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GuideIndependent Contractor Mileage Deduction 2026: 72.5¢, Then 76¢ From JulyMultiply your business miles by the IRS rate for the date you drove them.GuideHow to Generate an AI Construction Estimate From a Project DescriptionAn AI estimate is a first draft of the job's cost, not a price.GuideHow to Qualify a Contractor Lead in Seven MinutesA phone screening method that grades a lead from -5 to +5 in a suggested five to seven minutes, before anyone drives anywhere.
Job stage
Topic
Lead
Before you drive anywhere: qualify the call and decide what to charge for.
How to Handle the First Call With a Remodeling Lead: What to Ask and What Comes NextThe first call decides whether there is a next step, and whether it is paid.How to Qualify a Contractor Lead in Seven MinutesA phone screening method that grades a lead from -5 to +5 in a suggested five to seven minutes, before anyone drives anywhere.Bargain Hunters, Tire Kickers, and Five Other Leads You Will RecogniseSeven patterns a residential contractor actually gets on the phone, the score each one tends to produce, and the move that follows.When to Charge for the Estimate, and How MuchThere is no such thing as a free estimate in a properly structured contracting business.How Many Leads Does a Contractor Need? Start With the Jobs You Need to SellHow many leads does a contractor need?Questions to Ask a Contractor Before You Sign, and While the Work Is Under WayWhat a remodel contract should answer before you sign it, and what to ask once the work starts: scope, allowances, payments, permits, changes, protection, the schedule, what done means and what you should have at the end.Design
Paid planning: the design agreement and what to charge for it.
How to Write a Contractor Design Agreement: What to Include and How to Price ItA design agreement is a paid contract for the planning phase of a remodel.When to Charge for the Estimate, and How MuchThere is no such thing as a free estimate in a properly structured contracting business.The Hourly Rate a Solo Contractor Needs to Make $100,000A 40 hour week does not contain 40 billable hours, and materials sold at cost pay for nothing.Estimate
What the job costs you, and how cost becomes price.
How to Write a Remodeling Estimate: What Goes In, How Cost Becomes PriceAn estimate works out what the job costs you and what you will charge.How to Generate an AI Construction Estimate From a Project DescriptionAn AI estimate is a first draft of the job's cost, not a price.Can ChatGPT Write a Construction Estimate? 12 Runs of One Bathroom Against Clamp (2026)The same 5x8 bathroom remodel run through free and paid ChatGPT 12 times and checked line by line against Clamp: the totals, the math, the rates, the scope it dropped, and the prompt that works.The ChatGPT Prompt for a Construction Estimate, and What Comes Back (2026)Two prompts, word for word: the one that asks ChatGPT for a priced estimate and the one that asks for scope first and sourced prices only.Safe Room and Hidden Door Cost 2026: A Basement Safe Room Estimated Line by LineWhat a hidden door, a vault door and the room around them cost in 2026, the code that applies, the labor for each door, and one contractor's basement safe room priced from Clamp's catalog, line by line, with the price range a customer would see.ChatGPT vs Perplexity vs Claude vs Gemini vs Clamp: One Bathroom Estimate, 28 Runs (2026)One 5x8 bathroom remodel run 28 times through ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude and Gemini, paid and free, and checked against Clamp: the totals, how much they moved, the scope each caught, and the same prompt in Clamp three times.Can Claude Write a Construction Estimate? 12 Runs of One Bathroom Against Clamp (2026)The same 5x8 bathroom remodel run through Claude Haiku, Opus and Fable, and the free plan, twelve times and checked line by line against Clamp: the totals, the scope, the rates and the city it guessed.Can Perplexity Write a Construction Estimate? 3 Runs of One Bathroom Against Clamp (2026)The same 5x8 bathroom remodel run through free Perplexity three times and checked line by line against Clamp: the totals, the rates, the citations and the scope it dropped.Room Sizes and Clearances (2026): Code Minimums, NKBA Numbers and the Conventions Contractors Plan ToKitchen aisles, toilet clearances, shower size, bedroom and hallway minimums, deck guards and closet rods, each marked code, standard or convention, with the 2024 IRC's new section numbers beside the old ones.What Is Job Cost? The Test That Sorts Every ExpenseJob cost is every cost that exists because of one project.Shower Waterproofing Systems Compared by Cost and Labor Hours: Foam Board, Kerdi, RedGard and the Old WayNine wall systems and five pans priced for a 3x5 shower, with the hours behind the dollars.What Is Markup vs Margin? The Number You Add Is Not the Number You KeepMarkup and margin measure the same gross profit from two different starting points.Three Markups, One Job Cost: How Contractors Price Risk and Change OrdersEstimate the work the same way every time.5×8 Bathroom Remodel Cost and Labor (2026 Baseline)Cost exampleIllustrative selling prices at three markups, and the fully itemized direct job cost underneath it.Vinyl Replacement Window Cost Per Window, Installed: Insert vs Full-Frame (2026)Cost exampleTen mid-grade vinyl double-hung windows on a two-story house, priced two ways: inserts set in the existing frames, and full-frame replacement down to the rough openings.Proposal
The price, scope and payment schedule the customer signs.
