Photo: Osprey Exterior

Blog · 2026 · project management

Buying a business- what I learnt the hard way

Inspired by owner discussion on Reddit.

Buying a business- what I learnt the hard way. It’s been a year since my business buying hunt began.

Change orders in writing

Scope creep kills remodel jobs. Text confirmation + signed change order is non-negotiable past $10k.

Weekly client updates prevent fires

Silence reads as chaos. A two-line Friday text builds trust on long jobs.

Sub coordination is the real job

GC margin lives in scheduling trades — not swinging a hammer.

What owners are saying

• Contractor says $1800 to move water supply into the wall, plumber says should be no more than $600, which is c r/Plumbing
• Roofing company made a mistake, things got a little ugly. r/Roofing
• Unacceptable Niche Update: Customer paid and we returned to pop some lipstick on the pig r/Tile
• Reproduction Window Frames r/Carpentry