STRATTON
TOOLS SUITE
OPERATIONS &
COMPANY POLICY
The standing rules of the house — how J.A. Stratton licenses, insures, onboards a client, takes a payment, moves money, assigns authority, and pays its people. Written so the next call gets the same answer no matter who picks up the phone.
LICENSED, REGISTERED, INSURED
Missouri does not license general contractors at the state level, so no state GC license number or state surety bond can exist. This policy fixes how we answer that question and what we carry in its place.
Missouri issues trade licenses — mechanical, plumbing, electrical, plus inspector certifications — under state guidelines. It does not issue a general contractor's license, and it will not recognize a private or college GC certification as a state credential. Because there is no state-issued GC license, there is no license number to bond and no state surety obligation to satisfy.
General contractor requirements in Missouri are therefore set city by city. J.A. Stratton registers and pulls permits directly with each governing building department (e.g., historic review and code enforcement), and has done so for years.
- A municipality requires a license or permit bond to operate or pull permits in that jurisdiction.
- A signed contract with the owner specifically requires a performance or payment bond.
- We are bidding public work that mandates a bid bond.
- The work is private and the agreement does not require one.
- The request is for a state GC bond — none exists to issue.
- A bond would attach to a license number that cannot legally exist in Missouri.
"Missouri doesn't issue a state general contractor's license, so there isn't a state license number or state bond to provide — that's standard here, and it's the same template we use for every client. What protects your project is our insurance: we're fully covered, and your property is named on our policy. We register and pull permits directly with the city, and we carry a municipal bond wherever a city requires one."
THE PROTECTION WE ACTUALLY CARRY
Insurance is the protection that matters most on private rehab work. This policy sets our baseline coverage and the requirement to schedule every active client property onto the rehab rider.
GENERAL LIABILITY
Third-party property damage and bodily injury arising from our work.
WORKERS' COMP
Crew injury coverage as required for our people on site.
COMMERCIAL AUTO
Company vehicles in transit to and from job sites.
Each property we rehab is added to the firm's policy as a scheduled location under the rehab rider. Active client addresses are carried on the rider for the duration of the engagement (reference cost to the firm: approximately $100 / month for rehab coverage covering the scheduled properties). This is the mechanism that lets us tell a client, truthfully, that their property is covered in the event of loss.
Bind before boots on the ground
Confirm with the agent that the property is scheduled before the first day of work — never after.
Both properties on a multi-property engagement
When a client engages us on more than one address, every address is added to the rider, not just the first.
Make the proof available
The agent provides current insurance documentation. The client may call at any time to verify their property is listed on our policy.
FROM YES TO BOOTS ON THE GROUND
A repeatable sequence that takes a client from agreement to a signed contract, funded account, and a confirmed start date — with a short, warm welcome call as the hinge.
Confirm posture
Insurance bound and property scheduled (POL-002); licensing/bonding question resolved (POL-001).
Issue the contract for signature
The agreement is sent through Google Workspace so it can be signed and every party has visibility on the signatures. This doubles as the moment to deliver the corrected/updated terms.
Hold the welcome call (~15 minutes)
A short joint call to thank the client, welcome them, and walk the housekeeping items. Roles below.
Collect payment information
ACH banking + routing on file; set expectations on draw timing (POL-004 & POL-005).
Confirm the start date
Boots on the ground only after the contract is signed and the first draw is initiated.
CEO
Welcomes the client, sets the tone, stands behind the commitment.
COO
Thank-you and housekeeping: signatures, ACH info, payment policy.
SALES
The day-to-day relationship the client will see most often.
HOW WE TAKE MONEY IN
ACH is the default for project funds. Card acceptance is capped to protect the firm against chargebacks that could wipe out payroll. Every limit here has a deliberate, defensible reason.
A credit-card payment can be disputed and reversed by the payer after we have already done the work. When that happens, the funds are typically pulled from our account automatically, and we must appeal to recover them — even on disputes we ultimately win. A single large reversal can wipe out payroll for a month. ACH and checks do not carry that reversal risk. The caps below are not arbitrary: they are sized so that no single chargeback can take down the crew's pay.
| Method | Limit | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| ACH (checking) | Preferred · no cap | Standard method for project funds. Required for any amount above the card cap. Allow 5–10 business days to set up; initiate before the phase that needs it. |
| Check | No cap | A check is taken first to verify the account is real before any card is accepted — typically half of the pre-construction cost. |
| Credit card | $5,000 / draw | Maximum $5,000 per draw. Never the full amount at once. |
| Credit card — account total | $10,000 max | No more than $10,000 total on any one account, split across no more than two card draws, only after the verifying check. Everything beyond that is check or ACH. |
Get banking on file
Collect ACH bank + routing during onboarding. Card details only within the caps above.
