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>O. K., who out there has a book or books that they simply can’t do without when it comes to the buisness of this buisness?? Estimating, planning,accounting,inspirational,books that made you wake up and smell the coffee, made you say to yourself, ” I should be doing that!!”.
>Along with “The Builder’s Guide to Running a Successful Constrution Company” by Gerstel,I’ve recently come across “Carpentry for Residential Construction”, by Byron W. Maguire. The first is self-explanatory, the second is helping me to think through the estimating process I am gaining insite to estimating real world tasks. Both of these books speak to me as a small carpenter/contractor and are easy to understand, ie. you don’t need B.A.
>My local Library has nothing more to offer. There must be more out there, we are not inventing the wheel every time we take on a new job!
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Hugh,
Contact Sonny Lykos who appears on the board often. He is a veritable library of information regarding the business end of our trade. He should be able to point you in the right direction to things published. He's got a topic or two posted below in this section. And don't forget to do a search here. There have been many suggestions for reading materials. Best of luck.
*Hugh,The Audell series of books on carpentry are useful. They don't go into the psycology of being in the construction trade, but can give good information as to the "how to".If you know how to do the work, that will help you run a sucessful company. If you don't know how to do the work, no number of pages in any publication will help. Estimating is something you will learn after you loose your ass on a couple of jobs.Experience is the best teacher. I know you want to avoid that pitfall.........but it ain't gonna come from a book. I wish it could.Good luck, Ed. Williams
*All right!"Carpentry", Jaspar J. Lewis, Delmar Publishers, ISBN 0-8069-67528"The Contractor's Field Guide" Paul I. Thomas, Prentice-Hall, Inc., ISBN 0-13-173659-0"Structures: or Why Things Don't Fall Down", J.E.Gordon, Penguin Books, ISBN 0-306-80151-5"Simplified Engineering for Architects and Builders", Harry Parker and James Ambrose, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., ISBN 0-471-58703-6 (This is a textbook and mucho$-try to find it used)"Pocket Ref", Thomas J. Glover, Sequoia Publishing, ISBN 1-885071-00-0 (this one lives in my briefcase)Any and all code books you can get your hands on.Mean's Construction Estimating series(good for process but take #'s with a grain of salt---no sub for local experience)Manufacturer's literature and handbooks.One I want but can't afford: AIA Design Standards($195-210 @ local bookstores). You can't know too much but too little can cost you $$$$. This business is one big Continueing Ed class.
*No business library is complete without texts on Accounting, Financial Analysis, and Budgeting. The very best way is to take courses either through a local college or SBA or something like that. Then keep the textbooks. There is nothing in construction that is unique at the fundamental level. Every industry is unique at the chart of accounts level.
*"Keys to Persuasive Presentations" by Rick G. Ritivoy"If I SELL you I have a job. If I SERVE you I have a career"! by Michael S. Gorman
*Many of the books that deal with archetiecture are actually better resources for teaching and learning about carpentry. Check out that section in the library.blue
*"Growing a Business" by Paul Hawken. Not building business specific, but more of a primer for starting and operating virtually any type business. Great book. His main theme is that you "let" your business grow, as opposed to "making" it grow. Well written and he backs theory up with real life examples. Excellent book."Nothing Down for the 90s" by Robert G. Allen. Updated version of the real estate acquisition bible for many investors the past 20 years. Good solid advice that will motivate and teach you how to acquire real estate with little or no initial investment.
*Hugh,Without trying to sound "smartguy", I probably will. Sure, you can learn a lot from books, but nothing compared to field experience. Experience is the best teacher. This is a business where you learn every day regardless of how long you've been doing it. Not to break books, but they ain't got nothing on "hands on". Try learning the idiosycrices (sp?) of the typical (is there one?) home remodeling customer from a book........yeah, right.Good luck,Ed. Williams
*Ed, while experience may be a good teacher, books can offer new - or different - insights to why and how things occurred and offer alternate methods to deal with situations. I think all the books already mentioned were the results of someone's "hands on" experience and that they are offering the benefits of their experience to anyone who cares to "listen". Book learning and field experience are complementary efforts. Sure, you need the field experience to develop and test the methods that work for you, gain confidence in yourself and techniques, but you are missing an awful lot of really good and helpful information it you limit your "experience" to what you can develop for yourself independently in the field. The books are not only tools to add to your box, but if you use them well, they will pay dividends by providing you with other useful and effective tools - for very little cost. Now, for help with that problem with customer relations you mentioned, I would suggest starting with "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. Should be in the local library. Also on tape.Ken
*Hugh, as you've probably learned by now from forums, books, magazines and other medium, all the technical expertise you can learn is moot without business expertise. You must 1st be able to "manage" yourself, as a "technician", your "business" (It is a business, isn't it?) and others, if you decide to become an "employer."So, I strongly suggest you read at the very least, The E-Myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber - his video is even better - and his book, Power Point. Also, two books by Victoria Downing and Linda Case entitled "The Remodelers Guide to Making andManaging Money", and "Mastering the Business of Remodeling." You can find their web site at "www.remodelersadvantage.com." At the site, click on "The Store."Do not just read these books. Study them as is you were to be tested on their contents.
*Hugh:As far as motivational guides go, I agree with Ken, in that "7 Habits...." is an excellent text, although I still have trouble getting thru the 1st chapter.Also would like to recommend any of Tom Hopkins's works, especially his tapes. Studied real estate back in '87 and was particularly impressed by his real estate tapes, which included much good advice on work habits, motivation, and planning.You need to make your own decisions on how to far to go with the "sales attitude". Personally, I grew uncomfortable after a while constantly going after "the close" but you can learn a lot from Tom. Remember, "your mouth is a tool": learn to use it effectively or keep it busy on your foot.If you don't have one, I highly recommend the Franklin-Covey Planner, and use it religiously. Nothing helps your business like keeping effective records. I don't know about you, but my mental notes aren't worth the paper they're printed on.Always document changes!!!Sounds like you're on the right track. They're aren't many original mistakes left out there, lots of us have been there before. ASK!Bill
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>O. K., who out there has a book or books that they simply can't do without when it comes to the buisness of this buisness?? Estimating, planning,accounting,inspirational,books that made you wake up and smell the coffee, made you say to yourself, " I should be doing that!!".
>Along with "The Builder's Guide to Running a Successful Constrution Company" by Gerstel,I've recently come across "Carpentry for Residential Construction", by Byron W. Maguire. The first is self-explanatory, the second is helping me to think through the estimating process I am gaining insite to estimating real world tasks. Both of these books speak to me as a small carpenter/contractor and are easy to understand, ie. you don't need B.A.
>My local Library has nothing more to offer. There must be more out there, we are not inventing the wheel every time we take on a new job!