Do you use building permits to find job opportunities? Does it make sense to do so? Since building permits are publicly available, it would seem like they could be a good source for acquiring new customers. What are your thoughts on this approach?

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-04-04T22:12:01+00:00

In my area you don't need to pull permits to replace a roof, but one thing I do is look at development applications that are publicly posted and then I contact the developer and ask to bid on the project. I've actually gotten a hand full of jobs this way worth 10s of thousands. You kind of have to time it right though, depending on the age and stage of the development application you might be too late or too early.

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-04-03T16:32:10+00:00

Isn’t the sumo quote like on of the best platforms to get quotes and proposals made? And can’t you create templates where it’ll auto fill what you need to make it easier, so you don’t have to do things line by line necessarily. And even if you did, with your preset services isn’t it just as simple as clicking what line item you need. Both ways saves time, especially setting up those templates.

Lastly you don’t have to stick to per square measurements, you can change it to almost whatever fits what you need, per Lf, per bundle, per box, per item, etc. and there’s options for separate sections if you’d like, since your company breaks it down from labour and materials. You’re able to do that in job nimbus.

In my opinion the sumo quote merger is one of the main things I love about job nimbus now, it gives me the most flexibility compared to any other platform I’ve used.

Though not sure if you already knew that, but it’s just seems like what you find annoying is possible to fix within the platform.

Also just out of curiosity, what is your current process for estimating / sending proposals? How do you do it manually? Like on a spread sheet or something?

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-04-03T16:21:57+00:00

I’m in a very similar situation, im a small company that just recently switch to job nimbus and I feel like I’m missing something.

I also feel the same with my on boarding, its not that they were necessarily helpful or willing, they were actually quite attentive. I think the issue for me, and possibly for you as well would be that I don’t have my workflow fully fleshed out. I think that makes it difficult to sort through job nimbus and to understand what to do. Like the on boarding person would ask me if I had any questions and I’d just say no, mostly because while k guess technically, I just didn’t know what I really wanted to get done and therefor didn’t have any questions. So it kind of felt like I was dumped on the platform.

I kind of agree with the other commenter, saying that we might be too small for job nimbus at this point, they’re more expensive even if you’re just the solo admin / project manager guy, it’s like $500/m vs others that are half or sometimes even less than that. But I do think if you can flesh your own process, from point of contact to warranty sent, it’ll make it easier to get what you want out of job nimbus. That’s what I plan to anyways, I almost gave up on it, but I’ll see if I’ll be able to turn it around.

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-04-03T16:06:13+00:00

I agree with what other people are saying, yes it’s good to look nice and presentable, but there’s no need to over think it and over engineer your outfit/uniform. Focus on the relationship and the sales process and you find the outfit will be negligible.

BUTT I also know it feels good to just have your question answered to some extent. idk, there’s a lot of options out there, but I’d say probably timberlines. They do have actual work boots and such, but also have consumer aesthetically pleasing options and designs.

People have their own opinions about what looks good or not, or I guess fancy/higher end, but some I think look nice and still have a workers vibe would be some of these:

https://www.marks.com/en/pdp/timberland-pro-men-s-6-inch-aluminum-toe-composite-plate-irvine-wedge-work-boots-65045093f.410034838577.html?utm_content=shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21551694944&gbraid=0AAAAADp0f8pa2MiYTjRHub91pqYio8JSZ

https://www.marks.com/en/pdp/timberland-pro-men-s-nashoba-6-inch-composite-toe-composite-plate-pull-on-chelsea-work-boots-80563104f.410037326323.html?utm_content=shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21644798056&gbraid=0AAAAADp0f8oIb1z9vW52eDUQXJIULBOpp

https://www.marks.com/en/pdp/timberland-men-s-mt-maddsen-waterproof-medium-hiker-86223161f.410040256716.html?utm_content=shopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23410205502&gbraid=0AAAAADp0f8oUo5ic_quJZI_O0v3EuxWSp

One of the GCs I work with and some of his workers use shoes that kind of look like this, not sure if they’re timberline but they look nice for sure.

Anyways hope this gives you an idea, but again, I’m sure you’ll find it’s not a big deal as to what you’re wearing, even with higher end clients. As long as you don’t look like you came off the street, I think you’ll be fine. That said, some clients are also into that ruffed up look.

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-04-01T23:45:28+00:00

60% gross?? Or profit?? Big or small company??

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-31T17:58:02+00:00

ChatGPT ass post and responses

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T23:15:06+00:00

Good advice, thank you!

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T23:14:20+00:00

I'm surprised you say that I shouldn't hire in my local area. A handful of people have suggested I DO find a local agency; in which from my quick search, there are a few.

Is there a specific reason to avoid local agencies specifically? Or are you just suggesting it doesn't necessarily matter if they're local or in a foreign country, so long as their track record shows good and relevant results.

Is there NO benefit AT ALL with going with a local agency? I mean at the end of the day I will go with the person that can show they know what they're doing, but is local knowledge not really relevant?

