New Year, New Payment Methods: 3 Options for Accepting Payments

it's a new era for getting paid: no longer are you stuck waiting for a check in the mail after completing a job. With all the options available to general contractors, you can get paid instantly upon finishing the job ? assuming it's written into your contract. Expanding the number of ways you take payments can make it quicker and easier for clients to get you your hard-earned cash, on time and without hassle.

1. PayPal

Paypal is one of the more well-known payment options among both contractors and the general public. Your account is hooked up to your bank account or debit card, and payments are transferred online. You can work up an invoice through the website to send to your client, detailing what charges are for which work, and clients can pay through their account. PayPal also offers a mobile card reader, allowing you to swipe a debit or credit card on the spot.

If you've got access to a PayPal Business Debit Card, you can withdraw money from your PayPal account immediately, while those who decline to apply for one can transfer the money to their bank, request a check or use the money to make purchases online. To learn more, visit paypal.com

2. Square Reader

The Square Reader is another popular payment option for opening up your ability to take payment via debit or credit card. The hardware plugs directly into your phone and, depending on the model, allows you to take magnetic cards or those with PIN and chip technology. Most models require your mobile device to have a headphone jack, though some of the chip readers offered by Square connect to your phone via wireless Bluetooth technology.

Square is compatible with most iOS and Android devices and doesn?t require a subscription fee: instead, Square will take a percentage of each transaction, depending on the type. Transactions post to your connected bank account within 36 hours of the transaction, assuming you're collecting payment on a business day. To learn more, visit'squareup.com

3. Intuit QuickBooks Payments

If you already use Intuit's QuickBooks to keep track of your business?s finances, their payments option seems like a natural step to accept debit and credit cards as well as bank transfers. Bank transfers are free while accepting cards nets QuickBooks a fee per transaction. You can also opt to pay a monthly fee to lower the per-transaction cost ? but not to $0.

Card payments transfer to your bank account 3-5 business days after completion, while bank transfers can take up to 5 business days, making this option slightly slower than the other mobile card options. Still, the convenience of having the software automatically match payments to any invoices generated through the QuickBooks software may be worth it. For more information, visit quickbooks.intuit.com/payments

New Payment Options for Contractors

While these three payment options aren?t the only ones available ? other big name players in the mobile and online payment game include Venmo, Stripe, Amazon Payments and Google Wallet ?They are some of the most long-standing and trusted mobile payment options with the largest customer bases and support networks.

To find a new payment option that works for your business, take a hard look at your needs, how much you anticipate accepting per month in payments through your new provider and how much you're willing to pay for the convenience. there's something for every contractor.

What's an IRA, Anyway? Retirement Funds for Contractors

One of the perks of being self-employed is that you call all the shots. You Don't have a boss breathing down your neck, questioning you about where you've been, why things are taking so long, and why your TPS report cover sheets are missing. However, the downside to that is you have to make all the decisions about everything.

One of the biggest dilemmas you face is about retirement accounts. If you had an employer, a benefits package might be part of the deal and investing would be a matter of letting your boss take money from your check and put it into your investment account automatically.

But since you're self-employed, you have to do that for yourself, and although you might be a genius when it comes to remodeling a living room or adding on a deck, and you can calculate measurements in your head while you're sleeping, knowing the difference between an IRA and 401k baffles you. So, here you go; a quick primer on retirement accounts so you can start sticking some money away for when you're ready to hang up your hammer and enjoy your retirement.

Let?s Start with the Basics: What Is an IRA?

IRA stands for Individual Retirement Account. It is a special type of savings account that is made up of different kinds of investments, from 401(k)s, stocks and bonds to even CDs and cash. You choose how much money you want to dedicate to the IRA up to IRS limits and you choose the investment type. You can open an IRA with a brokerage firm or the bank you already deal with most likely has an investment arm as well.

Different Types of Retirement Accounts

There are four types of retirement accounts that best suit'self-employed people: Individual 401(k), SEP IRA, Defined Benefit Plan, and the Simple IRA. Let?s go over the differences below.

Individual 401(k)

There are two types of these plans: traditional and Roth. With a traditional 401(k), you make contributions up to plan limits with gross income (pre-tax dollars), and then pay taxes on the amount at the time of withdrawal. With the Roth 401(k), you invest after-tax dollars up to allowable limits, but then you won't have to pay taxes when you'retire and are ready to withdraw the money.

