Category Archives: Homepage featured

Does your contractors licensing school have to be local, or can you save a few dollars by traveling farther?

We have always felt that it’s important to get the lessons you need in your own neighborhood. That’s why we have 25 different campuses around the state – we want to make it as convenient and affordable as possible for you to learn, while still giving you the very best education from experienced construction professionals.
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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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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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As any test preparation business will tell you, knowing the subject and being able to perform well on the test can be two completely different things. Use these tips to revisit your test-taking skills and see if you can sharpen your focus, quell exam panic and do even better than you expected. Study Regularly and Avoid Cramming Some people prefer …
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If you have a project that requires a construction general permit, the state of California says you may need to create a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan with a qualified developer. Even if stormwater runoff management is not a part of your regular business dealings, you will probably have instances where you work on a project that requires an SWPPP. Here are the …
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  Communicating with clients is absolutely vital to the success of your contracting business. The trouble is that sometimes, it’s not clear exactly how you should be writing for them. These tips help you determine the best communication styles to use for residential, small business and corporate clients. Getting Started When you are just starting out, you have to figure out your …
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Networking is one of the elements that makes the business world exciting yet terrifying for some.  It’s neither easy nor natural, but it is a solid way to grow your business organically.  Often you’ll hear the famous last words from small business owners of all types: “I’m just not a sales guy.”  Sales gets a bad rap from time to …
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What comes to mind when you think of the average construction worker?  Steel-toed boots, check.  Hard hat, check.  Toolbelt, check.  Protective gear, check.  It’s pretty easy to pick a construction worker out from a lineup, but that “stock” construction worker look above puts you and your staff in a pool of 5.6 million construction and trade workers.  Worried you might …
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For most people, integrated robotics is a far off science-fiction fantasy that you see on screen and read in books.  When people mention the future, it always involves some type of robotic automation that makes both dangerous labor and repetitive tasks easier.  But what if I told you that in the construction industry, that future is now – and it’s …
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If you’ve ever dealt with excavation and shallow water tables, you’ve probably come across the term dewatering.  Groundwater and construction aren’t friends – there’s hardly a jobsite out there that doesn’t require some water removal.  Construction dewatering is an important preliminary task in which groundwater or surface water is removed from a site, typically by pumping or excavation.  This process …
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Spend some time out on construction sites and you’ll see that they are noisy places.  Loud pneumatic tools, earth-moving machinery, and the large vehicles noise can really take a toll on your ears.  Like most body parts, our ears wear out bit by bit overtime from overuse and overexposure to loud noises.  Hearing loss is a growing problem in the …
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As our nation continues to grow, develop and change over time, so does the housing landscape.  In 2016 and 2017, population growth in metropolitan cities has slowed for the 5th straight year according to new census data.  Americans are trading in their high-density domiciles inside urban centers for land and low-density living out in sprawling suburbia.  Despite what you hear …
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When it comes to landing residential projects, the magic always resides in the bid itself.  Despite modern homeowners becoming more selective when it comes to construction, you can source good work if you know how to properly calculate your time, materials/labor costs, and subcontractors if needed.  If you’re able to interact with people, listen to their concerns, and propose solutions …
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The construction industry is undergoing a era of change like no other.  The industry itself plugs into so many different sectors that contribute to overall economic growth.  People are looking towards construction to address environmental issues, rebuild aging cities, while using technology to introduce efficient, green, and most importantly, safe practices.  So with the digital revolution underway, what will construction …
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Drones on the Job Site? The construction industry is changing quickly; we’re seeing more and more digital technology make its way out to the jobsite.  Drones are the latest and greatest tech that is revolutionizing the way we work. Long before any construction professionals show up, drones can conduct site surveys with high-resolution aerial images, 2D/3D modeling, and detailed terrain …
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Exterior Remodeling Projects – How to Easily Add Value with a Few Simple Tweaks Across the country, droves of Americans choose to remodel their houses every year.  Whether they are looking to sell the house on the market or just want to improve the look and feel, homeowners are turning to contractors for expert advice when it comes to updates …
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Organizing and Planning Succession Within Your Construction Business   Planning for future is often overlooked in the construction industry – many construction professionals have small teams that are swamped with local projects and bids, barely getting their proverbial heads above water.  It’s never too early to get started on creating order, organization, and structure that provides both security and continuity …
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Construction Theft: A Problem Plaguing Jobsites In the construction world, jobsites are home to large amounts of heavy equipment, expensive raw materials, and ancillary resources that are essential to the project’s completion.  Despite large amounts of money invested, construction security is typically overlooked, meaning both thieves and employees can abscond with materials and you’ll be none the wiser at the …
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