All,
As the saga continues………….please check this out for me.
I would be interested in any input, critical or otherwise.
I had a revelation preparing this.
| <!—-><!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> COST OF OPERATING <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Truck Payments | 3000. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Truck Insurance | 1500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Truck Reg. | 100. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Truck Maintenance | 2000. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Gas & Oil | 3300. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| * | G L Insurance | 2500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | License + | 600. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Clothing | 1500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Office Supplies | 1000. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Office Equipment | 1500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Tools and Repairs | 2500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Shop Supplies | 1500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Cell Phone | 600. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| * | Advertising | 3000. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Professional Fees | 1500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| * | Capital Fund | 5000. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Garage rent | 2500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| * | Entertainment | 500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Books and Magazines | 500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Education & Conventions | 1000. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Trade Association Fees | 500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| * | Owners Draw | 52000. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| * | Withholding & Other Taxes (on draw) | 15600. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| * | Workers Comp. (15% on draw) | 7800. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | Total | 111500. | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | 1486hrs. x $75.00 per hr. | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> |
| * |
|
| <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> |
|
| <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> |
| <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> | <!—-> <!—-> |
<!—-> <!—->
Edited 3/9/2005 6:47 pm ET by Eric Paulson
Edited 3/10/2005 7:54 am ET by Eric Paulson
Replies
So it seems you have $75/hr in overhead expenses, and when including owner's salary as an expense item.
Assuming you will work about 47 weeks per year when taking into consideration two vacations weeks, holidays, a few sick/personal days.
So we divide that 1486 annual hours (I'm assuming "production" hours) by 47 and we arrive at about 31.6 man hours per week (47 weeks).
Where is the other 8.4 hours (40 - 31.6) being spent. If job related, then those hours must be included in your estimating.
Now we must address the hours you spend evenings ad week ends going on sales calls and working up and typing Proposals. How do you get paid for that time? Net profit you say? Fine, but then your markup must include a sufficient amount of "net" profit to pay you (and other things) for that non-productive time.
Am I thinking along the route that you are?
BTW, in you list, you forgot a couple of things:
1. About 1% - 1.5% for warranty work
2. About 1% or more for bad debt(s)
3. Have you included software updates?
4. If you use Windows instead of a Mac with OS X, and are not a nerd, how about tech support for lockups, crashes, etc.?
On your tax form, use "uniforms" not "clothing."
BTW, you now know one of the main reasons for our industry's failure rate of over 85%. Guys just do not know their own numbers, subsequently undercharge, work 60-70 hours per week but estimate for and pay themselves for only about 40, get burnout, etc., but the finance issue is #1.
Thanks Sonny,
Just walked back in. I was at another contractors office with my new document. They were passing out TUMS. NOT where I want to be.
So, at least in partial answer to your question about the hours, they are spent estimating and on sales calls. And living. I have issues, I know that I will probably need to increase my hours somewhat, I am not big on working 60-80 hour weeks as some claim to do, and then dropping dead at 60 after having neglected myself and my family.
That's another thread though.
When I read your inquiry about the hours, I was at a loss to remember where 1486 came from. I seem to remember #'s tossed around here about 1500 billable hours. I think I divided 1500 into $111,500.00 and it came so close to $75.oo that I went backwards and used it as a nice round #.
Where is the other 8.4 hours (40 - 31.6) being spent. If job related, then those hours must be included in your estimating.
Now we must address the hours you spend evenings ad week ends going on sales calls and working up and typing Proposals. How do you get paid for that time? Net profit you say? Fine, but then your markup must include a sufficient amount of "net" profit to pay you (and other things) for that non-productive time.
I understand what you are saying, but I am not sure how to implement the change, or work it into the equation. Please could you elaborate.
Re the warranty and bad debt; I had considered those items. I left them out because the numbers I saw suggested were a bit more than what I thought was reasonable.
I was just about to tell you that I don't have such issues, and then recalled the very kind GC that didn't pay me $2400.00 a couple of years ago. I don't do much warrantee work at all, but if I were to have recorded it, it might suprise me.
Good call.
Software etc. I included in Office Equipment. I'm at home. I believe that number to be a little low now, but supplies is high. Between the two it should by me a new computer and printer evry two years.
UNIFORMS Really good point, thank you.
