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The Contractor Coaching Partnership Blog

Handling Ice/Snow Damage Insurance Claims & Roof Fall Safety

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, Jan 24, 2016 @ 09:55 AM

The winter of 2016 has begun and with it the possibility of storm damage from ice dams and snow and falls from roofs. Last year Massachusetts had thousands of insurance claims and many are still unsettled. In addition we had many die from falling while clearing snow from roofs.

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Tags: estimating workshop, fall protection osha, contractors, insurance claims

Homeowner finds out insurance policy will not pay for code updates

Posted by Mark Paskell on Mon, Oct 05, 2015 @ 07:45 AM

Buyer beware, not all insurance policies and estimates cover the cost of code updates when there is a property damage claim on an older home. Recently when I was helping out a contractor with an insurance estimate for his homeowner client, we learned that the repairs would trigger significant code updates that were not covered in what was called a PLATINUM POLICY!. The policy was written by Metropolitan Insurance.

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Tags: estimating workshop

Do you trust and really know your numbers? Estimating Workshop

Posted by Mark Paskell on Mon, Jul 14, 2014 @ 08:37 PM

In a recent Estimating Workshop a contractor said "I don't know how much I am making until I finish the job and pay all the bills! 
To many contractors that is an all to familiar scenario. Contractor and remodelers are discovering that being a good business person is just as important as being a great craftsman.
This contractor got me thinking about a few things;
  • How can you run your business and live your life if you are uncertain about what you are going to earn?
  • How can you accept a contract for a project without knowing all your costs down to the dollar?
  • How can you determine if you can lower your price if you are not sure of your costs?
  • Will your uncertainty cause problems on the home front?
  • Will the uncertainty lead to frustration and worry and take you off your game?
  • If an opportunity to purchase or invest in something comes along will you have the confidence to make the investment?
One way to alleviate the above uncertainty is to develop an estimating process based upon knowing your numbers. This means knowing exactly your overhead, your materials, your labor productivity, your burdened labor rate and the pre-determined mark up. 
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Tags: estimating workshop

Estimating tools 4 contractors to produce accurate estimates quickly

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sat, May 03, 2014 @ 04:57 PM

You know contractors use carefully selected tools to build their projects, but before you do you need the right estimating tools to make sure you cover your labor and material costs, overhead and net profit. One or two mistakes can cost you your hard earned profit and maybe lead to you buying the job.

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Tags: estimating workshop

Estimating Workshop 4 Contractors; Produce Accurate & Fast Estimates

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, Mar 09, 2014 @ 07:04 PM

Contractors inability to produce fast and accurate estimates and proposals can lead to lost jobs when impatient homeowners hire others with quicker service.  In Eastern Massachusetts we are about to have a busy remodeling year (some are already swamped) and consumers will want to get their projects priced, ordered and scheduled as soon as the winter breaks. Will you be ready?

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Tags: estimating workshop