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I’d like to get some feedback from you all. There are gobs of people who visit this site every day but only a small fraction of you ever leave a comment or engage in any way. Lots of lurkers, very few voices. So it’s difficult for me to know what more you’d like to learn or read about on this blog. Here’s your chance to sound off. Please leave a comment below and tell me what you’d like to learn more about! I appreciate it.
My name is Jeff and I created this blog in 2007 to help and inspire contractors and home service providers. It’s come a long way since then.
Hey Jeff, I am 20 yrs old and want to set my career as a contractor.I have no idea what and how to start with.I need your guidance.
Hi Vikas,
Thanks for the message. First I would recommend that you check out my comprehensive post about how to become a contractor: http://www.richcontractor.com/my_weblog/2008/11/how-to-become-a-contractor-13-steps-to-becoming-your-own-boss.html
Then just keep working your way through the site. If you have questions after that feel free to ask. Thanks!
My son (age 30) just starting his own company and I will be helping him with bookkeeping etc – I found this site interesting. He already set up a Tax ID number but wants to get LLC so I am working on that. What is the best form of spreadsheet should I use to keep track of everything? He started the business in Nov of last year and just handed me the bank account and a box of STUFF lol to go over.
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for the comment! If you’re looking for just a free, basic spreadsheet system online for tracking basic business tasks then google docs is always a solid option: https://www.google.com/docs/about/
If you’re talking more about accounting related duties then the standard go-to software is quickbooks. If you would like help getting that set-up there is nobody better than Randal and his team at Fast Easy Accounting. Click the following link for a free one hour consultation with them: http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/free-one-hour-consultation-new-construction-accounting-outsourced-accounting-services-prospect
Best of luck to you and your son and let me know how things go!
I love this sight. Thank you for all you do. How about more information on different estimating books, apps, software etc for contractors. That would be very useful information for all of us starting out.
Hi Rebecca. Thanks for the compliment. I thought about doing a post on this subject, but Dan’s list in the $100K Handyman is so thorough and complete that I don’t know that I could add anything that would be better.
Hey JEFF,
I am a contractor from Morocco, i am really excited to read Rich contractor poor contractor book, the cover reminds me of a book i ve read recently Rich dad Poor dad by Robert Kiyosaki, my question is how can i get your book, i only find the kindle format on amazon and its not available in my country.
Kind Regards
Hello Simohamed,
I have nothing to do with that book. It might be good, but I haven’t read it, nor did I write it.
I am a huge “nube” at the construction trait but since there seems to be no bull $hit on this site I will visit it often. Just saying since Jeff says to sound off and not to be a creep. so far the advice seems good and only a tiny bit vague but thats fine.
Anthony,
What would you like me to be more detailed in explaining? I honestly would like to know.
Thanks
Hi Jeff, i got a bit of construction experience and a degree in construction management. i dnt have a trade but i want to become a general contractor who subconracts the trades. Would that work out or i need to be skilled in a specific trade?
thank you
Hi Brenden,
It certainly helps to have some experience (which you do have), but you don’t need to be a wizard in any specific trade or niche. Plenty of general contractors are guys who are better at managing and organizing than they are at actually performing the labor. So, given your experience and degree, I think you will do just fine! Let me know how it goes.
Jeff
I just started following your blog, and i am not certain if youve touched on this subject, but in growing my business from 500k to 2.5 million in 4 years, i learned the value of mentors. Reach out to people that are where you want to be, ask the right questions and it will change your life.
I also have had the chance to mentor people just starting in contracting, its very enjoyable, most successful people enjoy sharing how they got there, so dont be afraid to ask for help.
Hi Jeff,
Greetings from India!
I am a Civil Engineering professional, worked in the Middle east for a long while. Now I am back in India and have set up my own Contracting company. I construct structures using 3D panels and I see a lot of Potential in India. I am pretty good at it and my clients tell me so. I do have serious issues when it comes to running the business, especially on the planning and scheduling , financials and lately feel like just giving it up. I been really working hard and realise I am not getting anywhere due to organising disasters. Any softwares that can really help will be a kind of final resort, before i decide to give up. I have almost 25 years of experience in High rise as well as residential structures.
https://www.procore.com/
My husband has always been an employee general contracting superintendent. He’s now working with a company that has hired him as a travelling subcontractor/superintendent. Is there any advice for someone (me), who’s minimally knowledgeable, so I can keep up with all of the change orders, contracts, pay requests, etc., to assist him while he’s out on the road? Essentially I’m trying to run his office for him, but I’m not that knowledgeable about it?
Try using Procore. https://www.procore.com/ This kind of stuff can get a little pricey, but it can also make your life a whole lot easier. I think they have a free trial period.
Hi Jeff,
My husband and I own a small construction company in a small town called Ashburton in New Zealand. We are coming up 1 year in April and have been lucky enough to have had a main contract through out our first year of business meaning we could sit back and relax a little bit so to say. We have 3 staff – a qualified builder and 2 labourers. Recently we have decided to try to move away from our main contract due to some disagreements. I come from a marketing, advertising and sales background and have decided to take the leap and leave my current job to support Tim in the pursuit of new business and to take some admin off his hands so he can do what he is good at which is building. We have 2 young kids, a mortgage, debt from when we started the business – so this is a big jump for us to move away from all our security. Do you have any advice to help build that confidence? We have some work on our books outside of out main contract but this has all come from our network, we have only had a handful of cold inquirers to date, but how far ahead should we be planning work? The idea of not knowing where our revenue will be coming for in a years time scares me big time! How should we be marketing a relatively new business with not a lot of work history in a small clicky town where our competitors have been secure in their boots for years? Found your blog as I was writing my resignation today and found it great! Sorry for the novel – I feel like my questions don’t even cover much but the more I read the more I will learn I’m sure š
Begin marketing on the internet heavily and immediately, and ask for satisfied customers to leave you reviews on your google business listing. Get enough reviews and “net” credibility and you could find yourself zooming past your competitors. Starting a blog is also a great idea. More on all this can be found in my marketing category on the blog. Good luck!
