The Scariest Thing For A Builder

Jake Bruton talks about how scary it can be to not know the numbers behind your business and the budget review terror with clients. Knowing the numbers is the best way to ensure client happiness. Accurate, complete, honest numbers, that are up to date will keep clients happy. Numbers that haven’t been updated or tracked and are poorly managed are where relationships will go sideways. Being on top of numbers and addressing things as soon as you, the builder knows about them is the best course of action.

[@CMCraftsman]

The hardest part for me is putting together a schedule and getting a labor budget. The material is easy because you typically have more nails in a box than you need. It’s very rare to have more time than you need.

[@clayfenlason1240]

Really sinks home for me, as an owner-builder. I'm not afraid of bad news. I'm afraid of being in the dark and not being able to trust people.

[@drewt9829]

Jake, your mention of a post job review is a must for successful contractors, I made a lessons learned journal and asked my foremen to keep one as well. We would then share our experiences and shorten our learning curve. Better to learn from someone else’s mistakes. Something that we found to be indispensable was a pre-job kickoff meeting between our project managers, foremen, and superintendent. Others could be present if needed. With this meeting, everyone starts off on the same page, with a clear scope of work and all current documents (plans, specs, etc.). We can strategize and prepare for the upcoming job.

[@jake.bruton.aarow.building]

Great advice. I like a journal idea, I think that will be something I start.

[@jesseh2302]

Conflict delayed is conflict multiplied

[@jake.bruton.aarow.building]

Agreed.

[@gezaatlo6739]

Quote on the high side if possible to price in potential supply cost increases, or to fix f ups

[@BenKlassen1]

Great insight!

[@jake.bruton.aarow.building]

Thanks