As business owners, we want to build something valuable and long-lasting. To do that, it takes these three time-tested steps: Get the day-to-day operations running right, make the business more profitable, then accelerate your growth. We are always learning from our customers, and these are 49 ways we’ve watched them build long-term businesses. Manage More...
For contractors, cash is often king. But just because you prefer cash payments doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also offer a credit card payment alternative. Sure, having a credit card processor take a percentage off the top of each bill feels like it cuts into profits, but the convenience to your business and customers can make...
One challenge contractors face in winning business is anticipating new opportunities. It’s easy to miss hearing about a new project until after the fact – when there’s no chance to win the business. Even if you have a good relationship with the customer. The reason? You’re not top of mind. Some projects are spur of...
New data from financial information company Sageworks shows seven of the top 10 industries with the highest sales growth are related to construction. However, Sageworks also reports that the construction sector has below average profitability relative to other small businesses. For construction business owners, the opportunity for financial success is ample. So why are so...
For service contractors, it can become extremely time-consuming and difficult to manage all your workflows, inspections, proposals, field technicians, repairs, parts, invoices, customer interactions, payment history, and more. In the technology age, customers have rising expectations. Customers don’t want a field service agent to arrive at the last hour of a four-hour window, and then,...
A list of essential electrician tools is a little bit of a moving target. Tools for your electrical business are vast and variable, depending on whether you’re doing residential or commercial work or more specialized electrical services. So everyone’s list will look a little different. For most, your electricians tools kit won’t set you back...
Even if your plumbing business is fully established, you should always be selling and promoting it for growth and the natural client attrition that happens over time. Referrals may make up a large portion of your business, but it’s still important in the 21st century to have a solid digital ads strategy And if you...
So you’ve taken the leap into commercial plumbing jobs and need to learn how to bid plumbing jobs. The kind of jobs where you need to put together a real deal comprehensive plumbing bid, not just a standard contractor estimate. This is a lucrative and rewarding approach to winning new business but not without its...
From drain snakes to a sturdy set of wrenches to accounting software, here are the tools you’ll need to run a successful plumbing business – including the best plumbing tools for 2020. Essential plumbing equipment (a.k.a. “the basics”) Like most service-oriented trades, plumbing is a tool-heavy profession. First, the basics. Here are some tools...
The HVAC/R field is a tool-heavy one, do you have all the essential HVAC service tools to get the job done right? That’s no surprise since the HVAC tech’s job encompasses multiple fields: Part pipe-fitter, part refrigerant tech, and part electrician, to name a few. That means needing a diverse array of HVAC service tools...
*** This is a guest post by Patrick Hogan. Getting paid on time is a huge challenge for construction contractors and material suppliers. The construction industry is notorious for having frequent payment issues, including disputes and delays, and sometimes this seems to be the norm rather than the exception. In some instances, these payment issues...
It’s easy to treat HVAC invoices like an afterthought. By the time technicians are finally finished with a job and know customers are happy with their work, invoices seem like a last formality that stands between getting paid and moving on to the next job. So, technicians rush through the process treating invoices like receipts...
