Built with Billd Blog
Expert strategies, comprehensive guides, and industry insights for growth-focused commercial subcontractors.
5 Reasons Why Subcontractors Should NEVER Work With MCA Companies (And Who They Should Work With Instead)
Merchant cash advance, or MCA, has fully earned its awful reputation in the construction industry. To say it has a “negative stigma” would be putting it delicately. MCA is downright predatory, and using it can hurt a contractor’s reputation. Subcontractors turn to it only when they think they have to. It’s not exactly a loan; [...]
4 Ways To Help Subcontractors Navigate Another Recession
The Great Recession pummeled the US economy, and few industries were hurt worse than construction. Some called it the “Toolbelt Recession,” which saw suppliers operating at half production capacity, and construction workers laid off at nearly double the rate of other industries. By the time it came to a close, the landscape of construction [...]
Supplier Terms vs. Material Financing: Why You Should Add Material Financing to Your Working Capital Mix
Every time Billd releases our annual Subcontractor Market Report, we ask subs about their favorite way to buy materials. And every year, a clear favorite emerges: supplier terms. It’s no contest either. In the 2024 report, 92% of subs reported using terms; over 77% use them more than any other option. Suppliers offer a much-needed [...]
How to Get the Most Out of Billd During Any Phase of Construction
In recent years, we’ve seen an influx of new tools, software and support for the construction industry. But sometimes there’s a healthy reluctance among subcontractors before adopting new things. There’s a lot to consider: how will a new tool fit with the way you’re already running your business? Is now the best time to start [...]
Construction Risk Management 101 for Subcontractors
If there’s one adage that applies to the construction industry, it’s this: “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” There are risks at every step of a construction project, from safety hazards on the jobsite to factors that influence your finances, like cost increases or delayed payments. If these risks aren’t properly managed, they [...]
What is Type 1 Construction?
Fire safety is incredibly important, and to that end, it’s critical for construction professionals to know how a building will perform in the event of a fire as they set about constructing it. Builders classify buildings into different types based on their fire resistance. And the type of construction considered the most robust and able [...]
Summer Only: 6 ConTech Companies with Programs to Help Subcontractors Fight Inflation
This year, inflation hit hard. Every industry has felt the full force of the blow, and construction is no exception. Amid labor and supply chain shortages, subcontractors’ already thin margins are only getting tighter. In some cases, material prices are rising higher than the sub’s estimate before the project even breaks ground. We’ve seen a [...]
What Is Type 2 Construction?
Before a building is constructed, it’s important to determine how it will perform in the event of a fire to ensure occupant safety and property preservation. Builders do this by classifying the building based on its fire resistance. Some buildings are classified as fire resistant or constructed with materials that can withstand fire for longer [...]
How Do You Earn the Right to Get “Last Look”?
For subcontractors, getting “last look” in a bidding scenario is a highly sought-after place to be. While it doesn’t guarantee you’ll win the contract, it affords you a substantial advantage over others who are vying for that job. We’ll explore how last look is often shaped by the working relationships/dynamics of GCs and subs, how [...]
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