Contractor Success Map With Randal Dehart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services

This Podcast Is Episode 552, And It's About Why Online Reviews Matter And Ways To Deal With Negative Feedback In today's digital age, online reviews hold immense power and influence over the success of small construction companies. With easy access to social media, Google reviews, and review websites, customers can easily voice their opinions and experiences with your business online. Most people searching for a local construction company - whether they need a plumber, painter, or general contractor, will check their online reviews before deciding.    Positive reviews can help establish credibility, build trust, and attract new customers. Conversely, negative reviews can damage a company's reputation and deter potential customers. Given the importance of online reviews, small construction companies should aim to provide excellent service and encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.   As a small business owner, you must understand the importance of online reviews, as they will impact your brand

This Podcast Is Episode 551, And It's About Recognizing The Value Of Construction Contractors In Our Daily Lives I was taking a moment to reflect on the challenges for the Pilgrims coming to America. They decided to make the journey with no guarantee of success. To build homes, plant crops, and take care of animals. Then, later, everyone chose to move West by wagon train, horse, or on foot. I am grateful for them! I think about my Grandparents and my Great Grandparents. What was life like when they were children? Where did they come from, and how did they get to where they were? The family's oral history seems so inadequate. My father shared so much, but now it looks like so little. Be glad for the simple things we take for granted: Going to the grocery store, deli, or restaurant for dinner Living indoors with electricity and indoor plumbing Driving a car Crossing the water on a bridge or ferry Modern times. I am all for living in the city with the gas station and grocery store just down the street. I app

This Podcast Is Episode 550, And It's About Becoming A Better Construction Leader By Practicing Generosity If you have been lucky enough to encounter generous people, you understand they have a unique gift for garnering the respect and admiration of individuals around them. When you are a leader, having a positive relationship with the people who follow you is a huge asset you cannot put a price on.    In the construction business, generosity and helpfulness are two fundamental traits that can make a business successful. When contractors are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with others, it creates a sense of community and fosters growth and success for everyone involved. Additionally, when contractors are generous with their time, resources, and even their finances, it can significantly impact the success of other businesses and individuals.    t is the right thing to do and being generous because it is something you value are two different things. If you want your generosity to be compelling,

This Podcast Is Episode 549, And It's About Construction Company Budget Vs. Cash Flow Finding some certainty can make all the difference in the unpredictable construction business world. While the future remains a mystery, budgeting and cash flow forecasting tools can significantly reduce uncertainty, allowing you to anticipate challenges, learn from past events, and enhance your ability to navigate your business. Budget vs. Cash Flow: The Crucial Distinction A common misconception is that a budget and cash flow are interchangeable. A budget is a projection of future possibilities, enabling you to consider various sales and expense scenarios. On the other hand, a cash flow provides a record of actual expenses and sales revenue that flow into and out of your business each month. Although they often deal with the same data, their applications differ. Budget and cash flow are both essential concepts in construction management. However, they serve different purposes and are used in different ways. A budget is a

This Podcast Is Episode 548, And It's About The True Value Of Networking To Contractors And The Community The ability to network is a fundamental part of running a business. Running a business in isolation is difficult, so it helps to have expert partners and acquaintances available to share ideas with.   If you're looking to network with construction industry professionals, there are several ways to do so.   1. Attend industry events: Look for construction industry conferences, expos, and trade shows in your area. These events often have networking opportunities, such as meet-and-greets or after-hours social events.   Conferences are a way to actually meet in person, so the results can be hard to beat. Most conferences have time set aside for networking, allowing you to meet everyone in your niche. More work might involve getting to a conference, but the networking opportunities alone are often worth it. Best results can often be gained by creating a good impression in person, followed by an online contact.

This Podcast Is Episode 547, And It's About Essential Bookkeeping Practices For Construction Start-Ups Starting a new construction business is exciting but has its fair share of responsibilities. One of the most critical responsibilities is maintaining accurate records of your business transactions. From saving receipts to processing employee payroll, every money-related detail should be documented. It's not just about keeping things tidy; it's about understanding the financial health of your business and meeting all your tax obligations.   Don't underestimate the basics   Some small businesses continue to rely on traditional systems, like pen, paper, and a trusty shoebox. Although it may seem outdated, this method can work well for businesses with few transactions. These businesses might not have the latest payment technology and could be invoicing customers or receiving immediate cash or cheque payments. In such cases, they must maintain a record of all receipts, past, present, and future jobs, and a log of

This Podcast Is Episode 546, And It's About Seven Sure-Fire Ways To Grow Your Construction Business   Once your construction business is up and running, it’s essential not to rest on your laurels. Successful business owners always look for ways to grow and maximize their profits. We’ve compiled a guide and checklist to help you identify ways to get the most out of your contracting company.   1. Grow your sales   Contact your best clients.   One of the easiest ways to increase sales is to sell more to your existing clients. For example, you could try contacting every customer and offering a complementary product or service they might need now. You could also determine when clients need maintenance checks.   Create a client loyalty scheme.   You’re looking to create a customer care program using customer contact software and implementing a customer loyalty scheme.   Commence a contact nurturing program.   Can you make more effective use of your database of customers and clients by maintaining regular contact