BTW, you now know one of the main reasons for our industry's failure rate of over 85%. Guys just do not know their own numbers, subsequently undercharge, work 60-70 hours per week but estimate for and pay themselves for only about 40, get burnout, etc., but the finance issue is #1.
I have been in the trades for 25 years, basically "in business" for myself the entire time. Very little as an employee.
Preparing this has been the most revealing biggest A- HA I may ever have experienced. No wonder I'm broke!
I was kind of hoping to structure a series of threads that could create a walk through for anyone contemplating going out on their own, but realized that my own selfish needs are more important at this point. What has been put forth is all good information.
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=55234.10
Thanks a lot Sonny,
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
I am not sure what you are trying to show with the emplyee part.Lot of the other expenses you would not have as am employee such as office supplies, office equipment, shop supplies, and tool repairs would probably be mush lower as an emplyee.And withholding will be basically the same, whehter you pay it as SE the employer witholds it.the only difference is about 7.6 on SS.
About the expenses............MIGHT not be as much. I should have left that whole employment thing out. Just makes it more confusing.
I just thought it would underline where II might be going.
I took out the whole draw, taxes, comp thing for the aspect of being employed.
Anyway you cut it, I have to clear $52,000. per year minimum to live and save.
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
Eric ...
just to let ya know yer not alone in re-thinking ...
I got my fed and state returns back from the accountant today ...
thanks to one crappy end to last year and a wife working ft we're actually getting some money "back" ... last years bad news was this years good news ...
'cept I don't want that to happen again ...
so .. after I got home .. I went online and found the SCORE website ... filled out the online app for a local "mentor" ... I'll keep everyone here posted as to what happens with that.
me and the accountant both agreed that staying llc at this point is more for the "limited liability" than any big biz tax savings. Was temped to ease life and plan on a full year back at sole prop ... but figured ... here already ... may as well get used to the system.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Good to hear Jeff,
I was on the SCORE site yesterday as well and saw the link. I dismissed it though.
I think I will look into it again. I did down load some work sheets though, I haven't had time to look at them though.
DW and I had a big big pow wow last nite, mingled with a bit of raised voices and emotional outbursts.
She gets it now a bit better, what I was trying to prove with this documentation. The paper trail leads directly back to what I need to cover my personal and household expenses plus life insurance, health care, dental $, savings and retirement.
She works part time on the books and some more s/e. Seems we can't figure out why we can't afford certain theings like a health plan. She starts pulling numbers out of the air blah blah, NO you put it on paper just like I did, and the numbers will tell you exactly why, and what you need to do to change that.
I feel like I found the map I've been looking for!
Have I found my destination?? NO. That's gonna take a whole lot more work. I'm still open to being employed if that's what it takes, but I'm going to give this thing my best shot first.
Business plan........who the hell needs that?
yeah.
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
Ditto's here as well Eric. Spent a few hours yesterday doing EXACTLY what you did. I like how you added your salary to the overhead mix. I'm gonna do that myself.
Do you have an employee? It seems overhead is easier to spread around if you have an employee.
For Jerrald I used your sheet earlier but choose to use exel this time because my wife knows exel pretty well and I could make her do it for me and my QB exports directly to exel.
One thing I did was figure the bare minimum number of hours I needed to work per month to cover my basic over head. Which is probably the dumbest way to look at it and it was before I added my total for the year but included what I wanted to make per hour.
Jeff rowing the same boat as you, as well. Didn't make as much as I should've but thanks to a new bundle of joy and alternating years with the ex for the oldest gave me two more deductions and a fat check from Uncle Sam(I think final calcs aren't done)
Eric, How do you think you're gonna fair charging $75.00/hr? I'm farther upstate than you and I really think that would be a tough number to sell. You may be able to use it for estimating but.....
Edited 3/10/2005 7:38 am ET by TMO
T,
We're in good company here.
My son works with me, but I pay him from my pocket basically. Just one more thing to figure out how to do correctly.
$75.00 an hour is not out of line at all around here, although I do believe it will narrow my client base and take some skill and effort to sell it.
This is a starting point for me. I've been lumping along on a leg and a half for near a quarter of a century.
To think of all the money I left on the table makes me want to get sick.
