🚧 Today’s Rundown
🔹 Abolishing OSHA – Probably Not?
🔹 How to Spot (and Avoid) Clients Who Will Waste Your Time 🛠 Helping Residential Contractors & Subs Build Smarter, Work Safer, and Grow Faster
🏗️ Feature Story: Bill Introduced to Abolish OSHA – What Contractors Need to Know
📉 What’s Happening?
Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs has reintroduced the "Nullify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (NOSHA) Act," seeking to eliminate OSHA entirely. Biggs argues that workplace safety should be handled by states and private employers rather than the federal government.
At the same time, President Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have already put OSHA rulemaking on hold, with expected cuts to the agency. While there’s no official plan to abolish OSHA outright, the bill reflects the broader push to shrink federal oversight and deregulate industries, including construction.
📌 Why It Matters for Contractors:
OSHA’s future is uncertain, and any major cuts or restrictions could affect workplace safety regulations, compliance requirements, and inspections.
State-level enforcement could vary widely, leading to different rules across the country if OSHA is weakened or abolished.
Fewer federal safety mandates might mean less paperwork and oversight, but could also lead to increased liability risks for contractors if safety enforcement shifts to civil lawsuits.
💡 Take Action:
✅ Keep an eye on state-level safety laws, as some states may strengthen their own regulations if OSHA weakens.
✅ If OSHA oversight is reduced, expect insurance companies to step in with stricter safety requirements for coverage.
✅ Maintain strong internal safety policies—whether OSHA remains or not, accidents and lawsuits cost more than compliance.
🚀 Pro Tip: Even if regulations loosen, documenting your safety practices can help protect your business from liability claims.
📌 Business Tip: How to Spot Clients Who Waste Your Time
One of the biggest frustrations for contractors is spending hours preparing estimates, answering questions, and revising proposals—only for the homeowner to ghost them, delay the project indefinitely, or shop around for the cheapest bid.
The reality? Not every lead is worth your time. Some clients will never commit no matter how good your offer is. That’s why pre-qualifying leads before investing too much effort is critical.
🚩 5 Red Flags That a Client Will Waste Your Time
1️They Refuse to Give a Budget 💰
Clients who say “We don’t have a budget” or “Just give me your best price” are often shopping around and not serious about hiring. A real buyer has at least a range in mind.
✔️ What to Do: Ask, “Have you set aside a budget for this project?” If they dodge the question, proceed with caution.
2️They Request Multiple Revisions Before Signing Anything 📑
If a prospect keeps tweaking the details before committing, they’ll likely be a headache once work starts. These clients often:
❌ Ask for multiple quote variations with different materials, timelines, or payment options.
❌ Have unrealistic expectations about cost and timelines.
❌ Expect you to "prove yourself" before making a decision.
✔️ What to Do: Limit free revisions. Set a policy like "Two free revisions, then $100 per additional change request."
3️They Say They’re “Getting a Few More Bids” But Have No Decision Timeline ⏳
Comparison shopping is normal, but some homeowners collect quotes endlessly without a clear intent to hire. If they’re “just looking for numbers,” you’re probably wasting your time.
✔️ What to Do: Ask, “What’s your timeline for making a decision?” If they can’t give a straight answer, move on.
4️They Are Overly Focused on Price, Not Value ⚠️
Some clients will ask:
❌ “Can you match this other contractor’s price?”
❌ “Can you do this for cheaper?”
❌ “What’s your lowest price?”
These are not ideal clients—they’re just looking for the cheapest option, which leads to corners being cut, complaints, and payment issues later.
✔️ What to Do: Explain your value. Say, “We’re not the cheapest, but we ensure high-quality results, reliability, and no hidden costs.” If they insist on price-matching, let them go.
5️They Can’t Clearly Describe What They Want 🤷♂️
If a homeowner is vague about their expectations, keeps changing their mind, or relies on you to design their entire project for free, they may not be mentally ready to commit.
✔️ What to Do: Offer a paid consultation for project planning. This helps separate serious buyers from indecisive ones.
🚀 How to Pre-Qualify Clients & Save Time
✅ Ask budget & timeline questions upfront – Don’t invest hours in a lead who isn’t serious.
✅ Charge for detailed project consultations – Stop doing free design work for tire-kickers.
✅ Limit free estimate revisions – Protect your time and set clear expectations.
✅ Be firm about your pricing – Quality work isn’t for bargain hunters.
By filtering out bad leads early, you’ll spend more time on clients who value your expertise and are ready to hire.
💡 Take Action This Week
✔️ Update your lead qualification process to weed out tire-kickers.
✔️ Train your team to recognize the red flags of bad clients.
✔️ Test charging a consultation fee for serious clients only.
This will save you hours every week and help you close better-quality jobs.
Contact me to receive a free pre-qualification phone script! 📑💰
😂 Contractor Humor: "Why did the construction worker bring a pencil to the bar? He wanted to draw attention!"
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👷♂️ Stay safe, keep building smarter!
— Benjamin Patton