These days, it’s common to run a lot of your business by battery. Batteries can be a great way to operate tools and other equipment in any workspace, especially when you don’t have electricity available. But if you don’t pay attention to them, those batteries might run out or break down when you need them most. Here are a few tips to manage your batteries, and improve their lifespan and output.

Track Batteries by Age
Batteries tend to lose their ability to recharge the older they get. You may still get practical use out of them, but you will need to plug them in more frequently. When you buy a new battery, label it with the date that you started using it. Research the typical lifespan of the battery. You can also label batteries by number and keep an electronic inventory of the dates that you purchased them. That way, you’ll have a sense of the overall age of your batteries, as well as when you might need to replace them.

Label Batteries by Tool
Although you might be able to standardize your batteries for a variety of tools, this isn’t always an option. Organize your batteries based on the tools that they go with. Put a label on the battery to identify which tools use it. If possible, keep the batteries close to the appropriate tools. For a larger workspace, creating a station with a battery bank can make it easier to grab the battery you need and take it to the workstation. That way, you spend less time tracking down the battery in order to use the tool.

Standardize Your Batteries
When you first start a contracting business, you may have a handful of tools from various manufacturers. Tools that run on batteries are often proprietary, meaning that you can’t use a single battery to work with all of them. Many manufacturers standardize their tools to work with a handful of proprietary batteries, which means that you could use one battery to operate many different tools from the same manufacturer. In the beginning, it’s a good idea to research the tools that are best for your field and the services you intend to perform. Read reviews of brands and choose one that seems like the best fit. This investment at the beginning will make it easier to minimize the number of batteries that you need to purchase in the future.

Store Batteries Correctly
When you look at the anticipated lifespan of a battery, you should keep in mind that the lifespan depends heavily on the way that you use it. As a general rule, the battery should be kept in a cool, dry place. You won’t want to leave them outside, particularly during hot or humid weather. These conditions don’t just shorten the lifespan of the battery. They can also cause damage that leads to problems like leaking. If you plan to leave the batteries in a charging bank at the end of the day, determine if the battery bank has trickle charging capability. Trickle charging means that the charger brings the battery up to a full charge slowly. Older batteries and chargers may not have this capability, which can lead to lower output over time.

Test Batteries Regularly
If you have several batteries and you’re not using them all the time, you need to test them to confirm that they still work. Grabbing a battery from the bank is easy, but you may end up using some batteries more than others. Cycling your batteries is a better approach because each one gets worn at a similar rate. Batteries that don’t get used very often may lose the ability to keep a charge, especially if you leave them completely drained for long periods of time. Make a plan to test each battery at least once a month to confirm that it works. Batteries that aren’t working appropriately should be taken out of the rotation.

You might be surprised how easy it is to manage batteries, in a way that makes it more effective for your business. To learn more things you’ll need to know as a contracting business owner, visit CSLS today!

If you’re like many people, playing games is a great way to enjoy leisure time. But games can also help you build skills. That’s why early childhood education is full of games, to provide learning in a fun atmosphere. It works for adults, too. Here are a few reasons that playing games can help you build the skills you’ll need to run a contracting business.

Get Better at Math
When you run a contracting business, you may need to be able to do simple math figures on the fly. A lot of people didn’t do very well at math in school. Part of the problem is that math can seem intimidating, which disincentivizes people from getting better at it. Playing games can help. Buy a couple of board games that require quick thinking or money handling. Give yourself enough time to practice, and you may notice that you are getting in the habit of figuring out the numbers more quickly.

Try Out New Strategies
Most games require a strategy in order to win. Repetitive games that take only a few minutes to play give you an opportunity to test out new strategies. When you run a business, you need to be willing to develop a strategy and make changes over time. If you’re worried about making a mistake, you may end up with a bad plan that you don’t dare to change. Games can help to expand the number of approaches you are able to take in order to achieve a goal, and lower your fear about the risks. You may have a few failures along the way, but you’ll have more opportunities to learn from them.

Plan Your Decisions a Few Moves Ahead
Games that focus on strategy often require you to think first, if you want to win. In essence, you can’t just think about what you are going to do right now. You have to plan ahead at least a few moves, to make sure that your approach will help you make progress toward your goal. If you have to balance multiple projects at the same time, this is a great experience. You’ll learn how to meet the demands of the short-term without compromising your needs a few days or even a few years in the future.

