Be A Successful Building Contractor [Paperback]

R. Dodge Woodson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997

Run your own profit-making contracting business. If you're a building professional with the technical skills and desire to work on your own, the Second Edition of R. Dodge Woodson's Be a Successful Building Contractor will give you the business savvy you need to set up and manage a profit-making enterprise! Packed with dozens of handy business forms, the book will help you define your business requirements-find desirable building lots-build on speculation-computerize your operations-track financial transactions-hire top-notch employees-and much more. You get everything you need to: choose the best business structure for your company-corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship; avoid 15 common buisness mistakes-from incurring heavy overhead to selecting poor subcontractors; deal with subcontractors, suppliers and code officers; work with bankers and real estate brokers; purchase trucks, tools, equipmet and inventory; develop job-winning bidding methods; manage jobs efficiently for maximum profits; and much more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Make sure you build profits when you build! Be a Successful Building Contractor, Second Edition Many building contractors lack the business skills they need to make the big money in construction. In this fully updated and revised version of his bestselling Building Contractor, R. Dodge Woodson covers all the ins and outs of starting and running a profitable enterprise in today's construction market. Tapping his experience as a builder, developer, and real estate broker Woodson provides even more builder-specific guidelines in this edition. He also discusses new computerization techniques that simplify construction projects. Turn here for advice on how to: Bid for jobs; Get financing; Price materials and services; Open a construction office; Deal with subcontractors and suppliers; Advertise your business; Deal with taxes and legal obligations; Manage employees; Build on spec; Avoid the 15 financially fatal flaws that sabotage builders. Financial worksheets make it easier to determine costs for projects. There's also a "pitfalls" checklist that helps you avoid problems from lead, asbestos, flooding, and other hazards. No matter what "tools" you need to turn a profit in construction, you'll find them here.

About the Author

Editor-in-Chief, Roger Woodson has been active in the construction industry for more than twenty-five years. Self-employed since 1979, Woodson has been a leader in land development, the construction of residential properties and developments, and the real estate industry. The real-world field experience Woodson has gained over the years has been shared in many of the more than 60 books that Woodson has written. Presently, Woodson is heavily involved in publishing, book production, and real estate consulting services. His companies are located in northern Maine, where Woodson resides.

Product Details

• Paperback: 365 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 2 edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070718296
• ISBN-13: 978-0070718296
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #834,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

R. Dodge Woodson (Brunswick, ME) has over 20 years' experience as a home builder, contractor, master plumber, and real estate broker. He is the author of many McGraw-Hill books, including Be A Successful Building Contractor 2/e, and National Plumbing Codes Handbook 2/e.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars He knows a little about a lot, December 12, 2003

By 

W. Miller (Central US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Be A Successful Building Contractor (Paperback)

While I am only about 85% of the way through this book let me say that I have found some very informative material. I have also found some VERY VERY wrong information. As a financial advisor turned contractor I am currently in the "Planning for your future" chapter and have found some terrible advice. It leads me to believe that although he was a succesful builder and did well that he doesn't know when to shut-up about things he really has no idea about.
I have enjoyed the book so far but it really is outdated and needs to be revised or pulled off the shelf so that inexperienced builders do not use his "past there prime" ideas in todays market.
If you are in the market for industry books then you can do better. There are books out there that are much more current than this one. Buy a specialty book and stay away from the guys that think they know it all.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Start, March 28, 2001

By 

Christopher Levi NEw (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be A Successful Building Contractor (Paperback)

As someone who hopes to become a home builder I found this book very helpful. The author answers many questions about the buisness side of the home building industry. It is a step by step guide, my only objection is that it did not go over the actual home building process (But I believe that was not his intended message, so I can not fault him for that.) I would read more books by this author.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Stuff, December 27, 2001

By 

Jestin A. Burich "jestin_ab" (davenport, IA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Be A Successful Building Contractor (Paperback)

Good book. A solid value. This is a very versatile book, as it applies to all types of construction business. Its really about solid business practices(not strictly pertaining to building, although theres plenty about that in here). This book is very business oriented and covers quite a bit in the legal aspect as well. Good book with good templates. Finally i got some decent info on lein waivers. To those who arent computer savvy, chapter 17 is for you.