How to Succeed With Your Own Construction Business

by Diller, Stephen

• ISBN13: 9780934041591
• ISBN10: 0934041598
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-11-01
• Publisher: Craftsman Book Co

Summary

Everything you need to start your own construction business: setting up the paperwork, finding the work, advertising, using contracts, dealing with lenders, estimating, scheduling, finding and keeping good employees, keeping the books, and coping with success. If you're running your own construction business, all the knowledge, tips, and blank forms you need to succeed are here. Recommended reading for the California State Contractor's exam.

Table of Contents

Taking the Plunge	5	(35)
Learning the Hard Way	6	(4)
But Is It Right for You?	10	(3)
Are You Up to the Challenge?	13	(1)
The Next Step	14	(5)
Choosing Your Name	19	(1)
Registering Your Company Name	20	(1)
An Employee Identification Number	21	(1)
Getting a Business and Contractor's License	22	(2)
Getting Bonds and Insurance	24	(2)
What About a Franchise?	26	(9)
Knocking on Opportunity's Door	35	(18)
The Professional Look	36	(3)
What Do You Have to Offer?	39	(1)
The Next Step	40	(13)
Digging Up Business	53	(37)
Creating a Logotype	55	(4)
Institutional vs. Promotional Advertising	59	(6)
High Dollar Advertising	65	(6)
Your Media Choices	71	(15)
Qualifying Leads	86	(4)
Making the Sale	90	(21)
A Hard Lesson	90	(1)
That Important First Impression	91	(2)
Sell Yourself Before You Sell the Job	93	(6)
Sell the Value of Remodeling	99	(1)
Listen, Listen, Listen	99	(2)
Bid Specifications, Not Ideas	101	(2)
Don't Let Money Do All the Talking	103	(2)
Polishing the Proposal Folder	105	(2)
The Final Step	107	(1)
Selling the Next Job Off This One	108	(3)
Dealing with Clients	111	(14)
The Handyman	112	(2)
The Purchasing Agent	114	(1)
The Manipulator	115	(1)
The Perfectionist	116	(1)
The Deadbeat	117	(1)
The Fall Crazies	118	(1)
The Pre-construction Meeting	119	(1)
The Change Order	120	(1)
Job Completion	121	(2)
Summing It Up	123	(2)
Making It Legal	125	(22)
The Smart Contract	126	(11)
Complete Agreement	137	(1)
A Contract Checklist	137	(1)
Time and Materials Contract	138	(2)
Collection Troubles	140	(7)
Financing	147	(22)
Money Sources	148	(4)
Getting Paid	152	(14)
Contractor Financing	166	(3)
How Much to Charge and How to Bill It	169	(14)
The Options	170	(1)
Your Prices Are Based on Your Costs	171	(7)
The Profit Question	178	(1)
Contract vs. Time and Materials	178	(3)
Bidding or Negotiating for Work	181	(2)
Estimating with Accuracy	183	(30)
Estimating Methods	186	(4)
The Estimating Take-Off Form	190	(4)
Putting Your Estimate Together	194	(4)
A Math Primer for Estimators	198	(4)
A Sample Estimate	202	(11)
Scheduling the Job	213	(16)
The Basics of Scheduling	214	(1)
Choosing the Right System for You	215	(11)
Staying on Schedule	226	(1)
Scheduling Software	226	(3)
Finding and Keeping Good Employees	229	(18)
Hiring Employees	230	(12)
Hanging On to the Good Ones	242	(2)
Firing Employees	244	(1)
Working with Subcontractors	244	(3)
Running an Efficient Office	247	(16)
The Equipment You Need	248	(6)
Managing Your Time	254	(2)
Computers or No Computers	256	(7)
The Paper Shuffle	263	(36)
The Federal Tax Forms	265	(34)
Keeping the Books	299	(20)
Breaking the System into Parts	301	(15)
Managing Cash Flow	316	(1)
Totaling Up for the Year	317	(2)
Buying Insurance	319	(6)
Kinds of Insurance	320	(5)
Looking Ahead	325	(5)
You're on Your Own	327	(1)
For Further Information	327	(3)
Index	330