many cases, you have to trick your brain into thinking that you know just what to do. Here are a few things you can …
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Is the New B-2 Remodeling Contractors License Right for Your Contracting Business? Last year, California’s government proposed and approved a law that would create a new license for remodeling contractors. This license, called B-2, is somewhat different from other contractor licenses.  Here’s what you need to know about the new license and how you can determine if it is the …
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Does it feel like the workday drags on? Do you wish you could have energy that didn’t make you feel jittery or make it harder to focus? What you eat may make a difference. Although your diet isn’t the only way that you can reset your ability to work, it may affect your energy level in ways that you did …
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One of the things that the pandemic highlighted for businesses is that they really need a leave policy, particularly for sickness but also for vacation. If you don’t have a way of determining how you will take time off, you’ll have a hard time establishing a protocol for employees as well. Here are a few factors to consider as you …
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When you think about starting a contracting business, you often think about the skills you’ll need to run it. No one said anything about being able to communicate with all of your clients, but that’s one of the most important things. In many cases, you’ll find that your clients can speak English but would rather communicate in a language they …
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Construction is famous for early starts and long days. Once you get used to it, it may feel like second nature. But at the beginning, and especially on a bad night of sleep, you may struggle to stay alert. The problem is that you need to be wide awake to perform your tasks. Here are five ways you can help …
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