Ever dreamed of starting a family business? Investing in a franchise opportunity with friends?

 

Businesses owned and operated by families can have incredible staying power. All family-owned companies, Volkswagen, Samsung, and Nike, are among the world's most successful, leading brands.

 

Working with family and friends can be fun and rewarding, especially in the construction industry. I know because we've been in one. But before you hire the people you care about most, it's wise to consider the pros and cons.

 

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Topics: Hiring Employees, contractor divorce, Construction Contractor's Family, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips

If your customers owe you money, the faster you can obtain it using effective collection tactics, the better. Ideally, you want to reduce the chance of bad debts and pressure on your construction company's cash flow.

It can be easy to neglect to manage your debtors when you're busy growing your business, but intelligent credit control is important. So it's crucial to have the skills to handle the people who owe you money well, especially if you want to avoid taking them to court.

When negotiating contracts with clients, try to set payment terms that help your cash flow, such as deposits or progress payments. Dealing regular payments for contracts that take months to complete has two purposes: it gives you cash flow to match your expenses and protects you from total loss on a project if the customer goes into liquidation.

 

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Topics: Invoicing, High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Contractor Tips, How To Charge Clients, Get Paid On Time

Marketing covers everything you do in your business that creates awareness, including advertising, brochures, competitions, trade shows, demonstrations, travel, direct mail, email campaigns, your website, and sponsorship. Let's narrow our focus to an integral part of Marketing - Advertising.

Advertising is a massive industry with multiple mediums for your message to be heard or lost in translation. It might sound like a no-brainer, but before you start planning your advertising, you must consider what you are trying to achieve from your investment. Your ultimate objective likely is to build sales, but other things to consider are increasing market presence and building your brand.

 

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Topics: Hiring Employees, Hiring Guide For In-House Construction Bookkeepers, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, Construction Employee

Getting your construction business up and running and making a profit is usually much more complicated than it sounds. So let's focus on honing the skills you'll need to make it happen by acquiring these yourself or consulting professionals to help you.

What it means to be your own boss

Being your own boss might sound like it is the ultimate ticket to freedom and financial success – and it can be. But don't be fooled into thinking you'll be able to put in a few hours each morning and spend the afternoons networking over a round of golf. The reality is that most businesses require much hard work – more than your standard 9–5 job and over some years – before they start to make a reasonable profit, and many new construction businesses fold before they reach that point.

 

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Topics: Success In Owning A Construction Business, Contractor Tips, Building a Construction Business, Construction Employee

As a business owner, you know the right people are crucial to your construction company's success. The best employees can help you achieve your business goals, improve productivity, and drive growth. But finding the people best suited to your team can be daunting, and sometimes it's easy to hire someone who seems okay rather than taking the time to find the best fit. 

Here are some steps to find and hire staff that support your business growth, whether in the office or the field.

Step 1: Define the job and necessary qualifications

The first step in finding the right talent is accurately defining the job description and qualifications. Is this a new position you're hiring for? Are there gaps in employee skills that need to be met? Is this a position that requires specific knowledge and experience? 

 

Remember that there's a difference between "must-have" qualifications and "nice to have" considerations. When setting out "must have" qualifications, include only those that are necessary to the person successfully performing the role. 

Remember also that the job salary should match the role and the qualifications. You can't expect to hire someone with ten years of experience by only offering an entry-level wage. 

 

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Topics: Hiring Employees, Hiring Guide For In-House Construction Bookkeepers, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, Construction Employee

It's hard to go a day without reading something in the news about the state of the economy. Whether it's interest rates rising or the cost of living, there's no getting around the fact that in 2023 there are many doing it more demanding than a few years ago. But while there are some economic challenges for individuals and businesses, it's important not to go too far down the rabbit hole. Remember – economic conditions are forever changing, and history tells us things can change anytime.

If you're concerned about the economy's impact on your business or have already experienced its effects, read on. In this article, we'll explore ways to adapt and improve your construction company during slowdowns, so your business can emerge more substantial when the market bounces back.

Take the time to understand your market conditions

 

The news can often overwhelm us with negativity. While staying informed is crucial, consuming every opinion piece and social media commentary can lead to a negative mindset. Instead, focus on your own business and industry to identify the real challenges you're facing. Research might even uncover some opportunities too.

 

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Topics: Increase Sales And Profits With Tiny Changes, Business Round Table, Contractor Tips, Contractor Guidance, Construction Business Inflation

Payroll is one of those things that starts simply enough. You start your construction business and hire a few employees, and things tick along. It's straightforward enough to keep everything in line at first, but what happens to most companies is… they grow!

This is a great thing, but it also means that payroll becomes more complicated. As such an essential aspect of your business, payroll must run smoothly. Getting paid is, after all, the primary reason that most people come to work.

 

One of the biggest challenges contractors face is keeping track of overtime hours. With so many employees working on different job sites and projects, it can be challenging to calculate their overtime pay accurately. Complying with all federal and state labor laws is another essential aspect of a construction payroll system. This includes appropriately classifying employees as exempt or non-exempt, withholding the correct amount of taxes from their paychecks, and providing accurate wage statements.

 

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Topics: Payroll Processing, Payroll Options, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips, Payroll For Construction Contractors

As a contractor, having a solid business plan is essential for growing your company and attracting new clients. If you're serious about getting the best value you can for your marketing budget, you'll need to develop a marketing plan.

One of the first steps is to identify your target audience. Who are your ideal clients? What are their needs and pain points? Once you understand your target audience, you can develop a marketing strategy that speaks directly to them.

Building a solid construction company marketing plan is essential for any business owner looking to grow their company. With the right strategy, you can increase your brand awareness, generate leads, and ultimately boost your revenue.

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Topics: Success In Owning A Construction Business, Leadership Styles, Contractor Tips, Building a Construction Business

Construction business owners face various sources of stress that can negatively impact their well-being and overall business performance. Some leading causes of stress for construction business owners include financial pressures, tight deadlines, workforce management, safety concerns, and regulatory compliance. If not adequately addressed, these factors can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and even business failure. 

Many entrepreneurs believe hard work and determination are all it takes to build and sustain a successful business. But when you consider the pressures of running a company, it seems wise to add effective stress management to the list. Left unchecked, stress can erode your passion and undermine performance – not to mention a severe toll on your health.

 

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Topics: Cash Flow, Construction Accountant Who Listens, MAP vs. PAM, Contractor Cash Flow Problems, Do What You Do Best And Outsource The Rest, Contractor Tips

Fear is a natural, emotional response to distress. The evolution of humanity was dependent upon feeling and responding to fear. Unfortunately, for some of us, fear is a stumbling block to unlocking our full potential and becoming great leaders. 

Fear can have a significant impact on business activities. If a business owner is afraid of taking risks or making decisions based on past negative experiences, it can hinder their success. It's important to remember that fear is often based on False Evidence Appearing Real or F.E.A.R. It's crucial to approach business decisions objectively and not let fear cloud judgment. By recognizing and addressing fear, business owners can make informed decisions that lead to success.

The good news is that courage is like a muscle, and when you exercise courage, it often becomes more robust and more natural. Here are a handful of ways to overcome fear, find courage and become a better construction company owner.

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Topics: Success In Owning A Construction Business, Leadership Styles, Contractor Tips, Building a Construction Business