If you aren?t sure which option is best, consider this: if you think your tax bracket is higher now than it will be when you'retire, choose the traditional 401(k). If you think your tax bracket will be higher when you'retire, do a Roth 401(k) and pay the taxes now. However, you'll want to check if you are eligible to open a Roth because there are income restrictions. There are no such restrictions for a traditional account.

SEP IRA

A SEP IRA is similar to a traditional IRA. All investments are made with pre-tax dollars and are deductible from personal income at tax time. However, it allows the investor to invest both the employee and employer portions into the account. So, an employee can set how much they want to invest up to allowable limits and receive up to 25 percent of their investment as an employer contribution. This is ideal for a sole-proprietor that wants to bump up the amount to invest or a small business owner who wants to offer retirement benefits to his employees.

Defined Benefit Plans and Simple IRAs

If you're over the age of 50 and are just starting to invest, these are good options for you because you can invest more than with traditional IRAs. For a defined benefit plan, you set the amount you want to have when you'retire and you invest accordingly, generally up to $100,000 per year.

Simple IRAs allow individuals 50 years and older to invest up to $14,500 of the income each year. Keep in mind that the amount can be used to purchase stock or other investment tools, so that initial investment could grow quickly.

Now that you have some beginner?s knowledge about retirement plans, stop into a brokerage firm or your bank and ask them about the available options that are best for you.

Dealing with Racism on the Job

We could dance around this issue, but there really isn?t any real point in doing that, so here goes. There are a lot of racists out there, but there are even more people who aren?t actually racist but say racist things without meaning to. They say things they?ve heard. The say things they were raised to believe.

Either way, They are walking around like the rest of us and some include our coworkers, including those in the construction industry.

Working in this type of environment is tough for an enlightened person (not the mention the targeted race(s)) and it's no picnic for a boss. You need employees and for the most part, your workers do their thing, but disparaging and racist remarks are more than you can allow. Your minority employees are starting to get aggravated, tired of taking the high ground and ignoring the behavior.

If something isn?t done, things are soon going to get ugly.

You might be tempted to hand down a hard and fast, ?If I hear you say something racist you're outta here!? rule. Sure, that would solve the problem but it would also pretty much eliminate your workforce. Why? Because although there are plenty of people who deliberately say racist things, there are almost just as many who say things without even realizing what They are saying is racist. This doesn?t excuse their racist behavior, but it does shed some light on the issue.

So, how can you as an owner or manager of a construction company keep your employees from tossing around racial epithets and sharing racist humor when you can?t get them to stop catcalling women?

When you hear it, call it out. If you hear an employee even start to tell an off-color joke, tell him to knock it off. Ignoring it is the equivalent of condoning it ? if your employees think the boss is okay with it, they'll keep doing it. As a matter of fact, they'll dive into it with even more gusto because you just gave them the green light.

Here are a few ways to determine if a joke or story is appropriate:

? If looking around to see who is in the room before a joke is told is necessary, then it probably should not be told.
? If it's not acceptable for everyone to hear, it'shouldn?t be said.
? If saying things intentionally in front of someone is an attempt to make them feel inferior ? the motivation is pretty obvious.

Make it clear that employees who enjoy doing these kinds of things might want to consider whether it's worth the risk.

What Risk?

Well, here?s the thing: it's unfortunately common for some people not to like a particular race. Many people Don't like things for irrational reasons. But the fact is, it's illegal to discriminate against others and that includes telling off-color, racist jokes about them on the job. That behavior will get people fired.

it'should get people fired because it's not how good employees act or what good employees do. Things like that disrupt the workplace and can often lead to violent encounters. So, is that joke about a couple of wetbacks really worth telling?

Here?s what it comes down to: If you Don't like Blacks, Mexicans, Asians, Muslims or any other race, that?s on you. How someone feels can?t be changed by law. But what can and has been changed is your ability to call them n-words, wetbacks, chinks and towel heads while on the job.

They can sue you and if they win, you'll find yourself out of a job. Even if they Don't win, you might still find yourself out of a job because you're a disruptive employee. Seriously, it's not worth the risk, so keep that stuff to yourself.

