Tag: construction business tips: Page 2

Business

Refocused by military service, New Jersey contractor rebuild’s company culture, transforms his business

While most people deal with work as one of life’s harsh necessities, Jason Ciavarro not only puts in the hours, he relishes them. “Work is where I find my joy and passion,” he says with a smile from the end of a conference room table at the offices of Supreme Metro Corporation in South Plainfield, New Jersey, office. […]

July 2, 2015

Business

Material Tracker site matches contractors for receiving construction materials or dumping excess

In its sales pitch, Material Tracker makes a scary-good point: “Unknowingly, you may have driven past a dump site that could help save time, fuel costs and make more money.” Having too much or too little material on construction sites has just been a harsh reality of the business. Now, it’s just one more cost the […]

May 1, 2015

Business

Post-vacation pressure: How to return to the office and jobsite without missing a beat

With long holiday weekends and the summer vacation season upon us, it’s easy to get behind in your work. If you often come back from vacations and long weekends overwhelmed, take a deep breath. Here are some tips to get your affairs back in order, and some ideas to keep in mind before your next break. More than […]

April 10, 2015

Business

How a contractor pursued delay damages against the U.S. Navy using the Eichleay formula

In a recent case involving work for the U.S. Navy — Appeal of Alderman Building Company, Inc. (ASBCA No. 58082, December 9, 2014) — a contractor was allowed to proceed with its claim for delay damages using the Eichleay formula. The Eichleay formula is a widely accepted method used to quantify a contractor’s unabsorbed overhead […]

April 3, 2015

Business

How to de-clutter your construction office into a (nearly) paperless, more efficient work space

Spring is the time of year when everything is new and fresh, so now that the season has officially arrived, people turn their attention to cleaning and organizing tasks. It’s the perfect time to tackle organizing work space, as well. A cluttered office not only makes you look disorganized to your employees and clients, but […]

March 23, 2015

Business

Succession planning: How one future contractor takes preparation to assume the family business seriously

In the past, second- and third-generation contractors often assumed the helm of the company because it was all they’d known, and what they were expected to do. They had years of experience in the field, but often had limited decision-making skills and little management experience. The focus on succession planning has often been on steps […]

March 4, 2015

Business

Contractor honors his father’s legacy with successful paving business

The TCW in TCW Construction stands for “Tony’s Cement Works,” a tribute to the company started by Joe Delgado’s father, which concentrated on driveways, sidewalks and patios. “We use his wheelbarrow logo to this day,” says Delgado, president of the Lincoln, Nebraska firm and one of Equipment World’s 2015 Contractor of the Year finalists. In […]

February 19, 2015

Success Stories

Precision Pipeline worked around the recession and desert turtles to become one of Utah’s top contractors

Landon Floyd grew up in construction. His father ran a small excavation and pipeline company in Southern California but moved to Utah when Landon was a boy because it seemed a better place to raise a family. Although his dad handed the reins over about 10 years ago, Landon grew up working for the company. […]

February 10, 2015

Business

California contractor sees latest emissions-compliant construction equipment as a competitive advantage

Andrew Allen, president of R. J. Allen Inc, has a different perspective on California Air Resources Board regulations, which require a certain percentage of a contractor’s equipment fleet be compliant with the latest emissions regulations. Allen, one of 12 finalists for the 2015 Contractor of the Year program, sees using Tier 4 Interim and incoming […]

January 26, 2015

Business

Four red flags you’re ruining your construction crew’s productivity

“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” –Theodore Roosevelt Conventional wisdom tells us a strong business needs a strong leader. A decisive and dynamic leader is the most […]

January 23, 2015

Workforce

Iowa contractor takes aim at employee retention and safety with hefty monthly bonus checks

Although still in its early days, a program implemented by J. Pettiecord, Des Moines, Iowa, in September is already having a positive effect. Called the SAAP Monthly Bonus—which stands for Safety, Availability, Attitude and Production—the program rewards employees that meet a few requirements at the end of each month with a bonus check equal to […]

January 12, 2015

Success Stories

Lifelong love of construction gives third-generation contractor Brad Phillips a distinct advantage

When you ask Brad Phillips when he first became interested in construction, his answer is straightforward: “I can’t remember when I haven’t been.” And when you look at Brad’s background, his answer makes perfect sense. Brad is part of the third generation that runs Phillips Companies, Beavercreek, Ohio. The company, which was started by his […]

January 6, 2015