Good luck,
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
"To think of all the money I left on the table makes me want to get sick."Is there room in that porcelain god for me?
To think of all the money I left on the table makes me want to get sick.
You're looking at the glass half empty. Instead, think of all the money that you WON'T leave on the table in the future! Better late than never.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
'nuff said!
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
eric.. TMO asked about employees... good question..
i know having employees is daunting ( hell, that weekly payroll is downright scary )
but it does help to distribute the overhead
try running some mythical employees thru your spreadsheet.. with a labot burden of ,say, 60% ..... ( rate you pay x 1.6 [my 1.6 includes downtime, training, partial health ins., no vacation pay ] )
it should drastically change your charge rate... Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Thanks Mike,
i know having employees is daunting ( hell, that weekly payroll is downright scary )
but it does help to distribute the overhead
I don't understand that concept. If you could try to explain how having employee(s) helps to distribute the overhead I would be much obliged.
try running some mythical employees thru your spreadsheet.. with a labot burden of ,say, 60% ..... ( rate you pay x 1.6 [my 1.6 includes downtime, training, partial health ins., no vacation pay ] )
At least you didn't tell me my spreadsheet was mythical!! I MUST be making progress!
So that begs several questions from me:
Does burden include withholding, ss and related? I thought it did, but I don't see that you included it.
I'm glad you suggested that though. I wasn't sure if I should be plugging in employees on theis sheet or into a job work sheet.
My guess is that it really wouldn't matter?? I can develop two costs of operations, one that includes an employee and one that only includes me??
I assume that because you have not commented on the spreadsheet itself that it flies with you?
Thanks Mike, your input is valued greatly.
Eric
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
Edited 3/10/2005 8:37 am ET by Eric Paulson
Mike,
Please don't skip over my last post!!
I think I get the concept.
I pay my guy 15.00 perhr
with burden = 24.00 perhr
I charge 35.00 perhr, so I profit $11.00 per billable hour that he works. That goes to offset or defer (distibute) my overhead.
Do I get a gold star??
Now........I called that 11.00 profit. I know that is not the right term. Please correct me.
On one hand I feel like this is getting a little too far to fast, but on the other hand I think I'm getting it a bit better as the big picture.
Having (lets say one for now) an employe will actually lessen the burden on me to bring in the cash my company needs to operate. My employee will in effect be helping me carry the companies overhead.
Do I get another star??
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
yes, burden includes evrything it costs if you have a guy on the payroll.. however YOUR company IS organized.. or perhaps the way your company SHOULD be organized..
if you use the figures for how it SHOULD be organized, then eventually you can actually afford to include those things in your operating budget instead of your "wishful " budget
ie: burden includes everyting in jerralds list and worksheet:
all hours paid for that are not part of production
all taxes
all insurance that is payroll realated
any vehicles or gas
any holidays
any vacation.
for me .. it all adds up to 62%
THEN you add overhead
THEN you add profit
the amount you charge over and above the cost of having the guy on the payroll becomes a "Contribution to Overhead"
thus reducing the amount that you have to charge in order to make the same bottom line profit
think of employees as "Multipliers"
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Clarify two things for me if you would.
if you use the figures for how it SHOULD be organized, then eventually you can actually afford to include those things in your operating budget instead of your "wishful " budget
Do you mean to imply that with out having selected a structure for the business, ie; SP,C,S or LLC that my efforts are in theory 'mythical'?
If that is what you are suggesting, how do I determine how the different structures would affect these numbers? Perhaps it is meaningless to ask this.
Is my next step to decide the type of organization and then do the numbers based on that structure?
for me .. it all adds up to 62%
..........of what, base salary?
Multipliers, that good.
So a larger co. is capable of offering a more competetive rate than a smaller one?
Does this equation begin to diminish at some point, when the co. reaches x number of employees?
Thanks again Mike. I'm getting a real education here. Feels like I have a blow gun in one ear blowing all the cluttered up non/mis-information that'S been lurking up there out the other ear!
Eric
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
Edited 3/10/2005 2:11 pm ET by Eric Paulson
Eric... What was the revelation, and can you explain the "subtract if employed" entry? Sorry if I'm missing something, too pooped to think too hard ;)
PaulB
Edit: Ooops, I think I get it. you're saying that if you were employed by someone else, you wouldn't have those expenses? If so, I think you could add others to the number. But then I'm thinking the logic of that has a flaw. But staying on topic, basically what the numbers are saying is that you need to charge at minimum $75 per hour to meet the expenses listed in your tally, which gives you a gross income of just under 68K a year.