This Podcast Is Episode 545, And It's About The Implications Of Rising Interest Rates For Construction Contractors In the construction business world, one constant factor you are likely to encounter is change, particularly in the financial landscape. One such change that can bear significant implications for small businesses is rising interest rates.    Understanding how this impacts your construction business and identifying solutions to counteract these effects can be vital to sustaining and growing your company.   When interest rates go up, borrowing money becomes more expensive. This can impact your ability to make a profit on construction projects. You might have a more challenging time getting financing for new projects and have to pay more for the funding you get. Fewer people may be looking for your construction services when the economy slows due to rising rates.   Interest rates have a ripple effect on various aspects of business; let's dive deeper: Decreased consumer spending A crucial repercussi

This Podcast Is Episode 544, And It's About Why Banks Won't Lend Money To Your Construction Business Getting approved for a business loan or line of credit is more complicated than qualifying for a personal loan. Small construction business owners must be adequately prepared to meet with a lender to present their business in the best possible light and ready for the money they need. Think of all the times: You loaned money to a friend or relative Provided labor and materials for somebody's home or business without a deposit check Did change order work that you never got paid for doing and never will Gave a subcontractor/employee an advance on their paycheck, and you never got paid back Multiply that by 100,000, and you will understand why banks seem so tight-fisted about loaning money. Banks stay in business by loaning money and earning interest. They work hard to find people, companies, and contractors with reasonable credit risks they can lend money to and get paid back promptly, with all of the interest

This Podcast Is Episode 543, And It's About Better Practices For Managing And Maintaining Construction Business Cash Flow In the business world, cash flow remains the lifeblood that keeps your operations running smoothly. Whether you're a start-up finding your feet or a seasoned business in the construction industry, managing and maintaining a steady cash flow can be challenging. But a few small changes can make a world of difference to your cash flow and overall revenue.   Your business needs cash. Cash keeps your company in operation and enables it to grow, so you should know how much your business needs to survive. Although many think the answer is linked solely to operating expenses, this isn't true.   No single factor determines how much cash every construction business needs to have on hand. Somewhere between 3-6 months of operating expenses is an excellent baseline to start from, but there's more to it than that.       Initiate a discussion with your lenders if interest only or deferred payments on ou

This Podcast Is Episode Number 542, And It's About What Is A Fractional CFO And How Can It Help Your Construction Business? A fractional CFO, or Chief Financial Officer, is a finance professional working part-time, retainer, or contract. They bring the experience and expertise of a high-level CFO to your business – without the cost of hiring a full-time, in-house employee.   Fractional CFOs service several clients simultaneously, typically on a part-time, retainer, or contract basis. Their specialty is providing outsourced CFO services to small and medium businesses.   Because their financial management skills are so well-developed, it's common to bring one on board to help navigate a challenge.   Every construction business can benefit from dedicated financial management expertise, but very few small companies have the means to hire someone full-time—particularly in the lean early years.   Unfortunately, it's those first few years when a company is just starting up that establishing good habits with managing

This Podcast Is Episode Number 541, And It's About The Value Of Documenting Effective Construction Business Systems Many entrepreneurs operate with their business processes and systems in their heads. They know what they must do daily and how they want to get things done.   Unfortunately, when a construction business grows, and staff need to be hired – or the owner needs to take time away from the company – it's an absolute liability not having processes and systems documented in one place.   To be in business and to remain in business, become a business person! To run a construction business, you must be business-like. It's not sufficient just to be very good at what you do. Many people who are 'very good at what they do' have failed. The familiar cry: "I'm far too busy for that," is also no excuse. Are you 'too busy' to be a competent businessperson? If so, your construction business won't last long. You must continue to develop your business skills.   To be a businessperson, you must try to become an all-

This Podcast Is Episode Number 540, And It's About Key Financial Concepts For Construction Company Owners Not everyone knows construction accounting, and it is easy to assume all accounting is the same. Even if you have outsourced your financial functions, as a small construction business owner, having a solid understanding of critical financial concepts is crucial to work with your advisor and 'speak their language". This article outlines several essential concepts that every small business owner should know.   Construction is a tricky business, and people's failure is expected. Most of our clients have either failed or come very close. It doesn't matter how many times you are knocked down; it only matters that you learn your lessons, get up, and go again. We noted these lessons years ago, owning and operating our construction company. By building a system and gaining insight from us, you can pick up from our mistakes, which you don't have to go through and can start avoiding before it comes crashing down. 

