BuildWellGuides for contractors
How to estimate, price, bill and get paid, written for small residential contractors, with worked examples you can check line by line, plus pricing and start-up guides trade by trade.
Estimates and bids
Write estimates, proposals and change orders that clients understand and sign.
How to write a contractor estimate
Write a contractor estimate clients understand and sign, from scope and takeoff to pricing, exclusions and terms, with a fully worked bathroom example.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to write a bid proposal that wins
Write a construction bid proposal that wins on more than price: scope, options, schedule, terms, proof and follow-up, with a worked three-option deck proposal.
Read the guide · 9 min →How to write a change order
Write a construction change order that gets signed before the work: what to include, how to price it, schedule impact, credits, and a worked example.
Read the guide · 9 min →Pricing and profit
Set a labor rate, price the job, and keep the margin you meant to keep.
How to price a construction job
Price a construction job from materials, labor, overhead and markup, with a flooring job worked through line by line and the math behind every number.
Read the guide · 10 min →Markup vs margin for contractors
Markup and margin are not the same number. See how each is calculated, convert one to the other with a table, and avoid underpricing jobs by mixing them up.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to calculate your labor rate
Work out the hourly labor rate to charge from your pay, labor burden, billable hours, overhead and profit, with worked examples for an owner and an employee.
Read the guide · 10 min →Invoicing and getting paid
Deposits, progress billing, payment terms and invoices that get paid on time.
How to invoice for construction work
What a construction invoice must include, when to send deposit, progress and final invoices, and a worked final invoice with a change order and card fees.
Read the guide · 9 min →Progress billing and deposits for contractors
How to set deposits and progress payments on residential jobs, bill by milestone or percent complete, handle retainage, and keep cash ahead of costs.
Read the guide · 10 min →Contractor payment terms explained
Due on receipt, net 15, net 30, 2/10 net 30, progress terms, retainage and late fees, what each means for contractors and how to write terms that get paid.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to get paid faster as a contractor
Practical ways for contractors to get paid faster, from deposits and clear terms to same-day invoices, easy payment, follow-up schedules and lien rights.
Read the guide · 10 min →Running the business
Sales tax, licensing, insurance and the other parts of running a contracting business.
How to start a contracting business
Start a contracting business the right way: licensing, insurance, business entity, taxes, pricing, paperwork and finding your first clients, step by step.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to handle sales tax as a contractor
How sales tax works for contractors in general terms, from materials and labor to resale certificates and use tax, with a worked example. Check your state.
Read the guide · 10 min →Starting a trade business
How to start a business in your trade: planning, licensing, insurance, equipment, pricing, first clients and cash flow.
How to start a roofing business
Start a roofing business step by step, from planning, licensing and insurance to equipment, pricing, first clients, estimates, invoices and cash flow.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to start a plumbing business
Start a plumbing business step by step, from licensing and insurance to the van, truck stock, pricing, first customers, estimates, invoices and cash flow.
Read the guide · 9 min →How to start an electrical business
Start an electrical contracting business step by step, from licensing and insurance to tools, pricing, first customers, estimates, invoices and cash flow.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to start an HVAC business
Start an HVAC business step by step, from EPA certification, licensing and insurance to tools, pricing, first customers, estimates, invoices and cash flow.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to start a painting business
Start a painting business step by step, from planning, licensing and insurance to equipment, pricing, first clients, estimates, invoices and cash flow.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to start a landscaping business
Start a landscaping business step by step, from planning, licensing and insurance to equipment, pricing, first clients, estimates, invoices and cash flow.
Read the guide · 10 min →Pricing by trade
How to price the work in your trade: the units it is measured in, how to build the labor and materials, a worked example and what the estimate should show.
How to price roofing jobs
Price a reroof from squares, edges and details. How to build the labor and materials, a 24-square tear-off worked line by line, and how to present it.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price painting jobs
Price painting from wall area, trim and doors. How each part is measured, where labor hours come from, and a two-bedroom and hall repaint worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price plumbing jobs
Price plumbing work by the task or by the hour, with labor built per task, a flat-rate method, and a water heater, toilet and faucet visit worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price electrical jobs
Price electrical work in finished houses. How each line is measured, old work vs new work, permits, and a kitchen lighting upgrade worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price flooring jobs
Price flooring from square feet, trim and tear-out, with how to build labor for each floor type and three bedrooms of solid hardwood worked line by line.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to price drywall jobs
Price drywall by board area, seams and finish level. Where your labor hours come from, and a basement room hung, taped, finished and primed line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price concrete jobs
Price concrete flatwork from square feet to cubic yards, with the labor line by line, a 12 x 20 patio replacement worked line by line, and ready-mix vs bags.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price handyman jobs
Price handyman visits with your own task hours, minimums and trip charges, and a two-day pre-listing repair list worked line by line, setup to cleanup.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price kitchen remodeling jobs
Price a kitchen remodel trade by trade. How each line is measured, where your hours come from, allowances that hold up, and a 10 x 12 galley worked out.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price bathroom remodeling jobs
Price a bathroom gut remodel trade by trade. How each line is measured, a plan for what demo uncovers, and a 5 x 8 hall bath worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price deck building jobs
Price a deck from footings to railing. How each part is measured, how to build the labor and materials, and a 12 x 16 attached deck worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price fencing jobs
Price a fence by the foot, post and gate. How to count posts, build labor and materials, and a 150-foot wood privacy replacement worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price tile jobs
Price tile from substrate to grout. How each surface is measured, how to build the labor and materials, and a tub surround and floor worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price siding jobs
Price a re-side from wall area, trim runs and accessories. How to build the labor and materials, a 40 x 28 ranch in vinyl worked out, and fiber cement compared.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price carpentry jobs
Price finish carpentry by the foot, the opening and the square foot. Where your labor hours come from, and a door and wainscot job worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price framing jobs
Price framing from wall runs, openings and areas, with the labor built line by line, a basement finish worked through, and lumber taken off in feet and pieces.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to price general contracting jobs
Price a general contracting job from your crew's hours, subs' quotes and general conditions, then markup, with a bearing wall removal worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price window and door jobs
Price windows and doors opening by opening. How to build the labor and materials, and a widened patio door, entry door and two windows worked line by line.
Read the guide · 11 min →How to price landscaping jobs
Price landscape installs from your own crew hours, with soil and mulch math, a front-yard refresh worked line by line, and how to present the estimate.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to price lawn care jobs
Price mowing and lawn care per visit, per square foot, monthly or by the season, from your own time on site, with a weekly account worked out step by step.
Read the guide · 10 min →How to price HVAC jobs
Price HVAC service calls, repairs, tune-ups and system replacements from your own hours, with a condenser and coil changeout worked out line by line.
Read the guide · 9 min →How to price cleaning jobs
Price house and commercial cleaning per visit, by the hour, per square foot or monthly, from your own timed visits, with a recurring home worked step by step.
Read the guide · 10 min →
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