Resources
Guides for Subcontractors & Handymen
Free, plain-English guides on running the business of contracting — compliance, insurance, licensing, estimating, getting paid, and sourcing. Each one links to the official sources so you can go deeper.
Compliance
Compliance Basics
The free federal baselines every sub and handyman should know — safety, lead-safe work, taxes, and public-project pay.
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Insurance
Insurance & Bonding Basics
Insurance protects you; a bond protects your client. What each is, which coverages you need, and roughly what it costs.
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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.
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Estimating
Estimating Basics
How an estimate is built — and the markup-vs-margin math that decides whether a job actually pays.
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Getting Paid
Getting Paid & Collections
Set terms up front, invoice cleanly, and have a plan for late payments — including how mechanic’s liens work.
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Sourcing
Tool & Material Sourcing
Pro accounts, supply houses vs. big box, trade credit, and the sales-tax myth that trips up contractors.
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