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Solutions to the Problems Faced
by Every Growing Contractor

Envision your business thriving in a way where:

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  • You're no longer constantly putting out fires or feeling trapped by daily operations.

  • Your team performs at a high level, driving efficiency and innovation.

  • Your business is growing steadily, with profits flowing smoothly.

  • You have a clear roadmap for success.
     

However, despite your efforts:

 

  • Are you finding yourself working harder than ever yet not seeing the results you desire? 

  • Do you feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the next steps? 

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Are you struggling to grow your company despite your hard work?

 

You might be facing issues like: 

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  • Business growth without sufficient cash flow to cover expenses.

  • A once-simple business now feeling chaotic.

  • Constant distractions from financial challenges.

  • Rising costs with stagnant profits.

  • Challenges with Lien waivers 

  • Delays in billing, collections, and bids.

  • Underperforming managers and difficulty hiring skilled workers.

  • Low employee morale, disengagement, and high turnover.

  • Project delivery issues leading to customer dissatisfaction.

  • Marketing spending yielding minimal results.

  • Owners feeling overwhelmed and unable to find a clear path forward.

If these challenges and situations sounds familiar,

it’s time to reassess and take control of your business.

What you are experiencing is what many successful, growing businesses in the building trades eventually learn; completing projects and services is not the same as managing a successful business. Until proper processes, systems and resources are in place in every area of the business, problems like the above will continue to happen, imperiling your business and taking the fun out of running it.

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As a successful and experienced Construction Management Consulting firm, management and our vetted consultants at Shapcott & Lauber have years of management and executive experience, and unique specializations in finance, operations, marketing and field work within the construction design build industries.

 

We will work with you to strengthen your business. Instead of being overwhelmed by your business, you will confidently and successfully handle the challenges of growth. You will learn the business skills needed to sustain profitable growth.

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Working together, we will create the business you want by putting the right processes and resources in place to make more money with less stress. Your business will change for the better, because staying the same is costing you way too much.

