621: Transforming Your Construction Team Through Support And Collaboration
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
Release Date: 03/28/2025
647: FEA Contractor Success MAP Podcast Farewell Episode
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 647, And It's About FEA Contractor Success MAP Podcast Farewell Episode Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Contractor Success MAP Podcast. I know it’s been a while, but I didn't forget you. This is Norhalma, and today I’m here with a message that feels both bittersweet and full of hope. After more than a decade of serving contractors through Fast Easy Accounting… after countless conversations, resources, templates, job costing tips, and systems… today’s episode marks the closing of a chapter — and the beginning of a brand-new one. This...
info_outline
646: Insights For Small Construction Business Owners Post-Disruption
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 646, And It's About Insights For Small Construction Business Owners Post-Disruption The past few years have been challenging for small business owners everywhere. For contractors, the global disruptions—pandemic shutdowns, supply chain bottlenecks, labor shortages, and inflation—hit especially hard. Projects were delayed, material costs spiked overnight, and cash flow felt like a rollercoaster. If you’re a small construction business owner, you’ve lived through it. And while it’s been painful, it’s also been a powerful teacher. As construction...
info_outline
645: Construction Estimates: Why Your Bids Should Spell Everything Out
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 645, And It's About Construction Estimates: Why Your Bids Should Spell Everything Out As a contractor, you’ve likely had this experience: you deliver a job estimate to a client, they accept, and you get to work. Everything goes smoothly—until halfway through the project when the client says, “Wait, I thought this included the backsplash,” or “I assumed cleanup was part of the price.” Suddenly, what you thought was a straightforward project turns into a debate about expectations. The client feels misled, you feel frustrated, and worst of all, your profit...
info_outline
644: Five Hidden Ways Contractors Lose Profits (And How To Stop It)
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 644, And It's About Five Hidden Ways Contractors Lose Profits (And How To Stop It) Where did the money go? If you've ever looked at your bank account at the end of a busy month and thought, "I did all that work—so where did the money go?", you're not alone. This is one of the most common frustrations we hear from small business owners in the construction industry. You're booking jobs, staying busy, and delivering great work—but the profit doesn't seem to match the effort. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we've seen behind the numbers of dozens of small...
info_outline
643: Is It Time To Hire A Bookkeeper Or Keep Doing It Yourself
Contractor Success Map with Randal DeHart | Contractor Bookkeeping And Accounting Services
This Podcast Is Episode 643, And It's About Is It Time To Hire A Bookkeeper Or Keep Doing It Yourself A Real-World Guide for Small Construction Business Owners If you run a small construction business, you've probably worn every hat—from estimator and foreman to project manager and, yes, bookkeeper. Initially, doing the books yourself may have seemed manageable. But now, as you grow, you might be asking: "Do I need a bookkeeper, or can I keep doing this myself?" It's a valid question—and the answer depends on where your business is, where it's going, and how you manage your time and...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineThis Podcast Is Episode 621, And It's About Transforming Your Construction Team Through Support And Collaboration
Here are some strategies to consider:
1. Communication is Key
Open lines of communication are essential. Hold regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and expectations. Encourage your crew members to voice their concerns and suggestions, which can help foster a collaborative environment.
2. Understand Their Perspective
Take time to listen and understand the reasons behind your crew's difficulties. Whether it's workload stress, unclear instructions, or personal issues, knowing the root cause can help you address their concerns more effectively.
3. Set Clear Expectations
Ensure that all crew members understand their roles and the project's goals. Clearly defined tasks and responsibilities can reduce confusion and help everyone focus on their objectives.
4. Provide Support
Offer help through additional resources, training, or simply being available to answer questions. Showing that you care about their success can boost morale and productivity.
5. Stay Professional
Remaining calm and composed is essential, even when tensions rise. Responding to negativity professionally and respectfully can help de-escalate conflicts and maintain a positive work atmosphere.
6. Conflict Resolution
When conflicts arise, address them promptly. Use a calm approach to mediate disputes, focusing on finding a solution for everyone involved. Avoid taking sides to maintain fairness.
7. Recognize Achievements
Acknowledge your crew's good work, no matter how small the accomplishments may seem. Recognition can boost morale and motivate the team to overcome challenges together.
8. Lead by Example
Demonstrate the work ethic and attitude you want to see in your crew. Your leadership style can set the tone for the entire work environment, influencing how the crew interacts and handles difficulties.
9. Be Flexible
Construction projects often come with unexpected challenges. Flexibility and openness to adjustments can help you navigate these situations and maintain team morale.
10. Seek Feedback
After resolving issues, seek feedback from the crew on the process. This can lead to valuable insights and improvements for future projects.
We settled for a different approach. In all our construction companies, we use a process to encourage innovation and optimize production at three specific times during the day: morning, noon, and afternoon.
Morning —We provided light snacks, pastries, fruit, bottled water, juice, coffee, and tea. We begin the day by informing the team about the legal requirements and end with a sheet of paper listing the goals for the day for each crew, which the superintendent/foreman/lead person, whatever title you use, keeps in their portfolio.
Noon—Lunch is also provided. Each person gives a morning progress report and afternoon target, which are updated on a paper sheet listing the day's goals.
Afternoon—Work stops ten minutes before everyone is due to clock out, and everyone gives an afternoon progress report and next-day target, which is updated on a sheet of paper listing the goals for the day.
Why Provide Snacks And Meals? Three Reasons - PROFIT! PROFIT! PROFIT!
Your construction workers may or may not have a hearty breakfast before coming to work, depending on various factors outside your and their control.
Well-fed construction workers produce more work in less time with fewer mistakes, which saves you time and money on labor, materials, warranty work, and other costs.
After a few hours of intense construction work, they could be dehydrated. Having burned several calories, their stomachs could be sending essential messages regarding food. This usually results in them slowing down a little bit, costing your company some profit dollars.
You should notice steady increases in production because everyone's needs are met, and each member of your crew—Journeymen, Apprentices, and Laborers—has a voice. This fosters a positive atmosphere. Additionally, you can expect substantial increases in innovation as an ongoing process, all while maintaining uninterrupted production.
In addition, a successful construction manager and business owner must possess a multifaceted skill set. This includes technical knowledge of construction methods and materials, project management expertise, and a deep understanding of industry regulations. Additionally, proficiency in risk management, scheduling, and resource allocation is vital in navigating the complexities of each project.
Adaptability is essential, as construction projects often face unforeseen challenges. A construction manager must be able to think on their feet and adjust plans as necessary to keep projects on track, demanding technical skills and a strong sense of judgment and creativity.
Final thoughts
The role of a construction manager and business owner is rewarding and demanding. It involves a delicate balance of leadership, responsibility, and diverse skill sets, all of which converge to ensure that projects are completed successfully, on time, and within budget.
Leading your crew effectively involves not just managing tasks but inspiring and developing your team to meet project goals while fostering a positive and productive work environment.
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 sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com