A) How do you feel about that as an income?
B) How do you feel about that as a labor rate?
Edited 3/9/2005 5:00 pm ET by PaulB
Paul,
Thanks for the long chat today, it came at a good time!
The revelation is much akin to what Sonny stated.
For me, it was no wonder I ain't making no money. It all makes good sense.
I'm good at math, and I also like math, so seeing the numbers work means alot.
Just don't ask me why I have neglected myself so long.
Still A LOT of work to do if I think I'm gonna match those numbers.
you need to charge at minimum $75 per hour to meet the expenses listed in your tally, which gives you a gross income of just under 68K a year.
I need to net $52,000. after taxes to cover my living expenses. That was the other spread sheet I did today. Those expenses include health and life insurance, dental work, savings and a retirement fund.
This may be light, but compare to where I am, it's a good place to start I think.
I'm here seeking input.
Thanks Paul,
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
OK... So let's say for the sake of argument that we're gonna settle on $75/hr as your new billing rate (sounds like a reasonable one to me from what you've outlined). Then the issue becomes: Can you do it with your present market and client mix? And if not, what're "we" going to do about that? (I love this part...) Call anytime you wanna chat.
PaulB
Baby steps brother..............ur gonna have to wait for that thread.
One thing at a time.
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
Couple of questions and a couple of observations.
You only pay $2,500 for ins/ year?! Seems low. Congrats.
Your cell phone bill is only $600/ year?! That's $50/ month. Seems light. Do you use it?
Advertising of $3K seems way high for the return you seem to be getting. What are you spending it on?
Entertainment of $500 is crazy. That's $10/ week. 2 six-packs - maybe. Try switching the adv. and ent. budgets. Take a GC out to lunch - to "catch up", or get "advice". This way you'll have time to market yourself, demonstrate how much you "value their insight", instill confidence in them and let them know what you are capable of doing/ type of work you are looking for.
According to your calculations, You are only working 37+ weeks/ year. That accounts for the $25K difference? Is this based on last years stats? Is most of your work calculated as a wage or on a project basis?
I have been following your remarks/ posts recently and would suggest before you try something else, try rethinking the work part of your biz. Yes, allocation of the funds is important but..
When you budget a project:
a) You should only be using the client"s money This is what Mike also suggested. Good habit. You are not a bank. When you finance even a small portion of the job, the client is getting something for nothing. The final payment amount should be your profit, maybe with the last day's/ week's labor mixed in.
b) When you assess the time a project will take, how often do you hit your mark or finish early? I have found that in ernest to do a great job, I tend to take a bit longer than what I would like and what has been alloted. Everyone is pleased with the result, however the bottom line is - Each hour that I worked beyond the estimated completion time, was time not paid for or donated to the client. I should have either budgeted more time, meaning submitted a higher price, or "expedited" a few nonessentials in order to finish on time. After all, it's not about doing the best job you can - it's about doing the best job you can in the time given, for a particular price.
c) Do you make lists of what needs to be done each day/ week? How much of your projects are done by winging it and how much is actually calculated into a schedule? Are you a day-day or week-week manager. Or is it all by gut feeling and experience?
You were asking for books to read to rethink your situation. Try "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Steven Covey. You can get it in paperback, at a used book store for about $10.
Where in Putnam County are you. I am working on a house in Putnam Valley.
F
Hey Frankie,
One man operation. that ins # is GL. I actually pay less than that now, but I don't have the coverage I want since they dropped 1/2 million policies. I have 500k/1million currently. So, the number was a shot. Care to enlighten me?
Cell= Cingular= $100.00 a month for 2 phones. Wife and I. I think we get like 1000 minutes a month and rollover? It has not gone over that since ATT.
This is the first time I've done this. I have never advertised but I will need to. I don't think that is a lot. I can always adjust it.
So you are saying Ent. is light?
The thing with the 25k is a notation I made regarding what the difference in the numbers would be if I were employed rather than self employed. If I can't get this to work, I'll be back to humping. YUK!
