Jun 16, 2017
This Podcast Is Episode Number 0221 And It Will Be About Contractors of all sizes must be adaptable to change
Every time the phone rings you need to be willing to question
what do they need are how far are you willing to drive to bid the
job and do the work. Some types of work accepted or rejected may be
based on the location of the job or by the state license.
When starting out one of the first decisions to be made is “What
Type Of Contractor Am I?” This decided during the process of the
contractor talking to the Bonding Company, Insurance Company and
The State Licensing Board who approves the company’s Contractors
License.
The Primary Questions to be
answered are:
- What level of exposure, risk and your skills?
- How do you want to do these projects?
- Are you most comfortable being a Handyman?
- Are you most comfortable being a Trade or Specialty Contractor?
- Are you most comfortable being a General Contractor?
- Are you most comfortable being a Remodel Contractor?
- Are you most comfortable being a Home Builder?
The Four Types Of Contractors...
Dog And Pick-Up Truck
This Wonderful Soul - Has a heart as big as the outdoors and likes working alone. They are easy to get to know. They usually have either a pick-up truck or a van with a dog sitting in the passenger seat hanging his head out the window watching and occasionally barking hello to folks and other dogs while feeling the breeze as the contractor zooms down the road.
They Do Not Think About - Retirement and when asked about
it the reply I get most often is something
like “Retire, nope, I don’t need new tires yet”.
These Contractors - Enjoy being their own boss, doing what they
want when they want, how they want and works hard. They typically
do not feel the need or desire to grow the business or hire
employees since they would only get in the way.
Most Of Them - Run their business as a sole proprietor
They Generally Earn - $20K to $40K a year after all expenses
Salt of The
Earth
This Wonderful Soul - Also has a big heart; just not quite as big
as all outdoors. They like having employees because they do not
want to work alone. As their business grows they like to take
time off and enjoy travel and vacations.
These Contractors - Have one, two or three employees because when the employees get out of line the contractor can hold two of them by the throat; one in each hand and eyeball the third one! This is called “Construction Management”
This Group Will Usually Invest - Some money to build a
retirement nest egg.
Most Of Them - Operate their business as a C-Corporation, LLC or
Sub-S
They Generally Earn - $40K to $60K a year after all expenses
The
Professional
This Wonderful Soul - Also has a big heart; they just tend to keep it under cover. This group tends to have more employees and have a structured approach to their construction company treating it more like a firm.
These Contractors - Tend to have 1-20 employees with formal organizational charts, processes, and systems in their contracting businesses including a formal documented business plan which is updated and reviewed regularly with a board of advisors as outlined in my article on the subject.
They Invest Heavily In Marketing - Their businesses. They understand their target market, they use The 80/20 Rule to understand the demographics and psychographics of their prime customer, the ones who generate 80% of the cash and income. And they seek to acquire more of them and will do whatever is economically feasible to turn those customers into lifetime repeat business.
This Group Usually - Engages the services of a competent financial planner, banker, and accountant to work together in helping plan and develop a financial estate that can take care of them in their senior years and be passed on to future generations.
Most Of Them - Operate as a C-Corporation, LLC or Sub-S or
Partnership.
They Generally Earn - $100,000+ a year after all expenses
The Enterprise
Level
These Construction Firms - Have 100+ employees and generate enormous revenues. Most of the owners and managers earn about the same as a well-run professional contractor. In a lot of cases, their life span is shorter than any of the other contractors due to the enormous stress they suffer trying to navigate their construction companies through the ups and downs of the Business Cycle.
The Managers Deal With Issues - That are beyond anything the previous groups even think about, including labor unions, government oversight, massive risk and are constantly under pressure to increase shareholder value at any cost.
Seagull Management - All too often a board member or powerful outside influence without a clear understanding of all of the moving parts involved in running this type of company feels the compelling need to fly in, crap on everything and everyone with their crazy ideas and fly out leaving a disaster to unfold. Then when things go bad the managers are the ones most likely to pay the price.
The Odd Thing Is - It always looks like a fun job until someone gets into it. Having worked with a few of these firms I understand the enormous pressure they are under and have decided my life is too short to spend one more minute with them. All I can do is pray for the managers and ask that all of them will receive divine guidance to stop them from making a long-term decision like suicide or worse, based on short-term problems.
