615: Valuation Beyond Numbers - Enhancing Your Construction Business Worth
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
Release Date: 02/14/2025
642: How To Know If It's Time To Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 642, And It's About How To Know If It's Time To Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients A Practical Guide for Contractors Who Want to Stay Profitable—Without Scaring Off Business If you're like most small construction business owners, you've probably had this thought: "I'm working non-stop, but I'm still barely keeping up—should I raise my prices?" And then right after that, the fear kicks in: "What if I lose clients? What if no one can afford me anymore?" As construction bookkeeping specialists, we hear this frequently. Contractors are nervous to raise their...
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641: A Week In The Life Of A Profitable Contractor- Habits That Pay Off
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 641, And It's About A Week In The Life Of A Profitable Contractor- Habits That Pay Off If you're a small construction business owner, you know what it feels like to be busy but not consistently profitable. You're running from job sites to supply runs to client meetings, answering calls at night, and still wondering where the money went at the end of the month. Here's the truth we see every day as construction bookkeeping specialists: The most successful contractors aren't just working harder—they've built weekly habits and systems that keep the business running while...
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640: How To Build Systems That Support Your Construction Business
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 640, And It's About How To Build Systems That Support Your Construction Business Turning the 3 Pillars—Marketing, Accounting, and Production—Into Repeatable Routines(without adding more work) You've done the hard part—you're running a construction business, getting jobs, and turning out quality work. Perhaps you've even begun to refine your marketing, job costing, and project delivery strategies, thanks to the three pillars we've discussed: Attracting the Right Jobs, Controlling the Money, and Delivering Projects Profitably. But here's the next step that will...
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639: Pillar 3 - Delivering Construction Projects Profitably
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 639, And It's About Pillar 3: Delivering Construction Projects Profitably A Construction Bookkeeper's Guide to Smarter Production for Small Contractors You've done the hard work: marketed your services, landed the job, and priced it to make a solid profit. But here's where a lot of small construction businesses lose money—even after doing everything right up to this point. That moment is project execution—or what we in the business world call production. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we've seen many jobs transition from profitable to painful...
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638: Pillar 2: Controlling The Money - Construction Accounting And Bookkeeping
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 638, And It's About Pillar 2: Controlling The Money - Construction Accounting And Bookkeeping How Smart Money Management Keeps Your Business Profitable and Stress-Free When most small construction business owners think about success, they envision a steady stream of jobs, high-quality work, and satisfied clients. But there’s another side to the story that often gets ignored: the financial health of your business. And here’s the truth we see every day as construction bookkeeping specialists: Even skilled contractors with full calendars can run into cash flow...
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637: Pillar 1: Marketing - Attracting The Right Construction Jobs
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 637, And It's About Pillar 1: Marketing - Attracting The Right Construction Jobs A Guide for Small Construction Business Owners (from Your Bookkeeper's Point of View) As construction bookkeeping specialists, we spend a significant amount of time analyzing the numbers behind small construction businesses—everything from job costs to cash flow to profit margins. However, here's the truth most contractors don't hear enough: Your profitability starts before the job even begins. Yes, it starts with the jobs you say yes to—and more importantly, the ones you should start...
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636: The Three Pillars Of A Profitable Construction Business
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 636, And It's About The Three Pillars Of A Profitable Construction Business Running a small construction business is no small feat. You're on job sites one minute, sending invoices the next, and trying to line up your next project after that. It's a constant juggling act—and without the right systems, it's easy to fall behind or burn out. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we work with small contractors who are incredibly skilled in their trade but often feel overwhelmed when it comes to running their businesses. And over the years, we've noticed a pattern:...
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635: The #1 Reason Contractors Lose Clients: Poor Invoicing—And How to Fix It
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 635, And It's About The #1 Reason Contractors Lose Clients: Poor Invoicing—And How to Fix It As we celebrate Independence Day and the spirit of hard work and craftsmanship that built our country, it’s the perfect time to think about strengthening your construction business, so you have the freedom to grow and succeed. When most contractors consider why they lose clients, they often blame price competition, slow projects, or a client’s unrealistic expectations. But in my experience as a construction bookkeeper, one of the most common—and preventable—reasons...
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634: Financial Red Flags Your Construction Company Can't Afford To Ignore
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 634, And It's About Financial Red Flags Your Construction Company Can't Afford To Ignore As a construction bookkeeper, I've had a unique vantage point, watching countless projects unfold from the first bid to the final payment. While the hammers and blueprints are the visible signs of progress, it's the numbers behind the scenes that truly tell the story of a company's health. And let me tell you, those numbers often whisper warnings before they start screaming. Small business owners in the construction industry are incredibly busy. You're juggling bids, managing...
