--- title: The Design/Builder's Blog by Shawn McCadden | Working with Vendors description: Working with Vendors | Blog for contractors, architects, design professionals and others who want to know more or share their ideas about Design/Build --- [![the design builders blog](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-1968953853-jpg/images/ShawnMccadden-DBblog-header.jpg "the design builders blog")](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/) [![Subscribe to the Design/Builders Blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/62868785-47fb-4751-8ade-e9392edbbdd1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/62868785-47fb-4751-8ade-e9392edbbdd1) # The Design Builder's Blog ## [If One Of These People Asks, Can You Explain How Your Remodeling Company Does Business?](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/if-one-of-these-people-asks-can-you-explain-how-your-remodeling-company-does-business) Posted by [Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/author/shawn-mccadden) on Mon, Aug 10,2015 @ 01:01 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## **If One Of These People Asks, Can You Explain How Your Remodeling Company Does Business?** **![How a contractor does business](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-61667728-jpg/images/Reviewing_plans_with_customers-wr.jpg?width=147&name=Reviewing_plans_with_customers-wr.jpg "How a contractor does business")Most contractors can't explain how they do business, they just make things happen.**   In a smaller remodeling business, say up to about $5-700K of installed work, this may get you by.  But as you grow your business, particularly if you want to **[grow past $1M in installed remodeling sales,](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/breaking-past-1m-in-remodeling-getting-ready-to-do-it)** the list of people below will want and or need to know how you do business.   **Would you be able to explain it to them?**  Or will you let them tell you how it will happen? ### **To grow a successful construction business these people in your path will need to know how you do business: ** **Prospects:**   If in the past they have had a bad or good experience with another contractor, **savvy remodeling customers already know what worked or didn't work for them and their project.** Before they hire you they will want to know how your business operates. **Customers:**   If they have already bought from you without knowing how you do business **they may have bought on price and have already assumed how you will do business.** It’s probably not the same way you are assuming. ** Employees:** If employees don't know how you do business **they will be challenged to take on responsibility as the business grows **because they will never be able to assume what you want them to do or say at job sites and or with customers.  If they take the risk of doing so, and then you chastise them for what they did, they will probably never take that risk again and **or may look for a different job.** **Recruits:** Finding good employees these days is challenging.  **Finding a real lead carpenter or production manager is near impossible.**   Try this example.  You find a real lead carpenter, and while interviewing that candidate starts asking you questions about how your business and your lead carpenter system work. Will they gain confidence in working for you or will they come to realize they should look elsewhere?   **Good lead carpenters know what they need from the business and how it should happen so they can actually produce projects on their own**, from the job site.  (Check out this Lead Carpenter System Workshop for business owners) **Architects:**   ![Explaining how you do business to an architect](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-1082360674-jpg/images/architect_with_plans-wr.jpg?width=139&name=architect_with_plans-wr.jpg "Explaining how you do business to an architect")Be careful here.  If you don't explain how you do business before winning the bid on an architect driven remodeling project **you might just be told how you will do business.**  Examples include how and when you will be paid, what will be considered a change order vs. what you should have assumed to be included, what margin you can earn on change orders, and what hoops you will need to jump through before receiving progress payments and final payments.  **Be sure to carefully read any AIA Contracts before signing them.** **Sub Contractors:** Good trade subs are hard to find. If you find a good one but don't clarify how you do business with your subs before you hire **they will likely be telling you what they expect after you are already committed to them**.  At that point you may have no other choice than to suck it up if you want to keep your job on schedule and your customer happy.   A lack of clarity and consistency regarding your **payment policies is probably the most common reason subs will lose interest in working with you** on your next project. **Vendors:** Again, be careful here. Be sure to explain how your sales process works and how you price materials before sending prospects and clients to vendors to pick things out.  **By doing so they can become part of your sales team.**  If you don't, in a sincere effort to help you, they may actually create problems for you.  Examples might include quoting wholesale prices, giving pricing breakdowns, or suggesting products you prefer not to use.  If the prospect never even shares you sent them there, and you didn't let the vendor know they were coming, **the vendor may even recommending a different contractor just so they can be sure to get the sale.