Way Of Thinking Changing...

1mancrew

First off, I have been a member on this site for less than a month. I am a small one man operation and quit subbing years ago after mingling with a few bad apples in the business. The point I am getting at is I don't know many other contractors nor do I get the chance to bounce ideas off them or hear their ideas or inputs. Just about everything I have done business wise has been trial and error. During the first few years in business I put myself in a bad financal position a few times just out of my own ignorance. Like most, I just cut back on expeditures and worked my tail off for a few months to recover. Over the years I have managed to keep myself pretty busy and do pretty well...at least by my standards.

Since joining the site I have been on here every morning and evening just trying to take in all of the great information so freely shared by the members. What I didn't realize before finding the site is that I had a lot to learn. I have allowed a lot of what I have read sink into my think scull and now my way of thinking is starting to change. There is still a lot I don't quite comprehend about true O/H, setting rates for billable man hours, etc. but I am starting to understand. When I estimate jobs I always looked at days to complete instead of hours to complete. If I ran into a couple of delays, instead of working 8 hrs. that day...I would make up for it by working 10, 12, or even 14 hours just to stay on schedule and keep enough money rolling in.

I am starting to realize that maybe with the proper planning and knowlege I don't have to work so damn hard all of the time. I end up doing quite a few jobs that other contractors really don't want to do. I am not complaining about that because there are a few of them I really don't want to do either so I bid too high and usually end up with them. Well Thursday morning the wife and I are headed down to Florida for a weeks vacation. On recomendations from this site I will be taking a book along with me to read that I purchased written by Michael C Stone. I am sure I will enjoy it and hopefully have my batteries charged when I get back.

Oh by the way...I am kind of computer illiterate but today...after many long hours I finally figured out how design a website (from template of course) with Microsoft Publishing. I still need to make a section for links, a gallery section of before and after pictures, and also a form page for potential clients to contact me. If you get a chance check it out and then tell me how bad it is. Thanks in advance, 1mancrew

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www.KirbyCustomHomes.com

SLSTech

not bad for your first site
#1 - Ditch Publisher - I use Expression Web, also my MS & if you search around there are plenty of other WYSIWYG editors out there.
The Pics are fine, however, the client should be able to click on them to be able to see them better, or use larger pics
The text needs to be changed - it clashes with the background making it hard to read
To create a "Contact" page I used these guys http://www.ctrfx.com/form/Default.aspx & its free
All but the 2nd one require a better program
Just my .02 & keep up the learning - your doing good

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Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

nEighter

have fun in Florida man

Glasshousebltr

One man operation .........successful in own standards ........and by the way .......I'm headed to Florida for a weeks vacation .......?

When I walked around in those boots I had to barter the time to eat a meal. You must be doing something right.

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Bob

Max Nomad

On this site, one of the fantastic things about many of the discussions, advice (and even bashing) is that it's bringing clarity and focus to alotta things that had previous been huge questions hanging over my head. If you liken Business to being in a War, it's like being given a map to where many of the landmines are. It's definitely helped to keep my thinking fluid.

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Majestic-Tile, a division of Majestic Home Improvement, LLC.
http://www.majestic-tile.com/
My Publishing Company and Graphic Design Portfolio:
http://www.bgpublishing.com/