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633: Cash Is King But Do You Have A Crown? Why Cash Flow Trumps Profit
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 633, And It's About Cash Is King But Do You Have A Crown? Why Cash Flow Trumps Profit
info_outlineThis Podcast Is Episode 615, And It's About Valuation Beyond Numbers: Enhancing Your Construction Business Worth
The Importance of Business Valuation
Business valuation isn't just for companies preparing for sale or investment. It's a powerful tool that helps you understand your business's health and identify areas for improvement. A valuation gives you insight into whether your construction business is structured for long-term sustainability or is at risk of operational inefficiencies, market challenges, or other pitfalls.
Think of it this way: knowing your business's valuation is like running a health check. It gives you a snapshot of financial health, considers external factors, and ensures your company is ready to tackle challenges or opportunities that come your way. If valuation isn't already part of your business planning, it's time to make it one.
Traditional Valuation Metrics
Traditionally, business valuation has relied heavily on financial metrics. Two commonly known approaches include:
Earnings multipliers
This method involves multiplying a business's annual revenue or profits by a standard industry-specific figure.
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
DCF looks at a business's projected future cash flows and discounts them to present value, providing an estimate that accounts for risk and time. While highly detailed, this method depends heavily on accurate forecasts.
These approaches are undoubtedly helpful but don't tell the whole story. A construction business can be profitable yet fail to secure a high valuation due to overlooked non-financial factors.
Beyond Profits: The non-financial factors that matter
While profits are essential, they're only the beginning of the valuation equation. Non-financial factors can significantly influence how much your business is worth:
1. Market Demand and Competitive Landscape
It's not just about how much profit you generate today—it's about your position in the market. Is the demand for your product or service growing, or is the market becoming saturated? Are competitors innovating faster than you? A future-proof business consistently assesses market trends and adapts to stay relevant.
Pro Tip: Conduct regular SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to understand your edge in the market.
2. Operational Risks
Operational risks can make the most profitable contracting business unattractive to potential buyers or investors. For example:
- Does the business rely heavily on an individual owner, a single key employee, or one major customer?
- Are there documented systems and processes, or does the business suffer from inefficiencies?
Think of these risks as red flags that could threaten scalability and sustainability.
3. Reputation and Brand Image
Your brand's reputation isn't just about avoiding bad press—it's a key driver of trust among customers, clients, and partners. Businesses with a loyal customer base and a positive reputation often command higher valuations.
Real-Life Example: A one-person remodeling company with a loyal local following may receive a higher valuation than a larger one with profits but poor customer reviews.
4. Innovation and Adaptability
How well does your business innovate? Construction businesses that embrace new technologies and methods are typically more resilient. Failure to adapt to changing technologies or market dynamics can cause even profitable enterprises to stall. Businesses that thrive on creativity invest in Research and Development, are ahead of the curve, and demonstrate resilience, which adds immense value during valuation.
Key Question: Is your company actively curious about emerging trends and technologies?
5. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Compliance isn't just about avoiding lawsuits—it's about showing that your business operates responsibly. Construction companies must comply with a myriad of regulations. A solid compliance record can improve a company's valuation by reducing risks related to potential lawsuits or fines. Demonstrating responsible operations assures buyers that your business is trustworthy.
6. Team Strength and Cohesion
The quality and stability of your workforce can influence valuation. A skilled, experienced, and well-coordinated team enhances productivity and project delivery, making the business more attractive to potential investors or buyers. High employee turnover can signal underlying issues and be a red flag to prospective investors.
Warning Sign: Frequent employee turnover can signal a toxic workplace culture, directly impacting valuation.
Strategies for maximizing business value
To increase valuation, focus on both profitability and these often-overlooked factors:
Diversify revenue streams: Reduce reliance on a single product, service, or client to decrease operational risk.
Document processes: Streamline workflows and document systems to make the business more scalable.
Build a lasting brand: Invest in customer experience, brand identity, and online presence. A strong brand pays dividends in terms of valuation.
Foster a strong team: To retain top talent, provide training, career development opportunities, and a positive workplace culture.
Stay innovative: Review and refine your business model regularly to meet changing market needs.
The role of innovation, compliance, and team strength
True innovation, regulatory compliance, and a skilled team create a synergy that elevates your business value. These three pillars foster trust and sustainability:
- Innovation keeps you competitive.
- Compliance helps avoid costly legal issues.
- Team strength ensures the knowledge and talent needed for long-term growth.
Final thoughts
Unlock your business's actual value.
Valuing a construction business encompasses much more than simply analyzing profits. To truly understand your company's worth, consider financial and non-financial factors. Focusing on market position, operational efficiency, and innovation can enhance your company's valuation and ensure long-term success in the competitive construction industry.
Valuing a business is never just about profits. Understanding traditional metrics and exploring non-financial factors can position you for long-term success. Whether you're gearing up to sell or want to ensure your construction business thrives, a balanced approach is key.
Want advice to boost your business value? Contact us. We'll help you create a plan tailored to your needs.
About The Author:
Sharie DeHart, QPA, is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on managing the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770 or [email protected]