Maybe if you spent less time making fun of people, telling off-color jokes about them and perpetuating stereotypes and spent more time actually talking and getting to know your coworkers, you might even realize how wrong you were about them.

And for you bosses and employers out there, if you've hired these people, then on at least some level you'recognize their value in the workplace. Why would you let other employees tamper with that?

Don't let the situation get out of control. When you see, or even suspect there's racial tension within your ranks, step in and let everyone know this behavior won't be tolerated. The faster you come down on the issue, the more serious your employees will take you.

Bear in mind, too, that as the boss, you can be ultimately responsible if a court finds that someone had to endure a hostile work environment, even if you weren?t aware of what was going on. you're the boss? it's your responsibility to know.

We all have to make a living and we all deserve to do it in an environment that isn?t rife with racial tension. So employers ? keep an eye on your workers. And you workers ? learn to play nice.

DannerÆ Stronghold Work Boots Steal the Show

Sponsored by: Danner

No good building starts with poorly poured footings. In the same vein, no good contractor starts his day without a good pair of boots. Your boots are often the only thing standing between you and hazards like spills and potential shocks from live electricity on the job site. Whether you're climbing a ladder or framing a wall, Danner Stronghold work boots are made for anything you can throw at them.

Born from logging and exploration, Danner is a Pacific Northwest original. Every boot is handmade to hold up in unforgiving conditions and live up to unyielding standards. The Stronghold workboot is what happens when more than 85 years of legendary quality, durability, and heritage runs into modern construction, technology and materials.

Function and Form All in One Boot

Your old boots may be fine for now, but the time will come when you'll have to replace them. it's always a hard call because there's nothing like a boot that?s been broken in properly. New boots are always stiff, often too tight in all the wrong places and sometimes they just make you want to throw them across the room because the laces won't cooperate.

These aren?t problems with the new Danner Stronghold boot. you'll be surprised how much this boot feels like it's already broken in, and really feels more like a tennis shoe than a boot. The top three pairs of eyelets are actually lace hooks, so you Don't have to struggle to pull these boots on or go through the trouble of unlacing them every time you want to wear them.

But their tennis-shoe like qualities aren?t all that set them apart from the competition. Oh, no ? the Danner Strongholds pack a construction-sized wallop into a logging-inspired package, with features like:

? VibramÆ Stronghold Outsole
Painters, roofers, plumbers and anyone who works in wet or slippery conditions will appreciate the Stronghold Outsole. it's designed with you in mind. The oil and slip resistant custom material provides traction whether you're in a wet or dry spot. Safety matters ? falls can be very costly to your business.

? VibramÆ SPE Midsole
This rubberized EVA midsole maintains the same cushioning and lightweight properties as a sneaker, but is more durable and won't break down as easily. This technology enhances rebound, comfort and support for those long shifts.

? DannerÆ Dry Technology
The patented Danner Dry technology built into the Danner Stronghold work boots keeps you dry and comfortable even in the worst wet environments.

? Polyurethane-Coated Leather Panels
Leather boots are the gold standard for the construction industry, but what if they could get better? Danner just did that by adding a protective layer of polyurethane to the highest wear areas on the Stronghold boots. Now, you have all the beastly strength of leather plus all the protection of polyurethane in one place. This boot can take whatever your jobsite can dish out.

? 90-Degree Heel
How often have you caught your boot heel when climbing up a ladder or on scaffolding? Those little catches here and there are also known as ?near falls.? Tumbling off a ladder can have a serious impact on your health and finances. That?s why the Danner Stronghold has that 90-degree heel.

? Electrical Hazard Protection
Danner?s Stronghold work boots are certified to meet or exceed ASTM F2892-11 EH performance requirements. For non-electricians, this means you can step on a live wire carrying 18,000 volts at 60 hertz for one minute in dry conditions without current flowing into your body. This is good news for anyone who works around electricity.

Danner?s Reputation for Excellence

Since the 1930s, Danner has been making quality work boots by hand, constantly refining the process and developing new technology for lumber workers, contractors, and hikers. In fact, Danner set the standard for many boot innovations that many boot companies take for granted today, like the mid-weight hiking boot. It was also the first boot company to develop a truly waterproof boot, using GORE-TEXÆ, back in 1979.

