Solution Building

Cash flow and profit aren't the same thing. You can have profitable jobs underway and still find yourself short on cash when it's time to make payroll or pay the bills. A six-week cash flow forecast helps you see what's coming, anticipate potential shortages, and make adjustments before small problems become big ones. You can't control everything, but you can take control of how you plan for your...

Running a construction business can leave little time for learning, connecting, and looking for better ways to do things. But some of the most valuable business advice comes from simply talking with other builders who have been there. Figuring things out on your own can keep you stuck in the same rut for years. Sometimes slowing down, sharing ideas, and having a cup of coffee with another builder...

Have you ever found yourself trying to do too much because you want to help everybody? I know I have! I don't like letting people down, but saying yes to too many things can leave us stretched too thin. Before long, we're losing focus on the things we really need to get done. Sometimes, we need to step back, take a look at our priorities, and make some tough decisions about where our time goes. Tr...

Routines are an important part of being productive, but they can also become roadblocks. It’s easy to get comfortable doing things the same way we always have, even when there might be a better way. From getting a new smartphone to learning to use a pneumatic nail gun, sometimes change takes time, money, and effort. Finding the balance between sticking with what works and being willing to learn so...

Unexpected things have a way of changing our plans and taking up time we had set aside for something else. Knowing what to do first means understanding what matters most and deciding what deserves our attention. Being flexibly rigid helps us adjust when plans change without losing sight of our priorities. The key is learning to focus on what matters most instead of always fighting the hottest fire...

Most of us don’t like change. We get comfortable doing things the way we’ve always done them, even when we know there is a better way. I recently realized I was doing this with my smartphone, and it got me thinking about how easy it is to do the same thing in our businesses. Sometimes making a change takes some time, effort, and money, but hanging on to the old way can cost us even more in the lon...

Knowing what to do first can be one of the hardest parts of running a construction business. Priorities change, unexpected problems pop up, and the biggest fire isn’t always the most important thing that needs your attention. Learning to be flexibly rigid means knowing what can move and what can’t. Sometimes putting out a small ember today keeps it from becoming tomorrow’s biggest fire.

Every minute of every day, we are making choices. Some are simple and seemingly insignificant, while others can change the direction of our lives and businesses. Learning to prioritize those decisions, recognize what really matters, and act when the time comes can make all the difference. “Would You Rather?” isn’t just a game, but something we’re playing every single day.

Builders are often known for being bullheaded, stubborn, and resistant to change. But those traits aren’t necessarily bad. A strong will, resilience, determination, passion, and a good work ethic are all qualities that can help a builder succeed. The real challenge is knowing when to stand firm and when to be bullheaded about making the changes needed to build a stronger construction business.

Why do some construction projects become a great experience while others turn into a nightmare? Many of the problems customers face can be traced back to a lack of clarity before construction even begins. Poor communication, low-quality workmanship, and a lack of honesty and integrity can create frustration, unexpected costs, and even legal battles. Understanding these three areas can help you cho...

Large construction projects can make billing complicated, especially when you want payments to be fair to both you and your customer. A payment application gives you a clear way to show what work and materials are being billed, what has already been paid, and what remains. Follow along as John walks Gene through preparing the first payment prior to starting a project, including how to separate mat...

You’re a contractor, not a bank, so you shouldn’t have to finance your customer’s project while waiting to get paid. Gene has a signed proposal from Burford’s, but now he needs to figure out how to set up a payment plan. John walks him through the Payment Application, starting with the project information and then entering each item from the proposal. By breaking the large project price into small...

Knowing how to build a house, remodel a kitchen, pour concrete, or install HVAC doesn’t automatically mean you know how to run a successful construction business. A group of contractors discovered they were facing many of the same challenges on the business side, and one thing became clear: they needed more than just experience. They needed the right tools, someone to teach them how to use those t...

If you’re constantly waiting on customers to pay while you’re already paying for labor, materials, and everything else that goes into a project, you may be doing more banking than building. Progress payments can provide more consistent cash flow, help identify payment problems early, and give customers a clear understanding of what they owe throughout the project. A well designed Payment Applicati...

Business systems should grow with your company, but that doesn't always mean making them bigger. Sometimes the smartest improvement is simplifying a system so each tool has one clear purpose. Learn why separating one system into two created clearer information, better organization, and a simpler way to manage both the proposal process and production.

Growth is a good thing, but sometimes the tools that helped get you there start trying to do too much. Small improvements made over time can cause a simple system to outgrow its original purpose without you even realizing it. Knowing when to simplify can be just as important as knowing when to add something new.

Every business has systems, whether they're intentional or not. Sometimes the simplest tools end up making the biggest difference. What started as a basic spreadsheet to assign project numbers eventually became the foundation for a much larger system. Great systems don't have to be complicated. They just have to solve the right problem and continue improving as your business grows.

Life has a way of interrupting even the best made plans. When that happens, it's easy to feel like we're inconveniencing everyone around us or that we should be able to handle it all on our own. But we weren't meant to live or work that way. Community isn't just about being surrounded by people, it's belonging, sharing responsibility, and being willing to both offer help and accept it when we need...

This year marks 250 years of American independence, it's a time to remember the sacrifices that secured our nation's freedom and to appreciate the opportunities those freedoms provide. As business owners, have a responsibility to use our opportunities wisely, to work with integrity, to treat people fairly, to honor our commitments, and to leave things better than we found them.

Every builder knows the importance of having the right tool for the job, but the same mindset doesn't always carry over to running the business. Sales, production, and administration all have to work together to keep a business strong and growing. When each area is supported with the right systems and processes, everything becomes more organized, profitable, and sustainable.

Hiring isn't just about finding the right people, but giving them the tools and expectations they need to succeed. Without clear policies, job descriptions, and accountability, even good employees can struggle. Taking the time to define expectations up front helps eliminate confusion, improve performance, and create a stronger team culture. A few simple systems can make a significant difference in...

Why do some employees thrive while others struggle, even when they have similar skills and experience? The answer is that the best team members consistently demonstrate humility, hunger, and people smarts. These three qualities are what create stronger teams and better workplace environments. Understanding these traits can help you make better hiring decisions, develop existing employees, and buil...

When projects are piling up and help is needed, it's tempting to hire the first person who walks through the door. But great teams aren't built by chance. They are built through intentional hiring, asking the right questions, and finding people who align with the values and vision of the business. Great teams don't happen by accident. Taking the time to hire the right people is one of the most val...

Running a construction business can feel like trying to control a runaway train. Priorities and planning are important, but scheduling is what turns good intentions into action. Creating a schedule, setting deadlines, and consistently reviewing your plans can help bring order to the chaos and give you greater control over your business and life.

Running a business means constantly deciding what deserves your attention first. With so many responsibilities competing for priority, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and reactive. Having clear values, systems, and priorities in place ahead of time helps you make better decisions when pressure hits. The goal isn’t just staying busy, but focusing on the things that keep your business healthy and movi...