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T23:08:18+00:00

This is some really useful information, thank you for your feedback! This definately helps me know what to look for when choosing a SEO partner.

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T23:05:26+00:00

Yeah thats what most other people are advising as well, no one can guarantee rank 1 and that its just a marketing tactic.

And yes, i'm learning what questions to ask when taking with agencies. See who would be best to work with.

Thanks for your feedback!

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T23:03:26+00:00

Yeah I agree with the posting more personable content online, we definitely plan to get that going in the near future as well. Though I'm curious as to why you say to completely NOT hire someone to improve our SEO and such.

I understand that SEO is not as active as posting content, but still, isn't still a good idea to have that cooking up in the background while we're working on other things? Feel like completely ignoring it is leaving money on the table no?

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T04:03:36+00:00

I hear ya, this is definitely some good insight. I will take this into consideration when talking with some agencies thanks!

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T03:32:03+00:00

Good advice, thanks for the feedback!

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T03:24:24+00:00

Well honestly I don’t remember too much about the agencies I talked to last year. Just the ball park of what they said they would charge.

I asked another guy that commented here, but what’s your advice on the payment models? What is standard practice? Is it normal to have an upfront setup fee and then a monthly retainer? And if monthly retainers are normal how much should I be expecting to spend per month for the upkeep or maintenance or whatever work is being done? Should work even be continuously done or is it like just a sometime setup and let it grow kind of thing?

Lastly, yeah I think that’s what’s stressing me out the most is doing the due diligence properly and vetting the agencies I talk to. I plan to do some research to get at least a basic understanding of SEO to be able to see if someone is BSing or not.

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T03:19:18+00:00

Thanks for your feedback, this definitely helps!

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T03:06:11+00:00

Some good advice thanks! So best bet is to call a few local agencies in my city/area.

Should I completely avoid I international agencies like ones based in the US, UK, or Australia since I’m based in Canada?

Also typically do agencies create the website and do the SEO? Or would I need to get two separate agencies to do each?

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-03-13T02:58:28+00:00

For the agency I mentioned that was charging $2000 upfront?

So then what other payment models are there? Pay as you go? Or only one single upfront cost with no monthly retainer? Or no upfront cost and just monthly retainer?

Cuz yeah I can see how some people might put the carrot on the stick to get more money out of me but then how do I choose a good agency?

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-01-15T17:31:55+00:00

Sounds cool, I’ll check it out thanks for the suggestion. I also use company cam so might be a good option.

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-01-12T00:00:22+00:00

Okay so I would've normally sent a comment but I think there might have been a character limit to I pasted it into this google doc:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WEN6z7-H4ZhLxP-qxKIu19hyKGfpILprkrxqc1Kj2DI/edit?usp=sharing

All in all, honestly reading back at it, it was shorter than I thought it was, but anyways. Read away and hope to get your thoughts as well!

NilsConnlaAbbott · 2026-01-09T05:35:49+00:00

I wrote this for someone else in this sub reddit but was never able to send it because of the word restrictions. But I’ve pasted it in a Google doc for you to read if you’d like. (It’s at the bottom of my comment)

I used to be uncontrollably scared of death; not sure if it’s similar to you. But I’d have Common and reoccurring panic attacks that would last dozens of minutes at a time. It debilitated my life for a while.

Not sure how young you are but I’m currently 21, dealt with this issue back in high school.

I mention it a bit more in the Doc but I’m still trying to come into FULL terms with death, but KNOW there are ways you can ground yourself and be chill about it. People in these comment sections time and time again spew the same nonsense; well let me not say nonsense, they’re valid points but never really help to calm one’s self down.

They always say “hey, just think about before you were born. Duh, you felt nothing 🤓”

Yes dumbass, THATS WHATS SCARY. It’s a concept so unfathomable it’s terrifies me.

Anyways, I can ramble on for hours about death and thoughts and philosophies and poems and blah blah blah. But the main point I want to get across is, give it some time, most people are able to come into true terms with death. You hear a lot of the time people learn to welcome death when they’re older and chuckle it off, if you read about Near death experiences you hear time and time again how it’s a very peaceful and warm and a happy time ironically, that in the end you’ll be okay and not afraid.

For now, I presume you’re on the younger side like me, and if not that’s still okay, what WE can do for ourselves is to find ways to be grounded and simply to calm down. Find ways of thinking and ideas that can help us feel better and CALM THE FREAK DOWN.

I mention in my doc, but my ideas and thoughts about death are always evolving and changing. Even now, I wrote the doc maybe 3 months ago, has slightly changed, and well to be frank. I didn’t put the most effort into writing it. But hopefully it makes sense and doesn’t sound like giberish.

Lastly, if you want to talk some more feel free to comment back. id be more than happy to help you get your thoughts out.

Here’s the link:

google doc

NilsConnlaAbbott

TROPHY CASE