I don't use my money to finance anyones project. What money?
I do pretty good coming in on time on jobs. I actually do better on larger type jobs than the small ones. It is something I need to pay more attention to.
I am not big on list for what I am going to do the next day. I know when I am cleaning up what the next day will be, and it's at that time that I tweak and or create material/tool lists for the next day.
I'm good at the mechanics of what I do. In fact I am excellent. I just completely suck as a Businessman.
That's what I am changing................or I'll be working for you!!@
I'm in Brewster, just up the road from the RED ROOSTER. I thought you worked in the city?
Thanks Frankie,
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
I have been commuting to for the past few months. Nice to get out of the city and the not as many hoops to jump through. Haven't gotten a parking ticket yet! I can have deliveries come right up to the front door rather than 20 flights down. Plus, no bldg super making sure I leave before 4:30 PM. Kinda refreshing.So, exactly what type of work do you do/ are you looking for? Interior or exterior? Structural or finish work? Kitchens and baths, what? Do you only do the woodwork or are you a master of all trades? You mention shop. What kind/ how well equiped shop? Do you also make cabinets?Why no employees?I think that you need to be a bit more creative in marketing yourself. The cheapest and simplest is signage on your vehicle, maybe outside the house you're working on and a decent business card. $3K is a lot of green for a 1-2 man operation. That's 5% of your net. Ouch! Your insurance is less and look at the benefit you get from thatWhen do you market yourself? Timing plays a significant role.Entertainment $500? For what? Like I stated earlier - that won't get you more than a few beers/ week. Define entetainment - movies for 2 once a month, dinner out every 3 months? I am not saying it's not justified, just that it's not very much.How do your prices compare with your competition? Do you have any documented referrence? One thing that helped me out, was asking a few architect friends if they could show me bids from other contractors they received. It did not matter if I had bid on the projects or not. I just wanted to know what other's formats and pricing were. Some showed me copies without pricing: some with. It was an education regardless.I hope I am not being abrasive with all the questions. Just trying to keep it short. HA! Couldn't tell that from my other posts. HA!F
frankie...
uh oh, sore point...
<<<<
b) When you assess the time a project will take, how often do you hit your mark or finish early? I have found that in ernest to do a great job, I tend to take a bit longer than what I would like and what has been alloted. Everyone is pleased with the result, however the bottom line is - Each hour that I worked beyond the estimated completion time, was time not paid for or donated to the client. I should have either budgeted more time, meaning submitted a higher price, or "expedited" a few nonessentials in order to finish on time. After all, it's not about doing the best job you can - it's about doing the best job you can in the time given, for a particular price.>>>
guilty as charged..
i like the point about "expediting the non-essentials".. i'm going to use that with my guys.. it's so hard to convey the difference between what's important and what is "gilding the lill"Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
like the point about "expediting the non-essentials".. i'm going to use that with my guys.. it's so hard to convey the difference between what's important and what is "gilding the lill"
Oh Oh Mike, it sounds like you're comtemplating a dive into the boogerin' realm! I've been preaching "expediting the non-essential" for 25 years now and all I get tagged with is the hackmeister label.
You guys better re-think your strategies...I'm not sure you can handle the heat.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
this morning .. i was driving down the road.. thinking about "expediting the non-esssentials"
but the reality is that in our business ( selling a satisfying experience to the customer ) the amount of "non-essentials" could almost fit in one had.. or a coffee can..
i was talking to a friend.. ,ned, who owns an insulation business..
we wer discussing the pros and cons of different insulation.. i mentioned how labor intensive our Dens-Pak cellulose is..
he countered that it's almost impossible to substitute quality for "good enough" in insulation.. he sells foam-in-place.. but he advised me that i should stick to cellulose.. equal results for less money..
i guess that short of specializing, it's almost impossibel to eliminate the amount of labor it takes to do a total job well..
so.. instead of looking for a non-existent list of "non-essentials".. i'll continue to work on getting the proper sequence.. and eliminating doing things twice..
