The Trump administration enacted new tariffs on lumber and kitchen cabinets, adding pressure to construction budgets. The tariffs apply a 10% duty on softwood lumber and a 25% levy on imported kitchen cabinets. By 2026, the cabinet tariff is set to double to 50%. As a...
MKR Blog
Proven Strategies to Help Construction Firms Streamline Bidding and Win More Contracts
Winning new business isn’t just about offering a competitive price. It’s about creating a well-structured and convincing proposal that shows why you’re the best choice for the job. Whether your company is established or still growing, improving your bidding process is...
2025 Construction Trends That Will Impact Your Business’s Bottom Line
As we move through 2025, construction businesses are navigating a mix of challenges and fresh opportunities. A steady economic rebound, higher levels of government investment, and rising demand for infrastructure, housing, and commercial development are driving growth...
How Construction Firms Can Break Through Progress Barriers for Growth and Greater Profits
For construction companies, growth and profitability often hinge on that company’s ability to overcome progress barriers. Whether it’s delays in project timelines, inefficiencies in communication, or outdated practices, construction firms need innovative solutions to...
Construction Cash Flow: Avoid Falling for the Illusion of Profitability (Plus Tips To Boost Profits)
Managing cash flow in the construction industry can be challenging, and it’s crucial to understand the difference between income and cash flow to avoid falling for the illusion of profitability. Many construction businesses may appear profitable on paper, but they...
How Will the Economy Impact the Construction Industry in 2024?
Understanding how economic trends influence construction can provide valuable insights for businesses and professionals in the field. For instance, high interest rates and slower economic growth will put increasing pressure on construction and manufacturing this year....
Tips to Avoid OSHA Violations and Fines in Construction
Learn vital steps to protect construction workers and businesses from OSHA violations and fines. Stay informed about changing regulations, prioritize worker training, and utilize OSHA consultation services to maintain a safe jobsite.
The Benefits of Drone Technology for Construction Firms
Construction firms are catching on to the value that drones – or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – add to construction projects. In this article, we’ll explore some of the benefits of construction firms using drone technology. Enhanced Accuracy Drones have the...
How Construction Firms Can Leverage Technology to Control Project Costs
The construction industry isn’t known for its willingness to embrace change, so it’s no surprise that, generally, the industry’s been slow to accept technology. Enter the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent economic turmoil and labor and material shortages, and many...
How to Implement Current Construction Industry Trends to Tackle Challenges and Boost Company Growth
The construction industry has seen its fair share of challenges throughout the past two years as the pandemic surged, and the jury’s still out on 2022. The good news is that following technology trends can help withstand challenges and leverage ongoing opportunities...
How Tariffs Are Affecting Construction Costs
The Trump administration enacted new tariffs on lumber and kitchen cabinets, adding pressure to construction budgets. The tariffs apply a 10% duty on softwood lumber and a 25% levy on imported kitchen cabinets. By 2026, the cabinet tariff is set to double to 50%. As a...
More Americans Are Tapping 401(k)s for emergencies. Here’s When a Hardship Withdrawal Is and Isn’t a Smart Move
More Americans are turning to a 401(k) hardship withdrawal to cover urgent and unexpected expenses. By the end of 2024, about 5% of employees had taken a hardship withdrawal from their 401(k) accounts. That’s more than double the 2% who did so in 2018. With inflation,...
How the Government Shutdown Affected Small Businesses
When the federal government shuts down, businesses across the nation feel the effects, especially for those that rely on federal programs, work directly with federal agencies, or operate near government properties. This article explains how government shutdowns affect...
How to Grow Your Money When Savings and CD Rates Drop After Rate Cuts
When the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, it’s good news for borrowers and consumers, but not so much for savers. The Fed’s recent quarter-point rate cut is a reminder that the annual percentage yields (APYs) on savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)...
Trump’s Pfizer Deal Signals Relief for Drugmakers Facing Tariff Threats
A recent deal between the Trump administration and Pfizer is signaling hope to the pharmaceutical industry. Under Trump's Pfizer deal, Pfizer gets an exemption from pharmaceutical-specific tariffs if the company invests in domestic manufacturing. This key deal is...
Tax Changes Under the One Big Beautiful Bill: Nontaxable Income, Gift Limits, and Overtime Deductions
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) introduced several tax changes designed to boost take-home pay and simplify the tax code. Some major adjustments include nontaxable income, gift limits, estate tax exemption, and overtime deductions. Here’s a look at...
Smart Business Strategies to Prepare for Economic Downturns
Economies always run in cycles, which means that, at some point, inevitably, there will be a downturn. And the best time to prepare for an economic downturn is before things start to take a tumble. In this article, we’ll go over strategies you can use to keep your...
Succession Planning for Professional Services Practices: Preparing to Sell, Merge, or Pass the Firm to the Next Generation
What happens when it’s time to step back from running your professional services firm? Is there a clear path for the future of your business? In this article, we’ll go over how to create a solid succession plan, whether you’re looking to sell, merge, or pass the firm...
How to Maximize the $40,000 SALT Deduction in 2025 Under Trump’s New Tax Law
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) signed by President Trump includes a federal cap on the state and local tax (SALT). Until 2024, SALT was capped at $10,000 under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), but the OBBB increased it to $40,000. The cap will rise by 1% each...
How Tariffs, Economic Uncertainty, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Are Impacting Small Business Earnings
Small businesses are finally seeing signs of life after a rocky few years. Since January, average earnings have climbed by 75%. That’s an encouraging statistic, yet monthly revenues still lag behind the record highs of the past two years. This signals that progress is...