How to Write a Construction ProposalA proposal is the scope, price and terms the customer accepts, and the agreement the job is built to.How to Set Construction Milestones: Where to Divide the Job and How to Define Each StageA milestone is an event in the job, with evidence it happened, that something else depends on.Contractor Deposit Limits by State (2026), Worked in DollarsThe most a contractor can take up front on a home improvement job in every state and DC, quoted from each statute and worked on $8,000, $25,000 and $60,000 jobs.Should a Contractor Lower the Price to Win a Job? What a Discount Really CostsA discount on an unchanged job comes out of planned profit first.What Is a Good Close Rate for a Contractor? Measure Yours Against Your PlanThere is no close rate that is right for every contractor.Build
While it's built: decisions, changes, crew, subs and every cost.
How to Coordinate a Remodeling Jobsite: Crew, Subs, Photos, and ScheduleThe subcontract tells a sub what they owe.How to Get Customer Decisions on Time: Selections, Deadlines, and What They BlockA customer decision is an unanswered question the job needs resolved.How to Write and Price a Change OrderA change order is a signed amendment to the contract.How to Track Time on a Job: What Each Entry Must Show, and Where It GoesWhat each time entry needs, how to split a day across jobs, how breaks and travel count for an employee, and where the hours go: payroll and job cost.How to Track Job Receipts: What Each One Must Show, and Where It GoesRecord every receipt the same day, while you still know what it was for.How to Track What a Job Costs Before You Pay It: Purchase Orders, Bills and VendorsA purchase order is what you committed to, a bill is what you owe, and a payment is what you paid.How to Keep a Mileage Log: What Each Trip Must ShowWhat each trip entry needs for the IRS, how to fill it in the same day, how to handle a personal detour, and what keeps the log believable when someone checks it.Bill
Billing each stage, recording payments, and what you owe.
How to Set a Payment Schedule and Invoice a Remodeling JobA payment schedule that bills each stage when it starts, so you never finance the customer's job.How to Set Construction Milestones: Where to Divide the Job and How to Define Each StageA milestone is an event in the job, with evidence it happened, that something else depends on.Recording payments, credits and refundsApp how-toHow to record what a customer paid, what you paid a vendor, and the money that goes back the other way: credits, refunds, returns and the final bill.Cost, Owed, Paid: Why an Unpaid Bill Still Counts Against the JobThe job's cost, what you owe and what you've paid are three different numbers.Close
The last invoice, the punch list, and what the job really cost.
How to Close Out a Remodeling Job: Punch List, Final Payment, Warranty, and HandoffA job isn't finished because the last tool leaves.How to Job Cost a Remodeling Job: Budget, Actual Cost, and VarianceJob costing compares what you expected a job to cost with what it is actually consuming.Job Costing for Contractors (2026): Budget vs Actual, by Category, Within 2%The system behind the job costs card: what counts as job cost, labor at the burdened rate, how the owner gets paid, where risk goes, and the close that checks every category against the estimate.From Estimate to Final Invoice: One Bathroom Remodel, Every NumberOne published 5x8 bathroom followed through every stage: $11,799.17 of cost, a $17,698.76 price, a deposit sized to the selections, three stage payments, a $353.98 final invoice, and the job cost review that prices the next bathroom.Mileage
6 guides
How to Keep a Mileage Log: What Each Trip Must ShowWhat each trip entry needs for the IRS, how to fill it in the same day, how to handle a personal detour, and what keeps the log believable when someone checks it.Independent Contractor Mileage Deduction 2026: 72.5¢, Then 76¢ From JulyMultiply your business miles by the IRS rate for the date you drove them.Section 179 for a Work Truck Over 6,000 lbs (2026): Worked Both WaysA pickup rated over 6,000 pounds with a 6-foot bed can be written off in its first year, up to the business share of its cost.IRS Standard Mileage Rate History, 2000 to 2026 (With the July 2026 Change)Every IRS business, medical and moving, and charitable mileage rate since 2000, with the five mid-year changes, the depreciation inside each year's rate, and which rate a trip gets.Home Office Deduction for Contractors (2026): $1,200 or $3,328, Plus the Miles It UnlocksA remodeler's 240 sq ft office worked both ways for 2026, and why it turns 9,000 miles of driving to job sites from commuting into a $6,682.50 deduction.Auto mileage trackingApp how-toClamp can notice when you drive and record each trip on its own.Time and labor
23 guides
How to Track Time on a Job: What Each Entry Must Show, and Where It GoesWhat each time entry needs, how to split a day across jobs, how breaks and travel count for an employee, and where the hours go: payroll and job cost.Contractor Time Tracking: Compare Estimated Hours With Actual Job HoursComparing estimated and actual hours reveals a variance to investigate, not a verdict.How to Track Painting Labor Hours Against Your EstimateYour estimate is priced by the square foot.Labor Hours to Tile a Shower (2026): Large Format to Zellige, Niches to CurblessOne 3x5 shower worked in six tile formats, from 51 person-hours with 12x24 porcelain to 74 with zellige, plus what niches, benches, curbless floors, drains and slab walls add.How Long to Install a Floor (2026): Hours and Days for Carpet, LVP, Hardwood, Tile and ConcreteOne 300 sq ft room worked in nine floor types, from 12 person-hours for carpet to 60 for tile, plus the acclimation, cure and finish waits that decide when you get the room back.Deck Cost and Labor Hours by Material (2026): Pressure-Treated to Ipe, Borders and Hidden FastenersOne 12 x 16 deck priced in six materials with the hours behind each, then what a picture frame, breaker board, diagonal boards, hidden fasteners, fascia, drainage and lights add.Accent Wall and Paneling Cost (2026): Board and Batten, Shiplap, Picture-Frame Molding, Wainscot and Stained HardwoodOne 12 x 9 wall priced eight ways with the hours behind each, then batten spacing, box count, wainscot height, vertical boards, a textured wall, and what stained hardwood and frame-and-panel paneling cost by species.Window Trim Cost (2026): Drywall Returns to Stained Craftsman and Ornamental Casing, With Labor HoursOne window and a room of six priced in seven trim styles, painted and stained, with the takeoff, miters against butt joints, drywall returns and jamb extensions.Cabinet Refinishing Cost (2026): DIY Kits to Sprayed and Catalyzed Finishes, Restaining and Refacing, With Labor HoursOne kitchen priced nine ways, from a clear refresh to stripping and restaining, against DIY kits and refacing, with cure times, oak grain and the rules on spraying and strippers.Kitchen Cabinet Cost, Installed (2026): RTA to Ultra Luxury, With Install-Only LaborOne kitchen priced in five tiers, overlay, inset and frameless, with install-only labor per box, tear-out and extras, published prices and lead times.Interior Door Cost (2026): Hollow Core to Solid Wood, 8 Ft and Wide