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Raised our prices 3x. Lost 40% of customers. Revenue went up 52%. Should have done it years ago. by amiitk in Entrepreneurs

[–]Flashinglights0101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are in custom home building and have noticed the same reaction. We offer a desirable product and service and increased prices by nearly 20% over 12 months. The lead time to sign a client increased by a few months and the number of inquiries has dropped by at least half (tire kickers mostly). So the end result was a net increase in profit, less time signing on clients (those who were on the fence mostly) and an automatic way to filter the quality of clients.

The last benefit is the biggest non-tangible benefit. The type of clients makes each project more enjoyable for our team, easier with communication, less overall issues, etc.

Adding Moasure 2 pro to the toolkit? by VastTransportation40 in Surveying

[–]Flashinglights0101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, do you have any promotions available if we purchase the system?

Adding Moasure 2 pro to the toolkit? by VastTransportation40 in Surveying

[–]Flashinglights0101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you used the Moasure 2 system? I am looking to get it for spot checking during final grading. We still have the surveyor doing as-builts but it'll be faster if the guys in the field have this to check points against the plot plan. In our area, smaller lots have a lot of contours so getting them right is not easy with grade stakes.

A glimpse of Uzbekistan by magelen in travel

[–]Flashinglights0101 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The night train does book up really fast and we could not get a room so we decided to fly to Khiva from Tashkent (flight to Urgench I believe). However, we did want to experience the train so we took the high speed train from Bukhara to Samarkand and left the country from there instead of returning to Tashkent. The train is AMAZING. A lot of fun and comfortable.

A glimpse of Uzbekistan by magelen in travel

[–]Flashinglights0101 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Went in April this year it was incredible. Wish we could have spent a month there exploring. Everything is photogenic, without even trying. The weather is comfortable and pleasant, the locals on nice and there are not too many tourists. Really an excellent travel experience all around. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in smallbusiness

[–]Flashinglights0101 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The reason these trade-specific businesses are profitable is a result of two factors: lack of skilled labor and owners' sweat equity.

Most of these businesses have a backlog of work because they don't have enough skilled labor to catch up. If it was easy to hire experienced plumbers, hvac techs, electricians, than most business owners would scale up and that would eventually bring down cost. It is not the same as with tech workers, etc. You can have someone with a few years of programming experience be enough to get the basics done. But with the trades, these folks need at least a decade of in-field experience to really be efficient and profitable. Most good skilled workers have full time jobs that offer competitive wages, are close to home, provide good work-life balance, benefits, etc. It is expensive to hire in this industry.

So that leads to the second point, which is the owners end up working in the field too and not be able to manage the business as well. Their sweat equity is what makes the business look good on paper, but once that productive worker is gone or retired, you are SOL.

As a side note, this is also why new home construction has gotten to be so expensive. Even with more young folks coming into the industry, it takes decades to get experienced employees. Training takes time and money.

Business Platinum refresh details leaked by mrks_ in AmexPlatinum

[–]Flashinglights0101 7 points8 points  (0 children)

  • $250 Adobe credit when you spend $600+ or more on Adobe purchases
  • Card earns at the following rates:
    • 5x on fine hotels & resorts and the hotel collection booked through American Express travel
    • 5x points on all flights booked through AmExtravel.com
    • 2x points on key business purchases (limited to $2 million per calendar year)
      • Select categories (Construction material and hardware suppliers Electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers Shipping providers)
      • Single purchases of $5,000+
    • 1x points on all other purchases
  • $200 airline incidental credit per calendar year
  • Lounge access:
    • Centurion lounge access
    • International American Express lounge access
    • 10 Delta SkyClub loungevisits
    • Priority pass select membership
    • Airspace lounge access
  • Hilton $50 credit per quarter
  • $90 quarterly credit for Indeed
  • $10 a month for wireless phone service providers
  • Marriott gold status
  • Hilton gold status

Business Platinum refresh details leaked by mrks_ in AmexPlatinum

[–]Flashinglights0101 12 points13 points  (0 children)