Initiate the draw
Once information is on file, initiate the draw (target 24–48 hours). Work on a new phase begins after the draw clears.
Never draw without consent
We do not initiate a payment without the client's consent, and we tell them when each phase — and its draw — is about to start.
"For a project this size we run payments through ACH — it's the cleanest way to handle these amounts. We'll take a check first to verify the account, and we can accept a card for part of it within limits. Everything after that runs by ACH or check."
If asked why: "Card payments can be reversed after we've already done the work, and a big reversal would put our ability to pay the crew at risk. The limits keep the project — and our people — protected. Happy to walk through it."
ONE ENTITY, ONE ACCOUNT, ONE TRAIL
Funds move through the correct entity account, every time. Cross-entity deposits are not permitted, and timing expectations are set so the firm is never the cause of a clearing delay.
A check made out to one entity cannot be deposited into another entity's account — it will not clear. Before directing a client to pay into an account, confirm the receiving account is fully established and active for the entity named on the payment. Until the dedicated account is solidified, do not route client funds to it.
- Initiate the draw promptly once information is on file — target 24–48 hours.
- Set expectations up front: ACH can take 5–10 business days to establish.
- Tell the client when each phase and draw will start.
- Once we have initiated on time, any remaining delay sits with the client's banking institution, not with us.
- We do the right thing on our side first, so a delay is never ours to own.
WHO DECIDES, WHO SIGNS
Clear seats, clear authority, and one standing rule above them all: every agreement gets put on paper.
CEO
Final authority. Owns client commitments and approves policy. Stands behind the firm's word.
COO
Accounts receivable and payable, onboarding housekeeping, contract issuance and signature tracking.
OPERATIONS
Process design, gap-closing on client calls, payment-policy execution and documentation.
SALES
Primary client relationship, bids, and revenue. The face the client sees most.
FIELD
Execution on site. Boots on the ground once the contract is signed and the draw is initiated.
HOLDING CO.
Employs growth leadership and places them across operating entities (see POL-007).
Send from the right seat
Client emails go out from the responsible role. While the COO holds AR/AP, account communications are sent from that seat.
Everything on paper
A handshake is fine between people who trust each other — but it gets translated to a written record so everyone is on the same page about what was agreed, today and a year from now.
Document the activity
Calendar invites for calls; signatures captured in Google Workspace; decisions written down.
PAY THAT PROTECTS THE BUSINESS FIRST
A compensation framework built on two needs at once — the person's, and the business's. Base plus variable tied to real profitability, with equity and a multi-year path. Individual numbers live in each person's offer letter and the compensation calculator.
| Component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Base salary | A defined base set per role (a senior growth seat is anchored around $100,000, set above the prior offer). The figure is variable within a band depending on business performance. |
| Variable / bonus | Tied to EBITDA — earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. As real profitability rises, compensation rises. Defined ceilings apply at baseline performance (e.g., a senior seat tops near $125K all-in at baseline) and lift when ceilings are broken. |
| Equity | An equity participation (on the order of 1–2% to a defined cap) for those in an owner's seat — the most heavily weighted component for long-term contributors. |
| Cash-flow gate | The structure protects the business's cash flow first. If the cash flow isn't there, the model does not obligate payouts it cannot support. |
Growth leadership is hired by the holding company (working name: J.A. Stratton Holdings / Stratton Holdings) and placed into operating entities to build out divisions — for example, across the real-estate/wholesale entity and the construction entity. A leader operating in two entities is employed by the parent that benefits from growing both.
- Director (e.g., Director of Construction & Growth) — current, grounded in operations and sales.
- VP → President — as divisions are built and proven.
- CRO / CGO — Chief Revenue or Growth Officer: grow the bottom line, revenue, and strategic partnerships at scale.
COMPANY
POLICY
Part I sets how the work runs. Part II sets who the company is — its identity, its covenant, its standards of conduct, and the disciplines that govern brand, compliance, delivery, safety, money, and people.
