Marketing Boot Camp Workshop for Remodelers and Contractors

Remodelers and Contractors can sign up for individual workshops. Don't want to work in the snow or stay home, come and join a group of contractor peers to learn about Targeting the Right Prospects and Project Types.

Contractor Business Success Program with Shawn McCadden and Mark Paskell.

Are you confident your asking price is the right price for your remodeling services? Do you know what is the right price for your services?

In a recent article from Small Business Trends contractors again have the lowest survival rate of all business sectors. In our 25 years in the construction industry it seems that contractors are usually at the top of the "going out of business" list.    

Today we spoke with the Mass Department of Safety (DOS) and learned that they will be providing a flier for contractors on The Mass RRP Law for all building departments in the state. These fliers are being made and laminated for distribution and placement at building permit counters. They will be displayed prominently and building departments will be asked to share this information with contractors who come in.

Contractors and remodelers agree that 2009 has been a challenging year for our country and the residential construction industry. In spite of the current economic environment there are numerous examples of successful remodelers and contractors.

Recently, I spoke with a veteran contractor who was having challenges with his business. There was significant budget slippage on projects and poor communication between his carpenters and customers. These challenges were causing significant culture issues among the employees in the field and the office. The owner found himself putting out fires every day. All departments were playing the blame game pointing fingers at everyone but themselves.

Many small business owners become trapped thinking that they have to do everything themselves. At times they think that because no one can do it as well as them that it is more effective to do it themselves. If you are a small business owner and don't want to grow this may work ok. However, if you want to grow, the odds are stacked against you if you are a CEO owner wearing most of the hats. We are seeing many contractors who say they want to grow, stubbornly resisting giving up control of tasks that can and should be done by someone other than the CEO. Contractors are not the only profession exhibiting this behavior. It is prevalent in many different types of businesses. In contracting, it is not uncommon to see the CEO running the company, handling the sales, running production, driving nails, making collection calls, and anything else they think that only they can do. This feeling of invincibility that they can do it all is not without grave dangers to the health of the business and the owner. It contributes to poor health, burnout, marital issues, questionable judgment, employee issues, money problems and sometimes heart attacks.

As 2008 comes to a close are you working on your business plan for 2009? Have you assessed the results of 2008?

Here we go again. Another recognition for the boys from GoodFellas. The Eastern Mass NARI chapter has featured Joe and Dale and their company the GoodFellas, as the member spotlight company in the October newsletter.