Newsletter
ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP
It is becoming difficult to find talent and enjoy the benefits of Craftsmanship in cabinetry, woodworking and finish work these days. With typical high production manufacturing and the skilled aging boomers moving out to pasture, true Craftsmanship skills are in short supply. Luckily, so far, demand is not outstripping supply, however, the shallow depth of the talent pool is become a problem and will very likely continue to be an issue in the long run. To solve these issues AJB General Contractor has developed a team of Skilled Craftsman...
read moreWHERE DID THE CRAFTSMAN GO?
The sting and pain related to the recent recession has strained all small businesses in Nevada so now, in the building industry, the unanswered question is – Where did the craftsman go? In Vegas the only good folks are already employed or have left, long ago, for greener pastures. Some have changed careers and on new paths to future prosperity; trying to fulfill the needs and demands of raising families. They are no longer willing candidates for return to the construction business after all they have endured during the recession ....
read moreSOME CUSTOMERS ARE AWESOME
AJB General Contractor has been in business for 25 years We have built many thousands of projects in the Las Vegas area. By successfully completing so many project over the years we have gained very unique experience. We have learned a lot about customers, their expectations, desires, needs, fears and concerns. Some of them are fickle and others are “Awesome”. There are even predatory customers looking to skin anyone around them for personal gain and benefit but they are the minority by far; roughly 3 out of 100. As for Awesome Customers...
read moreA BUILDINGS FORGOTTEN ASSET
A Buildings Forgotten Asset is the one Rarely Noticed It is usually never inspected and forgotten about until it begins to fail. Typically, there is never any maintenance or care of this building asset until it is in the mature stage of its life cycle. Once this asset is at the mature stage maintenance becomes a reactive approach. What is the asset? It is the roof that works every day for years and decades to keep the weather out of the building. Keeping the rain, sun, and occasionally the snow at bay, year after year and almost always...
read moreGeneral Contractors – Masters of Outsourcing
Outsourcing has become the mantra with downsizing and rightsizing feeding the desires of small business to seek vendor value outside of the organization. The move from internal control to outsourcing can create a dynamic shift by allowing a business to focus on its strengths and distinctive competency; creating the opportunity for resources to be re-allocated in pursuit of higher levels of quality and efficiency. Outsourcing has the potential to be fraught with unintended consequences if not done well. The downside of poorly done...
read moreProject Design Teams Saves
Project design teams saves money, time and frustration by pooling expertise. Evaluating project feasibility and utilizing the skill sets and knowledge base of the Contractors, Architects, Engineers and the Owner provide for improved outcomes. A simplified design process consists of the following elements: Owner Concept Identified Define the scope and design criteria around the Owner concept Architect to develop preliminary schematic/pricing plans An abbreviated plan is created of the site, floor plan, demo plan and general levels of finish...
read moreSubcontracting 101 for Building Owners
The basics provided in “Subcontracting 101 for Building Owners” is a helpful primer that can make hiring subcontractors a positive experience. Sounds simple enough; hire a subcontractor and have them perform the work that needs to be done. Saving money and keeping control seems like a reasonable and logical approach. Besides, it might be fun to play the role of general contractor. It can’t be that hard. Dealing with subcontractors can be a rewarding experience, however, there are a number of basic steps that need to be...
read moreOwn Instead of Rent for Small Business Owners
Own Instead of Rent & Pay Yourself First One of the best lessons in teaching others how to save is to pay yourself first and set aside a reserve or savings for a rainy day. A similar approach is to use the same mindset and pay yourself each month by accruing equity in a building you own. Paying rent is an expense but investing in your own building is a way to accrue equity year after year. Before you know it, 10-15 years goes by and the building is yours. No mortgage! Interest is Tax Deductible Mortgage interest provides a tax...
read moreRecovery……Really?
The “Great Recession”, in Vegas, was horrific for those of us in the Construction Industry. It tested us all and few survived or are in recovery with about 70% of construction related businesses gone; either out of business or moving over the horizon. Construction unemployment was pegged somewhere between 60 – 70% for the trades and the pool of good skilled workers is almost non-existent. The recession cleansed the market. Marginal contractors are gone and, today, a new batch of contractors are entering the market hoping to earn a living...
read moreThe Customers Plight
Every one of us are customers. We seek out value, quality, fair and honest treatment and a positive buying experience that satisfies our expectations, regardless of the product or service. Most buying experiences really go unnoticed until something out of the norm appears or until an emotional or high value purchase is contemplated. Today’s customers are smarter and more demanding and for good reasons. Over the years marketing and advertising has continued to refine approaches and messages to entice prospective customers into becoming...
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