Know when it's time to seek help

  • Growing the business without sufficient cash flow to cover expenses
    For general contractors (GCs) and subcontractors, experiencing business growth without sufficient cash flow can create significant challenges. While you may be securing more projects and increasing revenue, the lack of adequate cash flow could mean struggling to cover immediate expenses, such as payroll, materials, and overhead costs. This situation can lead to delays in project execution, strain relationships with suppliers and employees, and ultimately jeopardize your ability toward sustained growth. Without effective cash flow management, GCs and subcontractors risk running into financial difficulties, even when their sales figures suggest success. Shapcott & Lauber assists general contractors (GCs) and subcontractors facing the challenge of business growth without sufficient cash flow by effectively leveraging our services to help them with solutions to optimize their cash flow, enabling them to sustain growth while maintaining financial stability.
  • A once-simple business now feeling chaotic
    Feeling chaotic" reflects the challenges that arise as projects grow in scale and complexity. Initially, your operations may have involved straightforward tasks and manageable workloads. However, as you take on more projects, expand your teams, and deal with increased regulatory requirements, the processes can become disorganized and overwhelming. Through effective targeted strategies Shapcott & Lauber helps GCs and subcontractors regain control over their operations, transforming a chaotic working environment into one that is organized, efficient, and conducive to sustained growth.
  • Constant distractions from financial challenges.
    This challenge highlights how ongoing financial issues can divert attention from your core business activities. These issues can affect cash flow, budget overruns and delayed payments, just to name a few. Shapcott & Lauber helps GCs and subcontractors reduce distractions, allowing them to focus more on project delivery, client relationships, and business development.
  • Rising costs with stagnant profits.
    This challenge suggests that while the expenses associated with materials, labor, and overhead are increasing, your revenue or profit margins are not growing accordingly. For GCs, this may mean that project bids are becoming less profitable as competition drives prices down, or that unforeseen costs are eating into your budgets. For subcontractors, on the other hand, you might be facing similar pressures, where the cost of supplies and labor is rising, yet you are unable to charge more for your services due to fixed contracts or competitive market forces. Overall, these scenarios creates a financial strain, making it difficult for both GCs and subcontractors to maintain healthy profit margins and potentially jeopardizing their long-term sustainability in the market. By leveraging the expertise of Shapcott & Lauber, we help construction firms mitigate the impacts of rising costs and stagnant profits, positioning them for greater financial stability and growth.
  • The possible challenges with Lien Waivers
    In short, lien waivers in construction are legal documents used to confirm that a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier has received payment for their work or materials. By signing a lien waiver, the party waives their right to file a lien against the property for the amount paid. There are typically two types of lien waivers: 1. Conditional Lien Waivers: This is used when payment is expected but has not yet been received. It states that the waiver will become effective only upon receipt of the payment. 2. Unconditional Lien Waivers: This is used when payment has already been received. It confirms that the party waives their right to a lien for that specific amount. As construction management consultants, Shapcott & Lauber empowers GCs and subcontractors to navigate the complexities of lien waivers more effectively, ultimately safeguarding their interests and improving project outcomes.
  • Delays in billing, collections, and bids.
    Overall, these type of delays create a cycle of financial instability, making it difficult for GCs and subcontractors to manage their operations effectively, meet project timelines, and maintain positive relationships with clients and partners. Addressing these issues is crucial for sustaining profitability and organizational success in a competitive industry. Shapcott & Lauber consulting management services can help GCs and subcontractors minimize delays in billing, collections, and proposals, ultimately leading to improved cash flow, stronger financial health, and enhanced competitiveness in the market.
  • Underperforming managers and difficulty hiring skilled workers.
    When managers are not effectively leading teams, it can lead to decreased productivity, poor project management, and low employee morale. As many of our clients know in the industry, they often face a shortage of skilled labor, making it challenging for them to find qualified workers. This shortage can delay project timelines, increase labor costs, and limit the ability to take on new projects. Together, these challenges create a cycle of inefficiency and risk. Furthermore, underperforming managers may struggle to attract and retain skilled workers, while the inability to hire the right talent can exacerbate management issues. This situation can ultimately hinder the overall success and profitability of construction firms. Shapcott & Lauber's expertise in this area help GCs and subcontractors improve managerial performance and overcome challenges in hiring skilled labor, ultimately leading to enhanced project execution and organizational success.
  • Low employee morale, disengagement, and high turnover.
    These challenges highlights critical issues that owners face in the construction industry. When employees feel undervalued, overworked, or unsupported, their morale can decline. This can lead to a lack of enthusiasm for their work, decreased productivity, and a negative workplace atmosphere. Disengaged employees are less likely to take initiative or contribute positively to their teams. They may feel disconnected from the company’s goals, resulting in minimal effort and a lack of commitment to project success. High turnover is particularly detrimental in the construction industry, where skilled labor is already in short supply. Frequent turnover can disrupt project continuity, lead to increased training costs, and result in the loss of institutional knowledge. By leveraging our years of expertise in construction management, Shapcott & Lauber can help organizations cultivate a positive work environment, enhance employee engagement, and ultimately reduce turnover. Our comprehensive approach can lead to improved team cohesion, productivity, and overall project success within your organization.
  • Project completion issues leading to customer dissatisfaction.
    Project completion issues leads to customer dissatisfaction" it's particularly relevant for general contractors (GCs) and subcontractors in several ways: > Delays, > Quality of work, > Communication breakdowns, > Budget overruns > Change orders . . . . . . touching on the most important ones. For GCs and subcontractors, addressing project completion issues is essential for maintaining customer satisfaction. Ensuring timely, high-quality work, effective communication, and transparent budgeting can help mitigate risks of dissatisfaction, fostering stronger client relationships and encouraging repeat business. Shapcott & Lauber's services and years of experience helps GCs and subcontractors enhance project delivery, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen client relationships, ultimately leading to more successful project outcomes.
  • Marketing spending yielding minimal results.
    Ineffective marketing campaigns leads to; poor branding, lack of differentiation, outdated channels, insufficient tracking and market analysis. Strategies that do not clearly differentiate your firm from your competitors can lead to minimal impact. For GCs and subcontractor companies, ensuring that your marketing spending translates into tangible results is crucial. By refining your marketing strategies, better targeting your audience, and leveraging effective channels, you can improve your lead generation and ultimately enhance your business growth. Shapcott & Lauber helps GC's and subcontractors implement effective marketing, go-to-market and tactical strategies to yield results from their marketing spend.
  • Owners feeling overwhelmed and unable to find a clear path forward
    This challenge resonates deeply with our clients, because we've been there and we get it! Our clients often juggle numerous projects, deadlines, and teams. This complexity can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, especially when projects encounter unexpected challenges. With a plethora of information and data to analyze, many owners struggle to make informed decisions. The inability to distill critical insights from information can hinder strategic planning and progress. Compounding the fact that many of our clients face staffing and budget constraints, they feel overwhelmed by the need to manage limited resources effectively. Balancing budget constraints with the need for skilled labor can create a sense of uncertainty about how to move forward. Shapcott & Lauber provides support through effective management practices, clear communication, and strategic planning that help owners find a clearer path forward, enabling them to navigate challenges more confidently.
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