Professional services referrals please. Commercial Insurance, book keeping, CPA, lawyer.

[Elvis 3371]

I am looking for a book keeper and CPA for my construction company.  Maybe a business lawyer too. 
 

I definitely need to review my insurance too. 
 

Business is booming, and I need to do a better job of delegating what I can. Plus CYA better in my contracts and liability. 
 

Thanks!

 

#OUsux

[BearSchlong 8083]

@C-Manis your friend here.

[TwiceHorn 31440]

Judging from the advice @Brew doles out here free, he's aces as a CPA, but I think he's in TN.  Perhaps he can refer.

What kind of construction?  Do you find yourself needing liens often?  You may need to have a general business type lawyer and a construction type lawyer, or a firm with both. @troph seems to be the gold standard business lawyer around, but I think she's trying to get out of it and may be a little expensive for your needs, but I'm reasonably sure she can refer.

[C-Man 27198]

56 minutes ago, BearSchlong said:

@C-Manis your friend here.

I don't do commercial insurance personally anymore but somebody at my firm can look at it. Happy to help if I can.

[Bevo 13570]

I'm looking for a sugar momma, non-professional, 20-30 something, great figure, positive attitude, loves sex, and is pretty quiet and easy going, non-english speaking is a plus.

[BearSchlong 8083]

7 hours ago, Bevo said:

I'm looking for a sugar momma, non-professional, 20-30 something, great figure, positive attitude, loves sex, and is pretty quiet and easy going, non-english speaking is a plus.

. . .her daddy has to own a liquor store and she must have a boat.  Please send photos. Of the boat?

[milkman 428]

I am looking for a book keeper and CPA for my construction company.  Maybe a business lawyer too. 
 
I definitely need to review my insurance too. 
 
Business is booming, and I need to do a better job of delegating what I can. Plus CYA better in my contracts and liability. 
 
Thanks!
 
#OUsux

Commercial or Residential?

[Elvis 3371]

Mostly residential for right now.  I've done lots of commercial in the past though, so it would be in the plan.

[Chewbacca 7768]

Mostly residential for right now.  I've done lots of commercial in the past though, so it would be in the plan.

Don't forget to get your lien waivers and always joint check subs that are financially on thin ice.

[deadshank 24652]

How much time do you spend in the office looking at the business end of your construction company?  
 

Are you best at building but lacking in the paperwork end?  Just don’t want to or can’t stand to do the paperwork end?

Hiring a bookkeeper or a CPA to “just handle it” can be very dangerous and expensive.  Trusting a bookkeeper to post invoices and cut checks without you knowing the books and the accounting program backward and forward is a fine recipe for embezzlement.  Simply handing your unorganized check ledgers to a CPA at the end of the year and having them “figure it out” will be expensive to untangle and you’ll make mistakes that will have tax consequences.  
 

Join your local builder’s association and gain access to the Texas Association of Builders’ contracts. USE THEIR CONTRACTS and go to their contract discussion meetings.  Your eyes will be opened. 
 

Talk to @C-Man about GL, WC, hired and non-owned vehicles, pollution liability and business umbrella /excess liability insurance.  

[milkman 428]

How much time do you spend in the office looking at the business end of your construction company?  
 
Are you best at building but lacking in the paperwork end?  Just don’t want to or can’t stand to do the paperwork end?
Hiring a bookkeeper or a CPA to “just handle it” can be very dangerous and expensive.  Trusting a bookkeeper to post invoices and cut checks without you knowing the books and the accounting program backward and forward is a fine recipe for embezzlement.  Simply handing your unorganized check ledgers to a CPA at the end of the year and having them “figure it out” will be expensive to untangle and you’ll make mistakes that will have tax consequences.  
 
Join your local builder’s association and gain access to the Texas Association of Builders’ contracts. USE THEIR CONTRACTS and go to their contract discussion meetings.  Your eyes will be opened. 
 
Talk to [mention=298]C-Man[/mention] about GL, WC, hired and non-owned vehicles, pollution liability and business umbrella /excess liability insurance.  

This is 100% accurate. The TAB contracts will save your bacon!


