The Business of Being In Business

The Business of Being In Business

Here at A Carpenter I wear many hats. For years, I have bid on projects, tracked costs, invoiced clients, paid bills and worked in the field. This last year, with the help of software, I took on the task of running my own payroll and paying state taxes that are due on the 25th of every month. I then pay the employee taxes an employer needs to pay every quarter. Sometimes I do all of these different activities in one day. It can be quite a challenge! When all goes well it’s quite rewarding. It’s like a large computer game, as most of all the “office work” is done online or in the virtual world of my accounting software. The program does a special blump-te-beep sound when the books reconcile. I have taken it to the next level. When I was an apprentice carpenter, just learning the trade, I never thought I would be into it this deep. It’s part of the deal.

For me to take my trade to the streets under the trade name of A Carpenter, I need all my “office work” in order. In the fine State of Washington if I follow the rules the state backs me up. If a carpenter is doing a side job and is unlicensed, not bonded and not insured it is perfectly legal for a home owner not to pay for the work. The carpenter who is doing work like this is committing a crime.

The other side of that story is this: as a General Contractor who is bonded, insured and registered with the State of Washington to do business, the home owner has to pay for the work. It is a crime not to.

It is really a great system that rewards the people doing the right thing and punishes those who do not. I found it all shifted for me when I realized the State of Washington was on my side if I followed the rules. I have access to resources within the state who assist in me getting further educated. I have relationships with an architect, a lawyer, and a long-lasting relationship with my CPA. These professionals guide me through the fog of doing business. It has been quite a journey as I have navigated the process of following the rules. Life Is Good!