Smart Business for Contractors

• How to Price Your Work 6
• Using the Hourly Rate Approach 7
• Keeping Track of Expenses 16
• Billing and Collecting Payments for Your Work 17

• Estimates and Contracts 26
• Following through after the Contract 35
• Contract Disputes 38

• Setting Up Your Office 46
• Working Smart 49
• Getting Help 58
• Growing Your Business 61

• Getting Motivated 66
• What is a Record? 68
• What Records to Keep and How to Keep Them 71
• When It’s Time to Use the Records 77
• Getting Help with Record Keeping 80

• Legal Reasons for separating Business and Personal Finances 83
• Good-Sense Reasons for Separating Business and Personal Finances 86
• Methods for Separating Business and Personal Finances 89

• Look to the Future First 94
• Should I Incorporate? 95
• Business Expansion: Employees, Job Sharing, Subcontractors 102
• Taking on a Partner 106
• Hiring a Lawyer 109

• Tax Estimating and Reporting Requirements 115
• For the Do-It-Yourselfers 120
• Tax-Related Issues for Contractors 121
• Selecting the Right Accountant 123

• Types of Insurance 129
• Insurance to Protect Your Business 130
• Insurance for Employees 137
• Including Insurance Costs in Your Prices 140
• Filing Claims 142
• Working with an Agent or Broker 143

• Basic Medical Coverage 147
• Group Medical Coverage 148
• Types of Medical Insurance Plans 151
• Selecting the Right Medical Insurance 154
• Medical Insurance and Taxes 159
• Making the Best Use of Your Health Care Coverage 160

• Disability: A Clear and Present Danger 165
• Disability Insurance 165
• Other Solutions for Dealing with Disability 172

• Getting Started 178
• Defining Your Objectives 179
• Estimating Your Future Expenses 181
• Retirement Income: Putting Together the Pieces 181
• Balancing Income with Expenses 193
• Medical Care during Retirement 194
• Retirement and Estate Planning 195