If you're seriously thinking about starting a contracting business in the construction industry, or are already deep into it and wake up in a cold sweat nightly wondering how you'll get through the week, this book is for you. I've written it with you in mind because I've "been there" and know firsthand how it feels to grope one's way through the process of starting and growing a business and then stay afloat and even thrive in a tough and quirky industry like construction. I've also worked with an assortment of contractors over the years and have gained insights on what factors separate success from failure. I'd like to share those with you here.

This book is designed specifically for aspiring and start-up contractors who want to get it right from the start, and for established contractors who are frustrated and overwhelmed with their businesses and tired of operating in a crisis management mode. If either of these describes you, this book will help you take a breather from your daily routine and walk you through the steps you must take to start thinking "big picture" about your business. Only then can you properly assess your current situation and the challenges and opportunities ahead of you. Only then can you decide where you want to go and how you are going to get there.

I started a construction business more than 12 years ago with business and banking experience and scant knowledge of the construction industry. What on earth possessed...