Draw upon the advice of experience electrical contractors.
By: Sam Barrett - December 2008 -
NewsHome builders from across the nation gather at the 2009 International Builders’ Show to learn more about home building trends and technology, like green building.
3D sketching software makes do-it-yourself CAD concepts easier than ever.
Contractor Estimating Software Tips from LOWE'S for Pros. Selecting the right bidding and estimating software or electrical estimating software helps make sure you bid the job right.
Want to guarantee immediate return on investment? Try increasing your customer retention rate with repeat business that keeps coming back to you. Reduce marketing and promotional costs by landing jobs that eliminate these expenses.
Your customers want to go ‘green’ with building projects that help the environment and save costs. But upfront expenses can be significant. Here's how to justify the investment.
Going ‘green’ is admirable, but comes with a pricetag. How to evaluate costs of environmentally sound practices and services so your efforts don’t sink your bottom line.
Before redesigning a kitchen, know your customer’s lighting and electrical needs and wants, and any codes that should be followed.
The current recession has forced business owners to re-evaluate their pricing structure with respect to job estimates and supply expenses. Guidance from experts can provide a blueprint as to how to improve margins.
Electrical contractors, at some point, will be asked to rewire an older home. But before doing so, enlist an electrical inspector and familiarize yourself with the local electrical codes under which the home was built.
Social media has changed the way companies advertise. Now more than ever, small businesses can promote themselves online by targeting customers and expanding their networks, often for little or no cost.
As a small business owner, it can be easy to get lost in work when trying to ensure the stability of your business. But having a proper work–life balance can be vital to not only your health, but the overall health of your company.
By: Jeff Griffin - October 2006 -
NewsWhen flooding submerges electrical wiring and equipment, they must be replaced—they cannot be safely reconnected to power. Make sure your customers know that.
Staying ahead of the competition is essential today. Peer networking through trade and business groups and business analysis skills help electricians get there.
Most business coaches and seminars can improve your bottom line just as surely as new tools, techniques and employees. Here's how to pick and choose.
There currently are 40,000 job boards on the Internet, with more to come. Here is advice about how to put them to work for you in your searches for qualified construction and building trade candidates.
Cash flow has been called the lifeblood of business, so follow these tips to keep on the positive side and eventually increase it. Landscaping contractors can keep a steady cash flow by utilizing credit, discounts and contracts, and by planning for the future.
With a shortage in the electrical contracting industry, quality employees could be hard to find. Staffing agencies and direct hiring are just a couple options.
By: LowesForPros Staff - August 2009 -
NewsThe latest news, advice and information from building construction and managment professionals across the United States.
Installing automated lighting controls will cut your clients’ energy costs. Enhance your competitiveness by learning what controls work best in different spaces and applications.
Removing snow isn’t always at the top of your customers’ lists of things to do in the winter months. Set them up now with automatic snow melting systems to avoid the aches and pains of shoveling.
Reduce the chances of an audit by avoiding these typical audit-triggering tax moves.
Arc flashes can be very dangerous to you and your clients—possibly even deadly. Know how to avoid these incidents and how to keep you and your customers safe.
Burying power cables can be a costly—and dangerous—operation. Be sure to contact your local One-Call system before you dig to locate and mark utilities and avoid any strikes.
Make sure visitors to work sites follow safety procedures. Accidents can result in expensive lawsuits for personal injury caused by negligence.
Creating a partnership requires blending philosophies, dividing duties and turning cooperation between friends or family into a successful business. Follow these guidelines to avoid problems in the future.
There are many considerations when devising your marketing strategy. It’s easy to make a mistake and head down the wrong path, but it’s never too late to rebound from a failing marketing strategy.
Stay Safe with LOWE'S for Pros. Electrical safety tips and electrical safety products such as safety gloves make on-the-job safety a reality.
Lithium ion and nickel cadmium batteries have become more commonplace for performing residential and commercial jobs. Here’s a primer on selecting the best option for your applications.
Intern and mentoring programs can help a contractor’s business while giving back to the communityc
A home-inspection service can supplement income and provide synergy with a construction company’s main line of work.
More contractors lose jobs over sloppy or incomplete bids. Here's a checklist to make sure you're doing it right.
Reduce your tax bill by making wise deductions.
If your contracting shop is ready to take on major construction-industry projects or those for state/local/federal customers, a performance bond is essential. Getting one requires extensive review of your financial grounding and experience.
Your business can benefit greatly from Internet search engine optimization (SEO). It can boost your presence Web presence by marketing to those who are searching for services similar to the ones you provide.
Branding your electrical contracting company helps give it an identity that build a connection among your customers. Here’s how you can position your company to build upon your company’s history.
A brand is a major differentiator among small business owners in the same industry—it's a way consumers and even competitors identify a business. But creating a solid brand strategy is no easy feat. In part one of a three part series, learn how you can brand your business for success.
After launching your brand, it’s critical for you to differentiate your business from the wealth of competition. Experts weigh in on how to distinguish your core marketing message to ensure an immediate bond with potential customers.
Launching a great brand will fuel a winning success strategy. But you need employees to understand, accept and then effectively promote your vision for the gameplan to work.
Electricians will find more business opportunities by adding architectural lighting to their repertoire of services.
Design Build from LOWE'S for Pros Articles. Information on the concept of electrical designs and design build contracts.
With the help of Sed de Saber-Construction Edition, your Spanish-speaking workers are empowered to learn English in just four months.
A contractor’s built-in web of association, subcontractor and supplier contacts can be expanded and leveraged to gain referrals that will bring in more business.
Electrical contractors thrive on word-of-mouth marketing—but have learned to rely on it too much. Consider different ways to get the word out and land more business by attracting new customers.
Think of a company Intranet as a 21st Century bulletin board, one that can maximize efficiency, increase workflow and unify employee communications. By launching one, you’ll see immediate return on investment, experts say.
Building customer loyalty is key to building a successful electrical contracting business. Electricians can do this by exceeding expectations, creating a perception of value, and listening to their customers.
Get the jump on telecommunications.
Here are a few tips that can help you get better results from your e-mail communications.
Buying used, rebuilt electrical equipment can save you money. But it is rarely tested to the same standards as new equipment. Make sure to buy used equipment from a reputable source who will refurbish the equipment properly to safety standards. If buying new equipment, check to make sure it is not counterfeit.
Hiring employees who may be called to active military duty is a service to our nation. But contract-shop owners need to be aware of laws that protect these workers’ job rights.