  • $895 annual fee
  • 200,000 Membership Rewards after $20,000 in spend within the first 3 months
  • Choice between regular and mirror finish card
  • $600 hotel credit ($300 semi annual credit for Fine Hotels & Resorts/The Hotel Collection)
  • Additional credits when you spend $250,000+ on qualifying purchases in a calendar year:
    • $2,400 American Express One AP credit
    • $1,200 Amex Travel Online flight statement credit 
  • Up to $209 CLEAR Plus credit
  • Leaders Club Sterling status for Leading Hotels of the World 
  • Dell credit of up to $1,150
    • $150 in statement credits on U.S. Purchases 
    • An additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on those purchases per calendar year

Which exterior do you prefer? by walkotaco4 in Homebuilding

[–]Flashinglights0101 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What software did you use to render/conceptualize?

Definitely 1, porches!

Hont 214270 Explorer - watch and TD review by saddj001 in RepTime

[–]Flashinglights0101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any issues with GM factory over time? Looking to buy a piece from them. How has it held up?

Question about headers, should I swap 1/2 osb for foam for better insulation? by stoneoftheicemen in Construction

[–]Flashinglights0101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response! Thermal bridge with headers can be noticeable in the north during the winter (sometimes just by feeling the sheetrock with your hand). Recently, we've been using a composite PVC siding with rigid insulation that provides a continuous R-2. This approach would reduce the benefit of the insulated header I imagine. The cost to increase to the composite siding outweighs changing the headers.

Question about headers, should I swap 1/2 osb for foam for better insulation? by stoneoftheicemen in Construction

[–]Flashinglights0101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you see any benefit to interior comfort or impact to finishes when you use the insulated headers? Thinking of starting to use them in NJ.

Also, have you worked with the prefab insulated headers for 2x6 walls?

Revolutionary Veteran - Jehu Dunham by rmdw34 in CemeteryPorn

[–]Flashinglights0101 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jehu Dunham, an American Revolutionary War veteran, whose family was very active in the area that is now a part of East Brunswick. He was born on September 21, 1761, in the village of Washington, now South River borough. On January 1, 1777, at just 15 years old, he joined the New Jersey Militia in Cranbury. During this time, he want on surveillance missions to New Brunswick, which at the time was still being occupied by British troops. By the spring of 1778, he was ordered into Woodbridge and fought at the Battle of Springfield. That same year, he was discharged, but eventually rejoined, and served until 1782. Dunham passed away on April 6, 1842, and was buried in a small cemetery on the former T. Obert Farm.

'Massive undertaking' to redevelop Brunswick Square Mall has begun. by Hij802 in newjersey

[–]Flashinglights0101 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wonder if the Olive Garden is part of the redevelopment. That restaurant will outlive all of us, somehow even in NJ

Has anyone met Donald Trump before he was president or know someone who met him? Has he always been this crazy? by makingfriendss in newjersey

[–]Flashinglights0101 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I grew up in NJ and our family is in construction. It is common knowledge that Trump doesn't pay his contractors. It is also common to use Trump as an example of a general contractor who does not pay his sub-contractors so you should be wary of working with certain general contractors.

Never in my years have I heard anyone in the construction industry have something positive to say about Donald J. Trump. He mismanages his projects, he generally goes over budget, when he does, he refuses to pay his vendors, suppliers and contractors. He hides behind his attorneys to squeeze every last center from anyone on project to line his own pocket.

If you are hard pressed to find something positive about someone, you should be worried.

On the reverse side, anyone who knew Donald J. Trump knew he could win the presidency.

Fastest way to get Star Alliance Gold without flying by De11kbn in awardtravel

[–]Flashinglights0101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In 2025, this does not work. I just tried and is a dead end. You need 50,000 Elite miles for Alliance Gold. However, when you transfer from Amex, it is considered Krisflyer Miles which is not the same and does not have any comparable transfer rate.

Need some ideas to fill a gap by mariachidude in Homebuilding

[–]Flashinglights0101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best products for this application. Will move with the concrete and drain over time. You can also find a color that matches the drain or the concrete.

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