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Is it a Construction Business, or a Hobby?

By Michael Stone

Question came from a friend the other day. He said, "Michael, how do you determine whether someone in construction has a business or a hobby?"


It’s Not For Us

By Michael Stone

Michael Stone shares about a note from a contractor who initially found the Markup & Profit Revisited book “too extreme” and “not for us” – but now realizes it makes sense.


Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better

By Michael Stone

The housing economy leaves a little to be desired. Don't count on the government to solve that problem. We have to take responsibility for and solve it ourselves.


When Business Dries Up

By Michael Stone

If sales have dropped off significantly or you’re under a stay-at-home order, here are 3 things that you need to do now for both your business and your family.


Relationship Between Sales and Owner’s Salary

By Michael Stone

We had a question come in this week from a contractor asking about how to calculate the volume of business a company needs to support the owner’s salary.


Charging a Fair Price

By Michael Stone

You can be the most ethical person in the world and if you aren’t charging enough for your work, you stand a good chance of cheating someone else.


Owning a Residential Remodeling Business isn’t Easy

By Michael Stone

He expected to make "millions". He wanted me to teach him how to do estimating "easily". That, he claimed was the only thing that he didn't know about this business.


Financial Plan for Success and Survival

By Michael Stone

If you thought you were the captain of your ship, 2020 taught otherwise.


Who Asks the Questions?

By Michael Stone

Most contractors I talk to believe their neck of the woods is different. They believe their clients are more difficult to sell to than anywhere else in the country.


Rapidly Increasing Material Costs

By Michael Stone

Quoting a firm fixed price is riskier when material costs are increasing rapidly, which is why your contract needs to address unexpected material cost increases.


Cleaning Up After a Low Bid Contractor

By Michael Stone

This potential client had a house built using the “lowest bid” contractor. The builder cut corners, leaving out little details like collar ties on the roof rafters.


Construction Cash Flow and Business Success

By Michael Stone

Construction cash flow is like every other business; there must be more cash flowing in than flowing out or the business won’t survive.


Plus Overhead Plus Profit

By Michael Stone

A reader recently sent in a note asking for my input on this statement that a government agency attached to a "bid package" for work they want done.


Doing Work Without a Permit

By Michael Stone

Doing work without a permit is a mistake. Pulling permits protects the homeowner; when a contractor doesn’t want to pull a permit, there’s always a reason.


Your Clients and Your Subs

By Michael Stone

Now, if you are a subcontractor, it doesn't matter what trade, if a general contractor has hired you to work on a job your obligation is to that general contractor only.


Growing a Construction Business

By Michael Stone

Growth is inevitable when you successfully market your business and have solid business practices but growing a construction business brings a few challenges along with the blessings.


Paying a Bonus to Employees

By Michael Stone

We are approaching the time of year when the subject of bonuses comes up. Your employees might be saying, “Do you suppose they will pay us a Christmas Bonus this year?”


Renegotiating the Price

By Michael Stone

How should you respond when a client wants to change the price AFTER the job has started?


Choosing a Contractor – Dealing with a Bad One

By Michael Stone

There is no way on God’s green earth I could pretend there aren’t unethical contractors.


Contract Cancellations

By Michael Stone

Cancellations happen, even with the best of salespeople. Clients have all kinds of reasons to cancel an agreement, and you need to be prepared.


Educating on Quality

By Michael Stone

Home and building owners need to know that hiring the least expensive contractor often means compromising on quality.


Time and Material (T & M) Contracts

By Michael Stone

I have read several posts on forums late …

Time and Material (T & M) Contracts Read More »


When Clients Do an End Run

By Michael Stone

Stay ahead of your clients. Write a detailed contract that protects you from as many unpleasant scenarios as possible, and work from written agreements with both your subcontractors and your employees. 


Paying Taxes Beats Losing Money

By Michael Stone

Paying income tax means you’re running your business well.


Do You Have Business Interruption Insurance?

By Michael Stone

Business Interruption Insurance is among the least understood and often most poorly written coverage.


Client Outrage

By Michael Stone

Real or fake outrage can be a client’s attempt to elicit an emotional response from you to get what they want. It often puts you in the position of questioning yourself and your company, not dealing with the subject at hand.


Trucks, Phones and Language

By Michael Stone

Keeping your business sharp and profitable is an ongoing process, and it’s easy to get lax about little things that can cost big money.


Underbidding a Job

By Michael Stone

“I’m a contractor and underbid a house. I’m almost done and just figured that out. I can’t afford this loss. What can I do besides bankruptcy?”


Resolve Estimate Details Before Quoting

By Michael Stone

His salesperson sold a kitchen remodel without resolving some details. The homeowner insisted it wouldn’t be a big deal. It was a big deal.


Setting Priorities

By Michael Stone

If you’re a business owner, prioritizing how you spend your time is critical. There aren’t enough hours in a day to do everything that needs doing.


Be Fair to your Customers – and Yourself

By Michael Stone

I talked with a young guy the other day who called about our coaching service. His company was upside down and I could tell he was hurting.


Family Fights

By Michael Stone

The topic is uncomfortable but if you’re involved in residential sales, you’ll see family disagreements. It helps to know what to do.


Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst

By Michael Stone

If the worst happens, will those left behind be able to either carry on or close shop without your presence?


Salary and Markup

By Michael Stone

One of our clients called with cash flow problems. Leads were coming in, sales and production was good, correct number of employees for the volume of work, but no money.


Protect Your Business – Change Work Orders

By Michael Stone

Michael discusses a ploy some building owners use to not pay for all of their change work orders. It happens in both residential and commercial projects.


Failing Expectations

By Michael Stone

Michael shares a note from a contractor dealing with multiple mistakes he’s made in his business.


Cost-Plus, Cost+, Time and Materials, T & M

By Michael Stone

A coaching client was working with a potential customer who wanted a remodeling job on a cost-plus basis instead of a fixed fee contract.


Borrowing Jacks

By Michael Stone

I recently had to face what I thought would be an uncomfortable personal conversation. I fussed all morning, then went to visit the person involved.


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