LA Counts Information for construction professionals
Get more construction jobs
Construction jobs are out there - always. Even when the economy is bad, people need their houses fixed, if not upgraded. So how do you get more construction jobs when the competition is fierce? The key is differentiating yourself from the crowd, and you need to do it in multiple ways if you want to win new jobs. For example: Start by being able to show examples of past work, and how those jobs met client expectations and came in on budget and on time Show the tools you use to manage construction jobs. Is it a yellow pad and your memory? Or ...
Plumber Software
Plumbers are a special breed. Their design needs, their management needs, their coordination. It's all part of running a successful plumbing business. Plumber software, therefore, needs to follow suit. Managing projects isn't easy. There are multiple parties (customers, subs, vendors), deadlines that are always moving, and documents galore. A review of plumber software in the workplace shows a stunning lack of cohesion. The key features, as we see it: Full feature project management - including the ability to automatically alert responsible parties of date changes Document management - centralized and clean Bid management - a MUST have. Full financials - this is the tricky one. ...
Starting a construction business
Starting a construction business isn't for the easily frightened. There are a lot of people out there who think about it, but it takes guts - starting any business does. But construction is harder than most. Why? Because there is a lot to keep track of. Think about it: Project management Document tracking Bids Change orders Work Orders Financials Customer Data Vendor Data Contracts Schedules Employees That's just the top level stuff. There is plenty more as you drill down. Fear not! Starting a construction business isn't impossible - like building anything, you need the right tools for the job. Software for starting a construction business comes in many forms - but try ...
Hiring a Contractor
When you have a project that requires a contractor there are some things you need to know about hiring a contractor. You should determine exactly what the project will entail. Are you adding a room or building an entire house? Do you want to build a garage or a deck? All of these things may determine the contractor you hire. When you are hiring a contractor you will want to find one that is skilled at doing the job you need to have done. Hiring a contractor can be tricky if you don’t already know one or have friends or relatives who ...
Construction Management Software
People in the construction industry need to take a look at project management software if they are interested in streamlining a project and being able to save time in the process. Project management software is available that can help you operate in a more efficient and profitable way. You will be able to keep track of every part of the project and access it easily. Some people in the construction industry are using an antiquated project management system or they may be using two or more programs to get the job done. This is confusing and takes extra time. Since time is ...
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Sep 12
25
Get more construction jobs
Construction jobs are out there – always. Even when the economy is bad, people need their houses fixed, if not upgraded. So how do you get more construction jobs when the competition is fierce?
The key is differentiating yourself from the crowd, and you need to do it in multiple ways if you want to win new jobs. For example:
- Start by being able to show examples of past work, and how those jobs met client expectations and came in on budget and on time
- Show the tools you use to manage construction jobs. Is it a yellow pad and your memory? Or is it a computer system that allows you to track project details from anywhere?
- Show how the customer can keep tabs on the project without having to call 5 times a day. SiteBoss by Pi Software is excellent for this.
- Sh0w how tracking of project details – especially change orders – is the way you do business, not an afterthought.
Getting more construction jobs isn’t something you can usually focus on day in and day out – but if you use the right tools, you shouldn’t have to.
Sep 12
10
Plumber Software
Plumbers are a special breed. Their design needs, their management needs, their coordination. It’s all part of running a successful plumbing business. Plumber software, therefore, needs to follow suit.
- Managing projects isn’t easy. There are multiple parties (customers, subs, vendors), deadlines that are always moving, and documents galore. A review of plumber software in the workplace shows a stunning lack of cohesion. The key features, as we see it:
- Full feature project management – including the ability to automatically alert responsible parties of date changes
- Document management – centralized and clean
- Bid management – a MUST have.
- Full financials – this is the tricky one. Almost nobody includes financials.
- Work orders – for managing the day-to-day business
- Web accessible – nowadays, you shouldn’t be considering anything else.
- Mobile aware – ideally with apps.
Keep your eyes open. It’s out there.
Jun 12
29
Starting a construction business
Starting a construction business isn’t for the easily frightened. There are a lot of people out there who think about it, but it takes guts – starting any business does. But construction is harder than most.
Why? Because there is a lot to keep track of. Think about it:
- Project management
- Document tracking
- Bids
- Change orders
- Work Orders
- Financials
- Customer Data
- Vendor Data
- Contracts
- Schedules
- Employees
That’s just the top level stuff. There is plenty more as you drill down. Fear not! Starting a construction business isn’t impossible – like building anything, you need the right tools for the job. Software for starting a construction business comes in many forms – but try and find something that covers all of the above functions. Web based is good, and inexpensive is even better. :)
The key is to focus on the actual PRODUCT rather than the details of running things. That gets you referrals, and that means more business. Keeping it organized is important – even crucial. Miss getting a signed change order, and you could end up in an argument over a bill that costs you your business. Lose a document, and you could end up looking bad with your customer. You get the picture.
Get out there and look around. There is a lot to play with.
Oct 11
12
Hiring a Contractor
When you have a project that requires a contractor there are some things you need to know about hiring a contractor.
You should determine exactly what the project will entail. Are you adding a room or building an entire house? Do you want to build a garage or a deck? All of these things may determine the contractor you hire. When you are hiring a contractor you will want to find one that is skilled at doing the job you need to have done.
Hiring a contractor can be tricky if you don’t already know one or have friends or relatives who can recommend one. In some parts of the country there are hundreds of contractors and choosing one can be difficult.
When hiring a contractor you can look in the Yellow Pages if you don’t have any recommendations. This may seem a little scary but if you interview three or four contractors you may be able to find one who can handle your job and do it well.
You will want to talk with the contractor and ask questions about their business and how they handle the jobs they do. Ask for references when hiring a contractor and check them all out. You will want a contractor who is honest, shows up to do the work and stays as close to the bid as possible.
When you are hiring a contractor be specific about the job you want to have done. It is important that everyone is on the same page about the expectations. That includes the costs and the time it will take to complete the job. A contract is absolutely necessary.
Hiring a contractor is the most important part of any construction job.
Oct 11
12
Construction Management Software
People in the construction industry need to take a look at project management software if they are interested in streamlining a project and being able to save time in the process.
Project management software is available that can help you operate in a more efficient and profitable way. You will be able to keep track of every part of the project and access it easily.
Some people in the construction industry are using an antiquated project management system or they may be using two or more programs to get the job done. This is confusing and takes extra time. Since time is money you would be wise to consider one of the new construction project management software programs that were designed specifically for those in the construction business.
You do not need to worry about changing the way in which you do business. A good project management software program will let you continue to function the way you do, only in a more productive manner.
Look for a program that will not take a huge amount of training time. There are programs that are easily learned and implemented. There may be one day on site training or a web based training experience offered by the company that is selling the program.
You will save time when you use a project management software system because all your work will be automated and easily accessible. Your administrative staff will be able to handle more tasks and you will be able to eliminate duplicate data entries.
Project management software will save you time and money. This is something everyone in the construction business should consider. Is project management software necessary? Yes, if you want to operate your business in a more efficient and profitable way.