http://www.remodeling.hw.net/management/legal/contracts/contracts.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1765814http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-contracts/whats-in-your-contract.aspx?rssLink=Provost10%3aWhat%e2%80%99s+In+Your+Contract%3fLearn from your mistakes and update your contracts so that they reflect lessons learned from situations that cost you time, money, or customer goodwill.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/legal-issues/pa-contractor-law.aspx?rssLink=PA+Home+Improvement+Contractor+LawContractors must register with the state under new Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/help-with-trouble-customers.aspx?rssLink=Provost5%3a+Help+With+Trouble+CustomersAn Angie’s List-type website provides a view from the other side and helps businesses avoid problem customers.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/administration/color-me-perfect.aspx?rssLink=Color+Me+PerfectVaried colored pens for each staff member are an easy way to see who has read a document.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-contracts/clearly-defined.aspx?rssLink=Clearly+DefinedWhen embarking on a remodeling project, it helps to precisely define the homeowner's responsibilities. This form does just that.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/design/the-independent-designers-liability-dilemma.aspx?rssLink=Harrell3%3a+Design%2fBuild+LiabilityAn independent designer asks about his liability exposure, and a top design/build company provides strategies for minimizing risk.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/job-costing/the-volatility-defense.aspx?rssLink=The+Volatility+DefenseTips for helping remodelers avoid the hit when prices spike and shortages loom.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/legal-issues/bylaw-protecting-your-rights-to-get-paid.aspx?rssLink=ByLaw%3a+Protecting+Your+Rights+to+Get+PaidUnderstand lien laws and be proactive about protecting your rights to get paid.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-management/lien-line.aspx?rssLink=Lien+LineChances are good that most home­owners don’t know what a lien waiver is, but remodelers would do well to tell them. Subcontractors can file a mechanic’s lien on property they work on in the event of a dispute over payment, but asking subs to sign a waiver ensures that won’t happen.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-management/keeping-subs-above-par.aspx?rssLink=Keeping+Subs+Above+ParIt’s tempting to hold onto subpar trade partners when money is tight and their prices are good. You might also feel that you’re too busy to find replacements. http://www.remodeling.hw.net/insurance/covering-all-bases.aspx?rssLink=Covering+All+BasesErrors and omissions insurance protects companies from claims if a client holds it responsible for errors or the failure of the work to perform as promised in the contract. Independent insurance consultant Scott Simmonds compares it to malpractice insurance for physicians.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction/better-billing.aspx?rssLink=Better+BillingAre you looking for a better billing method? Billing against a schedule of values (SOV) is standard procedure for large, commercial contractors, but is often misunderstood and infrequently used by residential remodelers. Many small businesses fail, often from a lack of cash flow. Implementing an SOV as a contractual and management tool can help.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/selection-smarts.aspx?rssLink=Selection+SmartsThe best way to handle project selections — and the price you charge for them — is to have all the products chosen prior to the start of the job.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/sales-process-metrics.aspx?rssLink=Sales+Process+MetricsSales are the fuel of your company. Benchmarking your sales process can help you fine-tune your fuel efficiency. Sales process metrics are especially helpful for full-service remodeling companies because they have a unique sales process.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/trading-up-on-trades.aspx?rssLink=Trading+Up+on+TradesFrom the plumber whose work is always on time and under budget, to the electrician who goes above and beyond the scope of every contract, the ideal trade contractor is a partner worth nurturing.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-contracts/resolution-solution.aspx?rssLink=Resolution+SolutionUnfortunately, at some point in your career, you may face an issue with a client, vendor, or trade partner that won't be resolved by rational discussion, and before you know it you'll be looking for your lawyer's phone number. To save yourself a lot of time and money, it's best if your contracts have a clause for mediation — a process in which a trained, neutral person helps people communicate with each other and, if possible, reach agreements that satisfy their needs.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/eyes-wide-open.aspx?rssLink=Eyes+Wide+OpenThere's no sure way to disaster-proof a remodeling business, but it's usually instructive to look back and identify any mistakes, shortcuts, omissions, or denials that might have allowed little problems to snowball into big ones, and big problems to turn calamitous.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/a-good-trade-off.aspx?rssLink=A+Good+Trade-OffWorking efficiently with trade partners means identifying companies that have values and goals that mirror your own.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/no-surprises.aspx?rssLink=Big50+Solutions%3a+No+SurprisesBig50 professionals answer a question about managing client expectations on project delays.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction/the-big-50-face-off.aspx?rssLink=The+Big50+Face+OffMelinda Booth of Booth Construction and Doug Reymore weigh in on their contract preferences.