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[troph 24781]

TAB contracts are good, but they are only as good as you make them - by (1) using them, and (2) making sure you complete all necessary parts, and (3) use the right one (cost plus vs. fixed price, etc.).  My partner/wife - whatever the heck she is these days - is a spec builder mostly but when she does a custom project we use TAB contracts, so if it's good enough for us, it's good enough for you. 

As for clients, I am pricey, an hourly rate at least as much as a hot trans escort in a major city may charge (haha) and I'm not taking really small business clients anymore, focused on existing clients and only certain mid-market new clients now as I try to pivot into a career change as an investor/owner with a legal background.

if you need a small business attorney I'm sure I can refer you to someone especially if in Austin.

Edited October 20, 2021 by troph

[DallasHorn26 586]

On 10/19/2021 at 1:02 PM, Elvis said:

I am looking for a book keeper and CPA for my construction company.  Maybe a business lawyer too. 
 

I definitely need to review my insurance too. 
 

Business is booming, and I need to do a better job of delegating what I can. Plus CYA better in my contracts and liability. 
 

Thanks!

 

#OUsux

PM Sent. I work in corporate accounting, but have been looking to build a small business client base up on the side. 

[deadshank 24652]

43 minutes ago, troph said:

TAB contracts are good, but they are only as good as you make them - by (1) using them, and (2) making sure you complete all necessary parts, and (3) use the right one (cost plus vs. fixed price, etc.).  My partner/wife - whatever the heck she is these days - is a spec builder mostly but when she does a custom project we use TAB contracts, so if it's good enough for us, it's good enough for you. 

As for clients, I am pricey, an hourly rate at least as much as a hot trans escort in a major city may charge (haha) and I'm not taking really small business clients anymore, focused on existing clients and only certain mid-market new clients now as I try to pivot into a career change as an investor/owner with a legal background.

if you need a small business attorney I'm sure I can refer you to someone especially if in Austin.

That’s why you go to the instructional seminar and listen.  Use the docs and know how to use them.  
 

If you’re building specs and selling them and you are crazy enough to accept a realtor produced contract for  the purchase then you need to be committed to an asylum.  TAB contract has an express LIMITED warranty addendum that puts the never-ending, eternal warranty to bed.  
 

Also, the waiver of list subcontractors and suppliers list is very important. No way am I updating and informing a customer of the subs and supplier  new addresses, phone numbers and email addresses every time they change.  No F’ing way.  Without the waiver you’re required to constantly update and inform.  

[Chewbacca 7768]

8 hours ago, deadshank said:

How much time do you spend in the office looking at the business end of your construction company?  
 

Are you best at building but lacking in the paperwork end?  Just don’t want to or can’t stand to do the paperwork end?

Hiring a bookkeeper or a CPA to “just handle it” can be very dangerous and expensive.  Trusting a bookkeeper to post invoices and cut checks without you knowing the books and the accounting program backward and forward is a fine recipe for embezzlement.  Simply handing your unorganized check ledgers to a CPA at the end of the year and having them “figure it out” will be expensive to untangle and you’ll make mistakes that will have tax consequences.  
 

Join your local builder’s association and gain access to the Texas Association of Builders’ contracts. USE THEIR CONTRACTS and go to their contract discussion meetings.  Your eyes will be opened. 
 

Talk to @C-Man about GL, WC, hired and non-owned vehicles, pollution liability and business umbrella /excess liability insurance.  

Yeah, probably moreso than any business I've ever been in, construction requires pristine paperwork and contracts.  You definitely need someone who knows construction to handle pay apps, lien waivers (including supplier waivers), joint checks, etc.

[troph 24781]

We won’t sell a spec with any contract that contains extra builder warranties.  We offer the statutory minimum and no added ones.
 

She spends equal time behind a desk and in the field and I help with finance and legal. It’s an intense paper pushing business. Dashboard of a builders truck shoulda told ya. 

[troph 24781]

Let me also say we sell specs as an owner not a builder we insulate our build company from contracts with buyers.  Our land holding company (using a special purpose entity (SPE) for each project) is the party under contract with our builder company. When it’s complete and we put it on the market the SPE is the seller. We insist on a standard purchase and sale contract with no warranties and we pass along the builder statutory minimum warranties from our builder company which are transferable and may have to be by statue I can’t remember. So there’s actually an added layer of protection with no contractual privity with the builder and the seller SPE has no remaining assets within days of closing. 

