Knowing what to do first can be one of the hardest parts of running a construction business. Priorities change, unexpected problems pop up, and the biggest fire isn’t always the most important thing that needs your attention.

Learning to be flexibly rigid means knowing what can move and what can’t. Sometimes putting out a small ember today keeps it from becoming tomorrow’s biggest fire.

Most of us don’t like change. We get comfortable doing things the way we’ve always done them, even when we know there is a better way. I recently realized I was doing this with my smartphone, and it got me thinking about how easy it is to do the same thing in our businesses. Sometimes making a change takes some time, effort, and money, but hanging on to the old way can cost us even more in the long run.

Unexpected things have a way of changing our plans and taking up time we had set aside for something else. Knowing what to do first means understanding what matters most and deciding what deserves our attention. Being flexibly rigid helps us adjust when plans change without losing sight of our priorities.

The key is learning to focus on what matters most instead of always fighting the hottest fire.

Every minute of every day, we are making choices. Some are simple and seemingly insignificant, while others can change the direction of our lives and businesses.

Learning to prioritize those decisions, recognize what really matters, and act when the time comes can make all the difference. “Would You Rather?” isn’t just a game, but something we’re playing every single day.

Builders are often known for being bullheaded, stubborn, and resistant to change. But those traits aren’t necessarily bad. A strong will, resilience, determination, passion, and a good work ethic are all qualities that can help a builder succeed. The real challenge is knowing when to stand firm and when to be bullheaded about making the changes needed to build a stronger construction business.

Why do some construction projects become a great experience while others turn into a nightmare?

Many of the problems customers face can be traced back to a lack of clarity before construction even begins. Poor communication, low-quality workmanship, and a lack of honesty and integrity can create frustration, unexpected costs, and even legal battles. Understanding these three areas can help you choose the right contractor, ask better questions, and set your project up for a much better outcome.

Large construction projects can make billing complicated, especially when you want payments to be fair to both you and your customer. A payment application gives you a clear way to show what work and materials are being billed, what has already been paid, and what remains.

Follow along as John walks Gene through preparing the first payment prior to starting a project, including how to separate material and labor and calculate the appropriate payment amount.

You’re a contractor, not a bank, so you shouldn’t have to finance your customer’s project while waiting to get paid.

Gene has a signed proposal from Burford’s, but now he needs to figure out how to set up a payment plan. John walks him through the Payment Application, starting with the project information and then entering each item from the proposal.

By breaking the large project price into smaller, clearly defined amounts, you can give your customer a better understanding of what they’re paying for while creating a more consistent payment process for your business.