How Pros Ensure a Smooth Appliance Installation

Between inclement weather, finicky inspectors and flu season, Murphy?s Law can cause delays, rework and increased costs, making any otherwise smooth project turn sour in the eleventh hour. Failing to coordinate closely with appliance suppliers can have the same effect. Critical model-specific characteristics like dimensions, electrical specifications, support points and piping sizes are basic necessities, of course. Obviously, any unexpected variations in any of these can create more work, delays and associated costs, once the installers begin their task. This makes detailed communication with appliance suppliers critical, in order to avoid costly mistakes.

What problems can arise?

Once the client has made their selection and the design has been prepared to accommodate a particular appliance, a number of things can occur to force us to adapt the design and/or construction schedule:

1. If an appliance is out of stock or discontinued, a different model, with different specifications than what was ordered, is delivered;
2. An item arrives late;
3. An item arrives before it's needed;
4. An appliance arrives damaged.

What can be the effects?

Any glitch in your appliance order can be a minor inconvenience or a major setback, depending upon the extent of the issue and how well you planned for potential problems.

? Color/Finish ? A slightly different color or finish on a kitchen appliance can leave a client displeased ? and that displeasure will often be blamed on the contractor, rather than the supplier. Receiving a dishwasher with the drain on the opposite side from that which was originally specified is certainly recoverable, but it will still involve additional time and materials.

? Late Delivery ? If an appliance doesn?t arrive on schedule, installation will be delayed, which can also affect downstream tasks. It may also require paying installers for showing up, only to be turned away.

? Early Delivery ? When appliances arrive earlier than scheduled, it can create a number of issues. If special equipment is required to offload, you may face demurrage charges. If the appliance can?t be staged to its intended location, then additional handling will be required, presenting more possibilities for damage. If there's no secure location to store it on site, then off-site storage may be required, resulting in still more costs and handling risks.

? Damaged in Transit ? Occasionally, items suffer damage in transit, making an appliance unsuitable for installation. While such damage is normally covered by the carrier, the associated delays in repair or replacement can still affect your schedule. In extreme circumstances, this could result in delays of several weeks, while a replacement is pushed through production.

How can appliance order issues be avoided?

Contingency planning should foresee at least the most likely potential problems that may arise and outline steps to mitigate any adverse effects on the project. By identifying those potential problems, you can often take preventive measures to avoid them altogether. Here are a few ways to protect yourself against issues with your appliance orders:

? Identify and pre-order appliances as early in the project as practical
? Procure standard products from major manufacturers
? Never assume anything ? verify all specifications with your supplier beforehand
? Schedule delivery early enough to allow for correction of any issues
? Communicate closely with your supplier in order to be aware of any issues before the item arrives

By selecting and ordering early, you'll eliminate one more loose end that could possibly impact you later. Your supplier can get your order into the production schedule and most offer some sort of JIT (just in time) delivery service, so you Don't have to take delivery until you're ready. Your sub-contractors can also identify any special considerations they'll need to accommodate in plenty of time for a seamless installation.

Communication is probably the most important of all. By establishing and maintaining close communication with your supplier, you'll be able to eliminate many potential surprises that could impact your schedule or budget. The sooner you learn about any forthcoming changes, the better off you'll be.

How do you partner with your appliance supplier?

Most major appliance suppliers will welcome the opportunity to ensure your procurement goes smoothly. After all, as a contractor, you're more likely to be a return customer if you and your client experience a snag-free process. So the first step is to identify the suppliers that can provide you with the appliance you need. Next, get them on the phone ? talk to them about your project. you're building a relationship that can have a direct impact on your bottom line, so it's well worth taking time to get answers to some ?what if? questions. And the answers to those questions should help you decide if you're talking to the right company.

Evasive answers or a need to ?ask someone and get back to you? should be a red flag ? these folks obviously Don't have a clear policy already in place. If you Don't want to have to argue every issue that arises, stick with suppliers that have already thought of most scenarios and established a fair policy and procedure for working with their customers.

We've found that Sears Commercial is one such supplier. They?ve made catering to the unique needs of contractors their specialty, with an extensive team of specialists in logistics and supply chain management. Many of their salespeople specialize in collaborating with their customers on design issues, as well.

With Sears Commercial, you can pre-order as far in advance as you like, but the actual production order isn?t ordered until necessary to meet the target date. That ensures you'll receive a product that meets the latest federal Energy Star regulations and reflects the latest product enhancements.

When ready, the appliance will normally be shipped to the service center nearest you for delivery. 85% of the US can see delivery within 24-48 hours, and installation and testing is available from many of their market areas. Unless your jobsite is in one of the few areas where they need to ship via common carrier, they'll also handle off-loading. Your Sears Commercial support contact will coordinate delivery with you, as well as installation, if applicable.