Practice Conflict Resolution
Competitive games tend to bring out moods and reactions in people that they didn’t expect. If you are a particularly competitive or aggressive player, these attitudes can present themselves in a variety of possible situations. Although wanting to win, and being able to do what it takes to succeed, are helpful attitudes when you’re running a business, they can have disadvantages. People who act like this when they are dealing with a conflict can create more stress for clients, other contractors, and employees. If you struggle to cope with disagreements without getting flustered or angry, playing games can help you work on it.

Learn How to Lose With Grace
As a contracting business owner, you’ll have instances where you don’t get the project. It can be difficult to manage because it feels like losing. The good news is that when you play games regularly, you get the opportunity to lose on a regular basis. You can practice how you cope with the loss, and ensure that you avoid alienating people around you. Similarly, games help you learn how to be a gracious winner. That way, when you earn the contract against lots of competitors, you remain humble.

Playing games can give you a nice distraction from life‘s complications, but they can also give you some handy skills for your contracting business. To learn more about how you can become a licensed contractor, visit CSLS today!

If you’re like a lot of people, you set a long goal and find it really difficult to make progress toward it. For example, if you’ve been hoping to become a licensed contractor and start your own business, the finish line might feel thousands of miles away. The good news is that you can work toward your goal, even if you still have a ways to go. Here are five things you can do to start making progress today.

Look at the Licensing Requirements
In order to apply for a contractor license in the state of California, you have to meet a number of requirements. These include:

• Be over the age of 18
• Have the experience and skills necessary to perform in the class of license for which you want to apply
• Able to prove that you have four years of experience
• Pass relevant exams
• Pay for a bond

For most people, the four years of experience requirement is the most complicated and time-consuming one. There are some exceptions, depending on your level of education and experience. If you’re considering relying on one of these exceptions, you should research the details and make sure that you have the correct documentation.

Start Saving Money
Although you may not need hundreds of thousands of dollars to start a business, any amount that you can save in advance can help. Businesses often have options for funding, such as grants or business loans. However, those types of financing are limited, and they may increase your overhead expenses. Do what you can to start putting away savings, even if it’s just a little here and there. The ability to cover a few early expenses, like the $15,000 bond and the cost of applying for a business license, could help set your business on stronger footing.

Research Your Options for Running a Business
When you start a business, you’ll need to think about what kind of business you intend to run. Many contractors act as sole proprietors or independent owners. It’s also not uncommon to have a partner or small team of contractors who all have a stake in the business. In any case, you’ll want to decide if you want to create an LLC or some type of corporation. There are benefits and disadvantages to any business structure, so you may need to consult with a financial expert to determine which one is the best choice for your goals.

Build More Experience
California state law says that you can’t operate as a contractor without having a license. To get one, you’ll have to build experience in the right capacity. Look at the requirements for experience and make sure that your job meets the criteria. If it starts to feel like the time is taking forever, break it down into smaller pieces. Every time you finish six months or a year, give yourself a small reward to celebrate your achievement. You’ll reach the end before you realize it.

Start Learning on the Side
Running a contracting business requires a surprising amount of knowledge, some of it in fields you might never have imagined. If you want to hit the ground running when you start your business, the time to start learning is now. You might have a day job that focuses on the skills that you will need to perform services for clients. At night and on the weekends, consider filling in your knowledge with other business-related tasks. For example, you might decide to improve your math skills or learn a few basic accounting tools. That way, you can do a better job managing your income and expenses.

Starting a contracting business is easier when you have the right preparation. For more information about our exam preparation courses, contact CSLS today!

There’s no doubt that running a business costs a lot of money. While you may take advantage of loans or credit for your business, it’s also good to build up some savings before you start. Here are a few ways you can add to your savings so that you have more working capital when you open for business.

Cut Expenses
One of the best ways to increase the amount of money you have available for savings is to trim back your expenses. These days, you might be paying monthly for a lot of subscriptions that you don’t actually use. Make a list of them, and determine how much they are eating into your budget. It might be easy to cancel a few of them or consider a more comprehensive service that costs less than the total. Be wary of cutting back too much, though. Drastic changes to your budget can often backfire, causing you to panic and overspend. It’s better to make minor changes over a period of months, especially if you’re looking for long-term improvements.

