From a mechanical engineer for BHP to the General Manager for G.J. Gardner Homes in Queensland / NT and now with his own building and development companies under G.J. Gardner Homes Noosa, Eddie Kimmerely has seen and experienced a lot in the industry. 

We asked his advice on what helps make a good builder: 

Tip #1 – On the ball

I often relate running a building company to managing and adjusting a panel of dials that all keep drifting, so there’s no such thing as “set and forget” – pricing/estimating, construction quality, finances, scheduling, admin, sales, marketing, customer satisfaction, staff… A good builder always has his fingers going from one dial to the next, constantly adjusting and correcting all aspects of their business.

Tip #2 – Don’t rely on your accountant

The average small to medium builder can have a $1m fluctuation on the P&L sheet from one month to the next if they don’t understand work in progress and actively adjust for this.

Money in the bank is not a measure of profit as it’s often the client’s money you are holding for future work yet to be done.

A good builder is educated in finances and guides their accountant, they don’t rely on them. Understanding QBCC requirements (net tangible assets for your turnover, liquidity / current assets vs current liability), watching your forecast job profits and budget vs actuals each month, managing overheads, having a solid business plan forecasting future work against costs to understand your trajectory…they are all things a good builder needs to on top of .

Clients are entrusting you with their life’s savings, and trades are relying on you for their livelihood, so it’s just plain irresponsible to leave all this to your accountant.

Tip #3 – Caring

This sounds a bit fluffy, but you absolutely need to be focused on delivering for the customer, your contractors and your staff. Regularly checking in with each of them and asking how are going, are they happy, and what can you do to help make things better for them. You need to care.

Author: The Good Builder

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