Our New eBook is out! More than 15 pages filled with Marketing, Accounting, and Production tips, checklists, and best practices that you can use year-round for your construction business success.
Free Download here.

FEA Randal And Train
Call Us At 1-800-361-1770
Bookkeeping Trial Test Drive
Outsourced Accounting
Contractor Bookkeeping Templates For QuickBooks And Xero
Construction Accounting Academy
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Seven Tips To Help Your Construction Business Adjust For Inflation

Posted by Sharie DeHart on Fri, Jan 27, 2023

Inflation has ballooned worldwide in recent months, and there's no question that small construction businesses are feeling the pinch. Supplies cost more, employees are hard to find, and your profits are shrinking.

This can lead to operating at a loss - spending more money than you make. Otherwise, you will eventually run out of cash reserves and be out of business. And while it's not uncommon, especially for new companies, it's still not ideal and shouldn't continue in the long term.
 
Be aware of what's going on in your industry and adjust. Customers judge a business based on perceived value. If you're at the bottom of the pack price-wise, they're likely to skip over you to get a good deal. Price yourself accordingly to attract quality clients.
 

Seven Tips To Help Your Construction Business Adjust For Inflation

It's undoubtedly challenging, but you can weather the storm with the following tips.

1. Study your data

You first need to identify why you're operating at a loss. If you're still in the start-up phase, you might not need to worry too much as long as you've got enough cash to meet your costs. But if the losses are due to a decline in sales, then it's time to review your construction business and, if necessary, get professional help.

Your numbers are always helpful, but in times of rapid inflation, you'll be incredibly thankful that you keep a nice, clean set of books. Analyze your data to learn what products and services make you the most money, which ones cost the most to offer, and to identify where you can save.

2. Cut expenses

Now that you've identified where you can save money, go ahead and cut what you can. It's nice to be able to offer many products and services, but this is a time to tighten your belt.

Focus on the items that keep your business as healthy as possible, and ditch the rest – at least for the time being. It's okay to simplify, especially when times are tough.

3. Adjust your prices

Nobody likes to raise their prices, but you likely have no choice. Keeping fees the same would indeed be fantastic for your customers or clients. However, if you're offering your products or services at the same prices as before inflation started to climb rapidly, you're absorbing the cost.

When you dig into your data, you may find that some things you offer actually cost you a lot of money. That's not a sustainable business model – raise your prices to keep yourself afloat. You should always seek to raise your rates over time to improve your profit margins and keep up with inflation.

4. Simplify and automate

If aspects of your business take a long time to complete, see if there's anything you can do to reduce those hours. Switching to cloud accounting or inventory management software would be an excellent example, as doing so would allow you to use your valuable time elsewhere.

Identify where you can simplify and automate, and then do it. Then, even when inflation comes back under control, you will undoubtedly find that the saved time helps.

You can build efficient systems by streamlining your processes and using technology. There might be administrative tasks that you can ditch altogether. 

5. Focus on your client

Remember that your clients are keeping you in business and experiencing inflation in their lives too – both at home and in their businesses.

Keep the lines of communication clear and open, especially if you're going to alter your offerings or raise your prices. It's easier to retain loyal customers than to gain new ones, so make sure they know how much you value them and communicate openly to maintain their trust and loyalty.

6. Consider your employees

Good help is hard to find. Those who work for you are feeling the pinch as well. While it's essential to automate what you can, you must consider the consequences it will have on your staff. Identify how you can better use their talents if parts of their roles become automated.

7. Remember, this will pass

Inflation has happened before and will undoubtedly happen again after this. Historically, periods of inflation last anywhere from a few months to several years. However, we remember one thing: all periods of inflation end. 

Final thoughts

While inflation is problematic for small businesses, there are steps you can take to reduce its impact. You will leave this inflationary period intact with clear communication and intelligent adjustments. Focus on what you can control and face what you can't with confidence and creativity.

It's also important to review your practices honestly and carefully to pinpoint what you can improve in your construction business during this challenging period. Being proactive with your marketing, asking for an expert's help with your accounting, and putting a plan in place for production are necessary to operate and grow your company during this time.

PS
 
We offer free resources to help you save time and money that you can download and print now. 

About The Author:

Sharie_DeHart_President_Fast_Easy_Accounting_Serving_Contractors_All_Across_The_USA_Including_Alaska_And_Hawaii-1Sharie DeHart, QPA, is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on managing the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770 or sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com

 

OUTSOURCED ACCOUNTING FOR 
THE BUSY CONTRACTOR
IN A MOBILE ENVIRONMENT

Bookkeeping Trial Test Drive Contractor Bookkeeping Templates For QuickBooks And Xero
Outsourced Accounting 1-800-361-1770


Download the Contractors APP today
 from the 
App Store or Android Store

Access Code: FEAHEROS

Click here to download the App on Android:

Click here to download the App on iOS:

Simply scan the QR code or search for ‘MyAccountants’ in the App Store and enter the Access code: FEAHEROS to utilize the powerful App features and capabilities and benefit from having our Construction Accounting App at your fingertips, 24/7."

PS: Even if you are not a Construction Contractor, you will find plenty of benefits in the app, so we invite you to download it too! It's Free so why not?

Topics: Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability, Inflation, Construction Business Inflation

QuickBooks Setup And Chart of Accounts For DIY Contractors
Download Our Free App For Construction Contractors

click to download the Contractors APP now from the App Storeclick to download the Contractors APP now from the Android store

Access Code: FEAHEROS

accounting articles

Subscribe by Email

How Can We Help?

 
Contractors Bookkeeping And Accounting Services

Who We Help

How We Help

Next Step

FAQ's

Contractors Bookkeeping And Accounting Services

Outsourced Construction Accounting Services For Contractors All Across The U.S.A. By Fast Easy Accounting 206-361-3950

Serving Construction Contractors
Across The U.S.A
Including Alaska
And Hawaii

Podcast On iTunes
 
Click Here To Listen In iTunes
Contractor  Success M.A.P.
Contractors Bookkeeping And Accounting Services

Remote Access Your QuickBooks  Using Secure Servers

Outsourced Bookkeeping Services For Contractors At Fast Easy Accounting

Highly Recommended by Locals On Alignable

Most Popular Posts

Read the Latest:

Browse by Tag

badge

Blog Suggestion Box

We Remove Contractor's Unique Paperwork Frustrations

Quickbooks certified proadvisor

Xero-Accounting-Services-Fast-Easy-Accounting

Financial-Intelligence-And-Performance-Reporting-Tool-Fast-Easy-Accounting Hubdoc-Document-Collection-and-Management-System MBA Member Fast Easy Accounting 206-361-3950
 
contractor-success-map-podcast-listen
 
Don't forget, you can hire our services at FastEasyAccounting.com
 
 
How To Use Our Services