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Many people start thinking about becoming a licensed contractor because they want to own their own businesses. And while you don’t have to work for yourself in order to be a contractor, plenty of professionals appreciate the option. But running a contracting business isn’t all about giving back to yourself. It requires the skills to keep it going, so you …
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If you’re the kind of person who prefers to study anywhere but home, you’re not alone. But in order to pass the contractor licensing exam, you’ll need to do a fair bit of research and review between work and a classroom setting. The right tools can make your home studying environment that much more effective. Here’s a checklist you can …
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With big plans for construction in California mixed with a labor shortage, trying to balance everything you need for your business can be tricky. There’s a lot of potential for steady work in the next few years. A significant amount of your success hangs on the consistency of your supply chain. Here’s a few ways you can manage your supply …
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Staying home with the family has been a great opportunity to spend lots of time together. But if you’re trying to study for the contractor licensing exam, you might find all this family togetherness a little unproductive. After all, you need time to focus and a quiet place in which you can study. There are still ways you can carve …
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If you aren’t working as part of a company, you might need to subcontract out some work from time to time. The trick is to find the professionals who will make your project better. Here’s how to know you’ve got a good subcontractor. Maintains Excellent Communication A subcontractor who knows how to balance work with administrative duties is worth their …
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At first, no one wanted to stay home. And now, it seems much more difficult to get people to leave. Although you’ll find pockets of the population that are more than ready to go back to business as usual, a lot of people are worried. Not just for themselves, but for their loved ones. Getting back to some level of …
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States are gradually coming back to life, after weeks or months of putting most processes on hold. This means getting back to the jobsite, in some form. The trick is that you’ll need to follow the rules, and what they are may change over time. At this point, you can expect to see the same social distancing guidelines continue, with …
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If your goal has always been to become an independent contractor, the independent part might be one of the most appealing aspects. You get to set your own hours and run your business in your own way. In an economic downturn where the whole industry has been turned on its head, you may need to collaborate. Here are five factors …
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As a contractor, you’ll work hard to keep your business on the up-and-up. Every now and then, you may encounter clients or other contractors who don’t share the same opinions. Although you can usually just decline questionable offers, there are times when even associating with someone who’s doing wrong can get you in trouble. Here are a few red flags …
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It feels like parts of the world keep spinning, while others are set off their axis. You may have projects to complete, while your suppliers are considered non-essential. This can cause backlogs in your work, as you try to find ways to keep meeting client expectations as you can. Here are a few delays you can expect related to COVID-19, …
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As it becomes apparent that COVID-19 is going to be a problem in the U.S. for the next several months, many businesses are shifting from paid time off for workers to furloughs and even layoffs. While most business owners should consider this a last resort, it may be a requirement for some in order to ensure that they can still …
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While construction remains an essential service, you’re probably going to continue working on projects. That money isn’t going to earn itself, after all. But in this time of uncertainty, it’s common to feel worried or even panicked about what going to work could mean for your health. Here are a few things you should pay attention to, to help ensure …
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The construction industry is feeling uniquely squeezed during this pandemic. First, there already weren’t enough skilled workers to complete the jobs on the docket. Second, construction has been deemed an essential service in many states, so work continues. Third, millions of people are avoiding work out of fear for their lives and their loved ones. How does one keep good …
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Economic experts have been predicting an economic downturn or recession in 2020. While it hasn’t hit the construction industry yet, there is no doubt that the downturn has arrived. With it, many small businesses worry about what this means for the future. Problems in the economy can affect industries in different ways, depending on what they do to corporations and …
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Here in California, environmental crises happen on a regular basis. If it isn’t a pandemic, it’s a series of wildfires or mudslides. Throw in an avalanche or two and an occasional big earthquake, and you’ve covered the state. When these things happen, California contractors have to negotiate with their clients to ensure that they can still finish the job and …
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Some industries have a way of encouraging certain types of people to join, without making it easier for others who might be interested to get involved. You’ll know that you may have a problem when you realize that everyone you work with looks and acts just like you. With a serious labor shortage, construction doesn’t have the luxury of being …
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Many businesses, even small ones, offer little perks to employees as a way to keep them happy. Good coffee in the break room or a lunch out on your birthday are a couple of common examples. Larger construction firms sometimes use perks as a way to make a bigger project easier to manage, or simply to ensure workers stay happy …
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Construction costs are up. And while it depends on the part of the state you’re living in, you’re probably already feeling the squeeze. It’s tempting to keep your bid prices and estimates down, especially in the early years when you’re still trying to find a reliable number of clients. But when your costs for materials and labor go up, you …
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  In businesses that rely on any kind of technology, there’s a risk that your plan for products and services may eventually become obsolete. While there’s always going to be a market for skilled building services, the way that you and others deliver them will continue to change in the future. The last thing you need is to find yourself …
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  As you gain experience in the construction industry, you’ll realize that there are several different processes that property owners might use to design a project and have it completed. Understanding these unique philosophies, such as Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build, can help you tailor your expectations to the assumptions of the person in charge. With this information, you’ll know the fundamental …
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