Contractor
Showing 177–192 of 390 results
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Construction Success Story – Making a smart purchase of tool tracking software
May / June 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 432
Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” features the owner of a growing commercial plumbing company who was losing money to lost, stolen and poorly maintained tools. He asked his financial advisor for some advice on how to make a smart purchase of tool tracking software. Together, they discussed the right features of such a system and then set out to find the right product.
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Common roadblocks to construction project management
May / June 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 664
Abstract: As construction businesses endeavor to complete their jobs, they may encounter a number of common roadblocks. Today’s project managers need to be able to foresee these problems and have solutions at the ready. This article looks at several roadblocks and how to overcome them.
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Work with suppliers to achieve green building goals
May / June 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 547
Abstract: For contractors, Earth-friendly jobs can present a number of challenges. One in particular is procuring the right materials for the project. This article discusses the importance of working with the right suppliers to meet green building objectives.
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Looking for skilled labor? Consider this PATH to hiring
May / June 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 864
Abstract: The construction industry has largely been showing substantial growth for a few years now. Yet contractors continue to face a distinct shortage of skilled labor. One potential solution to this hiring dilemma is seeking out employees from certain disadvantaged groups. As this article explains, by doing so, a construction company may be able to claim the Work Opportunity credit — which was recently extended through 2019. A sidebar offers three tips on hiring wisely.
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Construction Success Story – Contractor damps down deluge of app downloads
March / April 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 429
Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” features the owner of a growing suburban homebuilding company who was trying to hold back a veritable deluge of mobile construction apps that her employees were downloading. She asked her financial advisor for some advice on how to choose the right ones. He suggested creating a list of preferred apps in various categories for her staff to download only as needed.
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Build an advisory board to benefit your business
March / April 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 537
Abstract: Running a construction business entails a broad range of skills. Contractors bring many of these skills to the table while also relying on capable employees or professional advisors for help. This article discusses another valuable source of leadership assistance: an advisory board made up of people from outside the business.
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Cracking down on project fraud
March / April 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 656
Abstract: If just one unscrupulous employee commits project fraud, a contractor’s chances of turning a profit can diminish significantly or disappear completely. For this reason, construction business owners have got to stay cognizant and proactive about cracking down on unethical and illegal practices. This article reviews some of the most common points of vulnerability.
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Tax break: Activated – Don’t overlook the Section 199 deduction
March / April 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 862
Abstract: Many contractors may not fully realize that their companies could qualify for the Section 199 tax deduction. They should, because it could allow a construction business to deduct from its taxable income as much as 9% of taxable income derived from certain qualifying activities. This article identifies some of the activities that may be eligible and describes the calculations involved. A sidebar looks into recently proposed IRS regulations related to the Sec. 199 deduction.
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Construction Success Story – UAV technology puts one contractor’s eyes in the sky
January / February 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 430
Abstract: In this issue’s “Construction Success Story,” a concrete contractor finds that his thoughtful wife has bought him an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as a gift. After enjoying his new “toy” for a while, it dawned on him that he might be able to use the UAV at work. He mentioned the idea to his financial advisor, who discussed with him the benefits, costs and legal risks of this emerging technology.
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Build a buy-sell agreement to protect your construction company
January / February 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 662
Abstract: A buy-sell agreement is a contract set forth by the owner or owners of a business that describes how ownership changes will take place. Like a good insurance policy, one of these arrangements can help protect a contractor and other owners of a construction company in difficult times. This article describes the basic concepts of buy-sell agreements, as well as the underlying valuation issues.
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Profit fade: It’s a numbers game
January / February 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 521
Abstract: At one time or another, just about every contractor has probably completed a job with high hopes only to find that the anticipated profit has somehow evaporated. That is, the costs of performing the work equaled or exceeded the revenue it brought in. This article suggests various ways to cope with such “profit fade,” including scrutinizing estimates and clarifying contracts.
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Employee misclassification – What contractors should know right now
January / February 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 916
Abstract: Government agencies have long been watchful for “employee misclassification” — that is, treating an independent contractor like a bona fide employee to, inadvertently or otherwise, avoid tax and benefits obligations. And, right now, the scrutiny has never been greater. This article explains what contractors should know about this issue and the latest government compliance efforts. A sidebar reveals that the IRS and DOL have joined efforts in 26 states to enforce employee classification rules.
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Construction Success Story – Contractor tired of being stonewalled on final payments
November / December 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 431
Abstract: In this issue’s “Construction Success Story,” we meet a masonry contractor who was finding it difficult, if not impossible, to collect the last payment of what he was owed. He asked his financial advisor for some suggestions on how to break this troubling trend. Right off the bat, the advisor had three ideas: 1) Craft his contracts, 2) be absolutely clear, and 3) document everything.
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Are you losing control of your indirect costs?
November / December 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 667
Abstract: Indirect costs are generally defined as expenses arising from activities associated with more than one project. Because these expenditures tend to be rather indistinct for construction companies, contractors need to keep a close eye on whether they’re losing control of them. This article offers tips on identifying and monitoring indirect costs, as well as anticipating the applicable tax liability.
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Be sure you’re ready for the “Internet of Things”
November / December 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 519
Abstract: If one thinks of the Internet as a network connecting computing devices, the “Internet of Things” (IoT) is an expansion of that same network to connect virtually any other object (or “thing”). Many believe the IoT will have a profound effect on people and businesses over the next 20 years. This article explores what the IoT already means to contractors — and what it could grow to mean going forward.
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Construction market trends – Energy sector continues to generate buzz
November / December 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 883
Abstract: The energy sector was one of the first industries to bounce back from the Great Recession, and one of the few that have been consistently thriving for several years. This article describes some of the opportunities for contractors in energy, as well as a major challenge in the form of labor market competitiveness. A sidebar covers the recently proposed Clean Power Plan, which will set national standards to limit carbon pollution from power plants and may also generate construction work.