For you Seinfeld fans, you may recall George Costanzas’ infamous wallet.  Yes, that wallet that was so big it had its own zip code!  George’s wallet is now the object of a new advertisement that is promoting Google Wallet.  Google Wallet is a new way to pay for purchases by using a smart phone.

Enjoy the video below and learn more at http://www.google.com/wallet/

Here is a link to the video above

…

I was interviewed and quoted in the August issue of Remodeling Magazine, an industry leading journal published by Hanley Wood.  The article highlights pro’s and con’s of accepting credit cards as a form of payment for remodelers and home improvement contractors.

Read the full article .  My quote is below.

Chuck Solomon, president of Remodel & Repair Solutions, in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., gives his customers the option to use credit cards but only via PayPal.com or Google Checkout. “I let the customer know that I add the 2.9% processing fee that I have to pay onto their bill for that convenience,” he says. “These are both very easy to set up and there is no monthly fee involved.”

Solomon points out that he only offers this as a convenience for the relatively few customers who ask to pay by credit card.

>>>

There are a few options that allow a small business to accept credit card payments from customers without having to purchase costly equipment or pay a recurring month fee. It is ideal for a business that maybe gets the occasional request from a customer to pay via credit card.

These services typically charge you 2-3% of the total as a fee. They do not charge monthly fees or require you to purchase any equipment. You may absorb the processing fee, or add 2-3% to all of your invoices

Check out the following services:

www.paypal.com and www.google.com/checkout — Both allow ability to email an invoice and customer pays on secure website online.

Also try  Squareup www.squareup.com and GoPayments www.payments.intuit.com offer a free credit scanner that attaches to a mobile phone. This small device allows you the ability to swipe a customers credit card for payment on the spot.

>>>

remodeling blog

There continues to be a good deal of discussion around the remodeling industry about starting a new trade association.  The industry has two organizations that serve in this role.  NARI, and the NAHB Remodeler’s Council but some seem to believe that those organizations aren’t fully meeting the needs of remodelers.  Here is a new discussion on the topic on the Remodel Crazy website.

>>>

www.StartContractorBusiness.com is a new resources available for those wanting to start a remodel, contracting, building, specialty trades or home improvement handyman business.

Are you –

• wanting to start your own business?
• seeking to grow your existing business?
• searching for tools that make  your business  more efficient and profitable?

Learn more at www.StartContractorBusiness.com.

From the FAQ page.  This website is for anyone that has a desire to start and operate a successful home improvement business in the United States or Canada.  The topics covered are mainly focused on a small business just starting out and wanting to develop business systems that will help them to be more productive and more profitable. The resources are applicable many types of home improvement service businesses such as handyman, painting, plumbing, contracting, landscaping, electrical contracting, HVAC, paving, grading, power-washing, remodeler, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, pool and spa, remodeling, masonry, chimney sweeping, flooring, tiling, carpentry, windows and siding, roofing and more.

Hello,

I am heading to Baltimore for the Remodeling Show tomorrow.  If you are attending, please stop by and we can meet in-person .  I will be at the ELMS Software Booth number 4103, right near the NARI booth.  I would enjoy meeting my blog subscribers.  So stop on by if you plan on attending this conference.

Regards,

Chuck

Follow-up to this post (9-21-10)

Besides being behind a bit with a backload of work to do from being out of the office for almost a week from my day job, I enjoyed my time at this years Remodeling Show.  Neat new products to see, many optimists in the crowd.  My favorite part was meeting and talking with a number of remodeling professionals from around the country.

FREE Webinar for contractors- How fit is your business?  Part of the Growth Coach Webinar series.  I have attended a few of these webinars and have always found some helpful information for my business in each.  It is and hour investment to help improve your home improvement or handyman business.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept 8th, 2010 – 2:00 PM Eastern

WHERE:  Your computer

To learn more and register, click here.

>>

Queensboro Shirt company is offering deep discounts (up to 50% off) on there line of embroidered shirts, hats, and other products. Click here for custom-embroidered logo shirts and apparel or on the image below.

>>

The folks at Footbridge Media can assist your contracting, remodeling, painting, specialty trades or handyman business with getting more customers.   Their marketing consultants specialize in the home improvement industry and can provide you a cost-effective marketing program that will get customers contacting your for your services.

They provide a customized website, SEO, marketing consultant and more for a monthly subscription fee of only $149.  Learn more at FootBridgeMedia.com.

…

Did you know a good portion of the Remodeling Show on September 14-17, 2010 is FREE to attendees.  You just need to register by August 16th.   This year’s event is being held in Baltimore, Maryland.  See Remodeling Show for details.

Admission into the Exhibit Hall, including Tool Alley, the Kitchen and Bath Showcase, on-floor education like installation clinics, deck workshops and all the presenting exhibit is FREE.

I will be attending.  Let me know if you plan on attending and we can meet-up.

See Remodeling Show for details.