Doors, Pocket, Barn and Bifold, With Labor HoursOne opening priced every way: five door materials, tall and wide sizes, pocket, barn, bifold and bypass, replacements and widened openings, with the code that applies and a house of eight doors.Ceiling Treatment Cost (2026): Smooth, Crown, Tray, Wood Plank, Beams and Coffered, With Labor HoursOne room priced eleven ways, from crown to a stained coffered ceiling, with popcorn and asbestos rules, built-down trays with cove LED, plank, beams and what stores publish.Bathroom Vanity Cost (2026): Installed by Width, Packaged to Custom, Floating, Tops, Sinks and Faucets, With Labor HoursEvery width from 24 in to a 72 in double, packaged and custom, with floating and furniture mounts, tops, sinks, faucets from $35 to $1,830, replacements, the code clearances and what stores publish.Fireplace Surround Cost (2026): Paint, Tile, Stone and Slab, Hearths and Mantels, With Clearances and Labor HoursOne fireplace priced ten ways, from limewash to slab, with what goes under it, hearths, mantels from shelves to cast stone, the clearance code and what stores publish.Shower Glass Cost (2026): Curtain to Frameless and Steam, Tub Doors, Safety Glazing and What Glass Shops ChargeOne 60 in opening closed eleven ways, from a curtain to a steam enclosure, with upgrades, the safety glazing code, blocking and hinges, and glass shops' installed prices.Stair Remodel Cost (2026): Carpet to Hardwood, Balusters, Railings and Refinishing, With Labor HoursOne 14-tread stair priced eleven ways, from paint to a full replacement, with the riser math tread caps change, the baluster count the gap sets, and the 2024 code.Closet System Cost (2026): Wire to Hardwood, Reach-In to Primary Walk-In, Per Foot With Labor HoursA reach-in, a walk-in and a primary closet with an island priced in seven systems, from wire to IKEA PAX to hardwood, with the takeoff, makers' dimensions, lighting code and tip-over rules.Built-In Bookcase Cost (2026): Per Foot, Painted to Walnut, With Labor Hours and Window SeatsA pair of built-ins flanking a fireplace priced painted, stained and by wood, with crown, glass doors and lights, plus window seats, shelf spans and fireplace clearances.Drywall Finish Levels (2026): Level 0 to 5, Textures, Skim Coats and Labor Hours on One RoomThe six drywall finish levels, which one goes under which texture, and one 16 x 14 room priced and timed at each level, with texture, and with old texture skimmed smooth.Room Sizes and Clearances (2026): Code Minimums, NKBA Numbers and the Conventions Contractors Plan ToKitchen aisles, toilet clearances, shower size, bedroom and hallway minimums, deck guards and closet rods, each marked code, standard or convention, with the 2024 IRC's new section numbers beside the old ones.Where a Contractor's Non-Billable Time Gets Paid ForYou set a $100,000 target.Auto time on siteApp how-toClamp can log how long you're at a job site with no clock in or out.Setting labor costsApp how-toClamp turns every hour logged on a job into dollars at a loaded rate.Receipts and bills
10 guides
How to Track Job Receipts: What Each One Must Show, and Where It GoesRecord every receipt the same day, while you still know what it was for.How to Track What a Job Costs Before You Pay It: Purchase Orders, Bills and VendorsA purchase order is what you committed to, a bill is what you owe, and a payment is what you paid.1099-NEC Threshold 2026: The $2,000 Rule for Contractors Paying SubsFrom 2026 you file a 1099-NEC only for a sub you paid $2,000 or more during the year, up from $600.W-9 for Subcontractors (2026): Get It Before the First Check, or Withhold 24%What the W-9 tells you, who gets a 1099-NEC at the new $2,000 threshold, and a drywall sub with no W-9 worked: $2,016 withheld and the penalties you can avoid.Year-End Equipment Purchases 2026: Section 179, Bonus Depreciation and the $2,500 Rule for ToolsTools and equipment ready to use by December 31 can be written off on your 2026 return.Schedule C Deductions for Remodelers (2026): Every Line, Worked on One YearA remodeler with $280,000 of receipts, worked line by line on the 2026 Schedule C: materials in cost of goods sold, subs on line 11, the two mileage rates, and what a deduction really saves.How Long to Keep Receipts for Taxes (2026): A Contractor's Dated ScheduleThe IRS periods worked on one remodeler's 2026 records, from April 15, 2030 for ordinary receipts to 2034 for a truck, plus the state and job-file rules that run longer.Cost, Owed, Paid: Why an Unpaid Bill Still Counts Against the JobThe job's cost, what you owe and what you've paid are three different numbers.Recording payments, credits and refundsApp how-toHow to record what a customer paid, what you paid a vendor, and the money that goes back the other way: credits, refunds, returns and the final bill.The accountant exportApp how-toThe accountant export builds what your bookkeeper or CPA needs from what you already keep in Clamp: a set of CSV files, plus a summary and a check that they agree.Job costing
5 guides
Job Costing for Contractors (2026): Budget vs Actual, by Category, Within 2%The system behind the job costs card: what counts as job cost, labor at the burdened rate, how the owner gets paid, where risk goes, and the close that checks every category against the estimate.How to Job Cost a Remodeling Job: Budget, Actual Cost, and VarianceJob costing compares what you expected a job to cost with what it is actually consuming.What Is Job Cost? The Test That Sorts Every ExpenseJob cost is every cost that exists because of one project.Cost, Owed, Paid: Why an Unpaid Bill Still Counts Against the JobThe job's cost, what you owe and what you've paid are three different numbers.From Estimate to Final Invoice: One Bathroom Remodel, Every NumberOne published 5x8 bathroom followed through every stage: $11,799.17 of cost, a $17,698.76 price, a deposit sized to the selections, three stage payments, a $353.98 final invoice, and the job cost review that prices the next bathroom.Pricing and markup
36 guides
What Is Markup vs Margin? The Number You Add Is Not the Number You KeepMarkup and margin measure the same gross profit from two different starting points.Floor Borders and Medallions (2026): Hardwood and Tile Costs, Hours and InlaysWhat a hardwood border, a floor medallion and a tile listello add to a 300 sq ft floor, in dollars and hours, from new floors to borders routed into an old one.Slab Backsplash Cost (2026): Full-Height Quartz, Marble and Granite, Outlets IncludedWhat a full-height slab backsplash costs, part by part: the slab you buy, the fabricator, a cutout per outlet and the electrician, with a 30 sq ft quartz backsplash worked to $3,845.Replacement Window Cost (2026): Insert vs Full-Frame, Vinyl to Wood, by Style and Size, With Labor HoursWhat one replacement window costs in 2026 by type, style and size, insert and full-frame, with the labor hours behind each line, the code and lead rules, and ten windows priced line by line from Clamp's catalog.Egress Window Cost (2026): Poured or Block Wall, Well, Drain and Labor Hours, ItemizedWhat a basement egress window costs in 2026: a new cut in a poured or block wall or an enlarged window, the well, its depth and its drain, the labor hours on every line, the code, and what installers publish.Pre-Listing Repairs