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Tag: contractor business tips
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
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
Sibling dynamic builds Guyer Brothers into successful company with a family atmosphere
When talking with successful contractors, you often hear them credit the people that work for them. There’s a reason for that. Most people in this business understand that their success is directly tied to how well their employees do their job. Happy employees tend to be the best employees and the business owners that make […]
November 30, 2014
Business
When the Marcellus Shale provided the opportunity, West Virginia contractor Dwaine Doss was ready
Most contractors understand you don’t waste daylight. But by the time the sun breaks over the mountains of central West Virginia, Dwaine Doss has already put in hours of work. When your customers are the top dogs drilling for gas in the Marcellus Shale, starting time is typically 4:30 a.m. Quitting time? Don’t ask. Long […]
November 1, 2014
Construction Equipment
8 reasons why you pay too much for your equipment’s tires… and what you can do about it
Contractors hate leaving money on the table at a bid letting. But how much money are you wasting by neglecting your tires or by neglecting to establish a tire management program? The amount will vary, but more importantly your tire costs are one of the few variables you can control. “Tires are probably your largest […]
September 2, 2014
Business
Mailbag: Readers add criticisms, more advice for contractors and newbies looking for success in the construction business
We received quite a response from a couple of recent editorials, “The newbie’s guide to surviving your first week in construction,” and “The six habits of highly successful construction company owners.” So we thought we should share some of the additional ideas and suggestions we received via email from our readers—both the praise and the […]
April 8, 2014
Success Stories
How a loyalty to your employees can result in big growth for your construction business
“I’ve stayed with Larman Construction so long because of this guy right here,” said Fred Barhydt, pointing a finger at company owner Vernnen Larman. Barhydt, a Larman employee for 30 years, was just one of the employees I met expressing this sentiment during my visit to the Garland, Texas-based Equipment World Contractor of the Year […]
February 12, 2014
Business
Lean and Mean: How 3 brothers built Glendale Excavating into a successful company by managing its size
Glendale Excavating’s three brothers—Tommy, Dany and Greg Giangiulio—take pride in their construction heritage. “We’re third generation operating engineers,” says Dany. “We watched our grandfather operate equipment when we were kids, and begged to go to work with our father.” Adds Greg with a laugh: “It’s not that we had any choice in the matter.” Glendale […]
February 4, 2014
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