ONE NAME. EARNED.
The legal entity, the ownership that grounds our certifications, and the brand architecture the name lives inside.
| Element | Definition |
|---|---|
| Legal entity | J.A. Stratton Construction Group, LLC — registered in Missouri, CPA-engaged, banking and supplier relationships established the right way. |
| Founders / owners | Joseph A. Stratton and Adrienne Stratton — husband and wife, veteran and co-founder, equal authority. |
| Master brand | Breakthrough Builders™ — the house the operating brand sits under. |
| Operating mark | STRATTON / J.A. STRATTON (J for Joseph, A for Adrienne). Primary domain jastratton.com. |
| Service area | St. Louis and the surrounding Missouri communities. |
The T in STRATTON is the Tau — an ancient mark of covenant. It sits within the name: for those who know, it is the mark; for everyone else, it is simply the name. Future verticals (Development, Foundation, Capital) are reserved under the same family of names and are not represented as active until formed.
THE FIVE WORDS THAT GOVERN EVERYTHING
Who we are and why we exist — the standard every decision in this manual is measured against.
COVENANT
Every project is a binding promise — legally and morally. We use the word covenant, not contract.
STEWARDSHIP
Every dollar, community, and relationship is a trust to be multiplied responsibly.
EXCELLENCE
Whatever we do, we do with all our heart. Craft over speed, every time.
SERVICE
Servant leadership is the founding posture. The community is the hero; we are the guide.
LEGACY
We build for those who come next. The name is designed to outlast its founders.
COVENANT OVER CONTRACT
The conduct expected of everyone who carries the name — with clients, partners, communities, and each other.
Honesty in scope and price
We tell a client what we can build, then build exactly that. We do not overpromise capability, and we refer work out when it is not ours to do.
Integrity of representation
Certifications, past performance, and capacity are stated accurately — never inflated to win work.
Conflicts of interest
Disclose any personal interest that could affect a company decision; let leadership resolve it.
Respect & non-discrimination
No discrimination or harassment of any kind, toward employees, subs, clients, or community members.
Confidentiality
Client, financial, and proprietary information is protected (see CORP-014).
LET THE NAME STAND ALONE
How the mark is used and how the company speaks — so every touchpoint carries the same weight.
- Let the name stand alone; speak in present tense — always building.
- Use short, declarative sentences.
- Reference community transformation over projects.
- Say covenant, not contract. Earn the explanation.
- Add "Construction" to the primary mark.
- Over-explain before showing the work.
- Use industry jargon on public materials.
- Apologize for the price or soften the name with qualifiers.
Primary mark STRATTON; institutional signature J.A. STRATTON on letterheads and formal documents; full legal name J.A. Stratton Construction Group, LLC on contracts and filings. The Tau (T) is never altered. Brand colors and typography follow the established system (navy, gold, Barlow Condensed / DM Sans / Space Mono).
CERTIFIED. QUALIFIED. ACCURATE.
Our certifications open doors; this policy keeps how we hold and represent them clean and defensible.
- SDVOSB / VOSB — Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, grounded in Joseph Stratton's service.
- WOSB — Women-Owned Small Business, qualified through Adrienne Stratton's ownership.
- SAM.gov & SBA — registered federal entity with a maintained capability statement.
- Municipal licensing — registered and permitted per jurisdiction (see POL-001).
NAICS honesty
Register only the codes we can perform or directly supervise; add codes as capability is demonstrated through completed work. Trade-licensed codes (e.g., electrical) require the licensed tradespeople.
Past performance is earned
Certifications are category memberships, not company-specific moats. Within set-asides, we still win on past performance, technical approach, price, and relationships.
Renewals tracked
Certification and registration renewals are calendared and maintained without lapse.
WE TELL YOU WHAT WE CAN BUILD
Defined service lines, honest scope, and a disciplined path from lead to signed work.
FEDERAL
Certified, SAM-registered, capability statement ready. Disciplined and accountable.
COMMERCIAL
Tenant improvements, build-outs, renovation, pre-construction consulting, site supervision.
SUBCONTRACTING
Insured, documentation-first sub work for premier GCs. Fast, clear communication.
Every opportunity moves through a documented pipeline: Lead → Qualify → Proposal → Close → Project. Estimates are honest and complete; the CRM is the single system of record (see CORP-014). We do not chase work we cannot staff or fund.
