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
Release Date: 08/15/2025
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineThis 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 they build.
In this post, we'll show you what a streamlined, systemized week looks like in a small construction business. Whether you're a solo contractor or leading a small crew, these routines can help you stay organized, improve your cash flow, and protect your profit.
Why Weekly Habits Matter in Construction
When you build consistency into your week, everything improves:
- You stop forgetting to invoice or follow up
- You get paid faster
- Jobs stay on schedule
- Clients feel informed (and complain less)
- You catch issues before they become emergencies
The goal isn't to overload your week—it's to create a rhythm that keeps your business stable and growing, without requiring you to do everything at the last minute.
Monday: Plan the Work, Work the Plan
Morning – Weekly Kickoff
Start your week with a short job planning session. Whether you're solo or managing a team, ask:
- What jobs are active this week?
- What phase is each job in?
- What materials, subs, or permits are needed?
- What deadlines are coming up?
Use a whiteboard, spreadsheet, or project management tool (like Buildertrend or Trello). Assign daily goals to each job to ensure that nothing falls behind.
Afternoon – Estimate & Lead Follow-Up
Block off time to follow up on:
- New leads that came in over the weekend
- Outstanding estimates
- Questions from potential clients
Even 30–60 minutes of focused follow-up keeps your pipeline warm and prevents "ghosted" leads.
Pro tip: Utilize email templates for follow-ups and store lead information in a centralized location, such as a Google Sheet or CRM.
Tuesday: Tidy the Books & Track Job Costs
Morning – Track Labor & Materials
Take 30–60 minutes to:
- Log hours worked so far (your crew's and yours)
- Review any receipts from the job site
- Match expenses to job names
This provides a real-time view of how each job is performing against budget, enabling you to address issues before they escalate.
Afternoon – Vendor Check-Ins
- Call or check with your suppliers:
- Confirm deliveries
- Handle any backorders
- Pay invoices on time (if possible to avoid late fees)
Building good vendor relationships keeps your jobs on track and your business in good standing.
Bookkeeper's tip: If you send us your receipts and labor updates every week, we can update the job cost reports and alert you if anything appears to be incorrect.
Wednesday: Build and Communicate
All Day – Focus on Production
Mid-week is often when contractors are on-site all day. But don't go silent on your clients or back office.
End of Day – Client Touchpoints
Send a quick project update to each active client:
- What was completed today or this week?
- What's scheduled next?
- Are there any delays or updates they should be aware of?
A 2-minute message can prevent hours of frustration or confusion.
Systematize it: Use a weekly client update template or a shared project board where clients can check their progress.
Thursday: Invoice, Collect, and Prepare for the Weekend
Morning – Invoicing & Payments
Every Thursday, review:
- What milestones were completed this week?
- What invoices should go out today?
- What payments are overdue?
Send invoices promptly—don't wait until the end of the month. Progress billing maintains a healthy cash flow and reduces the risk of late payments.
Afternoon – Financial Catch-Up
Take another 30 minutes to:
Send payment reminders
Record payments received
Pay subs (if applicable)
Review your upcoming expenses
Automation tip: Utilize QuickBooks, Joist, or another invoicing tool that automatically sends reminders.
Friday: Review & Reflect
Morning – Job Wrap-Up or Prep
Use Friday mornings to:
- Finalize the week's job work
- Clean up job sites
- Prepare materials or tools for Monday
Afternoon – Weekly Financial Review
Block 30 minutes to review:
- Profit & Loss report
- Cash on hand vs upcoming bills
- Job profitability (are we still on budget?)
Even a basic check-in provides insight into how your business is performing, not just how you perceive it's doing.
What to ask your bookkeeper:
- Are we on budget for our active jobs?
- Did we hit our revenue and profit targets this week?
- Any unusual spending patterns?
Weekend: Rest & Reset (Or Catch Up, Smartly)
Use the weekend to rest—or if you need to catch up, keep it light:
- Review new lead inquiries
- Clean up receipts or paperwork
- Organize tools or truck inventory
Try not to overload your Saturdays. You're running a business, not burning yourself out.
Set boundaries: Let clients know you're unavailable on Sundays unless it's an emergency. Protect your peace.
Recap: Weekly Rhythm for a Profitable Contractor
Day Primary Focus
Monday: Job planning & lead follow-up
Tuesday: Job costs, receipts, vendor check-ins
Wednesday: On-site work & client updates
Thursday: Invoicing, collections, and financial review
Friday: Job wrap-up, P&L check, planning
Weekend: Light admin or complete rest
This weekly flow doesn't have to be perfect. The point is to build structure into your week so you're not always reacting—you're leading.
Why This Works
When contractors follow a simple weekly routine:
- Jobs run smoother
- Clients are happier
- You get paid faster
- You make decisions based on facts, not gut feelings
- You work fewer nights and weekends
You don't need to be a spreadsheet wizard or tech genius. You need systems that fit your workflow and a few key habits to stay consistent.
And if you need help setting that up, that's where I come in.
Need Help Building a Weekly System That Works?
As construction bookkeeping specialists, we help small contractors:
- Automate financial tasks
- Track job costs easily
- Set up smart invoicing and reminders
- Build habits that protect profit
Let's chat and streamline your week, so you can get back to building what you love.
About The Author:
Norhalma Verzosa is a Certified Construction Marketing Professional and serves as the Web Administrator of Fast Easy Accounting, located in Lynnwood, WA. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is a Certified Internet Web Professional, with certifications in Site Development Associate, Google AdWords Search Advertising, and HubSpot Academy. She manages the entire web presence of Fast Easy Accounting using a variety of SaaS tools, including HubSpot, Teachable, Shopify, and WordPress.