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Showing 353–368 of 398 results
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Have assets you need to buy? Give these depreciation-related tax breaks a try
July / August 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 948
Abstract: Times are tight. If you need to buy assets but are understandably concerned about keeping expenses down, provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) could help ease this tough decision. ARRA has extended both the 50% depreciation bonus and the Section 179 expensing deduction, which are especially advantageous when used together. A sidebar discusses the benefits of timekeeping software.
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Construction Success Story – Contractor learns benefits of a business appraisal
May / June 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 392
Abstract: In this issue’s “Construction Success Story,” we tell the tale of a contractor with a five-year-old commercial construction business who was faced with growing competition in his sector — and only a vague idea of his current competitive standing. After learning a fellow construction business owner had learned a lot about his company following an appraisal, the contractor asked his financial advisor about the benefits of the valuation process.
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Same equipment, smaller investment – Rental/leasing agreements offer a variety of potential advantages
May / June 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 727
Abstract: Investing in high-end machinery can be a big financial burden — especially in a down economy. That’s why more and more contractors are seeking to minimize costs by renting or leasing their equipment. This article explains that, beyond the obvious cost savings, equipment rental or leasing provides several important benefits worth considering.
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3 simple steps to more effective scope management
May / June 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 499
Abstract: More than just a theory, scope management provides contractors with a plan for staying on-task and on-budget. And adopting a plan for scope management doesn’t require a major overhaul to a construction company owner’s current management style. This article describes three simple steps to improving a construction company’s scope management.
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Do you know where your money goes? Job costing software can help
May / June 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 516
Abstract: When it comes to the money spent and made on a project, what contractors don’t know can hurt them. Upgrading to job costing software could provide a construction company owner with the details needed to streamline spending and control costs. This article provides some buying tips for this highly practical technology tool.
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Control your debt (so it won’t control you)
May / June 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 954
Abstract: As fuel costs fluctuate and project income becomes less reliable, contractors are increasing their debt load in record numbers. In fact, most contractors have come to depend on debt as a source of liquidity to keep their operations running smoothly. Yet, in an unstable economy, having a plan for managing debt is vital — especially now that bankruptcy is more common than ever. This article offers some tips on putting together just such a plan.
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Construction Success Story – E-permitting saves contractor time, money and mileage
March / April 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 335
Abstract: This issue’s Construction Success Story tells the tale of a paving contractor who was juggling multiple projects and growing increasingly tired of having to drive to City Hall to obtain the required permits. His financial advisor suggested he try e-permitting, which allows local building departments to accept permit applications, review plans, schedule inspections, and calculate and collect fees electronically.
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Reviewing EESA’s energy tax-break extensions
March / April 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 623
Abstract: This past fall, in passing legislation to bail out the struggling banking industry, Congress also acted to encourage contractors and owners to continue their efforts in energy-efficient building. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) extended many tax credits and deductions for energy efficiency. Although this is hardly news, it’s still a good idea to review EESA’s changes as you work your way into 2009. This article covers the law’s pertinent provisions.
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Don’t be short-sighted when it comes to job-site security
March / April 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 524
Abstract: To many contractors, losses from theft and vandalism are just a cost of doing business. Yet that’s being short-sighted — not only because preventive measures can stop immediate monetary losses, but also because job-site theft often has greater implications. It can delay jobs, increase insurance premiums and cause work to grind to a halt. This article suggests some commonsense ways to ensure equipment, materials and tools stay put.
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4 profit killers to keep away from your bottom line
March / April 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 488
Abstract: From unnecessary delays to insufficient communication, profit killers lurk throughout the construction business. They’re usually not hard to spot once one starts looking — and in today’s market, contractors really ought to be looking. This article warns of four profit killers that construction business owners need to keep away from their bottom lines.
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Buy-sell agreements – Sleep better with this key document in place
March / April 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 970
Abstract: Any construction company owner who still hasn’t considered how to handle the departure — expected or otherwise — of any of the company’s other owners could be putting the continuity of the business at risk. The good news is that a buy-sell agreement can help contractors sleep better at night. This article describes the basics of a sound agreement.
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Construction Success Story – Contractor shocked into action by corporate identity theft
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 351
Abstract: In this issue’s “Construction Success Story,” we meet an ambitious contractor who, through hard work and a considerable amount of foresight, kept his construction company’s head above water in a tough market during the past year. He was quite proud of this accomplishment and thought all was well until one day, while surfing the Internet, he came across a Web page with his company’s name and logo. Problem was, it wasn’t the Web site he’d set up — and it contained all the wrong contact information.
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Are you ready for 5D modeling? High-tech estimating software looks promising
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 634
Abstract: Margins are typically razor thin in the construction industry, and it’s important that estimators and project managers have every possible advantage. The newest generation of design technology, 5D, may be the advantage they need to keep jobs in the black. This article takes a closer look at this promising new kind of software.
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LEED changes increase complexity of going green
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 504
Abstract: In an effort to eliminate backlogs and comply with ISO standards, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has revised its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program. As a result, contractors looking to “go green” with their projects will face a substantially larger number of reviewing organizations and a more complex point system to qualify for certification. This article covers some of the many specifics.
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EVM: Taking the mystery out of job costing
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 507
Abstract: Most contractors likely have a spending plan going into every job, and they probably track every dollar spent once work is underway. Yet, despite these efforts, measuring the true progress of the job may remain a mystery. This article looks at a solution to this particular whodunit: earned value management (EVM).
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Add muscle to your bottom line with benchmarking
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 931
Abstract: To maintain a competitive edge, it’s critical for a contractor to know where he or she stands financially. One way to do so is by benchmarking. Under this process, a construction company owner selects metrics, or “benchmarks,” to measure his or her construction company’s performance against its own past performance or against other, similar construction businesses. This article explores the details and benefits of this helpful activity.