Times were tough, so Remodeler John decided to lower prices below those of his competitors. He promoted a charge-out rate 20% below the industry average, explaining that his overheads were lower than those of larger companies.

 

The turning point came after advice from his mentor. "You're selling yourself short, John," said the mentor. "With your qualifications and experience, you should charge at least as much as other businesses – if not more. I understand your marketing strategy, but I don't think clients see it that way. They are more likely to interpret lower costs as lower value and quality. In your industry, confidence goes a long way, so you shouldn't be afraid of marketing yourself at a price that reflects your expertise and experience."

 

Then came the call from his accountant. "Aren't the sales figures great?" said John, getting his bit in first. "Yes," said the accountant, "impressive sales indeed. That's the good news. The bad news is that the business has actually lost money over the last quarter."

 

This was how John learned that trading for sales and trading for profit could be different. Chasing sales revenue is fine, provided your prices give you a sustainable profit. John hadn't checked his costs for some time, so the unwelcome news from the accountant came as a shock.

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Topics: Growth Coach, Bookkeeping For Remodel Contractors, Remodel Contractor Coach, Profit and Growth Strategies For Contractors, High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Bookkeeping Services, Pricing Jobs, Trading for Profit, Trading for Sales

Running a small construction business is a constant juggle, and managing your receivables is one of the more frustrating tasks. How often have you been waiting on overdue invoices? Do you have enough cash flow to cover next month's expenses? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many small business owners need help keeping their accounts receivable in check, which can ultimately impact their business's health and sustainability.

 

This guide will provide practical steps to streamline your invoicing process, confidently approach past-due invoices, and ensure steady cash flow.

 

Understanding the importance of timely invoicing

 

Timely invoicing is more than just good business practice; it's critical to maintaining a healthy cash flow. When invoices go unpaid, your cash flow takes a hit, potentially affecting your ability to pay suppliers, cover payroll, or invest in growth opportunities. By sending invoices promptly, you lay the foundation for timely payments.

 

Studies show that businesses that practice timely invoicing and set clear payment terms see fewer delays and disputes.

 

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Topics: High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Clients, How To Charge Clients, Get Paid On Time, Bad Customer Service, invoices, Receivables, Construction Business Receivables

Have you ever paused to consider the real impact of your business's customer experience? Is it lifting your brand or dragging it down, along with your team's morale? Today's consumers expect nothing short of excellence, so understanding the consequences of poor customer service is vital.

 

So, what does poor customer service cost you? Let's delve into the details—they might change your perspective.

 

The ripple effect of dissatisfied customers

 

Every business faces it sooner or later—a client who leaves less than satisfied. But don't be fooled into thinking that the story ends there. Unhappy customers, in your case, homeowners, rarely stay silent. They're more likely to share their experiences with friends, family, and the vast world of social media. What's worse, a scathing online review can echo for years, impacting your brand's reputation far beyond the initial complaint. 

 

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Topics: Give Your Customers And Clients What They Want, High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Clients or Customers, Clients, How To Charge Clients, Client Feedback, Bad Customer Service

Most businesses understand that customer satisfaction is crucial to their success. Happy clients are likelier to remain loyal, refer others, and leave positive reviews. This trend has only been amplified by social media and online review sites, where negative feedback can spread quickly and damage a company's reputation.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, more than an effective customer service system is needed: you must provide customers with a positive and memorable end-to-end experience at every touchpoint. Creating powerful experiences that exceed consumer expectations can have massive implications for any business — from increasing brand loyalty and trustworthiness among current clients to being highly attractive to potential customers. 

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Topics: Give Your Customers And Clients What They Want, High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Contractor Guidance, Building a Construction Business

Customer service is the heartbeat of any successful business. The unsung hero transforms a potential disaster into an opportunity and a mere transaction into a lifelong relationship. In the narrative of customer loyalty and retention, service is the protagonist.

 

Your approach to customer service has the power to attract and retain clients. As a construction business owner, client service is critical to your company's success. It is essential to understand what your clients want and how you can provide the best service possible to meet their needs.

 

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Topics: Give Your Customers And Clients What They Want, High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Customers Vs. Clients, Secrets Of Highly Successful Contractors

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

Most business owners receive plenty of well-intentioned advice and 'helpful opinion' from family and friends. However, good business advice spoken from commercial experience is another matter entirely.

That's not to say it's hard to find, but finding a reputable source in the Internet age is sometimes less than straightforward – especially if you have a specific problem to solve and limited time.

This is why, for good times or bad, developing a network of peers or seeking out a business mentor can be a great idea.

 

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Topics: High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Construction Accountant Who Listens, Clients or Customers, Contractor Tips

A USP (Unique Selling Proposition) is a compelling reason for your target market to choose your construction business over your competitor's. Examples range from cutting-edge service and product features to simply being more convenient and easier to find for the target market.

 

But it all boils down to meeting your local market's needs in a more accurate and improved way than the competition and being able to market these points more effectively.

 

By doing this, your business can stand out in the marketplace with a strong reputation attracting more clients.

 

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Topics: High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Construction Accountant Who Listens, Clients or Customers, Contractor Tips

Traditionally, employers have relied on giving employees raises to retain their staff and reward them for being hard-working and loyal. Raises can get expensive, and there is often an upper limit for what you can offer regarding increasing salaries and wages.

 

Keeping your employees happy makes business sense. You want to keep your good employees, and it costs money to find, hire and train new staff. Beyond that, satisfied employees who feel valued are more motivated and productive.

 

Here are some ways to keep your employees happy that don't rely on higher salaries.

 

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Topics: Give Your Customers And Clients What They Want, High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Business Process Management For Contractors, Winning Teams

Construction business owners know that to find a loyal client base, they must stand out from their competitors. One of the best and easiest ways to do that is to have outstanding customer service. How you treat your customers reflects your entire business. People think positively about companies that treat their customers and clients well. 

 

Unfortunately, many small construction business owners focus much on their products and services, with customer service remaining an afterthought. 

 

Take time to learn more about your customers.

 

 

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Topics: Give Your Customers And Clients What They Want, High Profit Repeat Construction Clients, Business Process Management For Contractors, Winning Teams