I work for a small construction company in Washington state. I work in the office and did not know anything about the construction trade before I started working here late last year. My question is, how can I be the best support for my boss? What kinds of skills should I be honing to run an efficient construction business office?
Just learn as much as you can as you go along, and work on communication skills. An organized office that has great communication between all involved often does very well. You’ll get there…thanks for the comment.
Hi Jeff,
My significant other & I have been running an llc for the last couple of years & I’m currently freaking out on where to go for help. We’re in Colorado & are framing subcontractors. We have got to get our contracts done properly as we are constantly tracking down our payments etc. The stress right now is overwhelming. I’m going to start reading this website & thank you for having it. Is there anything you can tell me to help point at what & who our steps need to be? We have an accountant & all insurances etc….it’s the contracts & what we need to be doing besides just building amazing houses…but waiting for payments etc. I can’t even think straight today. We have a lot of work & he spends so much time hand holding with home owners, meetings etc we’re not getting paid for…plus doing the building. What happens is they attach to us because he is so good at handling all the aspects from beginning of build to the end & everything in between….the last 2 houses, the homeowner’s fired the general contractors & we are put in the position of all the guidance…plus all the hammer throwing. He’s exhausted & we’re going broke every job between pay.
Thank you so much.
Karen
Thanks so much….Karen
Karen-
It sounds like you need to charge more money. You guys are being used for things that you’re not getting paid for. If he’s basically taking over as the GC for some of these jobs then he needs to be compensated for both swinging the hammer AND running the show. If the customer doesn’t like that then they can find somebody else who will work for free.
Hi Jeff,
I run a construction company’s (appr 50 employee) day by day operation including email, billing, scheduling, problem solving, etc. Now I feel I am not enough to do this. How can I put this company to the next level where can I look for professional advice?
If you have 50 employees then you are likely making more than enough money to bring on an operations director or general manager to take over a lot of these things for you. Then you can focus your time and energy on strategy and higher-level stuff (including more marketing to take your revenue to even higher levels).
I have a question regarding me hiring labors and skilled labors for a multi family construction company. Should I consider them employees under w-2 or as independent contractors..I have a llc company and workers comp
Every situation is different, and there are pros and cons to each. The nice thing about keeping them as independent contractors is that you don’t feel that constant stress to keep them busy and the constant need to meet weekly payroll when things are slow. With subs, If they’re working, you’re making money, period. Just make sure they have their own insurance.
Hello! Thanks for some great links and info! My husband is a contractor in FL and is doing quite well, with that said we would like to grow. His office is a wreck and he tries to run all aspects of the business. He has yet to find a filing system that seems to work best. What is your advice on office organization, i.e. filing by job or vendor? I would really like to jump in and help him grow or at least be able to give him some direction with his office. Thanks in advance!
https://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/
Hey Jeff,
My friend and I are looking to start an LLC to contract out various jobs (flooring, landscaping, framing, drywall, pressure washing, etc). We have several contacts for these services. How would you suggest I start? We have some leads looking for work to be done but I am working full time in banking and I’m just afraid to make the leap. Any suggestions? My friend has bought and sold 3 homes so far and knows a lot of the ins and outs of the business, I would come in as the head guy for this part of the company (the remodeling part) what would you suggest the splits be between me and him are? Also, I don’t have experience in remodeling, I am a good manager and my skills would be more customer service oriented, I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving quotes, how would you handle that? Would you get the quote from the person doing the job and then tack on a percentage? If so, how much? I know they are loaded questions. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Many of your questions are already answered in other posts on this blog and a little searching around would help you with these. Estimating jobs is a skill that you will get better with in time. In the beginning, if youre not sure, it never hurts to have the sub take a look at first, give you his quote, and then build in your margin before handing your quote to the client. As time goes on you will get better at knowing what numbers you need to hit to make it worth everyone’s time.
Hi Jeff just got my license a month ago and I’m still making 120 a day with my current employer I haven’t been able to get any leads for work, what do you recommend I do?
Hi Henry, There is a lot of information on this site for getting leads and new work. The best thing you can do is to start a blog and begin building your reputation online. If you build it they will come. Good luck!
Good evening Jeff, I’ve worked for a electrical contractor for several yrs. I dabble in painting, drywall and a few other trades i picked up through out the yrs. I started a LLC and have all my paper work in place. My problem is im a little confused as to how to promote my G.C company utilizing my strongest skills. In addition to how much electrical can i perform as a G.C
If you’re licensed then you can perform as much electrical as you would like, regardless of what you call yourself. I would say promote yourself with the skills/projects that you are most interested in doing. Lead with those. If you want to remodel, then target “remodeling”, “rehabbing”, “general contractor”, etc. These are the terms to highlight, whether you are filling out online business profiles or starting a website, etc.