Save a Little at a Time
Saving money to start a business might seem like something you need to do in a grand fashion. However, even saving a little can make a difference. Get in the habit of putting away a few dollars here and there. If you’re in the habit of paying cash for most things, set a jar on your nightstand for the spare change at the end of the day. When you pay bills, drop $10 or $20 into a savings account. It may not seem like much in the beginning, but it will accumulate over time. Once you start to see your savings grow, you may be more motivated to save larger amounts.

Make Savings Automatic
The best way to get in the habit of saving money is to not force yourself to create the habit in the first place. You may have most or all of your bills on an automatic payment schedule for a similar reason. That way, you don’t have to worry about forgetting one of them and dealing with a late fee. When you get paid, set your account to do an automatic withdrawal into a savings account. You’ll get out of the habit of spending that money because it will already be gone. Then all you have to do is make changes to the savings as your income or spending flexibility increases.

Consider a Side Hustle
These days, almost everyone has a side hustle. A side hustle is something that you do beyond your day job that helps you bring in a little extra money. For some people, a side hustle is an occasional thing, something that they can do whenever they have extra time. For others, a side hustle might be a part-time job. In either case, think about ways that you can monetize skills and talents that you already have. For example, if you like doing art or making crafts, you might be able to sell your creations on a site like Etsy. Then you can set your profits aside for your future business.

Learn While You Earn
The best side hustles are those that allow you to earn money while providing you with additional benefits. If your day job isn’t in the construction industry, you might consider a side hustle that helps you build the knowledge and experience you need to qualify for a contractor license. The labor shortage in construction is serious, and people who are interested in joining an in-demand field might have more flexibility than you expect. Look for companies that are hiring entry-level workers in your chosen field, and reach out to a few of them. You might be able to secure a part-time or full-time job that helps you move toward your goal.

Saving for your future contracting business is one of the best decisions that you can make. Getting the right preparation before you take the contractor licensing exam is another. For more information, contact CSLS today!

Changing jobs is one thing. Changing to a whole new career is a different matter entirely. If you’ve been thinking about starting a career in construction, there are a few things you should consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind as you make a decision.

Education and Training Requirements
As you start to browse through the types of jobs that you may want to do, take a moment to evaluate the education and training requirements for each position. In most cases, you’ll start out at a lower level and work your way up, but it depends on the field and the current demand. Many careers in construction do not require a college degree, but some of them may be easier to secure if you have one. Others might require a specific license or a certain number of years of experience. Factor these into your plans, and consider creating a career goal that involves a progression if necessary.

Income Expectations Over Time
Before you can choose a job, you’ll need to know if you can make enough money to pay your expenses. While income is highly dependent on the type of job you have, it also relates to your location and other aspects of the field. Do some research into the average salary for various positions, and be sure to factor in years of experience. If you can, search in your target ZIP code or region to get more detailed information. It’s also a good idea to look at how the average pay for the job has changed over time, to get a sense for what you can expect in the future.

Paid Employment or Run a Business
Many people decide to go into construction because they want to be their own boss or run their own business. However, this isn’t necessarily a requirement. There are plenty of licensed contractors who have paid employment in a larger company. There are benefits to both approaches. By starting your own business, you get to have more influence over the type of work you do, as well as how and where you do it. Paid employment in a corporation may offer you more stability and benefits, without all the extra work of running the business as well. It’s possible that you may choose one, and switch to another over time. Just in case, you should scope out your options for both.

Long-Term Location Plans
Before you start making plans for your career and training, you need to make sure that you know where you plan to be in 5 to 10 years. Although most people tend to live their whole lives within close range of their hometown, this isn’t true for everyone. If you live in a rural part of California, you might long to move to somewhere with a higher population of prospective clients. Similarly, you might be dreaming of moving to a different state with unique options and a different climate. Both of these choices could dramatically change your career prospects and the steps you need to complete in order to get there. Make sure that you feel confident about your expectations before you commit.

Career Goals
When you’re evaluating a change in a field or industry, you’ll have to consider several things. It’s important to figure out what kind of job you can get in the beginning, but you don’t have to feel like you’re stuck there. Do some brainstorming about what you want your long-term career to look like, even up to the point that you are ready to retire. There may be a few steps that you need to achieve in the middle, and you’ll need to outline those. Determine whether your ambitions are realistic, or if you’ll need to make additional plans to stretch your skills and experience to meet them.

Changing your career to construction is a big deal, but it may be one of the best decisions you ever make. To get started on your career path, contact CSLS today!