Edited October 21, 2021 by troph

[milkman 428]

Let me also say we sell specs as an owner not a builder we insulate our build company from contracts with buyers.  Our land holding company (using a special purpose entity (SPE) for each project) is the party under contract with our builder company. When it’s complete and we put it on the market the SPE is the seller. We insist on a standard purchase and sale contract with no warranties and we pass along the builder statutory minimum warranties from our builder company. So there’s actually an added layer of protection with no contractual privity with the builder and the seller SPE has no remaining assets within days of closing. 

RCLA and a jury will bend you over one day! The last place you want to be is in the courthouse with a crazy homeowner. The TAB contracts will save you from this and spell out a limited warranty.

[troph 24781]

9 minutes ago, milkman said:

RCLA and a jury will bend you over one day! The last place you want to be is in the courthouse with a crazy homeowner. The TAB contracts will save you from this and spell out a limited warranty.

We have an addendum passing through the statutory limited warranty consistent with the TAB contracts. I’m quite comfortable we are ok.

Edited October 21, 2021 by troph

[Chewbacca 7768]

Let me also say we sell specs as an owner not a builder we insulate our build company from contracts with buyers.  Our land holding company (using a special purpose entity (SPE) for each project) is the party under contract with our builder company. When it’s complete and we put it on the market the SPE is the seller. We insist on a standard purchase and sale contract with no warranties and we pass along the builder statutory minimum warranties from our builder company which are transferable and may have to be by statue I can’t remember. So there’s actually an added layer of protection with no contractual privity with the builder and the seller SPE has no remaining assets within days of closing. 

In CO, this gets you nothing. Builder and owner are still liable for statutory construction defects period.

[troph 24781]

4 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

18 minutes ago, troph said:

Let me also say we sell specs as an owner not a builder we insulate our build company from contracts with buyers.  Our land holding company (using a special purpose entity (SPE) for each project) is the party under contract with our builder company. When it’s complete and we put it on the market the SPE is the seller. We insist on a standard purchase and sale contract with no warranties and we pass along the builder statutory minimum warranties from our builder company which are transferable and may have to be by statue I can’t remember. So there’s actually an added layer of protection with no contractual privity with the builder and the seller SPE has no remaining assets within days of closing. 

In CO, this gets you nothing. Builder and owner are still liable for statutory construction defects period.

Builder co. stands behind the statutory warranty with no intent to circumvent that responsibility and the seller in compliance with Texas law wraps up business and is gone.  You aren’t piercing the corporate veil in Texas without actual fraud. 

Edited October 21, 2021 by troph

[milkman 428]

We have an addendum passing through the statutory limited warranty consistent with the TAB contracts.

Why don't you just use the TAB contracts? The cost is minimal in the grand scheme of things.

[troph 24781]

4 minutes ago, milkman said:

Why don't you just use the TAB contracts? The cost is minimal in the grand scheme of things.

We do on customs.  But when we finish the project on specs and are on the market and an agent for a buyer comes to us wanting to buy I’ll work with the contract they put in front of us, it has nothing about the builder and our build co isn’t the seller. You can have all the statutory protection you want that way. The TREC standard sales contract is as bland as any contract can be. We add our addendum re the statutory warranty and it’s over.  Agents don’t fuss and buyers don’t ask questions. I fail to see the problem.

Edited October 21, 2021 by troph

[Brew 3049]

On 10/19/2021 at 1:19 PM, TwiceHorn said:

Judging from the advice @Brew doles out here free, he's aces as a CPA, but I think he's in TN.  Perhaps he can refer.

What kind of construction?  Do you find yourself needing liens often?  You may need to have a general business type lawyer and a construction type lawyer, or a firm with both. @troph seems to be the gold standard business lawyer around, but I think she's trying to get out of it and may be a little expensive for your needs, but I'm reasonably sure she can refer.

Thanks, I do a lot of construction work, but tend to only do work on larger construction out of state. For smaller operations you are usually better off finding someone a little more local. Ask around and see who others are using that they like. If you have some specific questions, throw them up and we may be able to give you some answers.