Consulting? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

**Cole** · 07-26-2006, 03:45 PM

Does anyone offer this service?

I heard that this construction consulting is booming right now.

Basically, helping owner-builders with questions they may have etc..

maj · 07-26-2006, 06:04 PM

You mean we could get paid for this?

Grumpy · 07-27-2006, 08:04 AM

Yeah why not? I have never been taken up on it yet. However if someone needs my expertise in one manner or another it will cost them, and I call this conulting.

ron schenker · 07-27-2006, 02:45 PM

I've heard of "Home Inspectors" that offer this service.

maj · 07-27-2006, 05:44 PM

Ok, so the next guy that asks a stupid question and I respond........ He's gettin' a bill.

BTW.... What's a fair price for answering stupid questions?

I'm just chittin'....... don't everybody get all worked up now......

Craig · 07-27-2006, 06:29 PM

Don't laugh. My wife does some consulting on the side -- at $ 1000 per day for commercial organizations. She specializes in management issues such as supervising difficult employees, strategic planning, etc. I think the major limitations in marketing this service to contractors is twofold. First, the local market must have enough contractors of sufficient size, and with the proper business organization to support the service. And second, perhaps the more difficult issue, is that contractors tend to be independent know-it-alls who may not appreciate how they can benefit from the advice of a qualified consultant. In terms of issues, I don't think there's a problem. For example, consultant services could be offered for legal issues, business organization issues, management, marketing, accounting, computers, etc. After all, what is an attorney or other professional if not a specialized consultant?

Bone Saw · 07-27-2006, 07:25 PM

This spring proved to be a psycotically busy season 4 me, 2 things that I had to do for my own sanity

was set an automatic email reply message to incoming leads and filter said leads. Any new inquiry comming in by phone was cut short and directed to my website, Here is what I came up with:

Hi

Feel free to fax or email your dimensioned plan, elevation and section design renderings and material specifications (noting township) to me and I will send a quote promptly; Or let me know when you would like to set up an appointment to have me come out for 1 hour with sample material, survey the location, and work out the design. I charge a $100 fee to do this, which is credited back on final invoice if I'm hired. All design work is proprietary information until hired. Feel free to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,

My real intention was not to make money on estimates, it was to free myself up from, almost eliminating my involvement with spending any time on and/or corresponding with BS leads, at the same time maintaining a prompt, automated reply mechanism so as to not have anyone felt like they were "blown off". As a by product of this filtering tactic, every sat morning since april has been occupied with one of these "consultations" usually on my way to the beach anyway. I have conducted 17 of these consultations ($1700),
closed 8 of them ($140,000 gross sales - $800 credited back),
Sold detailed plan, elev, section, cutlist packages to 5 of them @ $1000 a pop ($5000 - one evenings time to complete)
and never heard back from 4 ($400

)
Never lifted a finger for a lead, I guess the main factor to consider about selling "consultations" is what service you offer, as this works well for decks and I would imagine remodeling as well, but I don't think it would work for many service and repair type of work, also I think this may work for large suburban areas as opposed to small town and rurel areas. My .02

DaveH · 07-27-2006, 08:17 PM

I do consulting for many companies. Great work

Bone Saw · 07-27-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole

Does anyone offer this service?

Melissa · 07-27-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Don't laugh. My wife does some consulting on the side -- at $ 1000 per day for commercial organizations. She specializes in management issues such as supervising difficult employees, strategic planning, etc. I think the major limitations in marketing this service to contractors is twofold. First, the local market must have enough contractors of sufficient size, and with the proper business organization to support the service. And second, perhaps the more difficult issue, is that contractors tend to be independent know-it-alls who may not appreciate how they can benefit from the advice of a qualified consultant. In terms of issues, I don't think there's a problem. For example, consultant services could be offered for legal issues, business organization issues, management, marketing, accounting, computers, etc. After all, what is an attorney or other professional if not a specialized consultant?

I would think part of the problem for consulting would be that those who need it can't afford it. I know that consulting is very good money though.

justplayn · 07-27-2006, 10:38 PM

this guy has upper management written all over him!

Bone Saw · 07-27-2006, 10:44 PM

one other thing, if you get into consulting, make sure you fill out your TPS reports.

**Double-A** · 07-27-2006, 11:05 PM

Reports is extra. TPS reports counts as 3.

Bone Saw · 07-27-2006, 11:22 PM

and make sure you get a swingline stapler

RYANINMICHIGAN · 07-28-2006, 08:58 AM

If you do this you are probably going to go ahead and come in on saturday...............

RYANINMICHIGAN · 07-28-2006, 09:09 AM

Bone,
How big a crew or how many crews are you running? Or are you a one man show? Post #7 tells me you could do some consulting on how to run a successful bis....

Bone Saw · 07-28-2006, 09:54 AM

solo

Stone Mountain · 07-28-2006, 11:46 AM

The deck business in Toronto doesn't allow that. No one charges for a design. Home Depot tried to charge $50 for an estimate, but they gave it up pretty quickly.
Once or twice I've been asked to design something, but why would i waste my time (even at $200 an hour) just to do a design, when If I took that time to see a genuine lead, I'd have the potential to make a lot more?

Stone Mountain · 07-28-2006, 11:52 AM

By the way Bonesaw. I have to complement you on
1] your ego: it's big
2] your workmanship: very very nice
3] your designs: smooth and subtle

Unfortunately, not one of the decks on your website would meet code here in Toronto. I gusee the requirements are different where you are.

A+Carpenter · 07-28-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole

Does anyone offer this service?

I heard that this construction consulting is booming right now.

Basically, helping owner-builders with questions they may have etc..

Yes I do it all the time and it's a good service to offer.