Transfer risk to your sub-contractors! Working with numerous Artisan Contractors I have learned it is often necessary for them to subcontract out parts of a project. There are several key points to address when you hire a subcontractor to protect your business from losses and unforeseen expenses. Several of the key points as to why…

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Though licensing requirements often differ by municipality, Ohio trade contractors may be required to have License/Permit Bonds to ensure they follow the rules and codes for their projects.  Many municipalities in Northeast Ohio require trade contractors to be registered. While the requirements vary by city, typically the contractor will need to register with the city and provide…

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Learn why everyday safe driving is good for your trade contracting business. Read about everyday safe driving tips and reminders for trade contractors. Math is everywhere in the daily work of trade contractors. Job estimates and on-the-job tasks require routine measuring of everything from costs and materials to angles and weight-bearing requirements. Trade contractors are…

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Protect your jobsite and equipment to protect yourself from unexpected costs! When my kids were in middle school, I would read the books they were being asked to read in school, and this week’s blog reminds me of the book “Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen. The story revolves around saving an endangered species of burrowing owl…

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Accidents happen. Even small businesses and small contractors need added protection against catastrophic liability loss. Consider a hypothetical scenario in which Handyman Hal is going about his usual daily business of contractor remodeling. Hal runs out of drywall tape on the job. While driving to the local hardware store to purchase additional tape for the…

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Every spring many artisan contractors in Greater Cleveland come out of hibernation and are ready to get back to work. Every spring, many artisan contractors in Greater Cleveland come out of hibernation and are ready to get back to work. But before they get going, they better make sure they have contractor’s insurance. The top…

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Spring is upon us and it seems like there are Artisan Contractors everywhere. Today in the parking lot I saw two heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) trucks and roofers inspecting the building across the street. With all of this work all of a sudden, you can’t lose sight of on the job safety. Safety…

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Many artisan contractors believe they are fully protected from liability losses for many reasons. But the standard Insurance Service Office (ISO) Commercial General Liability policy does not cover the named insured’s work or products. Contractors around Northeast Ohio register with many Cuyahoga County municipalities and must provide proof of Liability Insurance to complete the registration…

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Hang on to good business practices. The Ohio State Marching Band has been nicknamed the best damn band in the land and I believe The Richey-Barrett Co, serves some of the best damn contractors in Greater Cleveland! However, over the past thirty years, I have seen some contractors whose business practices have cost them their…

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Artisan Contractors are putting in long hours to get as much work completed before the weather turns cold in Northeast Ohio. But don’t forget you will need to prepare your equipment for winter before it is too late.  Below is a list that every contractor should address to avoid a mechanical breakdown that probably will…

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