Blog - Joist

Sep 08

How to Offer Financing as a Home Services Contractor

Due to rising costs, many potential clients are worried that they simply cannot afford home improvement. This is why contractor financing has become a hot topic in the home improvement industry: 65% of projects over $5K are financed. It is crucial for contractors to offer financing, since approximately 25% of... read more →

Aug 23

How to Estimate a Masonry Job (in 7 Easy Steps)

Knowing how to estimate masonry work is essential for any construction professional or contractor. Whether planning to build a brick wall, undertake a restoration project, or execute a comprehensive masonry job, understanding how to estimate the costs involved is fundamental to project success. Assessing masonry work involves considering factors such... read more →

Aug 07

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How to Follow Up on an Estimate (with Email Templates)

Ever come to a prospect’s home, take your measurements and ask your questions, then send over a detailed quote, only to never hear back? Of course you have. It’s a fundamental truth that every home services business owner knows very well: Not every lead converts to a customer. That doesn’t... read more →

Jul 12

How to Ask for a Deposit ‘Politely’ as a Contractor

Deposits, also known as down payments, can be a touchy subject in any industry. And construction is no exception. Even seasoned business leaders struggle with how to steer a conversation toward fees. So, if you find the whole process of securing a contractor deposit a bit awkward, know you’re not... read more →

Jul 10

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The Contractor’s Toolbox – July 2023

Picture this: It’s been a long day on the job, and you still need to prep and send out estimates to three prospective clients and submit an invoice for the work you completed today. You’re in luck, because the Joist team is continually at work to make the estimating and... read more →

May 01

Accepting Credit Card Payments as a Home Service Contractor

Why should general contractors and home service businesses accept credit cards? There are many advantages! To start with, it’s one of the quickest ways to improve cash flow. Second, the ability to accept credit card payments lends credibility to your business. Plus, it’s convenient and saves time for you and... read more →

Apr 03

How to Write an HVAC Invoice (with Free Invoice Template)

As HVAC contractors, ensuring your invoices are paid on time and in full can feel like a second full-time job. Creating, sending, and following up on invoices can eat up a lot of your already limited time. Fortunately, there are proactive steps you can take to streamline invoicing. In this... read more →

Mar 31

How to Price a Drywall Job

As a drywall contractor, do you struggle to set the right pricing to make sure every job is profitable? If so, you're not alone. Understanding what to factor in for pricing is one of the biggest obstacles to a profitable drywall business. There are many variables to consider when setting... read more →

Dec 23

How to Do an Invoice for Roofing (with Free Invoice Template)

Every roofer knows that invoices are the key to getting paid for all their hard work. But not every roofer knows how to do an invoice for roofing. Creating a roofing invoice can be tricky. There’re many important details that need to be included and any errors or omissions can... read more →

Dec 19

How to Price a Roofing Job

Are you a roofer having trouble pricing jobs for the most profitable results? Don't worry, you're not alone. Understanding how to price a roofing job is one of the biggest obstacles to a profitable roofing business. Many roofers find themselves extremely busy without the profits to show for it. There... read more →