How to Start 2026 Strong and Finish Profitable

The start of a new calendar year is more than a reset; it is your best opportunity to fix what slowed you down last year. By identifying, analyzing and understanding where past years fell short, it allows you to make intentional changes now to create more efficient operations and improved profitability.

Here are the steps we recommend taking early in 2026 to make this your most organized and profitable year yet.

1. Lock in Your Financial Foundation

Before jobs ramp up, make sure your numbers are solid.

  • Finalize last year’s close and clean up any unresolved accounts
  • Review cash flow, debt, and retained earnings
  • Set clear revenue, margin, and cash targets for 2026

2. Build a Realistic Job Costing Plan

Profit is won or lost at the job level.

  • Review prior-year job performance to identify margin leaks
  • Update cost codes and labor burden rates
  • Set standard markup targets by project type
Forecast Cash, Not Just Revenue

3. Forecast Cash, Not Just Revenue

Many contractors fail in profitable years due to cash timing.

  • Map expected inflows and outflows by month
  • Account for retainage, mobilization, and seasonal slowdowns
  • Plan financing needs before you need them

4. Standardize Systems and Processes

Chaos is expensive, consistency and organization are profitable.

  • Confirm your accounting, payroll, and project management tools are integrated
  • Create repeatable workflows for billing, change orders, and approvals

5. Get Proactive with Tax and Compliance Planning

Do not wait for year-end surprises!

  • Plan estimated taxes and entity strategies early
  • Review labor compliance, payroll filings, and insurance requirements
  • Align financial strategy with upcoming growth or hiring plans
Treat Your Finance Team as a Strategic Partner

6. Treat Your Finance Team as a Strategic Partner

2026 should not be about reacting, it should be about leading.

  • Schedule regular financial reviews
  • Use KPIs to guide decisions, not just reports
  • Make finance part of your leadership conversations

A successful year in construction is not only about working harder, but also about starting smarter. With the right financial structure, clear visibility, and disciplined processes, 2026 can be your smoothest and most profitable year yet. If you are ready to move from reactive accounting to strategic clarity, this is the year to do it.

ready to run your business with the same confidence you have on the job site?

at adding technology, we know you want to focus on what you do best as a contractor. in order to do that, you need a proactive back office crew who has financial expertise in your industry.

the problem is that managing and understanding key financial compliance details for your business is a distraction when you want to spend your time focused on building your business (and our collective future).
our vision is a future where every contractor has the financial stability, tools and knowledge to grow their business with confidence so that they can focus on building projects in our communities.
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Ready to run your business with the same
confidence you have on the job site?

At adding technology, we know you want to focus on what you do best as a contractor. In order to do that, you need a proactive back office crew who has financial expertise in your industry.

The problem is that managing and understanding key financial compliance details for your business is a distraction when you want to spend your time focused on building your business (and our collective future).

We understand that there is an art to what contractors do, and financial worries can disrupt the creative process and quality of work. We know that many contractors struggle with messy books, lack of realtime financial visibility, and the stress of compliance issues. These challenges can lead to frustration, overwhelm, and fear that distracts from their core business.

That's where we come in. We're not just accountants; we're part of your crew. We renovate your books, implement cutting-edge technology, and provide you with the real-time job costing and financial insights you need to make informed decisions. Our services are designed to give you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on what you do best - creating and building.

Here’s how we do it:

  1. Schedule a conversation. Let’s break ground on your financial renovation.
  2. We work through an assessment together that leads to a plan based on your specific needs. Then, we execute, and you have the opportunity to evaluate us on progress from day 1.
  3. Enjoy the freedom to build our future!

Schedule a conversation today, and in the meantime, download the Contractor’s Blueprint for Financial Success: A Step by-Step Guide to Maximizing Profits in Construction.” So you can stop worrying about accounting, technology, and compliance details and be free to hammer out success in the field.