At the beginning of the pandemic, millions of people rushed to small towns as a way to get away from large crowds and metropolitan-level restrictions. Now that the country is reaching a new normal, experts aren’t sure if that is going to change. There’s been a huge increase in population in so-called “Zoom towns”–less-populated regions with a labor force focused on remote work. Here are a few things to know about Zoom towns, and how they might affect residential construction.

What Are Zoom Towns?
For centuries, people have been talking about the flight of rural populations into major metropolitan areas. As the country’s production shifted away from the industry, a lot of the factories and manufacturing facilities went with it. People who lived in small rural towns watched as much of the population fled to the cities for better jobs.

But the pandemic changed this dynamic. In fact, experts estimate that as many as 5 million people left major cities in 2020, looking for places where they could spread out. With many of the country’s businesses providing options for remote work, there wasn’t much reason for people to stay in areas with a high cost of living. Especially if they could live somewhere cheaper and collaborate over zoom. A handful of smaller cities have had a significant increase in population as a result.

Why Are People Relocating?
There are a variety of reasons that people might choose to relocate to a smaller city, including:

• Less traffic
• Cheaper real estate
• Larger homes

With the explosion of the real estate market in 2020, the cost of housing is a big deal for a lot of people. Living in a large metropolitan area is often the best opportunity the people have to earn a higher income. But those big cities often have big rent or real estate prices to go along with it. People who had the option to relocate to a city with a lower cost of living while keeping their high-paying city jobs saw a big difference.

How Do Zoom Towns Affect Real Estate Markets?
It’s not surprising that tens of thousands of people relocating to a small city increases the housing prices there. Suburban America has had decades to get used to the idea of bedroom communities–places with cheaper real estate close to a large city. Zoom towns are similar, but proximity isn’t as big of a concern. People aren’t as worried about time spent on the commute if they can work remotely. As such, they are more willing to pay higher prices that they can support by keeping the same income. In the zoom towns, the cost of housing is consistently going up.

Are Zoom Towns Sustainable?
Many experts think that the pandemic has revolutionized the way the people think about working in a traditional office, but it hasn’t got rid of the idea entirely. A lot of businesses still see benefit in having employees located nearby, even if they aren’t necessarily expecting everyone to spend all of their work time at the office. And ultimately, the people who move to smaller cities for cheaper housing may ultimately miss living in a major metropolitan area. Although experts aren’t anticipating the kind of drop seen as part of the housing crisis as some people move back to the bigger cities, growth in zoom towns is likely to slow down.

What Does This Mean for Construction?
People who work in construction have had to learn that they can’t just follow the latest trend, if they want to have a viable business model. Anyone who watched the housing bubble reach the pinnacle and pop should understand the risk of thinking that you can’t lose. Otherwise, if the pandemic leads to a moderate shift in the way the population spreads out over an area, construction businesses can be flexible to work with it.

The pandemic has changed the way people conceive of where they want to live, and construction may have to change with it. To learn more about what you’ll need to run a successful contracting business, contact CSLS today!

These days, it’s hard to know which part of the construction industry has the most demand. The drive to build is strong, but there are a few obstacles that you should know about, as well. If you’re thinking about getting into residential construction for your contracting business, you’re in good company. Here are a few reasons to consider it for the future.

Availability
In the next few years, the sky is the limit for people who want to get started in construction. The idea of pandemic closures of entire industries is fading into the past. Additionally, investors are recognizing the importance of residential housing, and they are putting billions of dollars into it. With the decade-long labor shortage in construction, there’s a lot of availability for people who are ready to start a business and help to increase the pool of available housing in the state.

Supply Chain
There’s no doubt that the supply chain has taken the construction industry on a roller-coaster over the last couple of years. If you’ve been paying attention to it, you’ve probably noticed the cost of common materials like lumber or steel rise dramatically, only to plummet a few months later. The good news is that most of the supply chain problems that were common early in the pandemic have significantly improved. You might have to have a little more protection built into your contracts, and you may need to come up with more than one supplier for the most common materials. But otherwise, you’ve got a lot of options to make it work.

Demand
Consistent demand is a major feature of the residential construction industry at present. Millions of people in California need homes, and there simply aren’t enough existing homes to accommodate them. This is a problem that the state government was trying to address five years ago, with only some improvement since then. Although demand might shift from one area to another, depending on a few different factors, the push for new housing will probably continue several years into the future. So if you’re looking for opportunities to get your business established in residential construction, now could be a very good time.

