Jan 13, 2017
A person makes the decision to become a contractor. It’s easy. Now you are the boss; no one to tell you what to do, how to do it when to do it. Yes – It’s easy. It’s Morning, Are you ready?
In Washington State being a contractor is fee-based. If you are
not choosing one of the mechanical trades, there are usually no
addition tests or licensing. Each state has different rules. Some
states have a General Contactor’s test that confirms you have the
most basic construction skills. Others states start most
contractors out under a Handyman License.
What are some of the things you thought about being when you grew
up and out on your own?
From a small child, preschooler, then from grade school kid to the teenager to the adult.
I suspect you and your friends you never played contractor and
customer; and yet life happened.
Most people pick up a few “Handy Skills” from living in a house,
condo or apartment.
Simple common things that need to be fixed starting with hanging pictures on the wall (now it is the TV)
Add the surround sound, link your equipment together. Buy furniture, table and chairs, end tables, bed, take it out of the box and ASSEMBLE. The word ASSEMBLE is in almost every box. Add shelves, installing cabinets, changing light fixtures. Again, the word ASSEMBLE.
Go to the garage and add a few tools to work on the truck. Get a
lawn mower, edger, wheelbarrow, and suddenly you have grown your
“Do-It-Yourself Skills.” It actually happened over time, one task
at a time.
Whether it happened because of most things the landlord took too
long to come; it wasn’t part of what the landlord did (move,
assemble furniture), or you own your first home, current home, and
you are “oops” The Owner.
If you want something done you that cannot do – You need to call a
Contractor, Landscaper, Pest Control. So the range of skills you
have continues to increase. You may find all things mechanical
easy.
My Father would tell stories about how as a small child I would
help him work on cars.
Dad said, I got quite good at changing out carburetors (I don’t
remember any of this).
But it might explain how I can hear “funny noises” that never seems
to happen when I take the car to the mechanic. I guess he taught me
by “ear” to hear when the car was out of tune. Maybe too, it would
explain why I would rather shop for good quality Truck Tires than
spend time at a Makeup Counter.
Now, my brother he became a mechanic. He is the Happiest when he is
under the hood of a car.
Could I have become a mechanic? Yes, Probably. Would Randal have
supported it? Yes, he would have then and now. I just never thought
about it as an Opportunity.
The Opportunity of being a Contractor is a gift. It doesn’t matter
if you are a One Man Band – Doing all of the work or have a larger
business with Subcontractors and / or
Employees.
There are many paths that lead a person to become a contractor
The Why you became a Contractor is as varied as the number of the contractors that exist.
Many Contractors started out as being an employee for someone else. There is no risk as an employee and a guaranteed paycheck. Usually, more reasonable hours as employees can go home based on time served.
More money is only a short-term motivator. It will not motivate long term an employee with itchy feet, a bad attitude or poor skills.
They will hide on the job, try to get fired, quit, skip on child
support and have a variety of reasons to why they are doing poorly
on the job before leaving.
Early To Bed, Early To Rise, Know Your Numbers And Advertise!
As the Contractor you have to be self-motivated to:
There is no one to tell
you:
External Forces try to be helpful by the combination of Nurture,
Nudge, Nag. And only if you embrace it in the spirit which Nurture,
Nudge, Nag are intended is it helpful (To Benefit You and Your
Company) Too much of any of one those three things then the
dynamics change.
Hard Feeling happen, and everyone involved becomes frustrated and
unhappy. Spouses want to be helpful, but after being zapped – they
stop. The Contractor gets zapped – and productive stuff
stops.
An outside person (Bookkeeping Service) can ask for the same
receipts, invoices, etc. as a spouse but it comes across
differently. It’s because the “Personal Stuff” is not there. One of
my earlier blogs I talked about “Tooth Paste Caps” and how the
“Personal Stuff” carries over into the business and the “Business
Stuff” carries back over into your personal life.
It is hard to turn off the business when you walk through the front
door. As a small business owner – you are hardly ever “Off The
Clock.” Enjoy The Moments. You have to have Self-Motivation to be
successful.
The Self-Motivation may come from family and the desire to provide
for your family. After all, who can turn down the adorable eyes of
your spouse, little kids, puppies, kittens and the fun stuff you
love to do.
I am not a cat person, yet at the office, I buy cat food in the 25#
bag for the group of neighborhood cats who visit all day long on
our covered deck. They have expectations, provide drama when
they are not met; but they cannot actually motivate me to buy cat
food, set out water, and upgrade their cushions.
I control what I do, when and if I do it. That does not stop the
cats from banging on the door and singing loudly to get attention
when they feel they are being ignored.
No one loves to do all the tasks that need to be done. Even if they
did – The To Do List is never ending for a small business owner.
The work is easier and more fun when you know you have the proper
help with Processes, Systems, Software and the right people in
place to do the things that others can do.
You as the Contractor (Business Owner) should delegate tasks, not
abdicate responsibility. Keep control of your finances. There are
simple Cash
Management 101 tips that most people do not think about:
We would like to be one of the Professionals in your busy,
business life.
Yes – We Can Help so you can do the parts of the business only you
can do.
Look forward to chatting
Enjoy Your Day
Every Day
Sharie
I trust this podcast helps you understand that outsourcing your contractors 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 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.
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
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.
Warm Regards,
Randal DeHart | The Contractors Accountant
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