Cost (2026): How to Price a Punch List Item by ItemWhat a pre-listing repair list costs in 2026, priced item by item: outlets, doors, rollers, screens, baseboard, caulk, sump lines and stairs, the visit and the minimum, coordination, and who's allowed to do what.Air Duct and Dryer Vent Cleaning Cost (2026): Per System, Per Vent, ItemizedWhat duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning cost in 2026: per system and register, the coil and blower, sanitizers, dryer vents by where they exit, the $99 offer, whether it's worth it, and the dryer vent code.Gut Remodel Cost per Square Foot (2026): A Whole House to the Studs, by TradeWhat a whole-house gut remodel costs per square foot in 2026: a 3,100 sq ft house priced line by line, by size and finish level, where the money goes by trade, what published prices measure, the code a gut triggers, and lead and asbestos.Soundproofing a Room Cost (2026): What Actually Stops Noise, by MethodWhat soundproofing a room costs in 2026: typical rooms from a 10x10 office to a primary bedroom, a wall four ways, the ceiling and footsteps, outlets and doors, what doesn't work, the code, and a 12x14 bedroom priced line by line.Flooring and Tile Installation Cost (2026): By Material, Tile Size and Pattern, With Labor HoursWhat a floor costs to install in 2026, from carpet and LVP to hardwood, porcelain, marble, mosaic and zellige: tile size, patterns from offset to chevron, wood patterns, walls and backsplashes, borders and medallions, with labor hours.Load-Bearing Wall Removal Cost (2026): Beam by Span, Dropped or Flush, LVL or Steel, With Labor HoursWhat it costs a contractor to take out a load-bearing wall in 2026: the beam by span and load, dropped against flush, LVL against steel, shoring, posts and footings, the engineer and permit, and what's inside the wall, with labor hours.Basement Waterproofing Cost (2026): Interior Drain Tile per Foot, Exterior, Sumps and Cracks, With Labor HoursWhat basement waterproofing costs a contractor in 2026: interior drain tile by the foot, sumps and backups, exterior excavation by depth, crack injection, bowing walls and crawlspace encapsulation, with the code and labor hours.Roof Leak and Chimney Repair Cost (2026): Flashing, Crickets, Crowns, Chases and Liners, With Labor HoursWhat roof leak and chimney repairs cost a contractor in 2026: shingle and flashing leaks, chimney reflashing and crickets, crowns, caps and chase covers, framed chase reclads, liners and inspections, skylights and kickouts, with the code and labor hours.Electrical Panel Upgrade and EV Charger Cost (2026): 200 Amp Service, Subpanels, Level 2 Chargers, With Labor HoursWhat a contractor's cost is in 2026 to swap a panel, upgrade to 200 or 400 amps, add a subpanel, and install a Level 2 charger: the code that comes with a new service, the load calculation that can avoid one, wire and GFCI rules, load management and what's left of the credits, with labor hours.Heat Pump and Mini Split Installation Cost (2026): By Zone and Tonnage, Dual Fuel, Cold Climate, With Labor HoursWhat a contractor's cost is to install ductless mini splits and ducted heat pumps in 2026: by size and zone count, each added head, tonnage, dual fuel against furnace and AC, cold-climate units, refrigerant and sizing rules, and what's left of the credits, with labor hours.Christmas Light Installation Cost (2026): Permanent vs Seasonal, Per Foot, ItemizedWhat holiday lighting costs in 2026: permanent track by the foot with controllers, seasonal lights leased, bought or the customer's own, trees, bushes, wreaths and interior, the labor hours on every line, the payback math and the code.Faucet, Toilet, Disposal and Dishwasher Cost (2026): Repair vs Replace, ItemizedWhat kitchen and bath service calls cost in 2026: a faucet fixed or replaced, a running toilet, a reset or a new toilet, a disposal and a dishwasher, the trip charge, the labor hours on every line, and the code items a swap price assumes.Countertop Edge Cost (2026): Bullnose to Mitered Aprons and Waterfall Ends, per Foot and per EndOne quartz kitchen priced with every edge, a mitered apron and two waterfall ends, with the shops' per-foot rates, the slab count and the makers' rules.Accent Wall and Paneling Cost (2026): Board and Batten, Shiplap, Picture-Frame Molding, Wainscot and Stained HardwoodOne 12 x 9 wall priced eight ways with the hours behind each, then batten spacing, box count, wainscot height, vertical boards, a textured wall, and what stained hardwood and frame-and-panel paneling cost by species.Window Trim Cost (2026): Drywall Returns to Stained Craftsman and Ornamental Casing, With Labor HoursOne window and a room of six priced in seven trim styles, painted and stained, with the takeoff, miters against butt joints, drywall returns and jamb extensions.Cabinet Refinishing Cost (2026): DIY Kits to Sprayed and Catalyzed Finishes, Restaining and Refacing, With Labor HoursOne kitchen priced nine ways, from a clear refresh to stripping and restaining, against DIY kits and refacing, with cure times, oak grain and the rules on spraying and strippers.Kitchen Cabinet Cost, Installed (2026): RTA to Ultra Luxury, With Install-Only LaborOne kitchen priced in five tiers, overlay, inset and frameless, with install-only labor per box, tear-out and extras, published prices and lead times.Interior Door Cost (2026): Hollow Core to Solid Wood, 8 Ft and Wide Doors, Pocket, Barn and Bifold, With Labor HoursOne opening priced every way: five door materials, tall and wide sizes, pocket, barn, bifold and bypass, replacements and widened openings, with the code that applies and a house of eight doors.Ceiling Treatment Cost (2026): Smooth, Crown, Tray, Wood Plank, Beams and Coffered, With Labor HoursOne room priced eleven ways, from crown to a stained coffered ceiling, with popcorn and asbestos rules, built-down trays with cove LED, plank, beams and what stores publish.Bathroom Vanity Cost (2026): Installed by Width, Packaged to Custom, Floating, Tops, Sinks and Faucets, With Labor HoursEvery width from 24 in to a 72 in double, packaged and custom, with floating and furniture mounts, tops, sinks, faucets from $35 to $1,830, replacements, the code clearances and what stores publish.Fireplace Surround Cost (2026): Paint, Tile, Stone and Slab, Hearths and Mantels, With Clearances and Labor HoursOne fireplace priced ten ways, from limewash to slab, with what goes under it, hearths, mantels from shelves to cast stone, the clearance code and what stores publish.Shower Glass Cost (2026): Curtain to Frameless and Steam, Tub Doors, Safety Glazing and What Glass Shops ChargeOne 60 in opening closed eleven ways, from a curtain to a steam enclosure, with upgrades, the safety glazing code, blocking and hinges, and glass shops' installed prices.Stair Remodel Cost (2026): Carpet to Hardwood, Balusters, Railings and Refinishing, With Labor HoursOne 14-tread stair priced eleven ways, from paint to a full replacement, with the riser math tread caps change, the baluster count the gap sets, and the 2024 code.Closet System Cost (2026): Wire to Hardwood, Reach-In to Primary Walk-In, Per Foot With Labor HoursA reach-in, a walk-in and a primary closet with an island priced in seven systems, from wire to IKEA PAX to hardwood, with the takeoff, makers' dimensions, lighting