EVERYTHING ON PAPER
The documents that govern every engagement, and the rule that no agreement lives only in a handshake.
- Estimate / Quote — informal pricing.
- Proposal — scope, timeline, investment.
- Service Agreement — the full binding contract.
- Subcontractor Agreement — sub scope and terms.
- Work Order — field-level job authorization.
- Change Order — required before any out-of-scope work.
- Lien Waiver — issued upon payment release.
- Warranty Letter — post-completion warranty.
Sign through Google Workspace
Contracts are issued for e-signature so every party has visibility on the signatures.
No scope creep without a change order
Out-of-scope work is documented and approved on a Change Order before it begins.
Covenant language, binding terms
We speak in covenant; the agreement is still fully and legally binding.
FROM SCOPE TO COMPLETION, NOTHING LEFT BEHIND
A repeatable phase methodology, gated to draws, with permits, inspections, and a warranty at the end.
| Phase | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 · Pre-construction | Scope planning, estimate, permits pulled; verifying check (≈ half of pre-construction) per POL-004. |
| 2 · Demolition & disposal | Tear-out, debris removal, site cleaned. |
| 3 · Rough-in | Framing and mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough; inspections as required. |
| 4 · Finish | Finishes, fixtures, and trim to specification. |
| 5 · Punch list | Final corrections; client walkthrough. |
| 6 · Closeout & warranty | Final draw, lien waiver, and Warranty Letter issued. |
EVERY JOB STARTS WITH SAFETY
The non-negotiable field rule, plus the conduct expected of everyone on a J.A. Stratton site.
Job-start safety brief
Five minutes at every job start. Crew suggestions to improve it are welcomed and brought to the field lead.
PPE & safe practice
Required protective equipment is worn; work stops if conditions are unsafe.
Weather protocol
Client and crew receive weather alerts when conditions affect the schedule or safety.
Professional conduct & clean sites
Respectful conduct on every property; debris removed and the site left clean.
Hazard & incident reporting
Hazards and incidents are reported the same day. Workers' comp coverage is maintained (POL-002).
PROTECT THE RIGHT TO BE PAID
The lien and collections discipline that keeps cash flowing and the firm's payment rights preserved.
| Practice | Standard |
|---|---|
| Preliminary notice | Sent within 20 days of starting work on every job — residential, commercial, public. Automated via Levelset. |
| Mechanics lien | Protocol ready to file where payment is wrongly withheld; used as a last resort, never abandoned as a right. |
| Retainage | Negotiated to 5% with milestone release; attorney-reviewed subcontract language. |
| Lien waiver | Issued upon payment release — not before. |
| Days Sales Outstanding | Target ≤ 60 days; follow up on every outstanding balance. |
BUILT THE RIGHT WAY, FROM THE FOUNDATION UP
Books, reserves, credit posture, and the surety path — the financial discipline that makes the company bondable and bankable.
Job-costed books from the first invoice
QBO construction edition with a construction-experienced bookkeeper; job-level P&Ls feed WIP data retrospectively for surety underwriting.
CPA & lender-ready income
CPA engaged with an addback schedule; depreciation timed so the returns lenders review show real income.
Accountable plan
IRS-compliant reimbursement of founder vehicle, phone, tools, and home office — not as wages.
Operating reserve
A minimum operating reserve (target ~$25K) is funded before scaling, not built from project revenue mid-stream.
Credit & surety posture
Business credit built toward Paydex 80+; surety/bonding capacity grown via balance sheet, completed work, and clean books.
BUILD PEOPLE, NOT JUST STRUCTURES
How we hire, lead, grow, and serve — the culture that the work depends on.
Equal opportunity
No discrimination or harassment; we build people, trust, and lasting impact, not just things.
Servant leadership
Leaders go last. Accountability is held with grace; targets are honest and there is room to hit them (see POL-007).
Growth tracks & compensation
Defined development paths and EBITDA-based, cash-flow-protective compensation per POL-007; verbal raises are written into amended agreements.
- Culture board for wins, values, and announcements.
- Town halls to keep the team informed.
- "Craft over speed" celebrated openly.
- A defined, honest position on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Communities we serve are treated as the hero of the work.
- Certifications reflect real ownership, not box-checking.
PARTNERS WHO PERFORM
How we vet the people we build with and how we earn work from the GCs we build for.
