To most contractors, the following scenario is all too familiar: The homeowner takes one of your carpenters aside and says, "Let's work out a deal on these cabinets. If you install them for me this weekend, I'll pay you under the table." The carpenter earns a little extra income and the homeowner avoids paying you your employee overhead. The best way to handle this kind of situation is to avoid it in the first place. First, you should explain to your employees that the reason you're able to pay their wages, health insurance, vacation days and whatever other benefits you offer is because you have a consistent supply of new work for them. One main source of