code and tip-over rules.Built-In Bookcase Cost (2026): Per Foot, Painted to Walnut, With Labor Hours and Window SeatsA pair of built-ins flanking a fireplace priced painted, stained and by wood, with crown, glass doors and lights, plus window seats, shelf spans and fireplace clearances.Drywall Finish Levels (2026): Level 0 to 5, Textures, Skim Coats and Labor Hours on One RoomThe six drywall finish levels, which one goes under which texture, and one 16 x 14 room priced and timed at each level, with texture, and with old texture skimmed smooth.Three Markups, One Job Cost: How Contractors Price Risk and Change OrdersEstimate the work the same way every time.Should a Contractor Lower the Price to Win a Job? What a Discount Really CostsA discount on an unchanged job comes out of planned profit first.The 21 Overhead Categories Contractors Should TrackOverhead is every business cost recovered through your markup instead of charged to a job.Setting your overheadApp how-toOverhead is what it costs to keep your business open whether or not a job is running.Setting your markupApp how-toYour markup turns job cost into price.Customer portal
4 guides
The customer portal: how it works for youApp how-toThe customer portal is a private web page for each customer.Your contractor's customer portal: a guide for homeownersApp how-toYour contractor uses Clamp to run your job.How to Get Customer Decisions on Time: Selections, Deadlines, and What They BlockA customer decision is an unanswered question the job needs resolved.How to Set Construction Milestones: Where to Divide the Job and How to Define Each StageA milestone is an event in the job, with evidence it happened, that something else depends on.Crew and subs
5 guides
How to Coordinate a Remodeling Jobsite: Crew, Subs, Photos, and ScheduleThe subcontract tells a sub what they owe.Scheduling installs, deliveries and inspectionsApp how-toThe shared schedule puts every install, delivery, inspection and work day on the job, and asks the crew member or sub you pick to confirm it.Teams and sharingApp how-toTeams lets the people who work for you use Clamp under your business.Your first day on a Clamp teamApp how-toFor someone who has just been invited to a business's Clamp team: how to join, what you'll see, and how to log your time, mileage and receipts so they land on the right job.Using Clamp as a subApp how-toFor a subcontractor invited to a job by a contractor who uses Clamp: how to accept, what you see and share, how to agree dates, and what stays private.Sales tax
52 guides
Sales Tax for Contractors by State (2026): Materials, Labor or Neither on a RemodelWhether you charge sales tax on a home remodel in all 50 states and DC, read from each state's revenue department, with a calculator and one $40,000 kitchen worked in six states.Alabama Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether an Alabama contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 4%.Alaska Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): No State Sales Tax on a RemodelWhy an Alaska contractor charges no state sales tax on a remodel, what still applies, and three jobs worked.Arizona Sales Tax on Remodeling (2026): MRRA vs Prime ContractingWhether an Arizona contractor owes tax on the job or only on materials, the 25% test, and three jobs worked at the 5.6% state rate.Arkansas Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether an Arkansas contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6.5%.California Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Materials vs FixturesWhether a California contractor charges sales tax on a remodel, why fixtures are different from materials, and three jobs worked at 7.25%.Colorado Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Colorado contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 2.9%.Connecticut Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Connecticut contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6.35%.Delaware Contractors and Taxes (2026): No Sales Tax, 0.6472% Gross ReceiptsWhy a Delaware contractor charges no state sales tax on a remodel, what still applies, and three jobs worked.District of Columbia Sales Tax on Home Improvement (2026): Remodel or RepairWhen a District of Columbia contractor charges sales tax on a home job, a remodel or a repair, and three jobs worked at 6%.Florida Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Florida contractor charges sales tax on a remodel, the one contract that changes it, and three jobs worked at 6%.Georgia Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Georgia contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 4%.Hawaii General Excise Tax on Construction (2026): Tax on the Whole RemodelHow Hawaii taxes the whole remodel, labor included, and three jobs worked at 4.5%.Idaho Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether an Idaho contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6%.Illinois Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether an Illinois contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6.25%.Indiana Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether an Indiana contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 7%.Iowa Sales Tax on Home Improvement (2026): Remodel or RepairWhen an Iowa contractor charges sales tax on a home job, a remodel or a repair, and three jobs worked at 6%.Kansas Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Kansas contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6.5%.Kentucky Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Kentucky contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6%.Louisiana Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Louisiana contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 5%.Maine Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Maine contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 5.5%.Maryland Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Maryland contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6%.Massachusetts Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Massachusetts contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6.25%.Michigan Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Michigan contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6%.Minnesota Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Minnesota contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6.875%.Mississippi Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Mississippi contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 7%.Missouri Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Missouri contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 4.225%.Montana Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): No State Sales Tax on a RemodelWhy a Montana contractor charges no state sales tax on a remodel, what still applies, and three jobs worked.Nebraska Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Option 1, 2 or 3How Nebraska's contractor Options 1, 2 and 3 decide who pays sales tax on a home remodel, and three jobs worked at 5.5%.Nevada Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Nevada contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6.85%.New Hampshire Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): No