Delegate to Grow: Why Contractors Must Stop Doing It All
Are You Running a Business or Just Owning a Job?
Let’s be honest — many contractors don’t truly own a business; they own a stressful job. They’re answering every phone call, quoting every project, swinging the hammer all day, and handling payroll at night. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: you’ll never grow until you stop doing it all yourself.
At American Pole & Timber, we’ve seen this story play out across countless successful construction businesses. The difference between surviving and scaling often comes down to one skill: delegation.
Why We Struggle to Delegate
Most business owners avoid delegating because of beliefs like:
- “No one can do it as well as I can.”
- “It’s faster if I just do it myself.”
- “My books and processes are too messy for anyone else to handle.”
- “If I let someone else deal with customers, it might hurt our reputation.”
These concerns are common — and often valid — but holding onto them keeps you trapped. It guarantees you’ll stay stuck in the day-to-day instead of building something sustainable.
A Real Example:
A few years ago, a Houston deck builder was overwhelmed — managing crews, ordering supplies, quoting jobs, and hand-writing invoices. His wife convinced him to hire a part-time bookkeeper, just to handle paperwork. At first, he resisted. But for just $75 a month, she cleaned up his records, streamlined invoicing, and improved cash flow.
Within two months, his stress levels dropped, his finances were organized, and — more importantly — he realized something: if someone else could manage the books, someone else could also handle small crews or customer calls. That one act of delegation opened the door to real business growth.
The Difference Between Delegating and Abdicating
Delegating isn’t dumping work — it’s assigning responsibility with clarity and accountability.
Here’s what proper delegation looks like:
- Choose the right person for the task.
- Give clear expectations and outcomes.
- Provide tools, training, and support.
- Follow up consistently (without micromanaging).
Abdication, on the other hand, is handing something off and hoping for the best — that’s what leads to chaos. Done correctly, delegation empowers your team and frees your time to focus on higher-value growth tasks.
What to Delegate First
If handing off tasks feels uncomfortable, start small. Here are some good first steps:
1. Bookkeeping and Paperwork
Hire a part-time bookkeeper to manage invoices, receipts, and tax prep. Platforms like Upwork make it easy to find experienced freelancers in your area.
2. Administrative Work
A virtual or part-time assistant can handle scheduling, supply orders, and customer inquiries. Try Indeed or LinkedIn to find local help.
3. Crew Management
If you have a reliable lead, let them manage smaller projects or day-to-day site work. Start with small responsibilities and build trust over time.
4. Sales Outreach
Train a team member to pre-qualify leads or handle initial calls. This saves you time to focus on key accounts.
Want to learn how American Pole & Timber supports contractors building scalable operations? Explore our contractor services to streamline your next project.
Working On the Business Instead of In It
Once you delegate, you free up time for higher-level growth tasks like:
- Building systems and processes for efficiency.
- Strengthening relationships with key clients.
- Planning long-term growth strategies.
- Training your team to take ownership.
That’s how you move from being “the person who does everything” to a true business owner.
Why Partner with American Pole & Timber
As your business grows, you need suppliers who understand your workflow. American Pole & Timber provides contractors with:
- Custom-engineered wood and timber products built to specification.
- Nationwide delivery and quick turnaround for complex orders.
- Specialized materials for marine, commercial, and industrial builds.
- Expert support and guidance to help your business scale efficiently.
Learn more about our custom wood manufacturing capabilities and discover how our team helps contractors like you grow sustainably.
Final Thought
Your business can only grow to the size of what you personally can handle — unless you learn to delegate.
Start with one task this week. Then another next week. Over time, you’ll free up space to focus on what truly matters — strategy, growth, and freedom.
Contact American Pole & Timber today for materials, production services, and industry expertise that help contractors grow smarter. Call us at 1 (800) 716-0636 or contact us here.