If you're a building professional with the technical skills and desire to work on your own business, the Third Edition of R. Dodge Woodson's - Be a Successful Building Contractor will give you the business savvy you need to set up and manage a profit-making enterprise! Packed with dozens of handy business forms, the book will help you define your business requirements-find desirable building lots-build on speculation-computerize your operations-track financial transactions-hire top-notch employees-and much more. You get everything you need to: choose the best business structure for your company-corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship; avoid 15 common business mistakes-from incurring heavy overhead to selecting poor subcontractors; deal with subcontractors, suppliers and code officers; work with bankers and real estate brokers; purchase trucks, tools, equipment and inventory; develop job-winning bidding methods; manage jobs efficiently for maximum profits; and much more.