- Trade-licensed where the work requires it, and insured (GL + workers' comp) before mobilizing.
- Engaged under a written Subcontractor Agreement with clear scope and terms.
- Pay-when-paid terms made explicit; preliminary-notice and lien discipline applies (CORP-010).
Target relationships include SM Wilson, McCarthy, Alberici, Tarlton, and Kadean. Registration in a supplier-diversity database is the entry point, not the win — we develop relationships directly with project managers and preconstruction staff, attend pre-bid meetings, and pursue mentor-protege relationships to move from database entry to invitation-to-bid.
ONE SYSTEM OF RECORD
How the company keeps its record clean, its client information protected, and its activity documented.
System of record
Leads, proposals, projects, work orders, and invoices live in the CRM — not in scattered notes or memory.
Document the activity
Calendar invites are created for calls; signatures captured in Google Workspace; decisions written down (POL-003 / POL-006).
Confidentiality
Client, financial, and proprietary data is shared only on a need-to-know basis and never with unauthorized parties.
Retention & access
Contracts, financial records, and project files are retained per requirement; access is limited to the roles that need it.
DEPARTMENTAL
OPERATIONS
Part I sets how the work runs; Part II sets who the company is. Part III is the playbook for each function — how the handyman desk, the licensed trades, the field, sales, HR, bidding, the money desk, procurement, project management, and marketing actually operate, day to day.
SMALL JOBS, SAME STANDARD
The handyman desk handles minor repairs and maintenance that require no trade license or permit — and escalates the moment a job crosses that line.
- Drywall patching, painting, caulking, trim and door repair.
- Carpentry, mounting, assembly, hardware and fixture swaps that need no permit.
- General maintenance, punch-list items, and small repairs.
- Any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical/HVAC work requiring a licensed trade.
- Anything that requires a permit or inspection.
- Structural changes or load-bearing work.
Work-order driven
Every handyman job is dispatched on a Work Order and documented with photos — the same discipline as a full project.
Transparent pricing
Flat-rate or hourly per the service catalog; the client knows the basis before work starts.
Escalation pathway
When a small job reveals licensed or permitted scope, stop, document it, and route to DEPT-002 or a proposal — never perform licensed work under a handyman ticket.
ONLY LICENSED HANDS
Missouri does not license general contractors — but it does license trades. This policy keeps licensed-trade work in licensed hands.
| Trade | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Electrical | Performed by a licensed electrician; permit and inspection per jurisdiction. Not eligible as handyman or GC self-perform. |
| Plumbing | Performed by a licensed plumber; permit and inspection per jurisdiction. |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Performed by licensed mechanical personnel; permit and inspection per jurisdiction. |
| General contracting | No Missouri state license exists (see POL-001); we register and permit per municipality and coordinate the licensed trades. |
Verify before mobilizing
Confirm the individual's trade license is current and that GL + workers' comp are in force (employee or subcontractor).
Permit and inspect
Pull the required permit and schedule inspections; no licensed-trade work proceeds without them.
NAICS & capability honesty
We do not register or bid trade-licensed scopes (e.g., electrical 238210) without the licensed personnel to perform them (see CORP-005).
THE DAILY FIELD CYCLE
How a crew runs a day on a J.A. Stratton site — supervised, work-order driven, and documented from start to finish.
Job-start safety brief
Five minutes at the start, every job (see CORP-009). No exceptions.
Work-order review
Crew confirms scope, materials, and the day's targets against the Work Order.
Execute to spec with checkpoints
Field lead inspects at defined points; craft over speed — rework anything not right.
Daily log & photos
Progress, hours, materials used, and photos captured in the CRM the same day.
Clean & end-of-day report
Site left clean and secured; status and any blockers reported to the PM.
- Supervision — a designated field lead is accountable on every active site.
- Materials — only what the phase needs; secured against loss (see DEPT-008 / DEPT-011).
- Weather — client and crew alerted when conditions affect the schedule or safety.
- Conduct — professional and respectful on every property; the client's home or business is treated as such.
