All Forum Posts by: Colton Cook

@Teresa F.

That's a good idea. I know good contractors will have a right of recession of contract. Also I'm assuming it'd b a good idea to include some clause about unforseeable conditions: not being told about asbestos wrapped pipes, etc. 

Also, I haven't heard of liquidated damages for contractors of this small scale before. If so, I'm sure you're getting very conservative schedules in case or weather days etc

@Thomas S.

That's good advice. The prior projects has been my biggest hang up

@Suzanne Griffiths,

What format would work the best for the schedule. If I sent someone a Microsoft project file, not many people would read it. What do you think about a graphic and a trello board as described in one of my comments above? It's like Pinterest board but real time.

Lloyd Stanton Thanks for the help! What in your opinion would make a contractor a trust worthy go-to for you? My goal is to break the untrustworthy paradigm the word 'contractor' brings. Partially the reason my company is a design-build firm. So helpful

Ruth Bayang , Hey that's a good idea. Pretty easy to do as well. The only issue is that it is very very very easy to scam someone via PayPal. Case by case I guess Greg S. What would you do in my situation about being a new company, but holding. Construction bachelor's degree, and 5 years of varying field experience? It's just the first few that will be difficult to get. Thanks for your input! It's really got me thinking!! Thanks y'all for the input! Feel free to blast horror stories or anything like that so I can learn by there mistakes too. This is so helpful!

@Thomas S.

I agree with all of those except the many years under their belt. Experience is helpful but for a young guy like me, there is no hard and fast rule saying I am not a professional until I've been in business for myself for years and years. Especially if I hold professional designations. Thoughts on that? I mean, I'' sure there will be people I won't do business with because of my age, but they are also clients I would rather not have anyways.

@Scott Upshaw

I probably would've chuckled myself. Haha. No more rough draft sends for me. 

@Account Closed

Two questions:

1) Would you consider a cost plus fee contract if the scope of the project is unknown, contractor adding a percentage as a mark up to the project cost? I'm planning on using a typical GMP contract style with industry standard contingencies. 

2) If my company is brand new, but I have a backlog of building experience including the scope of work, how would you handle that, being sure to maintain 100% integrity at all times?

This is a stumbling block in my mind preventing me from pushing the go button on my marketing.

Have I done it before? Yes.

With this company? No.

Essentially, this really helps me get my ducks in a row

Thank you everyone for the responses! This is helping a lot. Please shotgun them as you have them

@Teresa F.

What I'm going for on my SOP's is to mimic the hotel talked about in the E-Myth. Consistency, Listening oriented, high customer service. 

I've noticed that I'm in the business of customer service. Since it's currently my wife and I.

One note, if my subs are hired by an owner and not me, I cannot bind them to my contract or make sure they perform, which I think is part of the USP of a general contractor.

Side note: I also plan on having signs posted on all project sites that state that no materialmen's lein can be taken on the project, as well as contractual language to support this. This way their legal remedy is through me not on y'all. Thoughts? 

@Thomas S.

What to you would indicate professionalism (I know this seems super obvious, I'm just looking for a different perspective)?