How to Start a Professional Construction Company Executive Summary. If you’ve ever wanted to start your own construction company, here’s the process. What do you want to do? First thing to do is figure out what you want to do. Heavy/civil, window installation, frame houses, industrial coatings – what? This […]
The Low Bid Model – Time to Go?
The Low Bid Model – Time to Go? Executive Summary. Although great in concept, the low bid model of construction proposal award is severely flawed. Here’s a quick evaluation of the two primary evaluation methods used by Owners in the award of construction projects. You evaluate which is best for […]
Debt: You Need It
Executive Summary Debt, at least in the American construction business, is helpful when it comes to growth. Here’s a couple reasons why. What is debt? When money is borrowed and then must be paid back, that money which must be paid back is called debt. On your business financials this […]
Going “Legit”: Lose the Brown Paper Bag
Executive Summary If you’ve been running the accounts receivable and accounts payable out of a brown paper bag and want to go “legit”, here are the first steps. The Background Perhaps you have a successful and operating company – you have for a year or twenty years. But each time […]
Starting a Construction Business: a 5-Minute “How To”
Executive Summary Starting a construction business has its unique requirements. These plus the norms will get you up and running at your new construction business. Step 1. Do You Know What You’re Doing? This is the first question to ask yourself as you are getting ready to enter, as my […]
“Boosting” Job Profits on Equipment Purchase – on Paper
Executive summary. Whether in a bid situation or a change order negotiation, there is a way to boost your profit on paper by not “job costing” your equipment. Let’s talk depreciation. And whatever you do, make sure to talk to your CPA after reading this. It’s much more complicated than […]
Balance Sheet – Knowing the Basics of Liabilities
Executive Summary: The balance sheet says a great deal about a company. If you’re a business owner you better know how to read your own, as well as that of your clients and subcontractors. This week we discuss the Liabilities section. Just the basics. My recent article introduced the balance […]
In Choosing a Software – Best Advice is to Talk to a Friend
Executive Summary: There exists construction software to do nearly all functions in your construction company. Your best source of software advice: your friends in the industry. I’m drowning in choices. There exists software to “help” your construction company in many functions: Estimating Takeoff – two and three dimensional Accounting Job […]
Including the Portion of Corporate Overhead in a Bid
Executive Summary: Determining how to account for the portion of corporate overhead to be included in a bid is a calculation that every company makes a bit differently. Learn the definition of corporate overhead and how it is included in a bid. What is corporate overhead? Corporate overhead is the cost […]
Consistency Results in Predictability
Executive Summary: Sustaining a business, and more so growing a business, relies heavily on consistency in business practices. Start today with improving your company’s practices so that profitability can be maintained and even improved. Better yet, let your consistent practices help you better predict the future. What is inconsistency? In […]
Profit Fade – Avoiding It
Executive Summary: Reduce profit fade at the end of your projects by adjusting building habits and getting the right people in place to finish your jobs strong. Several suggestions from years of experience are provided here. What is profit fade? So often a good job goes bad, but just at […]
SJCC Toolbox Terms & Glossary
Listen to our podcast for new terms and check out our glossary below. Click on a term to find articles that reference that term. Glossary of Terms A Aggregate – Coarse material such as sand, gravel, or other crushed rock. Often used as a substrate or base course. Artics – […]