This history of discovery and reliability led to Danner becoming one of the first names in footwear for American troops and law enforcement officers. Like you, these are men and women who cannot afford to stop because their boots are failing or they?ve developed blisters. Danner makes the most comfortable, wearable boots on the market, so your work doesn?t have to suffer while you break them in. Who says new boots mean weeks of foot pain?

If Only Your Crew Was as Reliable as Your Boots

After you pick up your new pair of Danner Stronghold boots and wear them around the house a bit, just to get a sense of how they fit, you'll understand what it means to have a pair of boots you can really count on. These boots are in it to win it and they aren?t going to leave you limping or lame after a particularly long day working on a concrete floor or crawling through tight spaces. In fact, they may become the most reliable member of your crew.

Wet or dry, hot or cold ? it doesn?t matter, your boots are ready to out-perform. Danner used everything it learned in 85 years to create what may be the perfect work boot. Light enough for any member of your crew, but durable enough to protect from all kinds of jobsite hazards.

Their benefits are beyond measure, these are the boots of tomorrow ? available today.

Available for both men and women www.danner.com/stronghold

Sponsored by: Danner

How Will Automation Change the Face of Contracting?

The world is changing and that change can seem a little scary at first. You may have seen statistics from a recent report that said more than 5 million jobs will be lost to robots and computers in the next five years.

Some can?t help but wonder if those drones people use for home inspections means that you could end up on the chopping block too. Instead of worrying, though, you should embrace our robotic minions; not only are they not gunning for your job, they might even improve it for you.

Technology is advancing, giving us the ability to do things in a few minutes that might have taken half an hour or longer in the past. It might seem scary at times, but just remember that all of these advances are just new tools. You know what to do with tools: put them to work for you.

The Tablet Revolution

Whether you've taken to carrying a tablet to the job site or not, you likely know contractors (and subcontractors) who do. They are lightweight, usually Don't require a keyboard and give you the option of entering data from the worksite right into the software you use without having to wait until you're back at your desk.

Depending on your tablet?s capabilities, you may even be able to send emails, conference with workers at other sit's and check or edit blueprints on the fly. There are even some tablets specifically designed for use by contractors, with the manufacturer assuming that the tablet is going to take a bit of a beating and making it tough enough to last far longer than a single job.

Drones, Drones Everywhere

The use of drones to inspect a job site might make you a little uncomfortable, but there's really nothing to worry about. Sending up a machine lets you get the information that you need sooner ? and possibly in real time, depending on how the drone is set up. it's not doing the inspection for you; instead, it's giving you a fast-moving eye in the sky you can use to collect the data that you need for your job.

If you notice any problem areas, you can do a more in-depth inspection of those spots in person. Best of all, you can use the drone both for an initial inspection and a final run-through in about as much time as you?d otherwise spend on ladders.

This likely isn?t the last advancement that you'll see with machine-assisted inspection, either. If you can send a remote-controlled helicopter with a camera up above the job site, why can?t we strap a camera and some lights onto an RV car and send it into crawl spaces or other areas that are difficult to get to?

Ground-based drones will likely start playing a bigger role in inspections in the future, just because They are such an obvious next step. Just as with the drones in the air, you could head down yourself for a closer look if you see something with the camera that needs closer attention.

Smart Tools

Robotic drones aren?t the only tools that are going high-tech these days. Power tools are getting smarter, helping to eliminate waste while making them far safer to use. From table saws with digital gauges and magnetic fences to help ensure uniform cuts to distance meters that transmit data wirelessly to your tablet or laptop, the tools you use on the job site are using their added tech to make your job easier.

Technology has even improved the hammer, reducing vibrations on impact to make them less stressful on the wrist and elbow. If you want even more tech, there are also tools available now that let you take measurements from blueprints and use them to calculate real-world distances and areas automatically and transfer that data to your PC or other devices.

High-tech projects

The tools that you use aren?t the only places where technology will come into play. Home and business automation is becoming more common, so as time goes by, you'll likely have to start taking on more jobs that require the installation of at least some automation equipment.

This could be as simple as locks and lighting that transmit commands from smartphones to advanced security systems that feature a number of different sensors. While you Don't have to know everything about automation technology (that?s What'subcontractors are for), you'll likely have to deal with more of it in your professional future. If you want to keep up with the trends in design and renovation, learning about automation hardware now will save you a lot of hassle and frustration later.