Markup and Profit Blog

A few of the problems with Cost Plus Contracts. A clip from Part 4 of our latest class based on the book, "Markup & Profit; A Contractor's Guide Revisited". Read more about Cost Plus Contracts - Video Clip

Warning signs of financial trouble in a construction business. Michael Stone discusses eight signs of trouble for contractors. Read more about Warning Signs of Trouble

Our newest six-hour class, based on the book "Markup & Profit, A Contractor's Guide Revisited", second hour, on markup and margin calculations. Read more about Markup and Margin Calculations

Our newest six-hour class, based on the book "Markup & Profit, A Contractor's Guide Revisited", is now available. This clip is from the first part on financial requirements. Read more about Paying Owner's Salary

As a contractor, some potential clients want to hire their own subs for your job. Almost always, it’s to save money. Should you agree? Read more about Hire Your Own Subs

It's your job, as the construction business owner, to make sure no one smokes and no one smells like an ashtray when you go on a job. Read more about Employee Issues - Smoking

Intent to lien - payment schedules - contract language. Common problems contractors experience on jobs. Read more about Remodeling Contracts - Intent to Lien, Payment Schedules

If you want to have a successful construction business, you have to get in gear and write down your purpose. Your goals. No one is going to do it for you. If you want it done, you'll have to make it happen. Read more about Making Your Business Successful

For every contractor and construction business owner who is working to make their business profitable and more successful. Read more about What We Do . . .

Your employees need to be able to communicate with clients on the job site, regardless of the work they do. Read more about Employee Issues - Speaking English

"I have gained more real life "how to" information from the books I have read (Profitable Sales & Markup and Profit) than in my entire time at ___." Read more about About the book(s) . . .

Whenever you get two people together, there's the chance of a disagreement. Read more about Friction on the Job - or in the office

If you're a residential remodeling contractor, keep your jobs clean. For your clients, a messy or dirty job site means a messy end product. Read more about Cleaning the Jobsite

Construction insurance work can be profitable but there are issues to consider. Read more about Insurance Repair Work

A reminder that your phone might be the first contact a client has with you, and what they hear matters. Read more about Your Phone Message Matters

Employees, properly motivated, can generate a lot of new business for you. Read more about Employees Can Generate Sales Leads

As you're walking out the door on a finished project, you want your clients to remember you as the company that went the extra step for them. Read more about Close Out Package

Getting good quality leads is a major problem for contractors. I hear complaints from across the country. Gang, work is out there, but you have to work hard to attract it. The days of sitting around and hoping the phone will ring because someone else remembered to say something good about you (i.e…we work by referral) are gone. Accept it, and start tooting your own horn. Read more about Lead Ideas for the Holidays

The price of every job is based on the cost, every job stands alone. In construction, don’t give a volume discount unless you want to go broke. Read more about Construction Pricing is Cost Based

Do you have a potty-mouthed employee who is offending your clients, subs, suppliers and maybe even your other employees? Read more about Profanity on the Job