I Am Sincerely Concerned - About the health, wealth and
spiritual well-being of all contractors and have found the other
three types of contractors to be well grounded spiritually;
however, since I am aware of the special challenges of running an
enterprise construction company I sincerely ask you as a friend;
someone you may not have met, and may never meet on this plane of
existence, that you will seek the goodness of an everlasting and
ever loving God, whatever you conceive him to be, so we can meet in
the future in a better time and a better place.
If You Are A Contractor - It is not about the type of contractor
you are, how many employees you have or how much money you earn. It
is all about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Be the
type of contractor that suits you, do the work, you will
have results and enjoy yourself.
The Final Observation - I will share is that you deserve to be
wealthy because you bring value to other people's lives and do not
let anyone tell you differently.
The rules for contractors vary by state. In several states, it is
the size of the job that dictates the type of license is required.
(Everyone can start out as a Handyman and work up to being a
General Contractor). Specialty licenses are required for Plumbers,
Electricians, and others. Again – Plumbers and Electricians start
out as “apprentices” and work their way up to “Journeyman
status”
What Type of Construction
Work Do You want To Do?
- Residential
- Commercial
- Tenant Improvements
- Service and Repair
- New Construction
- Remodels
Once a contractor figures out “What he or she wants “To Do” the next step is consulting your State Requirements” (and skills).
Next Decision: “Where Do You Want To Do It?” (Location, Location, Location)
- Big City
- Medium City
- Bedroom Community
- Large Town
- Small Town
- In the Country
In a small town, you usually have to travel farther to the jobs. In a big city – it is not practical to spend hours of windshield time versus choosing closer jobs. In bad traffic, the travel time could be the same.
Travel Time is part of
overhead and Not Billable To The Customer.
- How far do you want to travel?
- How far away will you drive to get to the job?
- How long are you willing to be “stuck” in traffic?
Choosing the time of day can be as important as choosing where
to travel.
Watching the news this morning it was saying between two cities
(Seattle area) southbound on the freeway travel time was 82
minutes. Northbound between same two cities travel time was 23
minutes.
When a call comes in – you are for lack of a better term. “On the
Hot Seat.” You want to say Yes, I will come to no matter what or
where the job is. The reality that may not be practical. You are
always doing a fast filter trying to decide to get more information
about the job or have enough information to let it go.
Are you skilled to do what
the customer would like?
- Is the job something you normally do?
- Is the job the right size of job?
- Where is the job located?
If you have just finished a job and a neighbor down the street of that job comes over and asks you to come look. You are more likely to “Say Yes” I will see you next because you are right there. A small job might have the potential of becoming a larger project (you won’t know unless you go look).
Even if the job is much smaller than what you usually accept.
Again, you are more likely to “Say Yes” because you are right
there. If that same person called and you were on a job 82 minutes
away in bad traffic you may have a different
answer.
Just starting out as a contractor. Then you will more than likely
be more willing to take on all sizes of jobs. Contractors in
smaller towns “Do A Little Bit Of Everything” from service and
repair on leaky faucets to kitchen and bath remodels, to whole
house remodels, to tenant improvements and new construction.
Why are they so flexible? It is because the work is not so
plentiful that they need to have a broad skill base and willingness
to work on almost anything to make a “decent living.”
In the bigger city, they would be a “General Contractor.” In a
smaller community, it is called being a “Generalist”.
A word of caution about working for almost exclusively for a single
contractor.
Seems easy; if there is lots of work coming in, I’m asked “Why do I
want to work for other contractors?
Short Answer: Taxes and Penalties. Every State Government (Worker’s
Comp | State Unemployment) is looking for additional Tax Revenue.
If you are working for a single contractor The State may classify
you as an Employee. The penalty is issued and payroll taxes are
due. Do what I call: Playing Within The Lines!
Explanation From Taxing Agency: Is that you have a Contractor’s
License only to avoid payroll taxes
Of course, once a State Agency determines you are an employee, the
IRS will also want payroll taxes.
The downside of working for a single contractor. Everything is
great as long as you are getting along.
What is the contractor suddenly doesn’t like you, decides to
discount your invoices, refuses to pay you?
You could go from a situation where you have a stable contact
situation to Oh Crap – Now What Am I going to do?
I recommend all small contractors (especially those who work
primarily as a trade contractor) to find several General
Contractors to work for as your primary source of income. Now –
next step find other retail customers. Work your neighborhood, the
neighborhood of existing and previous jobs. If you have only small
bits of time – Great look for small jobs. Help the senior citizens
in the neighborhood.
