Smart Business for Contractors: A Guide to Money and the Law

This book covers everything you need to know as a self-employed contractor through hiring your first employee. The straightforward language of this book explains the business side of being a professional tradesperson, and shows the benefits of doing things properly. It is backed by many examples of what has worked and not worked for others. The book also shows how to plan for your retirement and balance your business and personal life. Whether you are just thinking about going out on your own, or you've been running things by the seat of your pants, this book will help.

I am starting an electrical contracting business and needed help with the office/legal side of the business. I read 4 books on starting a business. This book was the most practical and relavent for me as it was written specifically for the contractor trades. This book provides a good overview of the business details that are required for a business to operate and succeed. It contains very practical examples of what to do to before you start your company and as you run your company. Buy this book first and you may not want any others. Good job with this book Jim.

i am starting a contracting business in the near future and i found this book to be very readable and full of good info.i would highly recomend it!!!

I work for an agency that provides business counseling for small local businesses. I frequently get calls from people in the trades who are starting their own contracting business after years of working on a crew. Just as frequently I get calls from their spouses who are taking on the bookkeeping aspect of the business. This is one of the resources I recommend especially if they haven't had much experience estimating, job costing, or dealing with homeowners. I've gotten lots of positive feedback from contractors and their partners. Several clients bought their own copy. The chapter on contracts has examples that are useful to other types of businesses as well. This book is well organized, has good examples, and it's written in plain English.

Very readable book that made a great complement for some other books i bought. For the price this is a deal all the way.Its a fairly broad overview but touches many important areas. I didnt learn much i didnt already know but a new to the field contractor would benifit greatly. As i said, the price makes this a valuable reference even for myself who is already knowledgable in most of its contents.