So you have a great business idea and are convinced you can make it work, but you don't have much capital to get your business off the ground. Juggling existing financial commitments such as a mortgage or bank loan could put a squeeze on your business plans. Many entrepreneurs use creative thinking and shrewd planning to get businesses off the ground with the smallest budgets.

Freelancers in all industries deal with the same problems due to the nature of their work. Most of you came from the skilled craftsman trades; some worked as construction company managers and have now started or thought of starting your business.
 
If you just did, congratulations, you have decided to own and operate a construction company. Practically, solo contractors manage every aspect of their business, but we are here to help you navigate it. Here are the things you need to consider (especially when you are on a limited budget) to keep it running.

 

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Topics: New Contractors, Construction Cash Flow, New Business Startup, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Construction Company Startup Tips, Contractor Tips

When you think of payroll, you might still envision paperwork and envelopes given to employees by hand. Even with direct deposit being the norm for years, there is still a significant paper component to manage.

You won't find a contractor using inefficient tools on the job site these days. The hammer or the nail gun? No question. While every contractor recognizes the flaws of using ineffective tools, they may still be losing money due to inefficient payroll tools and processes.

As with most things, payroll is going digital – for a good reason. There are many benefits to digital payroll for construction business owners and staff alike. Read on to learn why switching to paperless payroll could be right for you.

 

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Key Performance Indicators, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability

The new year is a natural time to decide what you want to achieve and how. Businesses tend to progress more consistently if the owner sets financial goals and makes a plan to achieve them. 

 

Your construction business (and personal) budget is one area where you should keep your resolutions from slipping. While it’s true that there’s also next year when it comes to your financial goals, putting it off has real consequences that equal less money and more work. So here are seven steps you should take in January to start your 2023 budget.

 

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Key Performance Indicators, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability

The end of the year is typically a reflective time. Something about that lull between holiday festivities and New Year's Eve sets the stage for introspection and review. While you're busy reflecting on the year ending and making plans for the new one about to begin, make sure you take some time to consider your finances. 

Preparing your End of Financial Year (EOFY) information often feels stressful—there are receipts to sort out and reports to review. You must ensure you have all the necessary information about your income and expenses. It can be overwhelming, and it can make the EOFY feel daunting.

The end of the financial year isn't just a time to collect receipts and find invoices. It's also a time to reflect on how your past year went, what went well and what didn't, and what you can change for next year.

 

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Key Performance Indicators, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability

Small construction company owners like you already have a time-consuming and challenging job running your business. If you're working on weekdays, you usually need the weekend to catch up on paperwork, pay bills, and manage any tasks you didn't get to during the week. 

But this weekend is Christmas, and with it comes time to relax, focus on family and friends and take stock of what is essential in life. Phone calls from employees dealing with a minor crisis will pull your focus from your family, or your Christmas dinner will be taken over by business talk. Like the merry bells of Christmas, your cell phone will constantly chime with the sounds of urgent text messages and emails that must be dealt with. Clients will need your attention.

So, if you've been waiting for a sign or permission to pause, this post could be the one you're waiting for. It's easy to let the construction company take over your personal life, but as a small business owner, it's vital that you get some time away from work.

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Outsourced Accounting For Contractors, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, contractor delegation, Switching Off During The Holidays

The year is almost over. Fourth-quarter and year-end deadlines are approaching. Most construction business owners who reach out to us describe this as their "Year End Madness" to prepare their documents for the tax accountant. 

The end of the year tends to be chaotic for construction company owners, but it's an excellent time to get some extra housekeeping done for your business. If you're on QuickBooks, you can click the Help Menu; depending on the year and version you're using, you can access the Year-End Guide, which will show you how to wrap up your business year. It's not an easy process, but it's all worth it. 

Why? Because tax preparers will take what you give them - they don't have the time, and it's much work that you've paid for, but a good tax preparer will know how much you can save if you can track your money. Bottomline - pay your taxes right, but it doesn't have to be more than what you owe.

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Topics: QuickBooks Year End Closing Tips For Contractors, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, QuickBooks Year End Closeout, Contractor Tips, Reducing costs, Year End Tips For Construction Contractors

Enlightened contractors like you understand the value of developing your own unique Construction Contracting System, a collection of documented repeatable processes and operation manuals. The key is continuously refining your construction company's practices and procedures.

Your office ensures your contracting company has a steady flow of projects. Proper accounting and bookkeeping develop timely financial reports to show which jobs are profitable so you can pursue more. Thus, you can focus more on the following:

• Acquiring the right clients
• Doing the project as close to on time and on budget as possible
• Get job deposits and timely progress payments
• Follow-up with clients to monitor satisfaction and line up new projects
  
  

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Key Performance Indicators, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability

Cutting costs can be a quick and easy way to improve the profitability of your construction business. Introducing cost-control measures can bring immediate savings and ensure you remain profitable in the long term.

But cost-control measures must be carefully managed. Eliminating errant expenses is beneficial, but indiscriminate cost-cutting could lead to a drop in quality or poor morale if staff fear being made redundant or are not given the tools they need to do their job efficiently.

This risk is heavily reduced by identifying where you can safely trim costs, setting clear cost-reduction targets, and researching any cost-saving initiatives before making changes to your contracting business.

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Topics: Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Contractor Tips, Cost-Reduction For Construction Companies, Reducing costs

Depending on the nature of your construction business, you may have workers who are employees or contractors, or you may have both. Each has its merits, but it's important to review which are to meet your tax obligations.

With so much discussion about employees, payroll, and payroll taxes, you may feel like missing out by not hiring many employees. The reality is that as a small business owner, you do not have to hire employees.

To hire or not to hire employees is one of the few optional things where the business owner can choose, change their mind, and change direction as needed.

When you have an employee, you must withhold income tax and report on additional benefits. Contractors generally look after their tax obligations.

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Topics: Hiring Employees, 1099 Employee, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Contractor Tips, Payroll For Construction Contractors

Long-standing customers form the backbone of a robust and well-established business. Make it your mission to ensure that most of your current customers stay with your company for many years.

Understanding the High-Profit Client

Most of them have personality traits commonly known as drivers. Folks accustomed to getting things done quickly and efficiently do not mind paying professionals for servicing, repairing, remodeling, or building new construction projects related to their houses and commercial buildings.

Why it's vital to keep existing customers

Your current customers already have personal experiences dealing with your business and using its services. You won't need to spend much time, money, and energy convincing them to continue hiring you.

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Topics: Payroll Loan, Payroll Processing, Payroll Tax, Payroll Options, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Contractor Tips, Payroll For Construction Contractors