Visitors to this site frequently ask me for recommendations on different resources, products, and services available to small business owners in the construction and home services industry. Listed below are resources that I’ve either used myself or which have come highly recommended by other contractors I know and trust.
ACCOUNTING:
Quickbooks Premier Contractor. This software is a must-have in your arsenal of business tools. Once you get the hang of it, it will save you ridiculous amounts of time and resources. Use it to make and record deposits, create invoices, make payments, business insight reporting, and bill tracking. Additionally, you can create ‘Job Costs by Vendor’ reports, run ‘Cost to Complete Job’ reports, and analyze job profitability. This product isn’t cheap, but will pay for itself in no time, and by clicking the image above you can get 20% off.
INCORPORATION / LEGAL SERVICES:
Free Incorporation Service by Rocket Lawyer. Jumping through all the legal and red-tape hoops when starting a new business can be time-consuming and sometimes confusing, but you can make the process a lot easier with this service. They’ll confirm that your desired business name is available, prepare and file state registration documents, and provide you with the finalized corporate documentation. Ideal for those who want to start an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp. You will pay the state filing fees, but processing charges are waived by Rocket Lawyer if you try their Legal Plan free for seven days. This service is also a great resource for just about any other legal matter or document you could possibly imagine as a professional contractor.
INSURANCE:
Fast – Free – Small Business Insurance Quotes from BOLT Insurance. I like this service because it gives you multiple quotes from different carriers so that you can find the insurance solution that is perfect for your specific situation. It’s an ideal tool for contractors of all kinds.
LOGO DESIGN:
Logo Design Guru - The way this service is set up is rather brilliant, in my opinion. In a nutshell, you stipulate how much you’re willing to spend for a logo, dozens of different designers present you with their concepts (of course the higher your budget the more competition there will be for your business), and you choose the one that you like the best. Check out their portfolio of “construction” logos on the site.
PRINTING / PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS:
PrintRunner.com - Hands down, the best printer I’ve found on the internet, and the pricing is very reasonable. Business cards, flyers, postcards, door hangers, car door magnets, invoice sheets, yards signs – you name it and they can do it. You can design and save your own files right on the site, or hire them to handle design for you if you wish.
Please Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links that will provide me a commission (at no additional cost to you). I am not recommending these products and services because of the commission I would earn but rather because I know they are helpful and are companies that I find to be competent and trustworthy.
My name is Scott and I started this site in 2007 to teach people how to start and run their own construction or home improvement business. It's come a long way since then.