Why – you are looking to increase your customer base
(headcount).
Need to document that you are NOT working for a Contractor of One.
Ask for referrals of other contractors. Everyone has jobs that are
“Too Big” or “Too Small.”
Working together with other General and Trade Contractors to find
customers you can avoid being classified as an employee by a State,
Local, Federal Government Agencies.
Another part of the rules to document you are operating a “real
business” Advertise. Have a website, get business cards, hand out
flyers.
The next piece is to have an “outside accountant” (who has a
business license). Again you are documenting you are in business
and not working “under the table” as a 1099 employee.
Think, Save a Little, Plan a Lot. The economy always has peaks and
valleys. No one expected the last recession to last as long as it
did or impact as many people. Contractors were hit the hardest
because it was a domino effect. Banks stopped lending; called loans
due. Contractors couldn’t pay or get paid.
Many former contractors are just now thinking about going back into
the construction business. In a former life, they had lots of
employees and a full accounting staff. In many cases, contractors
were left with HUGE debts and long-term payment plan to the IRS. I
hear more from Contractors who “Had Issues” over Contractors who
sold everything and have been “Coasting Nicely” these last few
years.
Some Contractors who are starting over just want a “Little Help.”
For them, gone are the days of High-End Accounting Software and a
huge payroll. The High-End Accounting Software still exists.
Contractors love the price of an under $500.00 one time cost
accounting software but they may struggle with having to make the
choice of having “fewer Reports” to work with.
What is not there is The Contractor who remembers the Pain of
Yesterday having the willingness to immediately “Step Up and
Purchase” expensive Accounting Software. When starting over – Going
back to where these Larger Contractors were before is usually not
the first choice and may not be feasible from a credit or cash flow
standpoint.
Others are downsizing from Specialty Accounting Software to
QuickBooks Desktop Accounting Software.
Another change I see is that contractors are looking for more
Specialty Trade Contractors where before it was all “In-House
Employees.”
As a Contractor, you want to get paid easier and faster. The answer
is to have a Stand Alone Invoice or Web-based invoice that is easy
to understand. Builders, General Contractors, and Homeowners just
want to be able to easily understand your invoice and pay you.
Customers want to pay using their credit card.
The harder is for the Customer to understand what’s due the longer
it takes to get paid.
Have you laid out a payment schedule? Is it Due on
Completion, By Date or By Milestone of the Project?
No one likes to receive a “story problem” where they have to figure
out How Much To Pay You.
An example is using a “Long Winded Email” as an Estimate, Proposal,
Invoice and Payment Receipt.
Yes – We Can Help! We Setup QuickBooks for more than 100 types of
Contractors, enter in previous accounting from a mutually agreed
date, continue with ongoing Bookkeeping needs. Use QuickBooks
Desktop in a cloud environment, it is optional that our clients
have access to the QuickBooks file. With our processes and other
add-on software, we make it easy for our clients to send, access
documents and reports.
Short List Construction Contractors We Serve
Brand New Construction Company Handyman Company
Cabinet Installer HVAC Contractor
Carpentry Contractor Insulation Contractor
Carpet And Tile Contractor Interior Designer
Commercial Tenant Improvement Contractor Land Development Company
Concrete Contractor Landscape Contractor
Construction Company Masonry Contractor
Construction Manager Mold Remediation Company
Contracting Company Moss Removal Company
Contractor Painting Contractor
Custom Deck Builder Plumbing Contractor
Custom Home Builder Pressure Washing Company
Demolition Contractor Remodel Construction Company
Drywall Contractor Renovation Contractor
Electrical Contractor Restoration Contractor
Emerging Contractor Roofing Contractor
Excavation Contractor Spec Home Builder
Finish Millwork Contractor Specialty Contractor
Flipper House Contractor Subcontractor
Flooring Contractor Trade Contractor
Framing Contractor Underground Contractor
General Contractor Utility Contractor
Glass Installation Contractor Construction Employees
Gutter Installation Company Construction Support Specialist
Additional QuickBooks Templates, Resources, And Services
QuickBooks Set Up Templates
Solopreneur
QuickBooks Chart Of Accounts
Free Stuff
QuickBooks Item Lists Templates
Consulting
We Serve Over 100 Types Of Contractors So If Your Type Of Company Is Not Listed
Please Do Not Be Concerned Because If You Are A Contractor
There Is A Good Chance We Can Help You!
