Field notes on contractor finance.
Surety bonds, WIP schedules, pay applications, and the paperwork that decides who gets paid. Written from 7 years on the funds control side.
AI in practice
We Audited 40 AI Finance Skills. 4 Were Theater. Here's What Actually Works.
Most AI "skills" have never been tested. We audited 40 of ours and retired 4 as theater. The research on why bigger AI libraries are worse, and the 3 questions that separate real tools from vapor.
Complete guide · Bonding
The SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program: A Contractor's Complete Guide
Everything contractors need to know about the SBA Surety Bond Guarantee program: eligibility, documents, application process, and why most fail at preparation, not eligibility.
Bonding
SBA Bond Application Checklist: What You Need Before You Apply
The complete checklist of documents and prep work you need before applying for an SBA surety bond. Don't walk in unprepared.
WIP
What Is a WIP Schedule and Why Your Surety Wants One
The WIP schedule is the most-misunderstood document in the bond application packet. Here's what it is, why sureties need it, and how to prepare one.
Bonding
Why Most Bond Applications Fail (And It's Not Eligibility)
Most contractors who get turned away for surety bonds aren't ineligible; they're unprepared. Here's what actually goes wrong.
Bonding
Bond-Ready vs. Bonded: What Contractors Get Wrong
Being ready to apply for a bond is not the same as being approved. Understand the difference and why timing matters.
Restaurant
Restaurant Food Cost Percentage: What It Is and How to Calculate It
Food cost percentage is the single most misunderstood metric in restaurant finance. Here's what it actually means, how to calculate it, and what operators get wrong.