The Billder's Boardroom: Stay at the top of the game with guides, templates, and tools created by subs, for subs

Hiring vs. Contracting Labor: The Pros and Cons of Each

hiring vs. contracting construction labor

Amid a massive labor shortage, subcontractors are forced to be more strategic about their workforce than ever. They have a choice between hiring their employees (provided they can find good candidates), or subcontracting with a labor company. Striking a good balance between hired and contract workers can help you run your business more efficiently. There […]

What Is a Notice of Completion and How to File One in 2023

What Is a Notice of Completion? A Notice of Completion is a document that establishes the official date that a construction project is considered complete. This is particularly important for parties involved in the project that have mechanics lien rights, because the Notice of Completion shortens mechanics lien deadlines.  Mechanics liens protect payments to subcontractors […]

Notices of Commencements in 2023: What It Is and How to File It

notice of commencement

What Is a Notice of Commencement? A Notice of Commencement is a document that establishes the formal start date of a construction project and identifies the project stakeholders, such as the property owner, lender, and general contractor. It is filed in the county where the project is located, and it is typically posted at the […]

Substantial Completion 101: Everything You Need to Know as a Subcontractor

substantial completion

  For many construction projects, owners want to begin using or occupying the building as soon as possible — even if there are still minor details that need to be completed. For that reason, many contracts include the term “substantial completion.” Substantial completion refers to when the building can be used for its intended purpose, […]

AIA G702 Forms: A Subcontractor’s Guide + The 6 Biggest Mistakes That Delay Project Payment 

aia g702

  During your time in the construction industry, you’ve likely learned that the process to request payment often varies from company to company and job to job. However, one payment application (or “pay app”) that you’ll encounter repeatedly is the American Institute of Architect’s G702-1992 Application and Certificate for Payment. The G702 form streamlines the […]

What Is Retainage? Everything a Contractor Needs to Know in 2023

what is retainage in construction

Retainage is a common practice in construction where a portion of funds are withheld from a contractor or subcontractor until the project is completed. Retainage therefore, can have a significant impact on contractor cash flow. In an industry already rife with cash-flow challenges from large upfront expenses and slow, unreliable payment cycles, retainage does nothing […]

Why Preliminary Notices and Liens Are a Contractor’s Best Friend

preliminary notices construction

  For contractors, preliminary notices are the equivalent of taking out an insurance policy on each project.  They’re there if you need it, and irrelevant if you don’t. But for some reason, there’s a negative stigma around sending preliminary notices, and more specifically, liens in general. This is likely due to the false idea that […]

How Sending Preliminary Notices Can Help You Pay for Materials for your Next Job

Suppliers have a lot of financial power on construction projects, often requiring payment up front for materials. This wouldn’t be unusual in any other industry. But in construction, long billing cycles and payment delays force contractors and subs to wait nearly 90 days on average to get paid. As a result, contractors are often under […]