Guides

Guides for contractors

Short, practical how-tos from a team that runs a remodeling company and builds the software it uses.

Market news

This week in the market

What changed for small residential contractors, and what to do about it.

  • Oct 10, 2026

    Market note, October 10, 2026: a hurricane on the Gulf Coast, and the rules that come with it

    One thing for a small residential contractor on October 10, 2026: Hurricane Isaias came ashore near Destin, Florida, at 105 mph on the night of October 9, and 448,298 Florida accounts had no power by morning. A state of emergency is in force in 27 Florida counties and in Alabama, and with it Florida's rules on unlicensed work, deposits and prices. What to do this week, with sources.

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  • Oct 9, 2026

    Market note, October 9, 2026: a missed Google call now costs money

    Two things for a small residential contractor on October 9, 2026: Google's Local Services Ads help page now says a call you miss during business hours is a paid lead once the caller waits more than 20 seconds, and NAHB's chief economist calls 7.5% mortgages "the new normal". What to do about each this week.

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  • Oct 8, 2026

    Market note, October 8, 2026: remodelers steady, mortgages at 7.40%, and a trench that cost a life

    Three things for a small residential contractor on October 8, 2026: NAHB's Remodeling Market Index came in at 62 with leads and backlog up, Freddie Mac's 30-year mortgage rate rose to 7.40%, and OSHA proposed $254,884 in penalties after a fatal trench collapse. What to do about each this week.

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  • Oct 7, 2026

    Market note, October 7, 2026: wood got cheaper, money did not

    Two things for a small residential contractor on October 7, 2026: lumber futures are about 14% below last year, and the Federal Reserve raised its rate in September while mortgage applications fell 7.7%. What each means for the estimates you send this week.

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  • Oct 4, 2026

    Market note, October 4, 2026: next year's workers' comp, checks on jobsites, and a softer remodeling year

    Three things a small residential contractor can act on in early October 2026: workers' comp rate proposals for 2027 (Washington up 4.9%, Florida down 7.4%), NAHB's report that immigration enforcement is keeping legal workers off jobsites, and remodeling spending 7.4% below last year.

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  • Oct 3, 2026

    Market note, October 3, 2026: money got more expensive, and Google is moving your LSA account

    What changed for small residential contractors in the two weeks to October 3, 2026 — mortgage and home-equity rates, remodeling input costs, consumer confidence, construction jobs, and Google moving Local Services Ads — and what to do about each.

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