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Wise Up Wednesday: Are You Prepared?

Date: 28/11/2018
Category: Wise Up Wednesday

The past few years have been anything but plain sailing for the construction industry, and the total number of construction insolvencies in England and Wales rose 12.4% year on year in the second quarter of 2018, according to official figures.

There were 696 insolvencies in construction in the second quarter of this year, compared to 619 in the same period a year before,making it the highest second-quarter tally of construction insolvencies since Q2 2014 (when there were 716 construction insolvencies), with the bulk of the increase coming from specialist firms.

The year ahead isn’t set to be easy either, with no-one truly knowing what is round the corner. That’s why we have put together our Streetwise guide to being well prepared for any eventuality in business:

Ask Questions and You Will Get Answers

If you have some questions or you are unsure about what to do, don’t be afraid to ask others for help and advice. But make sure you ask the right people, such as the seasoned professionals at StreetwisesSubbie. One of our key strengths is our nationwide team of independent professionals with literally lifetimes of expertise in all manner of construction related businesses covering just about every business solution you could ever need to know.

Try our Ask Streetwise feature: Mouse Here

Problems WILL Occur

It is inevitable that at some point during your business’s lifespan a serious problem of some sort will occur, and so you need to be prepared for this eventuality. For example, if you were taken ill do you have a trained team who you know you could trust and rely on to keep everything running smoothly without you? If not, it’s time to start training one.

If you aren’t getting paid, or you are being clobbered with a claim for delays, check out what we can do to help when the going gets tough. Just Mouse Here

Be Flexible and Ready For Change

The construction industry may have been stuck in its ways for many years, but it doesn’t mean you have to be. Review the focus of your services to keep you ahead of the pack and ready to secure a major advantage. Look at other areas and profitable niches in which your company could operate, maybe come and talk to one of our experts about it.

What Do You Know?

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the different challenges of running your company? You aren’t alone there, many Specialist Contractors feel exactly the same. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn, and it certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask for help!

We have some great guides and information available. Just Mouse Here.

And if you need a hand give us a call on 01773 712116, and have a chat with our friendly team.

A Little Help From Your Friends

Not everyone in the construction industry is in direct competition with each other. In fact when we work together we can earn more money and get complex jobs done a whole lot faster when we are in contact with a variety of skilled construction professionals in all areas who are willing to team up.

Don’t Cut Marketing, Improve It

When money gets a little tight, many people reduce their sales and marketing. Short term gain = long term pain! Without a steady flow of the right kind of enquiries margins will be squeezed and work will dry up. Come and talk to us about Lead Pro! It’s a quick and easy done for you system.

Improving The Lives Of Specialist Contractors

Our objective is simple. We want to improve the lives of Specialist Contractors. And we do that by bringing you cost effective resources to help make your life easier and your business more profitable.

By working with our Service Delivery Partners across the country, we bring you professional support in all the important areas of your business.

And, because we only work with Specialist Contractors you can be sure that we know the kind of problems you face, and the solutions that work best, which saves a lot of time, and a lot of money.

So please feel free to give us a call on 01773 712116 or email us on info@streetwisesubbie.com.

I sincerely hope to speak with you soon.

Best regards

Barry

P.S. Please remember if you need any support please take action sooner rather than later. If you’re not sure what you need, or just want a second opinion, please give us a call on 01773 712116, or email info@streetwisesubbie.com

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Become a Streetwise Buddy

Construction’s a tough place to do business right now, and Specialist Contractors need all the help you can get. That’s why you will find our resources and expertise are invaluable, whatever the size of your business and whatever your specialisation. We’re here to help you solve all your business problems, including the crucially important contractual ones, such as getting paid.

What Our Buddies Say ...

Linda Johnson, Director, Active Tunnelling

“This toolkit is amazing, I often sit up late at night googling information or reading contractual books from my iphone before going to sleep. On reading the first couple of tabs worth in your beautifully presented and appropriately organised folders I am delighted to have joined the club! I’ve always said that knowledge is power and this really is a powerful resource, there will be a hell of a lot of bed time reading but hopefully this will allow me to retire before I hit the age of 90.”