Flexibility
Right now, residential construction may offer a degree of flexibility that commercial or industrial construction can’t. Experts say that there is a big change happening in the way that businesses conceive of commercial and office spaces. While there are several pandemic-related changes happening to residential construction as well, they’re not causing unpredictable levels of demand. By starting in residential construction, you may have more options to determine where you want to establish your business.

How to Get Started
Of course, in order to start a contracting business in 2022, you need the right qualifications. If you have been thinking about applying for your contractor license, now is a great time to make progress toward your goal. Being a licensed contractor isn’t just something that you must do in order to run a legal business in California. It’s also a great way to establish your credibility and prove to prospective clients that you know what you’re doing. CSLS offers a variety of expert exam preparation courses that are tailored to each exam.

This year might be one of the best times to start a business in residential construction. To learn more about what you’ll need to get started, contact CSLS today!

Spring is a time of renewal for a lot of people, which often involves some cleaning. Although you might use this time to air out your home and get ready for warm weather, your business could also use a little clearing out. Here are five tips to help you use the spring to get ready for the summer busy season.

Detail Your Vehicle
If you’re like a lot of contractors, you practically run your business out of your construction vehicle. You may spend much of your time driving to client sites. This means that your business vehicle acts as a face for your business, or a kind of advertising. Not unlike a billboard, you want your vehicle to look its best. Arrange for a thorough cleaning, inside and out. Schedule service and check the condition of the tires. If the vehicle needs a few cosmetic repairs for chips and dents, now is a good time to do it. That way, when you arrive to meet with a client, you can provide a professional look from the beginning.

Service Your Equipment
For the construction equipment that you own, you need to have a plan to service it regularly. One of the problems that business owners face is finding time to take care of their assets. But if you don’t, you may find that your equipment breaks down or wears out long before the end of its natural lifespan. Before the start of the busy season, invest some time into having your equipment serviced. For small tools, it might be enough just to inspect them and test them out yourself. If they are showing signs of damage, you’ll have the opportunity to get them fixed or replace them.

Organize Your Files
Keeping your files organized is one of the most important things that you can do when you run a business. This is true even if you keep a paperless office and rely mostly on electronic or scanned documents. Take a moment to go through your files, and make sure that everything is in order. If you had a few months when your attention to filing was a little more lax than you’d like, now is the time to come up with a system that works for you. Remember that this isn’t necessarily a task that you have to do personally. Many business owners hire an assistant to help keep track of files that might get lost otherwise.

Train Your Employees
If you’ve got a bit of downtime, you should give your employees an opportunity to take some training. When finances allow, going to a construction conference is a great way to learn more about new technology or innovations that can help you run your business more efficiently. Even if you don’t have employees yet, you should use the spring as an opportunity to see what’s new and expand your horizons. If nothing else, take the time to refresh your training on first aid and other safety concerns. You’ll recoup your investment with fewer accidents and lost time on the job.

Contact Past Clients
If you work in a field that relies on a predictable clientele, you should plan to reach out to them. Clients tend to forget about contractors when they aren’t in desperate need of a particular service. It’s good to remind them that you exist. If you’re thinking about offering a referral program, now is a good time to let your satisfied clients know about it. And if you are in the process of expanding your services, you can inform them so that they can decide if there is something that you can do for them this year.

If you want to have a good busy season this year, your contracting business will need to prepare. These tips can help. For more information about running a contracting business, visit CSLS today!

There comes a point in time when many people realize that they need to change careers. You might have a variety of reasons, like an inability to move forward, not enough income or simply getting bored. Changing jobs to a whole new industry is a big leap, so you want to be sure that you’re ready. Here are a few ways you can tell it’s time.

You Need More Income
In California, even having a good job is no guarantee that you’ll be able to make enough income. Certain parts of the state have a very high cost of living. If you’ve got a full-time job, a second job and a couple of side hustles, it might be worth considering alternatives. This is especially true if you have young kids or need to take care of other members of your family. If you’re not looking forward to a high likelihood of income growth in your current path, changing directions might be just the ticket to help you find something that pays the bills by itself.

You’ve Reached a Plateau
When you first start on a particular career path, you could see nothing but opportunities. Several years or even a decade or two in, you may eventually reach a plateau. For some people, this is the right direction. If you don’t have big ambitions and you can easily support yourself, a plateau isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But if you want more growth and you can’t get it from your current career, it’s time to rethink what you’re doing. It’s best not to let it sit too long before you make a decision, however. The sooner you make the switch, the more time you have to develop your new career.