State Sales Tax on a RemodelWhy a New Hampshire contractor charges no state sales tax on a remodel, what still applies, and three jobs worked.New Jersey Sales Tax on Home Improvement (2026): The ST-8 and the ExceptionsWhen a New Jersey contractor charges 6.625% sales tax, what the ST-8 covers, the work that's taxable anyway, and three jobs worked.New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax on Construction (2026): Tax on the Whole RemodelHow New Mexico taxes the whole remodel, labor included, and three jobs worked at 4.875%.New York Sales Tax on Home Improvement (2026): Capital Improvement or RepairWhen a New York contractor charges sales tax on a home job, what the ST-124 does, and three jobs worked at the 4% state rate.North Carolina Sales Tax on Home Improvement (2026): Remodel or RepairWhen a North Carolina contractor charges sales tax on a home job, a remodel or a repair, and three jobs worked at 4.75%.North Dakota Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a North Dakota contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 5%.Ohio Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether an Ohio contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 5.75%.Oklahoma Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether an Oklahoma contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 4.5%.Oregon Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): No State Sales Tax on a RemodelWhy an Oregon contractor charges no state sales tax on a remodel, what still applies, and three jobs worked.Pennsylvania Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): No Tax on the RemodelWhy a Pennsylvania contractor pays sales tax on materials and charges none on a home remodel, and three jobs worked at 6%.Rhode Island Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Rhode Island contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 7%.South Carolina Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a South Carolina contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6%.South Dakota Contractor's Excise Tax (2026): 2% on the Whole RemodelHow South Dakota taxes the whole remodel, labor included, and three jobs worked at 2% plus 4.2% on materials.Tennessee Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Tennessee contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 7%.Texas Sales Tax for Remodeling Contractors (2026): Lump Sum vs SeparatedWhether a Texas contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, how a separated contract changes it, and three jobs worked at 6.25%.Utah Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether an Utah contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 4.85%.Vermont Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Vermont contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 6%.Virginia Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Virginia contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 4.3%.Washington Sales Tax on Construction (2026): Tax on the Whole RemodelWhy a Washington contractor charges sales tax on the full remodel price, labor included, and three jobs worked at the 6.5% state rate.West Virginia Sales Tax on Home Improvement (2026): Remodel or RepairWhen a West Virginia contractor charges sales tax on a home job, a remodel or a repair, and three jobs worked at 6%.Wisconsin Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Wisconsin contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 5%.Wyoming Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home RemodelWhether a Wyoming contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 4%.Mechanics liens
52 guides
Mechanics Lien Deadlines by State (2026): A Remodeler's Calendar for All 50 StatesHow long a contractor hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in every state and DC, the notice that has to come first, and the deadline to sue, with a calculator from your last day of work.Alabama Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 6 Months after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Alabama, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Alaska Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Alaska, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Arizona Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Arizona, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Arkansas Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Arkansas, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.California Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in California, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Colorado Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 4 Months after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Colorado, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Connecticut Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Connecticut, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Delaware Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 180 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Delaware, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.District of Columbia Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in District of Columbia, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Florida Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Florida, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Georgia Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Georgia, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Hawaii Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): The Rules for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Hawaii, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Idaho Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Idaho, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Illinois Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 4 Months after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Illinois, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Indiana Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 60 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Indiana, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Iowa Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Iowa, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Kansas Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 4 Months after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Kansas, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Kentucky Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 6 Months after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Kentucky, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Louisiana Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 60 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Louisiana, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Maine Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Maine, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Maryland Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 180 