Blog
Tips for contractors.
Practical advice to help you get more jobs online, win more bids, and run a tighter business.
Concrete or Gravel for Fence Posts in Cold Climates?
Concrete, gravel, or both? What actually goes in a fence post hole, where each one belongs, and why frost pulls posts up even when they're set below the frost line.
Deck Board Spacing and Gapping in Cold Climates
Wet treated lumber goes down tight. Composite gaps by install temperature. Here's how to space deck boards so they still look right in year three, and what winter does to them.
Deck Ledger Attachment and Flashing: The Detail That Fails First
When a deck comes off a house it's the ledger, not the joists. How to verify what you're attaching to, fasten it correctly, and flash it so freeze-thaw doesn't rot the rim joist.
Deck Joist Spacing and Span: What Actually Governs It in Snow Country
Sixteen on center is a habit, not an answer. What actually governs deck joist spacing and span, why your decking picks the spacing, and where snow load breaks the standard tables.
How Deep Should Deck Footings Be in Cold Climates?
Frost heave wrecks decks that were framed perfectly. Here's how deep footings need to go in cold climates, how wide, and the mistakes that show up four winters later.
How to Write a Contractor Quote That Wins the Job
Most contractors lose quoted jobs they were never going to lose on price. Here's what goes in a quote that wins, why speed matters, and how to handle the pushback.
How to Automate Your Contractor Lead Follow-Up (Without Sounding Like a Robot)
Leads slip away while you're on a job, not because you don't care but because you're working. Here's how to set up simple automation so nothing goes unanswered, without sounding like a robot.
Are Contractor Lead Sites Worth It? An Honest Look at Angi, Thumbtack, and the Rest
Angi, HomeAdvisor, Thumbtack. An honest look at what contractor lead sites actually cost, why the advertised price per lead is misleading, and when they're worth it.
How Long Does SEO Take for a Contractor Website?
SEO for a contractor website takes three to six months to start working and six to twelve to really pay off. Here's an honest breakdown of why, what you'll see along the way, and how to speed it up.