Your Expectations Have Changed
The American workforce has long since moved on from the idea that you need to keep the same career from the time you graduate from high school. And yet, people are often pressured to make a choice when they may be unable to determine what to expect years down the road. A young adult may think that they know what they want to do. But once they get into it and spend a decade doing it, they may realize that the entire dynamic of the industry has changed. Sometimes, people expect to move forward in a career path that won’t exist by the time they get there. Having the flexibility to move on makes all the difference in meeting your current expectations.

You Hate Your Job
Although almost everyone needs to have a job in order to pay the bills, that shouldn’t be the only way to assess the value that your job gives you. A career that you love makes you happier, keeps you healthier and makes it easier for you to enjoy other things. A job that you used to like but now merely tolerate or even despise will create stress that bleeds into other parts of your life. This can make you more likely to get sick or simply to feel stuck in a situation you can’t fix. Hating a job that provides income isn’t usually a sustainable situation. Finding a way out may solve more problems in your life than simply making your work hours more tolerable.

You’re Ready to Achieve Your Career Goals
As most people know, there’s a difference between having a job that meets your basic needs and building a career. People might have dozens of jobs throughout their lifetimes, but probably only a few careers. If you have been waiting for an opportunity, it’s hard to tell when is the best time to go for it. If you find that you meet some of these criteria, that time might be approaching now. Making the choice to get started can help you feel like you’re taking charge of your life and achieving your goals.

Moving from one career to another is a big step that many people will take throughout their lifetimes. Knowing when it’s right for you is key to making it a success. To find out how a career in construction could change your life, visit CSLS today!

Although landing a client and a new project is a great thing, sometimes it just isn’t going to work. There will be points where you’re too busy to take on the job within the time specified. There will also be clients proposing opportunities that just aren’t the right fit for your contracting business. Learning how to decline these projects is a skill, and it can be difficult to do at first. Here are a few ideas.

Decide If It’s No, or Just Not Right Now
The first thing you should do is qualify the nature of your answer. In some cases, a project simply won’t work for your contracting business. These opportunities could cost you money if you try to make them fit, so it is easier to simply decline. In other cases, the projects may be appropriate under different terms. It’s important to confirm that you know where you’re going with your answer before you give it. That way, if you want to leave the door open to negotiation, you can save the opportunity for a later date. There’s no guarantee that you will be able to secure different terms with the same client, but it may be worth asking.

Decline at a Good Time
As with other types of business communications, there are better times to make tough decisions, and there are worse times. The last thing that you want to do is decline an offer when you are feeling tired, overworked or frustrated. Saying no during a bad moment may make you come off more negatively than you expected. If it’s an existing client or colleague that you’d like to continue working with, you should hold off until you have an opportunity to think clearly and communicate professionally. It’s not necessary to wait days for the chance to decline a project. However, making sure that you’re in the right headspace will help you protect those professional ties.

Be Clear About Why You’re Declining
When you know that you’re going to say no, the best thing that you can do is make it clear and simple to understand. If you are rejecting the offer because you don’t want to work with the client, it’s more practical to say that your business isn’t a good fit for their needs. This sends a clear message to the client that you are unlikely to accept future work from them. On the other hand, if you’re declining because the rate is too low or the timing doesn’t work for you, you can outline these in your rejection. This can give the client the opportunity to change their offer, in the hopes that they can secure your services.

Aim for a Professional Tone
Part of running a contracting business involves learning how to maintain professional communication, even when the news you have to share isn’t good. Clients may take your rejection with grace, or they may react to it with anger. In some cases, their reaction will confirm for you that it was a wise decision not to accept the work. And yet, it’s better not to descend to their level, especially if they start showing obvious signs of frustration. Such behavior rarely leads to good things for your business. Avoid saying anything you wouldn’t want one of your mentors to read aloud to you.

Know When to Continue Negotiation
Although some clients may get irritated when you tell them that you can’t take on the project, others will react by trying to negotiate. Negotiation is another skill that can help support your business, but you need to know the right time to engage in it. If you’ve decided that you are not going to take on the project no matter what the client offers, there’s little point in negotiation. All it would do in that case is waste your time. But if the project is appropriate and interesting to you, negotiating might be the key to getting the terms to a level that you would accept.

When you run a contracting business, learning how to say no is just as important as saying yes. To get started building your construction career, contact CSLS today!