EVERY LEAD, TO A STANDARD
From first contact to signed contract — fast response, honest qualification, and a clean handoff to operations.
| Stage | Standard |
|---|---|
| Lead intake | Logged in the CRM with source; first response within 1 business day. |
| Qualify | Confirm scope fit, budget, timeline, and decision-maker; refer out if it isn't ours to do. |
| Walkthrough & estimate | Site walkthrough scheduled promptly; estimate/proposal delivered on the committed date. |
| Proposal & follow-up | Proposal issued; structured follow-up cadence until a yes, no, or referral. |
| Close & handoff | Signed via Google Workspace; clean handoff to PM and the welcome call (POL-003). |
- Pricing authority — discounts or non-standard terms require leadership approval before they are offered.
- Honest scope — we sell only what we can staff and fund; no overpromising (see CORP-006).
- CRM hygiene — the pipeline reflects reality; stale leads are worked or closed.
HIRE FOR CRAFT AND CHARACTER
How the company brings people on, classifies and pays them, and helps them grow — within the law and the covenant values.
Equal opportunity & at-will
No discrimination or harassment; employment is at-will and conduct is held to the Code (CORP-003).
Correct classification
Employees (W-2) and subcontractors (1099) are classified correctly; misclassification is not tolerated.
Onboarding
Required documentation (I-9, tax forms), safety orientation, and role expectations completed before field work.
- Timekeeping & payroll — hours tracked to jobs (feeds job-costing, CORP-011); payroll run on a set cadence.
- Leave — paid time off and leave administered per the employee handbook.
- Reimbursements — vehicle, phone, tools, and home office reimbursed under the accountable plan, not as wages.
- Performance & development — reviews on a cadence; certifications kept current (CORP-005); growth tracks and comp per POL-007.
- Discipline & termination — documented, consistent, and fair; accountability held with grace.
BID WHAT WE CAN WIN AND DELIVER
A disciplined bid/no-bid decision, standardized estimating with target margins, and leadership approval before anything goes out.
- Scope fits our capability and certifications.
- We can staff and fund it on the required timeline.
- The margin clears target and the relationship is real.
- Scope needs a license or trade we don't hold.
- Timeline or cash flow can't support it.
- The margin can't be made without cutting corners.
Standard cost build-up
Labor, materials, equipment, subs, overhead, and contingency built to a consistent template with target markup/margin.
Review & approval
Estimates above a threshold are reviewed and approved by leadership before submission.
Bonds & bid type
Public bids may require a bid bond (see the Bond Brief); private negotiated work does not. Change-order pricing follows the same build-up.
Win/loss tracking
Outcomes logged in the CRM to sharpen future pricing and hit rate.
THE MONEY DESK
How the company bills and collects what it's owed, and pays what it owes — with clear authority and clean separation.
- Progress / draw billing — invoiced by phase; draws and payment methods follow POL-004 (ACH default, verifying check, capped card).
- Consent & timing — no draw without client consent; initiate within 24–48 hours (POL-004 / POL-005).
- Aging & collections — follow up on every balance; DSO target ≤ 60 days (CORP-010).
- Lien waivers — issued only upon payment received.
Approval authority
Vendor and subcontractor payments above a set threshold require CEO/COO approval; expenses are approved before they are incurred.
Pay-when-paid clarity
Subcontractor terms are explicit; payment follows the agreement and the GC draw cycle where applicable.
Separation & correct accounts
Funds collect into the correct entity account; no cross-entity deposits (POL-005). Books reconciled in QBO (CORP-011).
BUY RIGHT, ON TIME, ON BUDGET
Materials and services bought against approved purchase orders, from vetted vendors, timed to the work so cash isn't tied up early.
PO discipline
A purchase order is required above the approval threshold; the PO ties to a project, phase, and budget line.
Phase-timed ordering
Order to the phase that needs it — avoid stockpiling that ties up cash before a draw clears (POL-004 / CORP-011).
Supplier diversity
Where it serves the client and the mission, qualified diverse suppliers are prioritized.
- Vendor vetting — pricing, reliability, and (for installed scopes) licensing and insurance confirmed.
- Receiving & inspection — deliveries checked against the PO; shortages and damage documented before acceptance.
- Loss control — materials secured on site; waste and shrinkage tracked.
- Terms & payment — net terms negotiated; payment runs through AP (DEPT-007).
ONE PM, FULLY ACCOUNTABLE
Every project has a single accountable manager who owns its schedule, budget, communication, documentation, and closeout.
Project setup
Project created in the CRM with the phase schedule, draw plan, permits, and budget at kickoff.
Change control
Out-of-scope work requires a signed Change Order before it starts (CORP-007); RFIs and submittals tracked.