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Maryland, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Massachusetts Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Massachusetts, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Michigan Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Michigan, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Minnesota Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Minnesota, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Mississippi Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Mississippi, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Missouri Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 6 Months after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Missouri, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Montana Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Montana, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Nebraska Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Nebraska, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Nevada Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Nevada, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.New Hampshire Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in New Hampshire, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.New Jersey Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in New Jersey, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.New Mexico Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in New Mexico, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.New York Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 4 Months after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in New York, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.North Carolina Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in North Carolina, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.North Dakota Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in North Dakota, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Ohio Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 60 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Ohio, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Oklahoma Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 4 Months after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Oklahoma, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Oregon Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 75 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Oregon, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Pennsylvania Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 6 Months after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Pennsylvania, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Rhode Island Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 200 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Rhode Island, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.South Carolina Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in South Carolina, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.South Dakota Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 120 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in South Dakota, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Tennessee Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Tennessee, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Texas Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 15th Day of the 3rd Month for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Texas, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Utah Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 180 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Utah, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Vermont Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 180 Days after Payment Due for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Vermont, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Virginia Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Virginia, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Washington Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 90 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Washington, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.West Virginia Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 100 Days after Completion for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in West Virginia, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Wisconsin Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 6 Months after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Wisconsin, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Wyoming Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 150 Days after Last Work for RemodelersHow long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Wyoming, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.Deposit limits
36 guides
Contractor Deposit Limits by State (2026), Worked in DollarsThe most a contractor can take up front on a home improvement job in every state and DC, quoted from each statute and worked on $8,000, $25,000 and $60,000 jobs.Alabama Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): $0 on Insurance Roofing Until Day FiveAlabama sets no general cap on contractor deposits, but a roofer paid by insurance can't require any payment until five business days after a claim denial.Arizona Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): Pools 15%, Storm Repair 50%Arizona caps deposits on pools and spas at 15% and on catastrophic-storm repair at 50%; other work has no cap.Arkansas Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, a 3-Day Cancel After an Insurance DenialArkansas sets no deposit cap.California Contractor Deposit Limit (2026): $1,000 or 10%The most a California contractor can take as a down payment on a home improvement job, quoted from the statute and worked from $5,000 to $60,000.Colorado Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): Roofing Deposits Held in TrustColorado sets no general cap, but a residential roofing deposit is held in trust and refundable within 72 hours of signing.DC Home Improvement Deposit Rules (2026): Only Licensed Contractors Can Take Payment Before CompletionThe District sets no deposit percentage, but only a licensed home improvement contractor can take any payment before the job is complete, and only under a written contract.Florida Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, but Over 10% Starts a ClockFlorida sets no cap on contractor deposits, but taking more than 10% sets deadlines to apply for permits and start work.Georgia Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, No Roofing Payment Until the Denial Window EndsGeorgia sets no deposit cap.Indiana Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, a 3-Day Cancel and a 10-Day RefundIndiana sets no deposit cap, but every residential home improvement contract can be cancelled for 3 business days, later on insurance work, and the deposit comes back within 10 days.Kentucky Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Advance Payment on Insurance Work Until Day FiveKentucky sets no general cap, but on work paid from an insurance claim a contractor can't require any advance payment until five business days after a denial.Louisiana Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Work in 45 Days Can Mean FraudLouisiana sets no cap on contractor deposits, but taking payment and doing no work for 45 days can show intent to defraud.Maine Contractor