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Contract Surety 06.29.2023

What Did You Say? Change Order Disputes!

  Disputes are bad for business–obviously. Nonetheless, sometimes avoiding them is easier said than done in the contracting business. Insiders share tips on preventing shifting plans from spiraling into costly and disruptive disputes.   Stop…
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What Did You Say? Change Order Disputes!
Contract Surety 06.22.2023

Mini Excavators: Rent or Buy?

  Size, versatility and endless attachment options make mini excavators a go to for many contractors. Nonetheless, the “rent or buy” decision making can be head scratching. Business plans, emergent opportunities, the lure of shiny…
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Mini Excavators: Rent or Buy?
Contract Surety 06.22.2023

Roller Coaster Ride: Material Costs

  Though the pandemic related disruptions and associated rising costs of materials peaked in 2022, analysts recommend contractors “keep their seatbelts fastened,” as demand is likely to make estimating material costs feel like a  roller…
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Roller Coaster Ride: Material Costs
Contract Surety 06.15.2023

Slow Down: Takeoff

  Though it’s tempting to rush right through takeoff and onto estimation, it’s best to exert extra care at takeoff. Without a strong foundation, projects can go awry fast, impacting the bottom line and even…
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Slow Down: Takeoff
Contract Surety 06.15.2023

Bidding To Win

  Estimation errors, failure to understand the plans or address aspects of the application and mistakes related to the bond requirement can all lead to rejection. You could even end up regretting a win, if…
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Bidding To Win
Contract Surety 06.09.2023

Strategic Action: Next Gen Workers

  With the population as a whole aging, the construction industry is ever more compelled to welcome in the workforce of the future. Already, some contractors report turning down work due to an absence of…
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Strategic Action: Next Gen Workers
Contract Surety 06.09.2023

Collaboration Is Key: Building Departments

  If there is anything more damaging to contractors then idle equipment on a construction site, perhaps, as experts point out, it is a tendency to somehow ignore the problem. Let’s remember, failure to monitor…
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Collaboration Is Key: Building Departments
Contract Surety 06.01.2023

Collaboration Is Key: Building Departments

  Proactively establishing relationships with the local building department is essential for running a contracting business successfully. Knowing and following the department’s standards helps to prevent delays, penalties, legal challenges and backtracking on projects. Of…
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Collaboration Is Key: Building Departments
Contract Surety 06.01.2023

Burst of Upgrades: School Buildings

  Federal funding from the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) allocations has spurred optimism in school districts across the country. Projects that would ordinarily be nearly impossible to tackle are underway. Here are examples—and…
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Burst of Upgrades: School Buildings