Mark Grocock, Managing Director, Bespoke Drywall Ltd

"Streetwisesubbies consultant guided Bespoke Drywall Limited through the triple ISO certification process and, with thier assistance, we were certificated to 9001, 14001 & 18001. The consultant supplied assistance and support throughout the process either by email, phone or visits to our Office. He also chaired our inaugural management review and steered us through and also made other positive contributions to our business which has seen us register on the Growth Accelerator coaching programme. We also intend to engage him to carry out our annual internal audits. A consummate professional and we would not hesitate to recommend him."

Ian Radford, Managing Director MIES Building Services Limited

“StreetwiseSubbie provides no nonsense contractual advice that’s easy to understand and their Consultant has been excellent at getting our money for us!”

Gerard Duffy, MD, Enterprise Electrical Ltd

"A company went bump on us owing quite a bit of money. Our Streetwise Consultant) guided us through our options and worked with the end client to re-coup some of our losses ... the moral of this story, get signed up to StreetwiseSubbie and make use of what it has to offer."

Bernard Murray, Fireproof Fire Engineering Sprinkler System Specialists

“I want to express my own and our Directors thanks for your input on our payment problems...and the successful resolution of the matter.”

Sue McIntyre, General Manager, Grantfen Fire & Security Ltd

“We are very grateful to StreetwiseSubbie for helping us to resolve a stressful and potentially disastrous situation“

Stuart Bailey, Managing Director, William Bailey Ltd

"StreetwiseSubbie added to our contractual awareness and helped us improve our marketing...it’s definitely a good deal and very informative!”

Tim Keyes, Managing Director, NWP Electrical and Mechanical Limited

“The initial StreetwiseSubbie induction session provided us with a comprehensive marketing report....and their free consultancy service for copy writing helped us to secure top quality press coverage in our area.”

Karl Bradshaw, Director, B&S Electrical Contractors Ltd

“Sub-Contractor friendly, down to earth commercial and contractual advice and support that has already helped us enormously.”

Trevor Kirby, Anglian Architechtural

“I recommend all Specialist Contractors, whether they nd trading in the present market to be a challenge or not, to get in touch with StreetwiseSubbie; we did - and the monthly fee has been money well spent for advice on both Contractual and Marketing matters. We are a small rm and when we needed Contractual support to ght a claim that was dragging on, Streetwise was there for us and we got paid within a month.”

Reg Burgess, Painting Subcontractor

“Many thanks for your advice regarding our contractual problem and your prompt, straightforward advice regarding applications, dayworks and more.

I feel genuinely re-assured having found your site and the backup provided from you and your team.”

Phil Bradley Jacobs, LES E&I Specialist Sub-Contractors

“I had a particularly difficult contractual position with a client, which could have led to a significant commercial loss on the project, through Barry’s involvement and assistance I managed to work positively and constructively with the client to amicably resolve the issues to the success of the project.

Barry provided a clear and concise contractual position but then set out scenarios from real life experiences that changed the strategy we adopted; this was instrumental in reaching an amicable resolution of a difficult situation.”

Mike Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Mechanical Services Ltd

“I highly recommend Streetwisesubbies Consultants, Foy Certification for their simple step by step approach to achieving an IMS; with thier help we have been able to achieve the three international standards taking our business to the next level”

John O’Connell, Managing Director, O’Connell’s Drywall Contractors Limited

“StreetwiseSubbie helped us to produce more effective advertising that got results”

M Duff, Company Director, R&M Sprinkler Installations

“We had only just signed up for the Gold Buddy Membership when we had issues getting retention monies released from a Main Contractor, with the expert and excellent assistance and advice received from Jo and the team, our retention monies were promptly released. We have since recommended SWS
to other subbies having similar issues. Once again many thanks for your help.”