Sometimes it can be difficult to keep things in perspective. Adapting to a changing market versus panicking and imagining problems that don’t exist can be a tough balancing act to follow. How do you keep your business sharp and prepare for the future without making mountains out of molehills? This article contains some business tips designed to help you keep things in perspective.
In construction contracts, the contractor is frequently required to notify the owner in writing of differing site conditions, changes in the scope of work, unforeseen delays, extra work and breaches by the other party. These notice provisions often contain a deadline for the notice to be given to the other party. For example, a contract may require the contractor to notify the owner in writing within 21 days from the occurrence of the event giving rise to a claim for additional compensation, extra time or relief under the contract. If the contractor fails to provide notice within the deadline, the contract may state that the contractor’s claim against the owner is waived. This article will focus on exceptions to the notice provision and circumstances where the notice provision is waived because of the acts or omissions of the owner or the owner’s representative.
Recent technological advances have increased the acceptance of composite shingles in steep-slope roof applications. The increase in popularity can be attributed to the variety of styles and colors that are now available for these types of materials. The styles available include those that mimic the look of traditional three-tab shingles, wood shake shingles, slate shingles, metal and thermoplastics.
Angie’s List is an Internet-based ratings and referrals organization that collects customer satisfaction ratings on companies in scores of home service categories, everything from plumbing to pet sitting to piano tuning. Roofing contractors are included. Formed in 1995, Angie’s List has been used by more than 500,000 homeowners in 124 cities nationwide, and it is steadily expanding. Most people who use the list pay a modest membership fee, which gives it some tangible value
It is evident to me that 2008 is going to be the kind of year that will require a great deal of planning followed by some remarkable execution to achieve success in business and life. Planning and measuring always bring about better results, but my senses tell me not to fool around this year.
Roofing is a tough business. If it rains, you can’t work; if it doesn’t rain, you don’t need to work. Who can you reach out to? What advice do you heed? What advice should you avoid? Owning a business can be a lonely proposition. Most business owners are somewhat isolated. They work long hours, and it can be hard to find time for friends. Family and friends also may not understand what it is like to employ people, deal with customers and fully understand the stress of day-to-day business pressures.
Periodically I get calls from market researchers asking for industry statistics or for me to explain our industry’s lay of the land. One of them recently asked the question, “What are contractors like?” My initial response was to ask a question in return: “Which type of contractor?” Then I explained that the industry harbors different kind of work specialists, each with different characteristics and concerns. Later, in reflecting back on this conversation, I asked myself whether there might be some unifying characteristics among all of these different market sectors.
Here we are years beyond a pair of horrible hurricane seasons (2004 and 2005), and the fallout continues to take shape. Our good friends in Florida have been hit with a new rule that has many residential reroofing contractors in a real pickle. In spite of common sense and efforts by roofing and other contractors in the state, it seems that the insurance lobby prevailed on the Florida legislature to cook up a “windstorm loss mitigation” statute.
As this issue of Roofing Contractor hits the street, we find ourselves in the middle of the college football season. What’s that got to do with your roof-contracting business? Not much, but a few parallels do come to mind.
Here’s a scary statistic for every business owner: “The average organization loses 15 percent to 35 percent of its customers each year, primarily due to poor service.”
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