Thomas C. Schleifer entered the construction industry at age 16 and has more than 60 years of contracting and consulting experience—from Field Superintendent, to contractor, to nationally known consultant, author, and lecturer. His blog and newsletter, Contractor’s Weekly Construction Message, has an audience of over 20,000 readers. His previous books include The Secrets to Construction Business Success (Routledge 2022).

• 1. The Low Bid System Makes No Sense. 2. Project Selection Is Too Often Driven by Ego. 3. Accounting for Work in Progress Is Almost a Joke. 4. The Industry Has Abandoned Cost Control. 5. Getting Paid for Your Work. 6. Accuracy of Performance Data. 7. Prior Financial Statements: Active Management Tool. 8. Industry Business Competence Is Weak. 9. Understanding Financial-Operational Capacity Is Critical. 10. Limits to Growth. 11. Profit Trumps Volume (Managerial Maturity). 12. Management Succession Is Treacherous. 13. Joint Ventures, Always Risky. 14. Equipment Costs More than You Think. 15. Dangers of Known and Hidden Risks. 16. Industry Market Cycles. 17. The Value of Seeking Advice.

Thomas C. Schleifer entered the construction industry at age 16 and has more than 60 years of contracting and consulting experience—from Field Superintendent, to contractor, to nationally known consultant, author, and lecturer. His blog and newsletter, Contractor’s Weekly Construction Message, has an audience of over 20,000 readers. His previous books include The Secrets to Construction Business Success (Routledge 2022).

• 1. The Low Bid System Makes No Sense. 2. Project Selection Is Too Often Driven by Ego. 3. Accounting for Work in Progress Is Almost a Joke. 4. The Industry Has Abandoned Cost Control. 5. Getting Paid for Your Work. 6. Accuracy of Performance Data. 7. Prior Financial Statements: Active Management Tool. 8. Industry Business Competence Is Weak. 9. Understanding Financial-Operational Capacity Is Critical. 10. Limits to Growth. 11. Profit Trumps Volume (Managerial Maturity). 12. Management Succession Is Treacherous. 13. Joint Ventures, Always Risky. 14. Equipment Costs More than You Think. 15. Dangers of Known and Hidden Risks. 16. Industry Market Cycles. 17. The Value of Seeking Advice.