Bracing Your Construction Company From a Recession. Preparation Is Key.

Posted by Ronald J. Fichera Jan 16, 2023

No one likes to think about a recession, but as a construction business owner, it's important to be prepared for one. A recession can have a major impact on your business, and if you're not prepared, it could mean the difference between powering through and having to close your doors for good.

There are a number of things you can do to protect your business from a recession, and in this blog post, we'll go over some of the most important ones. Ronald J. Fichera Law Firm outlines some ways you can put your construction business in a much better position to survive a recession.

1. Monitoring Revenue Projections Is Essential: One of the most important things you can do to protect your construction business from a recession is to closely monitor your revenue projections. This will help you identify any potential problems early on so you can take steps to mitigate them. If you see that your revenue is starting to drop off, for example, you may need to adjust your prices or find ways to cut costs. By closely monitoring your revenue projections, you can make sure that your business is on solid footing even during tough economic times.

2. Reducing Debt and Cutting Costs Should Be a Priority: Another important way to protect your construction business from a recession is by reducing debt and cutting costs. This may mean taking on less debt or finding ways to reduce expenses. If you have any unnecessary expenses, it's time to cut them. Every little bit will help when it comes to protecting your business during a recession.

3. Boosting Cash Reserves Can Save You: It's also important to boost your cash reserves before a recession hits. This will give you some cushion to fall back on if revenue starts to drop off. Sunshine Coast Credit Union notes that you may need to dip into these reserves at some point during the recession, but it's better to have them than not. Try to save up as much money as you can in the months leading up to a potential recession so that you're prepared if one does hit

4. Retaining Best Employees with Competitive Wages and Plenty of Work: During a recession, it's important to retain your best employees. They are the backbone of your company and will be vital in helping you make it through the tough times. To retain them, you'll need to offer competitive wages and enough work. If work starts to dry up, be upfront with your employees about the situation and let them know what measures you're taking to protect the company. By being open and transparent with your employees, Glassdoor points out that you can help keep morale high during tough times.

5. Converting Your LLC to an S Corp or C Corp Could Save You Money: If you're operating as an LLC, now is the time to consider converting to an S corps or C corps. This can help save money on taxes and give you more flexibility when it comes to funding your company during a recession. Talk with an attorney or formation service about whether an S corp is right for your business before making any decisions.

6. Accurately Estimating Job Costs is Crucial: Finally, one of the most important things you can do to protect your construction business from a recession is to estimate job costs more accurately. This includes materials, labor, overhead, and other costs associated with each job. By getting more accurate estimates upfront, you can avoid losing money on jobs that end up being more expensive than anticipated. You can stay ahead of the curve and eliminate errors by using construction software and apps like takeoff and estimating software, so you should check it out for more info.

There's no doubt about it - recessions are tough times for businesses of all types, including construction businesses. But by taking some proactive steps now, you can put your business in a much better position to maintain your footing should a recession hit in the future. So start monitoring those revenue projections closely, reducing debt and cutting costs where possible, boosting cash reserves, retaining those key employees through competitive wages and enough work, and - most importantly - accurately estimating job costs from the start! Doing all of these things will help ensure that your construction business is able to survive, no matter the economic state.

This article was provided by Courtney Rosenfeld, [email protected], and brought to you by the Ronald J. Fichera Law  Firm, where our mission is to provide trusted, professional legal services and strategic advice to assist our clients in their personal and business matters. Our firm is committed to delivering efficient and cost-effective legal services focusing on communication, responsiveness, and attention to detail. For more information about our services, contact us today!

This is not tax advice and should not be construed as such.  Please seek professional tax services for more information and advice that will apply to your specific tax situation.

Content in this material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.