While reading another magazine this morning, I was struck by all the advice given to contractors on how to sell their services. It appeared that none of the writers were actually engaged in selling remodeling services, and might not have ever been. But they all stated that price was at the top of the list [...]
Continue reading: The Price of the Remodeling Job isn’t the Concern
I heard an interesting account over the weekend about a friend who owed business taxes to the IRS. They had gotten behind and the IRS started trying to collect the money due. In a situation like this there are things that a company can do to limit the damage.
Anyway, this business hired an attorney [...]
I can’t count the number of phone calls we’ve had over the years from contractors trying to deal with the after effects of a Cost Plus contracts. There are two main reasons contractors get involved with a Cost Plus contract.
Continue reading: Avoid Cost Plus Contracts with Accurate Estimating
Does a job have a “life expectancy”? I believe it does and you should be aware of the warning signs.
A job’s “life expectancy” is when either the contractor or the client think the job should be done. It’s the point where the contractor and the client are tired of the job and tired of each [...]
Continue reading: Do Construction Jobs Have a “Life Expectancy”?
I was talking with a coaching client today, Gary Palmer from Palmer Custom Builders in Charlotte, N.C. Gary has always been a student of this business and it has really paid off for him.
He just recently completed a $90,781 contract that had $7,752 in additional work added for a total contract price of $98,533.
When the [...]
I read an article this morning in NARI’s magazine (www.RemodelToday.com) about mistakes contractors make in dealing with home or building owners. One of the topics was e-mailing bids.
The writer pretty much nailed the biggest problem with e-mailed bids. She commented that if clients insist or demand that their bids be e-mailed, that’s a red flag. [...]
I was recently in Las Vegas to do some classes for a company called Energy Panel Structures whose home office is in Graettinger, Iowa. They were holding their annual dealer meeting in conjunction with NAHB’s International Builders’ Show.
Energy Panel Structures had a few hundred contractors show up for their dealer meeting. Those contractors were there [...]
Many homeowners want work done on their home, but are concerned about the price. In sales, it’s important to understand where your clients are coming from. So let’s try something a little different on your next sales call.
When it comes time to quote a price and ask for the order, have a backup plan [...]