They also go to great lengths to ensure that any appliances damaged in transit are quickly repaired or replaced, in order to minimize lost time. Their service doesn?t end with your order, it continues through installation and acceptance, when the warranty kicks in.

Partnering with your supplier can allow you to build an effective contingency plan, streamlining the integration of appliances into your project and avoiding costly delays and rework. Check out Sears Commercial for your next project and see the difference it makes.

Sponsored by: Sears Commercial

We have partnered with Sears Commercial to give away a stainless steel Kenmore Built-In Dishwasher w/ SmartWashÆ HE Cycle. Enter To Win!

Break It Down with LENOX DEMOLITION CT and LENOX LAZER CT Blades

Sponsored by: LENOX

When you're on the jobsite, the right tool matters. it's not just that you need a hammer when you need a hammer, but that when you need a 16 ounce ball peen hammer, a 10 ounce claw hammer just won't cut the mustard. The same can be said for reciprocating saw blades. Sure, they all look basically the same, but if you'really spend some time in the blade aisle at Home Depot or Lowe?s, you'll start to notice differences that go way beyond the length or paint color.

For example, blades like the newest offerings from LENOX, including the LENOX LAZER CTTM and DEMOLITION CTTM, aren?t just repainted versions of last year?s model. They are actually reinvented and reimagined to work even better and last longer, no matter What'sort of project you're involved in. From demo work to simple on-the-jobsite cuts that Don't necessarily demand that you pull out the table or chop saw, these new blades may solve many of your regular causes of demo delay.

LENOX DEMOLITION CTs Aren?t Your Granddaddy?s Blades

Anyone who has done demo work knows that the best kind of job is the one that?s already done. it's a dirty, gritty process that ends up all over everything and everyone on the jobsite. there's nothing fun about demo work, that?s why it's good to find a blade that can cut through the walls that need to come down like a hot knife through butter, no matter what might be hiding within.

We all know what it's like to work with cheap reciprocating saw blades. They get clogged so fast that it'seems like you're constantly throwing them away and buying more ? which really ends up making them super expensive blades.

That?s one of the best things about the LENOX DEMOLITION CT blade. it's made to chew through whatever you can throw at it, including embedded nails and surprise screws. But because it lasts up to ten times longer than a typical six teeth per inch standard bi-metal blade, you can speed up the demo, reduce the money you're wasting on blades that just get chewed up by those hard to cut materials and do it all while looking like the professional you are.

These are a new type of blade, with a thicker profile to help increase your control, a major problem with thinner blades. They tend to buck hard when you hit metal or even just a hard, aged stud, and may bend or shatter dangerously. The teeth of the DEMOLITION CT are even reinforced with carbide to add strength and durability, so they break less easily and cut more smoothly.

When accuracy and speed matter, this blade can absolutely deliver. Even after the demo?s done, you can keep on using it for straight cuts to remove nailed ends in reclaimed materials, for example, or to trim metal pipes or tubing. The smooth as butter action will keep delivering, whether you're tearing down or building up because this blade was reimagined to work for you in all the ways you need it to.

Currently, LENOX offers the DEMOLITION CT in three lengths, six, nine and 12-inch, each with six teeth per inch. Check them out here before you head out to your favorite hardware or home improvement store.

Make Short Work of Metal Pipes, Beams and Other Materials with LENOX LAZER CT

Sure, it's great to have a demo blade that can cut through pretty much anything, but as everybody knows, a tool that can do everything sometimes could do everything a little bit better. That?s why LENOX didn?t mess around when it designed the LENOX LAZER CT blade. This is a blade made with one purpose in mind: chewing through metal like nobody?s business.

Whether you're tearing out old cast iron pipes, taking down part of a building with steel studs, or simply looking for an easier way to cut pieces of angle iron to length on the job site, having a few LENOX LAZER CT blades in your toolbox will seem like the best decision you ever made.

Created for cutting the most difficult types of metal, like cast iron and stainless steel, LAZER CT blades are not only durable, They are accurate like nothing you've ever seen. You want a straight cut? they'll give you one every time. And, like their cousins the DEMOLITION CT line, LAZER CT blades are made to work harder and last longer ? up to 10 times longer ? than a standard bi-metal blade.

They also have the high-performance carbides to help prevent tooth loss when cutting through thick metals, speeding up the process and letting you keep going until you're done, not until the blade is. it's a great tool to help you speed up your work, but the durability of this blade also keeps your workers working instead of making excuses to mill about looking for a replacement blade when they manage to break the first one you gave them that day.