**     0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/if-one-of-these-people-asks-can-you-explain-how-your-remodeling-company-does-business#comments-listing) Topics: [Working with Vendors](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/working-with-vendors), [Business Management](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-management), [Recruting](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/recruting), [Employee Advancement](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/employee-advancement), [Business Growth](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-growth), [Differentiating your Business](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/differentiating-your-business), [Marketing](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/marketing), [Marketing Considerations](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/marketing-considerations), [Prequalifying](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/prequalifying), [Breaking $1Million](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/breaking-1million) ## [Contractors Are You Sure You Are Working With The Right Vendors?](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/91259/Contractors-Are-You-Sure-You-Are-Working-With-The-Right-Vendors) Posted by [Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/author/shawn-mccadden) on Sun, May 19,2013 @ 11:02 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## **The Marketplace is Improving; Are You Sure You Are Working With The Right Vendors?** **![Building product supply and demand](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-43759628-jpg/images/supply_and_demand-wr.jpg?width=259&height=172&name=supply_and_demand-wr.jpg)** **The marketplace seems to be picking up for contractors.**  Many are reporting increased leads and sales.  With increased demand for the products contractors need to build their projects **we will definitely see supply and demand challenges with local lumberyards**, the big boxes and specialty product vendors.  This supply and demand challenge is one of the reasons many in the construction industry are predicting as much as a **25% increase in cost on many building products**.  Although contractors need to be aware of these increases as they price their projects, I suggest they also need to make sure the **vendors and suppliers they purchase their materials and products from will be prepared for the increased demand.** If you are a **contractor who has been buying on price** from vendors who have been selling on low price to get your business, **you might want to think twice**.   If that vendor has a good business, low or no debt and is **using efficient business systems and technology to keep their costs low, you may be OK.**  But if your vendor has very high debt, has cut back on staffing, equipment and service, just so they could sell at low prices, their business **may not be prepared for a surge in sales as the economy improves.** ** ** ### **Choosing and keeping the right building product dealers for your business** **and your customers** **Here are some things to think about regarding the vendors you are currently using.**  This same list can also help you decide which vendor or vendors you should work with going forward:   ### **The risks of low price** **Selling on low price typically puts any business on a path to failure.**  Sure, it may seem to help things at first when money gets tight.  However, unless they can ramp up their businesses, and do so before the market place improves, they will be **forced to play a game of keep up and catch up as their customers’ needs and demands for products and service increases. **  Working with a low price vendor might seem attractive, but can you be confident they will have what you need when you needed it?   If they require a deposit on special order items, **are you confident they will still be in business** by the time you expect delivery of what you ordered?   What will your customers think of you and your business if their **project start date gets delayed and or the completion date gets extended** because you can’t get what you need from your vendors to **keep their project and your business on schedule?** ** ** ### **Summary** ![Low price LBM dealers](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-43762437-jpg/images/paying_low_price-wr1.jpg?width=180&height=120&name=paying_low_price-wr1.jpg)   Choosing the wrong vendors by saving a few bucks on materials may cost you and your construction business **lots of wasted time, money and the valuable referrals** your business has enjoyed from what used to be happy customers.  **I highly recommend you choose your vendors wisely!** ** ** ** ** 4 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/91259/Contractors-Are-You-Sure-You-Are-Working-With-The-Right-Vendors#comments-listing) Topics: [New Business Realities](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/new-business-realities), [Working with Vendors](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/working-with-vendors), [LBM Related Topics](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lbm-related-topics), [LBM Dealer Topics](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lbm-dealer-topics), [Business Growth](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-growth), [Production Considerations](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/production-considerations), [Building Relationships](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/building-relationships), [Customer Relations](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/customer-relations), [Keeping More Money](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/keeping-more-money), [Sage Advice](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/sage-advice), [Shawn's Predictions](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/shawn39s-predictions) ## [Help For LBM Dealers Planning Contractor Education Events](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/87899/Help-For-LBM-Dealers-Planning-Contractor-Education-Events) Posted by [Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/author/shawn-mccadden) on Tue, Apr 02,2013 @ 06:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## **Free Webinar: Help For LBM Dealers Planning Contractor Education Events** One big win-win for building material dealers and their contractor customers is **offering contractor education**.  By helping contractors improve their businesses, and advance the trade skills of their employees, **contractors can do more business and improve profitability.