[dave_s]

Hello everyone, I been using electricians talk for a long time and read posts pretty much everyday and find a lot of useful stuff but never really posted a question. So here is first one, I just got my EC license and starting out as a one man shop. I have no problems as far as trade, I take pride in my work. But I'm not really comfortable with business management, accounting, estimates etc. etc. Any tips, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[griz]

Welcome aboard...:thumbsup:

Look here & start reading:

http://www.contractortalk.com/f16/


Remember the formula is always:

Labor + Material + Overhead + Profit + PITA = Job Cost

 

[dave_s]

Thank you.

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Yikes.

That's why most Contractors go out of business. Great tradesmen, poor businessmen.


There are several good books on the subject of business froma Contractors perspective; "Running A Successful Construction Company" by Gerstel is a good one. There are also books on Estimating, Mark-up and Profit, Accounting, and so forth.

You can cruise Amazon. They have 'em all.


Good luck to you.


And start small. Small mistakes are easier to survive than large one's.

 

[oldschoolcarp]

Read,

and find a good lawyer and accountant, now,

before you need them, They will be worth their fees in gold.

Mike

 

[Metro M & L]

Quickbooks is pretty intuitive.

You need to make through a tax year to reLly understand what you should be tracking and how.

Save every receipt.

 

[Calidecks]

Lose your ass on a few jobs and you will be surprised on how fast you pick this chit up. :laughing:

 

[SectorSecurity]

I have to agree with Metro, if you aren't good at the business side get yourself quick books. The starter addition is 9$ a month, and you can track all your expenses and income.

 

[dave_s]

Thanks everyone for your guys feedback. I am planning on to start small just one step at a time.

 

[Do-It-Once]

Good Luck !!! Push hard be Smart