Whether it's your hours or your employee?s hours, spending them on the job instead of changing out blades or at the hardware store buying replacements means more money in your pocket. More money is always better than less ? your accountant would definitely agree.

The LENOX LAZER CT blades are available in four, six and eight, nine-inch lengths, with eight teeth per inch. there's more information here if you want to read up on them before hitting the home improvement store.

The Faster the Demo, the Faster the Check

Being a contractor means being a realist. You know that the quicker you do the job, the faster you get paid. And if you do the job fast and well, you'll also be able to do more work and get a lot more word of mouth referrals. That?s what it's all about. But you can?t accomplish any of this without the right tools. That means researching all sorts of new gadgets, drill bits and even demo blades, like the LENOX LAZER CT and DEMOLITION CT lines.

Every job needs the right tool. When it comes to cutting through embedded nails and old, tough wood, the LENOX DEMOLITION CT blade can make anyone on your crew look like a total pro. For those cast iron pipes and other tricky metals, LENOX?s LAZER CT works through them just like its namesake technology, with precision and speed. They are both perfect solutions to the problem of getting through tough demolitions so you can move on to remodeling or rebuilding something amazing.

Sponsored by: LENOX
LENOX has been developing premium-performance tools for nearly 90 years. That unique depth of experience has brought us a command of the science of cutting that?s second to none. We put it to work for you, developing tools that make your job easier.

6 Good PR Moves You Can Make on a Near-Zero Advertising Budget

No one has an unlimited advertising budget, and the times you need more marketing are usually those when the bottom line is getting tight. The key to great public relations without spending a lot of money is investing your time and knowledge instead of your cash.

PR isn?t designed to pull in immediate customers. Instead, it's meant to make your business well-known and respected in your community, making it the first business that comes to mind once a contracting need arises. Giving to the community can improve your reputation while adding to your company?s bottom line.

Building Trades Classes

Trade schools are growing in popularity, especially among families that can?t afford tens of thousands of dollars each year for their children?s education. Many high schools are offering trade classes to give students a solid start in their trade career, such as cosmetology, auto mechanics and plumbing. Offer to sponsor and teach a building trades class at your local high school. Between classwork and hands-on work, students can build a complete house during the school year, and the profits from the sale can be Don'ted to local housing charities after paying off the costs of the home.

Local Parks

In many communities, the local parks are far down on the priority list when it comes to discretionary spending. Talk to the city council and offer your services in building new facilities if they'll pay for the materials. Once the castles and play houses are built, add a small plaque announcing your company?s name as the donor builder.

Career Day

Contact your local school board to find out about career day. it's usually held in either elementary or middle schools, when children are still figuring out what they want to do in the future. Work up an interesting presentation, including some hands-on projects, to make an impression on the kids. Make sure your logo is prominent on all the projects, since they'll be going home to be shown to parents.

Accessibility

Are there ramps and other easily accessible entrances to all the public buildings in your community? If not, offer to build them free of charge for your city. Libraries, senior centers and other public buildings will be more useful for all the citizens if it's easier for them to use them.

Healthier Living

Offer to build walking trails and exercise stations behind senior centers and other city buildings. Healthy living is a priority for more people than ever and offering an easy way to work out is a great way to give back to the community.

Building Charities

Habitat for Humanity is probably the best-known building charity in the country and They are always eager for volunteers, especially those who know what They are doing. Send a crew to help out once a month when They are building homes in your area. Local businesses will get to know you as a business that cares, while you'll get a great feeling of accomplishment by helping those truly in need.

Scholarship Options for Aspiring Contractors

When considering a new career path, the hefty price of higher education is often an unfortunate (but necessary) evil that you must face, in order to get the training and preparation you need to accomplish your goal. Thankfully, there are many grants and scholarships available for students who qualify. If you're an aspiring contractor, you may be able to receive some of the following scholarships.

Build Your Future Scholarship (Associated Builders and Contractors, INC)

For this scholarship, there are 10 opportunities to receive $2,000 towards your classes each year. In order to qualify, you must be enrolled in a program certified by the National Center for Construction Education & Research. If you're not currently enrolled in one of these programs, you can still apply so long as you are a high school senior, military service member or post-secondary student that is planning to enroll in the next available period. You can complete the application online through the Associated Builders and Contractors website.

Construction Trades Scholarship (National Association of Women in Construction)

While the National Association of Women in Construction sponsors this scholarship, gender does not seem to be an application requirement. The application does require that all applicants be enrolled in a training program for a construction-related trade or craft certified by the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, community college, technical school or equivalent. This scholarship also appears to be needs-based, as the application includes a section for explanation of financial need.

