Resources

Guides for Subcontractors & Handymen

Free, plain-English guides on running the business of contracting — pricing jobs, contracts and change orders, getting paid, licensing, insurance and compliance. Each one links to the official sources so you can go deeper.

Pricing & Estimating

Estimating Estimating Basics How an estimate is built — and the markup-vs-margin math that decides whether a job actually pays. Read guide → Estimating How to Figure Your Overhead Rate Add up the costs of running your business, divide by your job costs or billable hours, and build that number into every price. Read guide → Estimating How to Price a Tile Job Measure, add the right waste, count boxes, backer board and setting materials, and price labor by the details that slow tile work down. Read guide → Estimating How to Price a Painting Job Figure paintable square feet, gallons per coat and labor, then choose how to price: by the square foot, by the room, or by the hour. Read guide → Estimating How to Price Handyman Jobs Hourly or flat rate? How to set a minimum, price small jobs so they pay, mark up materials, and know when a job needs a license. Read guide → Estimating How to Price a Drywall Job Count sheets from wall and ceiling area, add waste, price hanging and finishing separately, and match the finish level to what the customer expects. Read guide → Estimating How to Price a Flooring Job Measure each room, add waste for the layout, count boxes or square yards, and price tear-out, subfloor prep and trim as their own lines. Read guide → Estimating How to Price a Deck Job Break the deck into footings, framing, decking, railings and stairs, count each one, and price the parts that take the most time. Read guide → Estimating How to Price a Fence Job Measure the fence line, count sections and posts, price gates on their own, and include removal, digging conditions and permits. Read guide → Estimating How to Price a Concrete Slab or Driveway Figure cubic yards from length, width and thickness, then add base, forms, reinforcement, delivery fees and finishing to the price. Read guide →

Contracts & Getting Paid

Contracts What to Put in a Contractor Proposal A checklist for proposals customers can say yes to: scope, exclusions, price, payment schedule, timeline, change orders and signatures. Read guide → Contracts How to Write a Change Order When you need a change order, what to put in it, and how to get it signed before the extra work starts, so you get paid for it. Read guide → Getting Paid Getting Paid & Collections Set terms up front, invoice cleanly, and have a plan for late payments — including how mechanic’s liens work. Read guide →

Running Your Business

Licensing Licensing Guide There is no federal contractor license — a framework plus a 50-state directory so you can find the rule for any market. Read guide → Insurance Insurance & Bonding Basics Insurance protects you; a bond protects your client. What each is, which coverages you need, and roughly what it costs. Read guide → Compliance Compliance Basics The free federal baselines every sub and handyman should know — safety, lead-safe work, taxes, and public-project pay. Read guide → Sourcing Tool & Material Sourcing Pro accounts, supply houses vs. big box, trade credit, and the sales-tax myth that trips up contractors. Read guide →