Category: Contractors/sub-contractors

If you’re entering into a commercial lease as a landlord or as a tenant, make sure the space is in compliance with public accommodation laws. Otherwise, you could find yourself paying a fortune in structural and design changes. Fortunately, there are tax breaks available to businesses that make building alterations to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The law requires that disabled people have equal, or similar, access provided to the general public if any of the… Read more ›

Let’s say you’re an electrical contractor. One of your employees bumps into an unoccupied scaffold on a construction site and destabilizes it. Which actions should you take to ensure the safety of workers and avoid liability? A. Move everyone out of the way when painters get on the scaffold. B. Fix the scaffold. C. Warn everyone who is at risk. D. Report the incident to the general contractor. If you answered C and D, you’re correct. Responsibility and liability on… Read more ›

Buying another construction firm can be an attractive way to grow your company’s revenue base. A merger or an acquisition can allow you to: Add a new subcontracting specialty, Acquire an experienced labor force to reach new markets, and Deepen your penetration into the market your firm already serves. But there’s more to mergers and acquisitions than agreeing on a purchase price and signing the paperwork. For example, which employees should be made privy to the transaction? And how do… Read more ›

Have you always wanted to buy rental property and become a landlord? As you can imagine, putting up with some tenants can be a pain in the neck. But the discomfort can be eased by the valuable tax breaks available to rental property owners. In fact, favorable tax laws are one big reason why so many fortunes have been made in real estate. Another big reason is that leveraging real estate investments with mortgages can multiply profits. But for purposes… Read more ›

Many people invest in marketable securities, including stocks, bonds, money market funds and real estate investment trusts (REITs). But a less conventional investment option that’s historically paid off for many investors is purchasing a home or condo to rent out to third parties. This alternative may help diversify your existing portfolio and hedge against public market trends. With any investment, there are no guarantees of success, especially if you have a short time horizon. But rental properties may be a… Read more ›

If you’re operating a small construction firm, you may be working on a razor-thin margin to stay competitive. That means you can’t afford additional costs or drags on your time without being compensated. All too often, construction firms lose both time and money when they became embroiled in disputes over projects. Worse, a dispute could ultimately damage a firm’s reputation. Fortunately, however, there are several steps you can take that may help avoid potential disputes and quickly resolve any that… Read more ›

When was the last time you reviewed the insurance coverage on your business property? If you have an insurance agent who works closely with your company, you may be accustomed to periodic reviews to keep your insurance up to date. However, if you bought insurance based primarily on price, these reviews might be left up to you. Some business owners learn the hard way that they didn’t buy enough coverage after suffering losses from floods, fires, thefts, vandalism, lightning, hurricanes,… Read more ›

  The IRS continues to zero in on what it calls the “tax gap” — the amount between the taxes that are voluntarily paid and the amount the tax agency believes is actually due. To this end, the IRS has issued a series of documents to provide better understanding of the tax code. One example is specifically directed at the construction industry. The tax agency emphasizes instances where taxpayers failed to report, or under-reported, income from construction activities. This applies… Read more ›

  Financial statements are a must-have for any organization. The balance sheet reveals how much its assets and liabilities are worth based on historic costs. The income statement tells investors and lenders how profitably and efficiently the company has performed during the accounting period. The statement of cash flows details sources and uses of cash from operating, investing and financing activities. All this is relevant information for company insiders, as well as for lenders, bonding companies and other stakeholders. Whether… Read more ›

  Builder’s risk insurance provides protection for a structure that is damaged during construction. These policies are usually broad. In fact, the coverage is generally extensive enough to include construction equipment and machinery, as well as materials, fixtures and appliances – all vital parts of a completed structure. It can also cover temporary structures, such as office trailers, on a project site. If a loss occurs, the insurance company will pay to repair the damaged property. However, keep in mind… Read more ›