http://www.contractingnews.com News for Professional Contractors Sun, 25 May 2008 04:16:53 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en One of the largest home builders in the country, Lennar, has been suffering from a soft housing market just like every other builder. To offset this recent market shift Lennar has decided to ask for lower rates from it's subs. This makes sense until you hear that they are asking ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/21/lennar-asks-subcontractors-to-reduce-rates-or-else/ If you interviewed for a job, you would likely ask your potential employer a number of questions relating to: compensation, benefits, insurance, holidays, vacation, etc. Have you ever asked your current employer about those issues? Our business is a tool—a tool to help us experience the kind of life we ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/21/systems-development-definite-chief-aim/ Most problems and frustrations (we call them bottlenecks) within our contracting business have one of two fundamental causes: a lack of systems and procedures, or the appropriate procedure was not followed. A system could be defined as an integrated whole, in which each part is interdependent with other parts. Together, the individual ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/19/using-systems-to-solve-business-problems/ One of OSHA's standards is that of "The Competent Person". OSHA requires all employers, including General Contractors as well as Subcontractors, to start and maintain a job-site safety and health program. The construction standards require that each employer designate someone to fill the roll of the competent person. The ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/16/osha-required-competent-person/ Sponsored by The North American Decking and Railing Association (NADRA), this years 2007 DeckExpo promises three fun-filled days of education, networking, and business building opportunities. Held in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 27 through March 1, 2007, the event is geared to encompass all areas of decking and the dock ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/14/deckexpo-2007/ Too many times I hear objections when suggesting to fellow contractors that no business should operate without a written business plan. Just as every project has a detailed set of plans that must be followed for the desired outcome, so should your business. Think of the business plan ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/09/business-%e2%80%9cblueprints%e2%80%9d-for-success/ Basing most my work on retail and sub agreements I've found it tough at times to pick up the feed thrown by other contractors and customers. Then, this winter almost all came to a crawl if even that at times. I've dabbled in home flipping and ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/09/from-the-top-down/ Every year at the International Builders Show they construct several full size homes in the parking log of the convention center. These homes show off all the latest new building trends and draw quite the crowd. The only way to get the homes built in the sort amount of time they ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/07/houses-go-up-at-ibs/ It is that time of the year again, time for one of the biggest home building shows in the world. I am talking about The International Home Builders Show in Orlando, FL. It will all start February 7 and run through the 10. There will be 1,900 leading suppliers representing 300 industry ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/06/international-home-builders-show/ With the world focused on finding new energy solutions, more and more people are looking into green construction and design. You may have seen a building being LEED certified, have you ever took the time to explore more, about what LEED is? What is LEED? The Leadership in Energy and Environmental ... http://www.contractingnews.com/2007/02/06/what-is-leed/