How to Start (and Run) a Construction Company: 8-Hour Webinar Outline
Hosted by Stephan Landers, Owner of Landers Electrical Contracting Inc.
Built for electricians, HVAC, general contracting, plumbing, carpentry, concrete, framing, handymen and women, and all skilled trades.
🕘 Duration: 8 Hours (Including 2 Breaks)
Session Format: LIVE Instructor Led + Interactive via Zoom (only 5 seats per webinar for personalized training)
Includes: Live 8 hour access to licensed contractor, Q&A, and 30-minute follow-up call with Stephan scheduled at your convenience
Overview of Webinar Sections
🧱 Hour 1: Introduction + Why Most Construction Companies Fail
Welcome and instructor background (Stephan Landers)
Why most tradespeople stay stuck
5 biggest mistakes new contractors make
Transitioning from technician to business owner
Live discussion: What’s your “why” for starting a business?
📑 Hour 2: Setting Up Your Business the Right Way
Choosing the best entity (LLC vs. S-Corp vs. Sole Prop)
Registering your business & EIN
Naming your company & buying your domain
Opening your business bank account
Demo: Setting up QuickBooks Online
BREAK – 10 Minutes
📋 Hour 3: Licensing, Permits, Insurance, Bonding
State license classifications and requirements
Pulling permits properly
What your insurance doesn’t cover
How bonding actually works
Workers comp: when it’s required and when it’s not
Live Q&A on trade-specific compliance
🔧 Hour 4: Tools, Equipment, Vehicles & Field Setup
Startup tool checklist by trade
Van vs. truck vs. trailer setup
Inventory strategy (what to stock vs. buy per job)
Creating jobsite checklists and daily loadouts
Photos of real-world rig setups (Stephan’s walkthrough)
LUNCH – 30 Minutes
💵 Hour 5: Estimating, Pricing & Getting Paid
Time & materials vs. flat rate vs. unit pricing
Building your pricing system from scratch
Sample rate sheet demo (materials markup + labor)
Payment terms and milestone billing
Contracts, deposits, and avoiding non-payers
Hands-on exercise: Build your first pricing calculator
📈 Hour 6: Marketing & Lead Generation
Local SEO crash course (Google Business Profile, reviews)
How to get 25+ 5-star reviews in 90 days
Building a website that converts
Social media content ideas for all trades
Blogging and YouTube for long-term lead gen
Optional: When to run ads + what to avoid
BREAK – 10 Minutes
🛠️ Hour 7: Sales, Contracts, and Job Costing
How to close the job like a pro
Qualifying vs. quoting leads
Sending professional proposals
Managing change orders
Job costing demo: how to track each project’s true profit
Overhead, breakeven, and how to stop guessing
🧑🤝🧑 Hour 8: Hiring, Scaling, and Operations
When to hire your first helper
Apprentice vs. journeyman vs. subcontractor
Daily communication systems
Project management without software
Templates: job folder, punch list, customer closeout
Culture, expectations, and leadership
Wrap-up, Q&A, and what’s next
🎁 BONUS: One Job Can Pay for It All
Most contractors can cover the full cost of this webinar with one solid job:
Panel upgrade ($4,800)
Water heater ($2,800)
Mini split ($4,000)
You leave with:
Complete overview understanding of starting, running, and being successful in a construction business
Live access to a successful contractor
Q&A time to address your specific questions
A 30-minute 1-on-1 call to help you implement everything (scheduled at your convenience)
Let’s build a business—not just own a job.