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Hey Eric I a little late to the party here and this may be closing the barn door after the cows have all gone but did you know I have a freeware spreadsheet that performs all these calculations for you: 360 Capacity/PROOF/Indexed/Labor Allocated Markup worksheet aka PILAO_Wksht.xls
Which brings me to another question. If you did know about it could I ask you why you chose not to use it? I'm interested in knowing stuff like that because I'm always working on improving stuff I developed and I am in fact working on revisions to that worksheet. I am always interested (like you are too) in constructive criticism.
Also do you know about these two books:Ellen Rohrs books How Much Should I Charge?: Pricing Basics for Making Money Doing What You Love and Where Did The Money Go?- Easy Accounting Basics for the Business Owner Who Hates Numbers I think everyone should own them so they can hightlight stuff and write in the margins but if you would like to read before you buy your welcome to borrow my copies if you like.
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ParadigmProjects.com | Paradigm-360.com | Mac4Construction.com
Thanks Jerrald,
That's two more books to add to my list! I probably have around two dozen or so, but these titles are new to me and sound interesting so they will go to the top of the list.
The spreadsheet I posted was very much a result of reading your posts as well as copying and printing some things you have offered here.
As a matter of fact I spent around 45 minutes on your site this morning. I probably dl'd that freeware in the past.
I will take another look at it.
I think perhaps what divides those who wish to use programs such as yours, from those who don't is this; Guys who work the jobs are not (always) willing to spend the time to get to learn something new such as..........
Probably younger guys that are more business savy will be more inclined to do so, as well as GC's whose job it is to run there busimess and nothing else.
What you do and your site is impressive, but it does not appeal to the masses. But then, I don't believe that you intended it to.
Thanks,
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
Eric - "I think perhaps what divides those who wish to use programs such as yours, from those who don't is this; Guys who work the jobs are not (always) willing to spend the time to get to learn something new such as..........
Probably younger guys that are more business savy will be more inclined to do so, as well as GC's whose job it is to run there busimess and nothing else.
What you do and your site is impressive, but it does not appeal to the masses. But then, I don't believe that you intended it to."
Well I think you're talking about two different things there. The PILAO_Wksht.xl is pretty straight forward and it is intended for the masses. It's actually been downloaded thousands of times now. It does have a lot of detail to it which may make it look intimidating and difficult but I don't think it is. And if it is I do hope that people will tell me about it so that I can possibly maybe do something about. That's why I ask for feedback all the time.
The estimating software is another thing all together. No it is not necessarily designed for everyone nor should it be ....Although when I rewrote this new version since I had to rewrite it from scratch to take advantage of some of the new features of FileMaker 7 I made some significant changes to the data architecture. That way I can have three levels of product all based on the same data architecture. Silver Estimating which is the first of the new ones out of the gate is intended as the middle market product. I also plan a Bronze version for the folks who want something real simple as well as Gold for ones who want even more estimating tools and they all be built on the same architecture so when the user upgrades from one to another it just a matter of changing the interface. The data behind the scenes is still the same. So comments and idea on what you or anyone else for that matter would like to see are always welcome and appreciated.
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Jerrald,
I'm a new business owner/salesman/labor & janitor but, I am a spreadsheet junky. I have downloaded your spreadsheet and will start inputting data into it this weekend. I want to personally thank you for making this spreadsheet available. I, like Eric have been struggling with how to make my business viable and have spent some time thinking about setting up a spreadsheet. Yours seems pretty inclusive and will hopefully shed some light as to the real operating costs of running my business. I do empathize with Eric, you work your a## off on a bid then you work the other cheek off doing the work, keeping the books etc. and wonder why some weeks the help makes more money than you do.
Thanks for the spreadsheet and I think I will nose around your site a little more.
Clark
CTDurham - "
...I want to personally thank you for making this spreadsheet available. I, like Eric have been struggling with how to make my business viable and have spent some time thinking about setting up a spreadsheet. Yours seems pretty inclusive and will hopefully shed some light as to the real operating costs of running my business."
Your welcome Clark. Like I said I am looking for feedback, and specifically in the way of questions regarding how to use it so I can create a FAQ support page for. I need the questions from third parties otherwise I'll just be making the questions up myself and I'm not sure how genuine they would sound or useful they would be that way.
"I do empathize with Eric, you work your a## off on a bid then you work the other cheek off doing the work, keeping the books etc. and wonder why some weeks the help makes more money than you do."
Hey I emphasize too. Been there and done that for sure.
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