Budget & schedule tracking
Costs tracked to the job in QBO (CORP-011); schedule and draw status updated as phases clear.
Client communication cadence
The PM is the client's point of contact, with a regular update rhythm and prompt responses.
THE WORK BUILDS THE NAME
Marketing that is on-brand, truthful, and built to feed the sales pipeline — with every completed project becoming proof.
- Website (Squarespace) and the consistent social handles.
- Capability statement for federal and GC audiences.
- Reviews and testimonials gathered after closeout.
- Brand voice; let the name stand alone (CORP-004).
- Show the work; no invented projects or credentials.
- Community-forward — the community is the hero.
Document every project
Photos and outcomes captured for the portfolio with the same discipline as the build (CORP-008).
Capture to CRM
Every inbound lead is tagged by source and handed to sales within the response standard.
Truthful claims only
Certifications and past performance are represented exactly as held (CORP-005).
ACCOUNTED FOR, MAINTAINED, INSURED
Vehicles, equipment, and tools are tracked, maintained, insured, and financed deliberately — they are working capital, not afterthoughts.
- Insurance — commercial auto in force on every company vehicle (POL-002).
- Financing — equipment financed to build a self-collateralizing balance sheet, not bought ad hoc (CORP-011).
- Maintenance — service and inspection logged; unsafe equipment is removed from service.
Tool accountability
Tools are inventoried and checked out to crews; losses are reported and tracked.
Authorized use
Company assets are for company work; personal use of reimbursed items is handled through the accountable plan (DEPT-005).
Security
Vehicles and gear are secured on site and overnight to control theft (DEPT-003 / DEPT-008).
THE COVENANT AFTER CLOSEOUT
The promise doesn't end at the final draw. Communication stays responsive, complaints are resolved, and the warranty is honored.
Single point of contact
The PM is the client's contact, with a regular update cadence and prompt responses (DEPT-009).
Complaint handling
Concerns are acknowledged quickly, documented, and resolved; unresolved issues escalate to leadership.
Warranty service
The Warranty Letter (CORP-007) defines coverage; covered defects are remedied within the stated timeframe at no cost to the client.
ADOPTED & IN FORCE
This manual records the standing operating and company policies of J.A. Stratton Construction Group, LLC as of the effective date. Part I governs operations; Part II governs the company; Part III governs each department. It supersedes prior verbal practice and remains in force until amended in writing.
- POL-001 — No Missouri state GC bond is owed; we register, permit, and insure; municipal bonds where required.
- POL-002 — Full insurance baseline; every active client property scheduled on the rehab rider before work begins.
- POL-003 — Documented onboarding: contract for e-signature, ~15-minute welcome call, ACH setup, confirmed start.
- POL-004 — ACH default; verifying check first; card capped at $5K/draw and $10K/account for chargeback protection.
- POL-005 — Funds collect into the correct entity account; no cross-entity deposits; move first and document.
- POL-006 — Defined seats and authority; AR/AP through the COO; every agreement reduced to writing.
- POL-007 — Base + EBITDA-variable comp; equity for owner seats; holding-company employment; cash flow first.
- CORP-001–002 — Entity, ownership, brand architecture; mission, vision, and the five covenant values.
- CORP-003–004 — Covenant-over-contract conduct; brand voice and mark standards.
- CORP-005–006 — SDVOSB/WOSB compliance held honestly; defined services and scope discipline.
- CORP-007–008 — Everything on paper; phase-based, draw-gated delivery with warranty.
- CORP-009–010 — Job-start safety brief; preliminary notices, lien protocol, and retainage discipline.
- CORP-011 — Job-costed books, reserves, and a deliberate credit and surety posture.
- CORP-012–014 — Servant-led culture and community; vetted partners; one confidential system of record.
- DEPT-001–002 — Handyman limited to non-licensed work; licensed trades only in licensed hands.
- DEPT-003–004 — A documented daily field cycle; every lead worked to a sales standard.
- DEPT-005–006 — Lawful hiring, classification, and pay; disciplined bid/no-bid and estimating.
- DEPT-007–008 — AR/AP through the COO with authority limits; PO-driven, phase-timed procurement.
- DEPT-009–010 — One accountable PM per project; on-brand, truthful marketing into the CRM.
- DEPT-011–012 — Tracked, insured fleet and tools; responsive client experience and honored warranty.
No sections match your search.