Deposit Limit (2026): One ThirdThe most a Maine home construction contractor can take up front, quoted from 10 MRS 1487 and worked from $3,000 to $60,000.Maryland Contractor Deposit Limit (2026): One ThirdThe most a Maryland home improvement contractor can take at signing, quoted from Business Regulation 8-617 and worked from $5,000 to $60,000.Massachusetts Contractor Deposit Limit (2026): One Third or Special OrderThe most a Massachusetts home improvement contractor can take up front, quoted from G.L.Minnesota Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, Money Held in Trust, a Roofing Cancel After DenialMinnesota sets no deposit cap.Mississippi Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Roofing Payment During the 3-Day CancelMississippi sets no deposit cap, but since July 2024 an insurance-paid residential roofer can't require any payment until the 3-business-day cancellation period ends.Missouri Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, Cancel Until Day Five After an Insurance DenialMissouri sets no deposit cap.Nebraska Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, a 3-Day Cancel After an Insurance NoticeNebraska sets no deposit cap.Nevada Contractor Deposit Limit (2026): $1,000 or 10%The most a Nevada residential contractor can take up front, quoted from NRS 624.970 and worked from $5,000 to $60,000.New Jersey Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, No Final Payment Before CompletionNew Jersey sets no deposit cap, but a contractor can't require final payment before the work is done, and a cancelled contract's payments come back within 30 days.New York Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Roofing Deposit, Escrow for the RestNew York bars roofing contractors from requiring any deposit and makes other home improvement advance payments go into escrow.North Carolina Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Roofing Payment Until Day FiveNorth Carolina sets no general cap, but since October 1, 2024 an insurance roofing contractor can't start work or collect any payment until five business days after a denial.North Dakota Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): Abandoning a Paid Job Is a FelonyNorth Dakota sets no cap on contractor deposits, but willfully abandoning a job after taking payment is a felony graded by the amount.Ohio Contractor Deposit Limit (2026): 10% on Contracts Over $25,000Ohio caps the down payment at 10% on home construction and remodeling contracts over $25,000 with an insured contractor.Oklahoma Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, a 72-Hour Cancel After an Insurance DenialOklahoma sets no deposit cap.Oregon Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, but Over 50% Carries RiskOregon sets no cap on contractor deposits, but taking more than half and then not performing allows license probation.Pennsylvania Contractor Deposit Limit (2026): One Third Plus Special OrderThe most a Pennsylvania home improvement contractor can take up front, quoted from the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act and worked with custom materials.South Carolina Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Roofing Payment Until Day FiveSouth Carolina sets no general cap, but a contractor on an insurance-paid roof can't require any payment until the five-day cancellation period ends.South Dakota Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, a 72-Hour Cancel on Storm RoofingSouth Dakota sets no deposit cap.Tennessee Contractor Deposit Limit (2026): One Third, in Nine CountiesTennessee caps home improvement deposits at one third, but only in the nine counties that adopted the Home Improvement law.Texas Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, but $0 Before Disaster WorkTexas sets no general cap on contractor deposits, but disaster repair contractors can't require payment before work begins.Vermont Contractor Deposit Limit (2026): Half the Labor or MaterialsVermont caps the down payment at half the labor or half the materials, whichever is greater, on contracts with a maximum price.West Virginia Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Advance Payment on Insurance RoofingWest Virginia sets no deposit cap, but an insurance-paid residential roofer can't require any advance payment until the cancellation period ends.Wisconsin Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): Written Contract for Any PrepaymentWisconsin sets no cap, but any payment before the work is done needs a written contract with dates, can be spent only on that job, and is refunded if a deadline is missed.Wyoming Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, a 3-Day Cancel on Storm RepairWyoming sets no deposit cap.FAQ
7 guides
Questions to Ask a Contractor Before You Sign, and While the Work Is Under WayWhat a remodel contract should answer before you sign it, and what to ask once the work starts: scope, allowances, payments, permits, changes, protection, the schedule, what done means and what you should have at the end.Questions to Ask Before a Kitchen RemodelThe kitchen decisions in the order you'll meet them, from what stays to the countertop template, with the questions to ask and what a useful answer includes.Questions to Ask a Bathroom ContractorThe bathroom decisions in the order you'll meet them, from the floor under the old tile to the tile layout, with the questions to ask and what a useful answer includes.Questions to Ask a Basement or Addition ContractorFor finishing a basement or adding on: the intended use and approvals, moisture and radon, escape openings, the foundation and roof tie-ins, heating, power and matching what's already there.Questions to Ask Your Builder, From Site Work to Final WalkthroughThe decisions in building a house, in build order, with the questions to ask, what a useful answer includes and the last point at which each one is cheap to change.New Home Builder Red Flags: Answers That Should Make You Ask AgainThe answers that should prompt a second question when you're building a house, in build order, with what each leaves unconfirmed and what to ask for instead.Pre-Drywall Walkthrough ChecklistThe questions for the walk before the walls close, in the order you'll walk them: a look back at the site and the pour, then everything behind the drywall, then what locks with the cabinet order.Growing the business
6 guides
Quarterly Estimated Taxes 2026 for Contractors: Due Dates, Safe Harbor and the Penalty, WorkedThe four 2026 due dates, the safe harbor that sets the payment, and a $140,000 remodeler worked from profit to $7,000 a quarter, with what skipping the payments costs.The 4 Stages of a Remodeling Business, by Annual RevenueUnder $150K, $150K to $500K, $500K to $1.5M, and over $1.5M: four stages that operate in fundamentally different ways.How Many Leads Does a Contractor Need? Start With the Jobs You Need to SellHow many leads does a contractor need?What Is a Good Close Rate for a Contractor? Measure Yours Against Your PlanThere is no close rate that is right for every contractor.What a Contractor Has to Sell Before the Business Earns a ProfitBreak-even is not the point where you start getting paid.What a Solo Contractor Has to Charge to Make $100,000Not a motivational number.New to the app? Set up Clamp: 19 short how-tos →