Call Now: 206-361-3950
Other clients after their QuickBooks file is setup choose to
stay on the Cloud Server, do their own bookkeeping and request an
additional accounting, bookkeeping and consulting assistance as
needed.
To be better able to assist, we have added our
FastEasyAccountingStore for the convenience of clients who want to
do their own bookkeeping and need additional Chart of Accounts and
Items Lists to make their QuickBooks File work more efficiently.
Looking forward to being of assistance.
Enjoy your day.
Sharie
I trust this podcast helps you understand that outsourcing your contractor's bookkeeping services to us is about more than just “doing the bookkeeping”; it is about taking a holistic approach to your entire construction company and helping support you as a contractor and as a person.
We Remove Contractor's Unique Paperwork Frustrations
We understand the good, bad and the ugly about owning and operating construction companies because we have had several of them and we sincerely care about you and your construction company!
That is all I have for now, and if you have listened to this far please do me the honor of commenting and rating podcast www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast Tell me what you liked, did not like, tell it as you see it because your feedback is crucial and I thank you in advance.
You Deserve To Be Wealthy Because You Bring Value To Other People's Lives!
I trust this will be of value to you and your feedback is always welcome at www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast
One more example of how Fast Easy Accounting is helping construction company owners across the USA including Alaska and Hawaii put more money in the bank to operate and grow your construction company. Construction accounting is not rocket science; it is a lot harder than that, and a lot more valuable to construction contractors like you so stop missing out and call Sharie 206-361-3950 or email sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com
Contractor Bookkeeping Done For You!
Thinking About Outsourcing Your Contractors Bookkeeping Services?
Click On The Link Below:
This guide will help you learn what to look for in outsourced construction accounting.
Need Help Now?
Call Sharie 206-361-3950
Thank you very much, and I hope you understand we do care about
you and all contractors regardless of whether or not you ever hire
our services.
Bye for now until our next episode here on the Contractors Success
MAP Podcast.
Enjoy your day.
Sharie
About The
Author:
https://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/free-one-hour-consultation-bookkeeping
Sharie DeHart, QPA is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on how to manage the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/sharie-dehart/ 206-361-3950 or sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com
Our Workflow Removes Your Paperwork Frustrations
For Contractors Who Prefer
To Do Your Bookkeeping
Fast Easy Accounting
Do-It-Yourself
Construction Accounting Store Is
Open
Most Contractors Setup QuickBooks Desktop Version In One Of Three Ways:
#1 EZ Step Interview inside QuickBooks Setup
#2 Asked Their Tax Accountant To Setup QuickBooks
#3 They Attended A How To Setup QuickBooks Class Or Seminar
And QuickBooks Does Not Work The Way They Want It Too!
The Answer:
#1 Click Here To Buy An Entire QuickBooks Setup For Your Specific Contracting Company
#2 Click Here To Buy Just The Chart Of Accounts For Your Specific Contracting Company
Short List Construction Contractors We Serve
Brand New Construction Company Handyman Company
Cabinet Installer HVAC Contractor
Carpentry Contractor Insulation Contractor
Carpet And Tile Contractor Interior Designer
Commercial Tenant Improvement Contractor Land Development Company
Concrete Contractor Landscape Contractor
Construction Company Masonry Contractor
Construction Manager Mold Remediation Company
Contracting Company Moss Removal Company
Contractor Painting Contractor
Custom Deck Builder Plumbing Contractor
Custom Home Builder Pressure Washing Company
Demolition Contractor Remodel Construction Company
Drywall Contractor Renovation Contractor
Electrical Contractor Restoration Contractor
Emerging Contractor Roofing Contractor
Excavation Contractor Spec Home Builder
Finish Millwork Contractor Specialty Contractor
Flipper House Contractor Subcontractor
Flooring Contractor Trade Contractor
Framing Contractor Underground Contractor
General Contractor Utility Contractor
Glass Installation Contractor Construction Employees
Gutter Installation Company Construction Support Specialist
Additional QuickBooks Templates, Resources, And Services
QuickBooks Set Up Templates
Solopreneur
QuickBooks Chart Of Accounts
Free Stuff
QuickBooks Item Lists Templates
Consulting
We Serve Over 100 Types Of Contractors So If Your Type Of Company Is Not Listed
Please Do Not Be Concerned Because If You Are A Contractor
There Is A Good Chance We Can Help You!
Call Now: 206-361-3950
If you are a blogger, who writes about construction we would like to hear from you.
https://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/guestblogger
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