**   If the contractor can increase the amount of business he or she does, the supplier benefits as well because that contractor will likely need to **buy more products and services from the dealer.**  Helping contractors grow their business is also a great way for LBM dealers to initiate and expand upon the creation of **mutually beneficial relationships with their contractor customers.** **![Planning a contractor Training Event](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-26551250-jpg/images/contractor_training-wr.jpg?width=530&height=126&name=contractor_training-wr.jpg) ** For suppliers and manufacturers, **planning a successful educational event for contractors** takes a lot of work and time.   Many factors go into planning, promoting and executing an event that will provide value for the attendees, the dealer as well as any event sponsors.  However, if planned and executed correctly, educational events for contractors will not only attract attendees for the first time, the events should also **make attendees want to keep coming back for more!** ** ** **![planning a training event for contractors](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15772320-jpg/images/lobster_dinner-wr.jpg) ** If you are a **LBM dealer thinking about holding your first educational event**, or want to improve results at your next event, consider attending an upcoming webinar I will be presenting on April 11th, 2013 titled “**Planning and Delivering Educational Events to Maximize Your ROI”  **The webinar will be hosted by** [BuilderLink.](http://www.yourbuilderlink.com/index.php?action=home)** ###  **[Click here now to register for the webinar](https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/472933345)** ![Webinar for LBM Dealers](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-16121181-jpg/images/sales_rep_at_screen-wr.jpg?width=137&height=188&name=sales_rep_at_screen-wr.jpg)   If you are a contractor looking to encourage educational events at your lumberyard or supplier, **consider forwarding this article to them.**  By attending the webinar dealers and their staff can **learn how to plan a great event,** choose topics and speakers that will help you grow your business, and make sure the event will be **fun and entertaining to attend**.   ### **Here’s a partial list of how attendees will benefit by attending this webinar** - Learn some creative ways to **promote the event**, attract contractor attendees and get them to show up! - We will explore seminar topic ideas that can be beneficial and profitable for the contractors as well as the dealer. - Learn several very important things to consider before **choosing a presenter/speaker.** - Learn several ways to **maximize the investment** for the dealer and sponsor(s); before, during and after the event.   ![Speaker for contractor education event](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-16117579-jpg/images/register_now-wr.jpg) **Other LBM Dealer Related Articles:** ** [Lumberyard Ambassadors - Partnering With A Lumber Dealer’s Yard Staff](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/85955/Lumberyard-Ambassadors-Partnering-With-A-Lumber-Dealer-s-Yard-Staff)** **[Understanding and Selling the Many Shades of Green](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/86339/Understanding-and-Selling-the-Many-Shades-of-Green)**     0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/87899/Help-For-LBM-Dealers-Planning-Contractor-Education-Events#comments-listing) Topics: [Remodeler Education](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/remodeler-education), [Contractor Training](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/contractor-training), [Working with Vendors](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/working-with-vendors), [LBM Dealer Topics](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lbm-dealer-topics), [Success Strategies](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/success-strategies), [Worker Training](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/worker-training), [Differentiating your Business](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/differentiating-your-business) ## [Lumberyard Ambassadors - Partnering With A Lumber Dealer’s Yard Staff](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/85955/Lumberyard-Ambassadors-Partnering-With-A-Lumber-Dealer-s-Yard-Staff) Posted by [Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/author/shawn-mccadden) on Fri, Jan 18,2013 @ 10:54 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## **Lumberyard Ambassadors - Partnering With A Lumber Dealer’s Yard Staff** ![Lumberyard Staff Training](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15843073-jpg/images/delivery_driver-wr.jpg?width=135&height=158&name=delivery_driver-wr.jpg)     Several recent surveys and polls indicate that contractors, when they have more than one option to consider, **put a lot of weight on relationships** when they share why they choose one lumber yard or supply house over another. Let’s face it, whether shopping at a lumber yard or at your local grocery store, when you enjoy some type of positive and mutually beneficial relationship with the employees representing that business you become much more motivated to stick with that business and even refer others to that business.   Good lumber dealers know this and make it a priority to offer** training and mentoring for their employees**. ![Seminar for Yard Staff](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15840095-jpg/images/lbmdf_color-wr.jpg?width=142&height=107&name=lbmdf_color-wr.jpg)Earlier this week I presented a **webinar** hosted by [The Northeast Retail Lumber Association](http://lbmdf.org/) (NRLA) and sponsored by [The Lumber and Building Material Dealers Foundation](http://lbmdf.org/) (LBMDF).  **LBMDF supports and advances the educational and charitable programs of the NRLA.**  The webinar was for lumber dealers’ yard staff.  