Scheduling Tips that Save Time and Money

Construction managers have the mammoth task of ensuring their jobsites run smoothly. Pre-job planning takes care of contracts, plans and the ordering of equipment and materials, but it’s scheduling during the build that often causes delays. When scheduling fails, customers get angry and you lose money as you’re able to complete fewer jobs in the …

Read The Full Post »

Protect Your Business and Get Paid

As a construction manager, getting the admin done in time can help you to keep your business thriving. Taking time to communicate effectively and get everything in writing will protect you and your client and ensure you get paid on time and in full. Taking time to draw up contracts and alter them as the …

Read The Full Post »

Construction Tips to Make your Life Easy

Every builder has some tips and tricks that can help to reduce waste, save time and improve your profit margin. Here are some classic tips that can help you streamline your building process. Draw a ruler on your workshop floor. It won’t be precise, but for rough cuts on large pieces of lumber, it can …

Read The Full Post »

Outdated Interior Design Rules you can Break

Interior design has inherent rules—paint small rooms light colors and don’t use more than one pattern in the same space. With homeowners taking a more hands-on approach to design (thanks Pinterest!) the guidelines have been somewhat blurred. Here are a few rules that are outdated. If you choose to break them, you can add a …

Read The Full Post »

DIY Projects Gone Wrong

Homeowners often take on DIY project hoping to improve their properties while saving money. The results are sometimes disastrous and may actually end up costing more. A recent survey of 2,000 US homeowners who attempted a DIY project in November 2018 found that 63% regretted not getting professional help. About half of the respondents said …

Read The Full Post »

Insulation Tips for Drafty Openings

Light switches, light fittings and outlets can be a major source of heat loss in winter and cool air in the summer. A tiny 1/8-inch gap around six ceiling light fixtures adds up to a 2 square-inch hole in your ceiling. Putting gaskets behind switch plates is a good start, but these don’t provide a …

Read The Full Post »

Preventing Common Callbacks

Many callbacks are the result of too much moisture in the home. Not only can this result in mold and mildew, but swelling of materials can cause buckling, cracking and other issues. Here are some common ways that water finds its way into a new home. Proper Drainage Intersecting roof planes can make for stunning …

Read The Full Post »

Tips for Retaining Profit Margins in a Competitive Construction Industry

The most essential element of maintaining your profit margins is forward planning. Don Macgruder from ProSales: “Most executives lack focus on future margins because they are not prepared to face the harsh reality that they use losing strategies. It is easy to complain about a 19.8% margin on last month’s report; however, it takes effort to develop a winning pricing strategy. Good margins don’t just happen; they require a forward-looking strategic plan.” Here are some strategies that will ensure proper forward planning:

Read The Full Post »

Jobsite Stress and How to Deal with It

Sure, as the owner of a construction firm, you get to be your own boss, but construction is a very stressful occupation. As a small business owner, you have payroll, taxes and getting new clients to think about. With the construction labor shortage, it can be really difficult to keep your team together. Every building …

Read The Full Post »