Galvanize the Future: An Edgar K. Schutz Memorial Scholarship (American Galvanizers Association)

This scholarship, developed by the American Galvanizers Association, is a bit more selective, with only three opportunities to receive support in the amounts of $2500, $1500 and $1000. It is only open to students enrolled at an accredited college/university in North America, so high school students are not eligible to apply. You can only qualify for this scholarship opportunity if you are majoring in architecture, engineering (civil or structural), construction management, material science or a related field.

National Technical Honor Society Scholarship (SkillsUSA, INC)

SkillsUSA is a group determined to cultivate a skilled workforce through career and technical education in American classrooms. They partnered with the National Technical Honor Society to provide four opportunities for members enrolled in SkillsUSA to receive a $1000 scholarship. Two of these scholarships will be awarded to high school students, and the other two will be awarded to postsecondary or college students. If you're interested in this opportunity, be aware that the deadline is quickly approaching, as applications cannot be submitted after April 1st.

William Fenton Scholarship (Wabash Valley Community Foundation, INC)

The Wabash Valley Community Foundation, located in Terre Haute, Indiana, is well known for its charitable work in their surrounding community. At the moment, this scholarship is only available to family (children, grandchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews, and/or step-relatives) of members of their local Plumbers and Steamfitters Union (Local #157). These family members must also be enrolled in a construction or engineering degree program.

Application Considerations

Many of these scholarships require lengthy applications, letters of recommendation and/or personal essays. It is wise to make a realistic list of scholarships that you'll have the time to apply for, and then work on the application requirements well before you go to click ?apply.? Scholarship essays often have similar prompts, but no two essays you submit'should be exactly the same. When in doubt, contact the organization in charge of the scholarship to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

The Ins and Outs of Using a Personal Truck for Business

As a contractor, a truck is basically a must. You need a way to haul tools and equipment, and though you could do it with an Impala, a truck is infinitely more practical. However, maintaining several vehicles can be expensive, so you might be considering using just one vehicle for both business and personal use. The good news: there's nothing illegal about doing this. However, it can get tricky keeping the work expenses separate from the personal. But with some planning, it can be done.

Track Your Mileage

you'll need to keep track of your business miles. You can track personal miles as well, but for tax purposes, the business mileage is the most important. You can use a mileage log or there are apps you can use, such as Drivemode or MileIQ, to track how much you drive your truck for work. If you Don't want to use an app, you can write down the mileage before you leave for the job site and the mileage on the truck when you'return home at the end of the workday. But be careful, if you make personal trips throughout the day, you'll need to deduct those miles from the business miles. Therefore an app is a good idea because it makes sorting the trips easier.

Check Your Insurance

Commercial insurance is the ideal because it covers your vehicles in the event of accidents on the job site. If you Don't want to use commercial insurance for your personal truck and prefer to use your personal insurance, you can. But consider this:

? If you have an accident in your truck while on the job, your personal insurance might not pay for damages to you or another person?s property.

? If your truck is damaged on a job site, (something falls on it, it's struck by a piece of heavy equipment, etc.) your personal insurance may not cover the damage.

In other words, using your personal vehicle and your personal insurance while doing business has a decent amount of risk. Worth noting, in some cases, your truck might be cheaper to insure with commercial insurance than with personal. Check with your insurance agency to get some quotes.

Keep Maintenance Records

Keep track of your oil changes, tire purchases or rotations and other maintenance for your truck. Using it for both purposes could increase the frequency maintenance is needed. Since there is no real way to determine whether the maintenance was needed due to business or personal use (unless you get a flat from a nail on a job site or blow a tire hitting a pothole on your way to pick up your kid from little league), you'll want to keep a record of all the maintenance done on the vehicle.

Choose Your Deduction Method

When it's tax time, you'll have some decisions to make. When choosing which type of deduction to take on the truck, you have two options: the IRS Mileage Rate or Actual Cost.

IRS Mileage Rate: You claim the total business miles and multiply that number by the IRS mileage rate. So, if you look at your mileage log or mileage tracker app and determine you drove 24,000 miles for work, you would multiply 24,000 by the IRS mileage rate, which is currently 53.5 cents per mile. This would give you a deduction of $12,840.

Actual Cost: Add up all the expenses you incurred for the vehicle, including depreciation and multiply that amount by the percentage that you used the truck for business. For instance, let?s say you spent $4,000 in upkeep and you are claiming $2,000 in depreciation expense. Your total expenses would be $6,000. And let?s say you use your vehicle for business 50 percent of the time and the other time is personal use. Multiply $6,000 times 50 percent to get a deduction of $3,000.

Please note, you cannot use both methods, it must be one of the other.

Whether you use commercial insurance or decide to track mileage instead of upkeep, using your personal truck for business has its pros and cons. Keep these points in mind as a tool to help you make the best decision.