This Podcast Is Episode Number 539, And It's About Construction Company Contract Traps And The Advantages Of Legal Help Mistakes can be expensive in the construction business, and as an entrepreneur, although you'll know many of the regulations that apply to your business, there are so many that you can't possibly remember all of them. Depending on the type of contracting business you run, you could face laws regarding taxation, employment, product liability, premises liability, discrimination, health and safety, and various other regulations.   Keeping on top of all the laws that affect you and the changes to those laws while still being mindful of all the other aspects involved in running a business is almost impossible.   That's why you need legal help. A legal professional can identify the rules and regulations that apply to your business and advise you on operating within those laws. They can also help you draw up necessary contracts that could prevent legal action in the future, and they can prepare a c

This Podcast Is Episode Number 538, And It's About Pros And Cons Of Working With Family And Friends In Construction Ever dreamed of starting a family business? Investing in a franchise opportunity with friends?   Businesses owned and operated by families can have incredible staying power. All family-owned companies, Volkswagen, Samsung, and Nike, are among the world's most successful, leading brands.   Working with family and friends can be fun and rewarding, especially in the construction industry. I know because we've been in one. But before you hire the people you care about most, it's wise to consider the pros and cons.   Pro: Dynamics When you hire family and friends, working together can feel comfortable and pleasant. You can vouch for their work ethic and values upfront. You already know their natural talents, abilities, preferences, and skill sets – their strengths, weaknesses, and how you can best work together. Con: Dynamics Regarding family and friends, modifying negative behavior or communication

This Podcast Is Episode Number 537, And It's About How To Safeguard Your Construction Company From Employee Expense Fraud As a small business owner, you always look to keep your company running efficiently. Expense reimbursement fraud is the last thing you want to face. Not only can it hurt your bottom line, but it can also damage your construction company's reputation. Here we discuss employee expense fraud, the reasons behind it, and, most importantly, how to prevent it from happening to your construction business.   What is expense fraud?   Expense fraud is submitting falsified or inflated expense claims to receive reimbursement from the employer or avoid paying out of pocket. It is illegal, unethical, and detrimental to your business.   Employees can commit expense fraud in several ways, such as using personal expenses as business, submitting fake receipts, inflating costs, duplicating submissions, falsifying mileage, and using company funds for personal use. Why do employees commit expense fraud? There

This Podcast Is Episode Number 536, And It's About How To Handle Construction Client Debt So You Get Paid On Time If your customers owe you money, the faster you can obtain it using effective collection tactics, the better. Ideally, you want to reduce the chance of bad debts and pressure on your construction company's cash flow. It can be easy to neglect to manage your debtors when you're busy growing your business, but intelligent credit control is important. So it's crucial to have the skills to handle the people who owe you money well, especially if you want to avoid taking them to court. When negotiating contracts with clients, try to set payment terms that help your cash flow, such as deposits or progress payments. Dealing regular payments for contracts that take months to complete has two purposes: it gives you cash flow to match your expenses and protects you from total loss on a project if the customer goes into liquidation. Please include a timetable for the customer to pay invoices as part of any

This Podcast Is Episode Number 535, And It's About A Guide To Service Based Business Advertising That Works Marketing covers everything you do in your business that creates awareness, including advertising, brochures, competitions, trade shows, demonstrations, travel, direct mail, email campaigns, your website, and sponsorship. Let's narrow our focus to an integral part of Marketing - Advertising. Advertising is a massive industry with multiple mediums for your message to be heard or lost in translation. It might sound like a no-brainer, but before you start planning your advertising, you must consider what you are trying to achieve from your investment. Your ultimate objective likely is to build sales, but other things to consider are increasing market presence and building your brand. Advertising can be used to: Establish a reputation as the market leader or industry expert – allowing you to win long-term contracts or even increase prices. Build brand awareness for a product to make it easier to sell and

This Podcast Is Episode Number 534, And It's About The Rundown To Running Your Own Construction Business Getting your construction business up and running and making a profit is usually much more complicated than it sounds. So let's focus on honing the skills you'll need to make it happen by acquiring these yourself or consulting professionals to help you. What it means to be your own boss Being your own boss might sound like it is the ultimate ticket to freedom and financial success – and it can be. But don't be fooled into thinking you'll be able to put in a few hours each morning and spend the afternoons networking over a round of golf. The reality is that most businesses require much hard work – more than your standard 9–5 job and over some years – before they start to make a reasonable profit, and many new construction businesses fold before they reach that point. Here are the top things you should be aware of: You need to be passionate about what you do: Setting up your contracting business is challen

This Podcast Is Episode Number 533, And It's About Finding The Right Construction Talent And Common Onboarding Mistakes As a business owner, you know the right people are crucial to your construction company's success. The best employees can help you achieve your business goals, improve productivity, and drive growth. But finding the people best suited to your team can be daunting, and sometimes it's easy to hire someone who seems okay rather than taking the time to find the best fit.  Here are some steps to find and hire staff that support your business growth, whether in the office or the field. Step 1: Define the job and necessary qualifications The first step in finding the right talent is accurately defining the job description and qualifications. Is this a new position you're hiring for? Are there gaps in employee skills that need to be met? Is this a position that requires specific knowledge and experience?    Remember that there's a difference between "must-have" qualifications and "nice to have" c