The purpose of the webinar was to help yard staff see and take advantage of how their efforts can help the lumber dealer they work for, the contractors they serve, as well as the yard staff employees themselves. **I like to refer to them and hope they see themselves as “Lumberyard Ambassadors”** During the webinar I asked the attendees to share their suggestions for how contractors could help them do their jobs better and make their jobs more enjoyable when doing so.    ### **Here are some of the suggestions they had to offer and some of my thoughts as well** **![Yard Employee Training](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15845862-jpg/images/happy_yard_employee-wr.jpg?width=98&height=138&name=happy_yard_employee-wr.jpg)As a contractor please don't come in with a bad attitude.** This one can go both ways.  Actually, it was also on my list of pet peeves to share with the attendees!  Contractors and yard staff can both have legitimate reasons to be in a bad mood.  However, it doesn’t mean that bad moods need to be shared or demonstrated by either party.  As professionals we all need to control our emotions.   Plus, if you let your bad mood effect how you interact with lumber yard staff, they might just be inclined to return the “favor” the next time you’re in the yard.   **Better planning by contractors. When we have to go out multiple times to one jobsite it costs us time, when we could just go there once.** ![Lumber Yard employee training](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15774404-jpg/images/material_delivery-wr.jpg?width=178&height=118&name=material_delivery-wr.jpg)I shared with the attendees that this was one of those things I have been working on for years; trying to help contractors and their employees improve their processes and even use checklists to help make sure everything is on the job site before it is needed.  Here’s the thing; making multiple trips cost both the contractor and the lumber dealer money that could be better invested elsewhere.  Plus, if as a contractor your employees aren’t smart enough or don’t care enough to plan ahead, it might be time to find new employees who can and will plan ahead.  If you or your employees need training to help curb this problem, consider attending this production workshop.   **My drivers need good directions from the contractors; many times the contractor isn't very helpful.** ![Yard staff webinar](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15847207-jpg/images/compass-wr.jpg?width=129&height=113&name=compass-wr.jpg)Again, I think this is one that both the lumber dealer and the contractor can share responsibility in.  Whoever takes the order at the yard needs to ask for directions and should also probably make a point of always asking if there is anything they should know that would help the driver find the right location for the delivery.  At the same time I think contractors should also be proactive by speaking up and offering advice if they know their job site is difficult to find or access.   Posting a job sign in a visible location could be helpful.  Also, if there’s no room to turn around to strategically drop a load where you want it, why not suggest that the driver back in from the street when you’re placing your order. ### **Bottom Line** By fostering a good working relationship, contractors and lumber dealers’ yard staff employees can both make their jobs and their day much more enjoyable.   And keep in mind; each has an opportunity to set the example for their peers.  **Many thanks to the webinar attendees for sharing their thoughts!**   ### **Have a suggestion to add to the discussion?  Please share it by leaving a comment below.**     0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/85955/Lumberyard-Ambassadors-Partnering-With-A-Lumber-Dealer-s-Yard-Staff#comments-listing) Topics: [Working with Vendors](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/working-with-vendors), [LBM Related Topics](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lbm-related-topics), [Production Considerations](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/production-considerations), [Building Relationships](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/building-relationships) ## [You Need a Target Before You Can Target Your Marketing](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/84815/You-Need-a-Target-Before-You-Can-Target-Your-Marketing) Posted by [Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/author/shawn-mccadden) on Sun, Dec 23,2012 @ 06:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## **You Need a Target Before You Can Target Your Marketing** ![Target Customer for remodelers](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-16138416-jpg/images/who_is_yiur_target-wr.jpg?width=192&height=192&name=who_is_yiur_target-wr.jpg)   Recently three of my consulting/coaching clients have started the process of updating their web sites.   All three of them had sites that were created several years back and have since sat on the web with few if any changes, updates or the addition on any new content. Only one had a blog. All three of them also came to realize that prospects were not finding their sites via search engines.   However those prospects were going to their sites to find out more about the remodelers after they already had a first meeting and became aware there was a web site to look at. As a result of my questions and little follow-up discussion with their prospects these remodelers came to realize they essentially had static on-line brochures that offered little to differentiate their businesses from other remodeling businesses. And, they also learned that their sites did not attract prospects or help them move them along to a decision during the sales process. ![targeting remodeling customers](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15732224-jpg/images/burn_out-wr.jpg?width=136&height=102&name=burn_out-wr.jpg)I’m sure this story is true for many remodelers. If you’re one of them and you’re tired of never ending sales cycles, having to sell on price, working for people you’d rather say no to and you can’t seem to generate enough volume and or gross profit to have a healthy business; it’s time to decide who you want to target for prospects and start strategically marketing so they can find you and so you can convert them into customers.   ### **Think of it like this ** The target below offers a shooter points no matter where the bullets land, as long as they land on the paper.  However, if the bullets land in the center the shooter will get far more points than if they hit somewhere around the perimeter.  The goal for the shooter should be to calibrate his or her weapon and then properly aim so the bullets hit the center each time.   The same holds true for remodelers.  If your margins are low because you’re not hitting the paper, or if you are and you’re only getting low scores, it’s not the targets fault and it’s not the weapon’s fault, it’s the shooter who needs to make the adjustments. ![target customers for remodelers](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-16114214-jpg/images/paper_target-wr.jpg)   ### **Need help?** ![Remodeling customer demographics](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15744199-jpg/images/demographics-wr.jpg?width=184&height=146&name=demographics-wr.jpg)One resource remodelers can take advantage of for help with better targeting is their vendors.  Vendors who carry well known product brands know which demographic of customers buy different products based on their quality, benefits and related cost.   They also typically get support in this area from the product manufacturers and distributors they do business with.   If you establish a relationship with a good vendor who offers marketing help and support, it can be like having a whole team of marketing experts working on helping you find more and better customers.   The great part about it is that helping the remodeler helps the vendor, the distributor and the manufacturer all at the same time.  When something gets sold everyone one wins! Recently I had a discussion about this topic with Marshall Baser, Business Development Manager for [AW Hastings](http://www.awhastings.com/) in Enfield CT.   Hastings is a distributer that specializes in the [Marvin Window and Door](http://www.marvin.com/) brands.  Marshall and his team work with the vendors they supply to help remodelers and replacement contractors improve their businesses and therefore sell more.   One way they do so is to help contractors better target their marketing to the right prospects for the different price points of windows Marvin offers.  In addition to help with strategy, Hastings also helps vendors and remodelers attract quality leads through joint advertising that highlights the remodeler, the dealer and the products. If that has you excited you’ll love the fact that Hastings and their vendor partners typically share the cost of the advertising with the remodelers they work with.  ### ![Marketing strategies for remodelers](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-16129151-jpg/images/strategy-wr.jpg?width=245&height=244&name=strategy-wr.jpg)**Ready for the new normal?** Being successful and profitable as a remodeler is and will be different as we eventually enter into an improved economy with new and changing customer demographics.  Smaller remodeling businesses with fewer resources need to find ways to gain an edge in the marketplace.  I think Marshall summed it up really well for these businesses when he shared this advice:  ***"Contractors should consider aligning themselves with retail suppliers who truly understand them and their business.  They should get to know each other well, and create a strong business partnership with one another.  A quality retailer can be a tremendous resource helping the contractor improve their overall business volume and profitability through the products that they sell, as well as through the value added services that they offer, including targeting the right prospects for those products."***   2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/84815/You-Need-a-Target-Before-You-Can-Target-Your-Marketing#comments-listing) Topics: [Working with Vendors](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/working-with-vendors), [Sales Considerations](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/sales-considerations), [Differentiating your Business](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/differentiating-your-business), [Marketing](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/marketing), [Mentoring/Coaching](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/mentoringcoaching), [Business Planning](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-planning) [All posts](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/all) ### Subscribe by Email [![please donate](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/d6888f7b-f488-4356-88b4-14128c5aab4b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/d6888f7b-f488-4356-88b4-14128c5aab4b) [![cogs worksheet tool free download](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/7baf34b1-cad0-4bdf-84eb-b21dd6da4973.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/7baf34b1-cad0-4bdf-84eb-b21dd6da4973) [![MA CSL Classes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/663d3a42-f898-41b6-850d-dd6c96899668.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/663d3a42-f898-41b6-850d-dd6c96899668) ### Are You Documenting Your Crew's  Compliance With The RRP Rule?  [![download free RRP checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/dd6aace9-6cb0-4ad2-a55a-09846d7f5b5e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/dd6aace9-6cb0-4ad2-a55a-09846d7f5b5e)   ### Frustrated With Your Current Method Of Estimating Projects?   [![free excel estimating template](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/14387bf1-ade4-4b88-9c17-1b56a85bab52.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/14387bf1-ade4-4b88-9c17-1b56a85bab52) ## Not Sure Of Your True Labor Costs?  [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/390dc019-2e22-41cc-8b47-eeb259f25bf3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/390dc019-2e22-41cc-8b47-eeb259f25bf3) ### Find what you are looking for - 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