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Warning Signs Your Construction Accounting Is Undermining Bids
Running tight construction bids without tight construction business accounting is like building on soft soil. The numbers might hold for a while, but sooner or later something sinks. Your bid sheet, job costs, and tax plan all feed off the same financial system, so gaps in one area quietly wreck the others. In this article, we will walk through common warning signs that your accounting is hurting your bids, even if the books “look fine” at first glance. We will also explain h
Feb 36 min read


Steps to Catch Up on Contractor Tax Planning This Year
It's pretty common for contractors to hit a few bumps when it comes to tax planning. Between running jobs, managing crews, and keeping up with materials, taxes can fall to the back burner. But when things pile up, it makes everything harder later. Tax planning for a contractor does not have to be complicated. It just takes a few clear steps to get back in control and feel more confident about where things stand. If you have been meaning to catch up, now is a good time to clea
Jan 276 min read


Understanding Bookkeeping Needs for Project-Based Contractors
Project-based contractors are always juggling moving parts. Every job has its own timeline, budget, and expectations, which makes keeping track of the numbers more complex than other types of work. Instead of running one clean set of books for a single business, you're managing a few mini-businesses all at once. That’s where accounting for construction comes in. It’s not just about recording what came in and what went out. It’s about following the money across every project a
Jan 206 min read


What Makes Construction Cash Flow So Hard to Predict?
Cash flow can feel like the hardest part of running a construction business. Projects start and stop, responsibilities shift, and it gets tricky to guess when money will actually land in the account. You might be getting a job done, paying your crew, and buying materials, all before you have gotten paid for the work. That is a tough cycle to ride without strong planning. Every contractor we talk to has faced at least one moment where money felt tighter than expected. When the
Jan 134 min read


Tips for Managing Job Costing in Busy Construction Months
When work picks up and jobs overlap, keeping track of spending can feel like a moving target. Contractors often find that during the busiest times, their usual systems start to feel too slow or too loose. There might be several projects running at once, bills showing up faster, and crews putting in longer hours. In the middle of all that, job costs can start slipping through the cracks. Staying on top of your numbers doesn’t mean you have to slow down or do more paperwork. Wi
Jan 135 min read


Guide to Finding a Construction Accountant in Crystal Lake
Finding the right accountant when you work in construction isn’t just helpful; it can save time, reduce stress, and keep your projects moving. Many construction businesses deal with more than just invoices and payroll. Job costs, changing timelines, and vendor payments all add layers that standard accounting can miss. It’s easy to fall behind when your focus is on managing crews or securing your next contract. Tracking every receipt or figuring out confusing tax rules often g
Jan 66 min read


Managing Construction Cash Flow with Fractional CFO Support
Cash flow problems can creep into even the busiest construction businesses. Job sites are active, invoices are out, but somehow, the bank balance isn’t where it needs to be. Payments come in late, materials cost more upfront, and bills pile up when you’re still waiting on draws. It’s frustrating when things slow down because the money doesn’t line up with the work. That’s where the right financial help can make a difference. Having a fractional CFO in Barrington means you get
Dec 23, 20254 min read


Understanding Illinois Construction Tax Laws and Compliance
If you work in construction and own a business in Illinois, managing taxes can feel like a moving target. Nothing is simple, and what applies to one job might not apply to the next. Local rules change depending on what you’re building, who it’s for, and whether you're providing just labor, materials, or both. Tax for construction works differently than it does for a regular storefront or service company. For some projects, you may need to collect sales tax. For others, there’
Dec 23, 20254 min read


Guide to Effective Tax Planning for Crystal Lake Contractors
Tax planning in Crystal Lake isn’t exactly at the top of every contractor's to-do list. Between juggling schedules, job sites, and project deadlines, it’s easy for taxes to fall into the “later” pile. The problem shows up when “later” turns into last-minute panicking or unexpected bills. Planning ahead can help keep things steady. Instead of guessing or hoping things will work out next quarter, getting a clearer look at what’s coming can take a lot of weight off your shoulder
Dec 16, 20253 min read


Handling 1099s Effectively for Construction Contractors
When you're running a construction business, there’s already enough paperwork to keep track of. Then tax season rolls around, and you’ve got a stack of 1099s to figure out, too. These forms matter more than people think because they’re tied directly to tax preparation for a contractor. Missing even one can slow everything down or, worse, trigger IRS questions. If you've ever thought, "Who exactly needs one of these?" or "Did I file them all correctly?" you're not the only one
Dec 16, 20254 min read


What to Look for in a CPA for Crystal Lake Construction Projects
Finding the right CPA isn’t just about crunching numbers. For construction contractors, it’s about having someone who gets the ups and downs of projects, the pressure of timelines, and the way expenses shift from one job to the next. A good CPA can help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes so work stays on track out in the field. Construction businesses face a set of problems that don’t always come up in other industries. Delays, change orders, flexible crews, and e
Dec 9, 20255 min read


Understanding the Benefits of a Fractional CFO for Construction
As construction businesses grow, money management tends to get harder to handle. There are more bids, more jobs, more bills, and more people asking questions about where the money is going. It can start to feel like you're making guesses instead of decisions. That’s where fractional CFO services come in. They give you access to high-level financial help without having to bring someone on full time. These services help break down the numbers and bring clarity to the chaos. Job
Nov 25, 20255 min read


Why Construction Businesses Should Do Tax Planning in Crystal Lake
Tax season can hit hard for construction businesses, not because of one big thing, but because of many small ones piling up at once. If you’ve ever tried organizing receipts, payments, and contractor records after a long season of job site work, you know how quickly things can get messy. That’s why tax planning in Crystal Lake matters more than many think. With construction work often stretching across calendar years, planning ahead keeps surprises away and lets us take advan
Nov 18, 20254 min read


How to Handle Tax Preparation for a Contractor This Winter
Winter can feel like a tough time to stay on top of finances, especially if you work in construction. With cold weather slowing some jobs down and end-of-year tax tasks piling up, it’s easy to let things slide. But getting ahead on tax preparation for a contractor doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re running a team or working solo, a little planning right now can help avoid bigger headaches come January. Here are some simple steps that fit the way contractors work d
Nov 11, 20256 min read


A ChatGPT Driven Interview With Founder Cody Daniels
At Builders Tax Group, we’re more than just a tax and accounting firm - we’re your dedicated partners in financial success. As you explore our services, I’d like to take a moment to personally welcome you and share my story. Because writing about myself felt a little awkward and forced, I decided to conduct an interview with myself using ChatGPT. Here’s how it went. ChatGPT: Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background in the tax and accounting industry? Cod
Jul 16, 20243 min read

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