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Rating: 
Summary: no contract software forms
Review: Great book, bought it for my husband, but was very disappointed with the forms on the cd rom. They seem to be for beginner contractors as change orders and estimate checklists tend to be already used by seasoned contractors. The forms were nothing new to us. I was under the impression that the cd rom had sample contracts and was sadly mistaken. However, the book gives great advice. If one wants to purchase the authors' contract software system, be prepared to shell out $200.00 at his website. No wonder this book was inexpensive.
Rating: 
Summary: The math of how to manage a construction related business.
Review: Hi. I'm Michael Stone the author of the book Markup & Profit: A Contractors Guide. Thank you for your interest in this book, and I sincerely hope you find it usefull in your business.I wrote this book after spending almost twenty years watching friends and acquaintences in the construction business work daylight to dusk, seven days a week and still go broke. Good hard working, honest to a fault, men and women who are the salt of the earth, that could not make a business work. As they went broke, their lives, their families came apart. It is a hard thing to do, watching your friends fail. I asked myself over and over, why? What are these people doing wrong? Why is it so difficult to survive in this business? I set out to find the answer, and find it I did. My book thoroughly outlines the main reason that "contractors" go broke, and gives specific reasons why. I then have developed simple, easy to use priciples and mathmatical formulas to teach those in the construction business how to make a profit. We look first at the main reason that contractors go broke. That reason, 10 to 1 over any other factor, is lack of profits. Lack of profits in almost all cases comes from not charging enough for the work that is done. In short, the Markup for the given company is to low. We turn that around by showing a time tested formula on how to develop the correct markup, and we have included a number of problems for the reader to work through to assure their thorough understanding of the math and the principles involved. We move on to cover other reasons for construction company business failure. Included in that group are improper use of additional work orders, no Operating Capitol Reserve Account, and failure to make adjustments for unbudgeted expenses. We also talk about a number of other related items. We cover contracts, proper number of employees, sales and a smattering of other issues that are seldom addressed by other authors that write for this industry. This book took me nearly three years to write. Prior to that, I had done approximately 15 years of research and I new it was leading me to writing the book. To that end I believe that we should all accomplish at least one good thing in our lives before we spend our final day here. Let this book be my beau geste!
Rating: 
Summary: Residential -vs- Commercial
Review: I am a general contractor in the commercial/public works market. This book is meant for the residential market. The author is well versed in that arena, but makes various references that these methods can be applied to the commercial market. That is best decided by the individual, but this is a residential construction book.
Rating: 
Summary: Very enlightening
Review: I found this book to be informative in the field of contracting. I changed my pricing method and found it to be fair to both customer and contractor. Everyone needs to make money to survive in this day and age and this book definitley helps. Thank you for Mr. Stone.
Rating:
Summary: Very enlightening
Review: I found this book to be informative in the field of contracting. I changed my pricing method and found it to be fair to both customer and contractor. Everyone needs to make money to survive in this day and age and this book definitley helps. Thank you for Mr. Stone.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read For All Contractors
Review: I found this book to be loaded with good facts and information that will help any new or existing contracting company!
Rating:
Summary: Best of show
Review: This book is one of the best I have read on the subject. Plenty of good street smart advice that covers more than just the title subject. Mr. Stone has come up with a book that will help both those new to the industry, and those more experienced (see the section on the difference between new home construction and remodeling, and those who attempt to mix these business models.)
Should be required reading for those attempting to get into this business.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars! Really good profitability advise.
Review: Written by a contractor for contractors, this book provides very sound business advise for many who are considering starting various types of small businesses. Contractors must charge appropriately for their services. This book will tell current and future contractors how-to establish job costs and an appropriate markup rate to increase the opportunity for long-term success. In addition, the author provides very sound advise on business/customer service best practices. The advise on properly communicating the value of services provided is very good. Lot's of other great information and the CD-ROM has some good forms to get you started. I highly recommend this book to all small general and specialty contractors, and especially to all contractors who are having problems making ends meet.
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