Construction Equipment Owner

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There’s about 140 billion dollars slotted for construction projects as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It has been said that overall the ARRA probably isn’t big enough to completely pull the economy out of its slump, but I’m sure a portion of that money would go a long way into strengthening the financial stability of your construction business.

The problem is that working on federally-funded projects will require compliance with the provisions provided in the ARRA that can be tricky to navigate if you’re not familiar with this type of work. This can lead to reduced profit margins and the name of the game these days is to increase the amount of money that goes to the bottom line on each job. What are these items that could have the largest affect on contractors working on these projects? Find out now, by listening to this episode of the Construction Business Podcast.

Guest: Jim Scott, Construction Practice Lawyer - Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Link: Stimulus Support Team

 How to Efficiently Perform on Projects Funded by Federal Stimulus Dollars [14:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (312)

The importance of surety bonds in construction and specifically for the contractor is the latest topic of discussion on the Construction Business Podcast. Bill Maroney, president of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers and Senior Vice President with City Underwriting Agency Inc., joins this episode to talk about the key aspects that contractors will need to know about surety bonds and how they fit into today’s economic climate.

Contact Bill Maroney

Click here to go the National Association of Surety Bond Producers website

Click here to go to the Surety Information Office website

 Surety Bonds in the Construction Industry [15:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (774)

Despite the potential pitfalls for contractors, there is a growing trend toward wrap-ups on construction projects. Contractors are typically at the mercy of wrap-up administrators and are routinely held hostage by confusing wrap-up documents, additional paperwork and unexpected expenses.

Duke Mills, author of “Contractor Survival Guide for Wrap-Ups,” joins the Construction Business Podcast to address the issues of wrap-up Insurance Programs and aid contractors in their understanding of wrap-ups so they may successfully pass through this process.

Mills’ 37-page, easy-to-read guide, cites real company experiences, offers concise definitions and explanations, valuable forms and flow charts, and “killer tips” to help contractors protect their profits from bid errors and audit overpayments. This manual, in addition to a resource of wealth about wrap-ups is available www.wrapupexperts.com.

 Construction Wrap-Up Insurance Survial Guide [12:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (425)

Jerry Jackson - Senior Chairman at FMI - is the guest on this episode of the Construction Business Podcast. Jerry discusses a recent report from FMI which outlines the 10 significant drivers that will affect the future of the construction industry. He also provides insight on the implications of these issues and actions for construction business owners to take.

FMI’s 10 significant drivers that will affect the future of the construction industry:

• Energy Burns
• Capital Supply Suffers
• Talent Losses Likely
• Climate Changes Count
• Cost of Construction Climbs
• The Old Guard Changes
• Change Comes Faster
• Green Keeps Growing
• Customers Increase Construction Knowledge
• Global Acts Impact Local Markets

Have a suggestion for the show, hate or love a topic, want more information on a guest? Send me an e-mail with your feedback/questions.

 10 Significant Drivers that will Affect the Construction Industry [12:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (443)

Eric Herrenkohl, President of Clarius, Inc., is the latest guest on the Construction Business Podcast. Eric talks about the process of turning contacts into clients and how to overcome sales call reluctance.

 Becoming Better at Sales [6:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (591)

The guest on this Construction Business Podcast is Jim Burnett, Director of Business Development with Accruit. Jim shares tax strategies directly related to construction equipment owners and how they can take advantage of 1031 Exchange Transactions. Listen now and learn new ways to maximize the cash flow of your business.

 Tax Tips [13:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (560)

Veteran commercial construction manager Joe McCarthy joins the construction business podcast to discuss common problems of commercial and industrial construction projects. McCarthy, who’s new book is “Choosing Project Success: A Guide for Building Professionals” also addresses the biggest challenges facing today’s contractors.

 Finding Success in the Construction Industry [10:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (401)

Les McKeown, CEO of Predictable Success, is the latest guest on the construction business podcast. Les examines a couple of points from his series “The Eight Most Common Mistakes Managers Make.” He also gives some insight on how to manage the daily overload of information and how to create a common understanding of business goals throughout the company.

For more information on “The Eight Most Common Mistakes Managers Make” or Les McKeown’s Predictable Success system, visit www.getpredictablesuccess.com

 Common Mistakes Managers Make [13:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (467)

Green building has become a force in the construction industry. So much so that it is predicted to be a $21 billion industry in 2008 with continued signs of growth for years to come. But there is a whole new set of skills and knowledge your company will need to posses to successfully thrive as a green builder. Briston Blair of FMI Corp. joins us in this edition of the Construction Equipment Owner’s podcast to discuss the emerging trends in green building and how companies need to adjust to what is likely to become a standard construction practice.

 Green Building Trends [8:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (528)

Brad Humphrey explains the emerging trend of a “changing of the guard” in construction leaders. As the industry loses many of its baby boomers that hold roles such as supervisor, foreman, etc. the knowledge and technical experience is leaving with them. Younger, tech-savvy personnel are now filling these positions and bringing a different work ethic and new set of skills.

 Changing Role of the Construction Leader [7:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (544)