No More Remodeling/Just Service & Repairs

Mr. Wms

I've been toying with this for the past few years and I think I'm
getting out of remodeling and GC work. I really enjoy it but,
I can make the same amount of money just doing repairs, service,
and installs.

I no longer have employees, just subs.

I think it will be less STRESSFUL and more profitable. I will focus
on just 1 day jobs in and out. One hourly rate or 1 set price
per service request. I have a large customer base since I started
back in 2000. I have figured I can clear 60k a year
with a 30 hour work week. I have very low overhead and I own
everything I have except my house.

I think this is the direction I am moving towards for the start of
2009.

Has anyone else made the move from remodeling to just repair work?

dirt diggler

yes! ... as part of my retirement/exit plan (and backup "plan B").

I think when you can focus on one area - whether construction or service - not only will you find your stress level come down ... but I think you'll find that you'll enjoy work more. You will also likely become even more profitable.

I have found that the most unnecessary stress & problems (including production, financial, and customer-based) have typically had root cause in becoming spread too thin.

That said, I think you're on the right track in your thinking. The most important thing is to STICK with it. Honestly, it's refreshing to hear this.



Don't let a "difficult" economy put you into the frame of mind that when a larger job does come along that you have to take it. Passing up a job is a hard thing to do - at first!

But when you realize what "making money" truly is all about --- you'll look at jobs and be able to determine, objectively, whether or not it is worth pursuing. Yes, even in "bad times" this is important. In fact, it becomes more important than ever.



One thing I'll add - I see service/repair work becoming a huge nest of opportunity. Simply because the "boom" saw a lot of jacklegged work. Lots of those 5,000 sq. ft. cookie cutter homes are essentially pigs with lipstick. These things literally were thrown together as quickly as possible. You'll see all kinds of repair work from them.

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Thanks in advance!!!

Burby

In 1994 thru 1995 I got out of building. Had a remodel or 2 lined up, then by an Engineer asking me to take over a job gone south, I went from one to the other like this, at times having 2 at a time. To keep this short I will move on.
From 95 thru 2003 I could not keep up with remodels, lititgation jobs, with some repairs along the way. They are short lived jobs, but profitable ones non the less. And if scheduled right you never have a slow or down day for yourself and or a workers you may be able to part with for the day.
Oct 2003 I closed down al together, end of 2005 after constant calls from great previous customers I did return for them to do repair work. Then just to do an inspection or evaluate a job heading south, a few days here & there to see if could get it back on track. Then another repair for another old customer.
In short, you can use your existing customers as a way to get into repair work. Use less people & or find a few guys like yourself that only want to work a few days a week & get to it. Before you know it you will be once again, telling them, you "do not want the 24/7 life you got out of"

Repair work is like health care, if we breath, we need doctors, if there is a house, it needs a house doctor.
In this economic mess we entered, repair work is fantastic. So many H/Os that are use to spending, still need to spend, they just do it wiser and now make the time to do all the repairs they have always put off because of their need to make money and constantly moving up, never making the time for the small repairs needed in their homes.
If you are in an area where wood decay is an issue, you will get all the work you want & or need, just becareful not to get drug back into the hectic life you want to leave behind. And always try to find & repair the cause of the problem, believe it or not, there are to many that never do this part.
It is always hard to give up a job, but set a limit, jobs that will require more workers, give that job to another that you know will perform the work as you would. You can give it to your friend, or still stay attached to it, as a consultant of sorts for your customer and still charge a fee to pop in every now & again thru out the job or allow the one you gave it to, to give you a finders fee for the favor. you help yourself as well as other Contractors in your area.

Depending on your location & your customer base you should do very well.

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Proud to help make a house your Home

Never judge another by one's own intelligence

AtlanticWBConst

The only issue I see with your goal is that providing "Services and Repairs" will be very difficult as a one person operation. I say this because we do alot of service and repair work along with everything else.

Generally with service or repairs, people do not expect, or desire to "wait". They usually want someone there within a few days, to meet with them, and they sometimes want the repairs done asap, or within the week.

Any company providing service and repair work, usually employs several people, or several subs on a regular basis.

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- Build Well -

Burby

Typically so true, if one wants needs the work survive & make money.
But if he wants to partially retire & cut back to 1 or 2 workers & himself, working only a few days per week, as I do because of my situation, then that is where his existing customer base comes into play. And word of mouth from there.
Some still want it completed yesterday, that is just their nature and always will be. Emergencies are different and should always be asap, regardless.
And again, that is why it is good to stay linked with other Contractors he knows of their work quality & ethics to call in the event it requires more workers, emergencies he cannot handle and or just remodels he no longer wants to take.
Regardless of the remodel, repairs, service, I make sure each customer knows in advance my intentions in business.
If they have large projects that they insist I do for them, prior to start I let them know if I get a service call I go do it, if another repair I schedule it, emergency, I go do it. If all this is acceptable, then I accept the project.
Since returning to work as stated above, it has worked out great for me.
I love my career, always have, if possible I would be full time, but still with just 6 to 8 employees, i have had up to 60 and as few as 6 to 8, not much difference in money at the end of the day & better health with the 6 or 8.
Each customer I return for, I make sure they know that no more than 4 days per week if a large job and they know if i have service I go or schedule if possible within a few days, emergencies, personal or work related, I go as needed.
I have not had one yet, say thanks but no thanks. Ihave so many keys to upper end homes in the Charleston area, from Doctors, lawyers, to who ever. Most call or email me to be put on a list for work being needed & I schedule accordingly. Some it is just when I have time, let myself in and do what i am able for time allowed on the list they emailed me.
And again, so important, is it depends on previous customer relations and the amount one needs to work to earn their desired amount.

With all the horror stories you hear from clients that heard from their friends who hired others. they come home & find workers sleeping on the sofa with feet up on coffee table, dressers have been gone thru, missing items, cooking food even from the H/Os fridge, to drinking their liquor.
A lot of upper end H/Os will be more than happy to wait for one they trust having their keys to work.

Thought of retirement is great, being able to retire is better, trying to retire is a whole nother story.

__________________
Proud to help make a house your Home

Never judge another by one's own intelligence

Mr. Wms

BTW I am only 36 years old. No where near retirement. I do plan to
use old and existing customers and do some target marketing.

Most customers I have don't mind waiting for me, it's when I get on a big
remodel then they start to get impatient because I keep putting them off
day after day.

I have a basement remodel I just got ok'd on and I'm seriously thinking
on passing it up. It's a hard decision to make but I don't want to do
both anymore (remodeling and repairs)

Green_Handyman

After massive amounts of market research, i opened a new company, Green Handyman Services. i hope to have a better year in 2009

fez-head

I will be 36 as well on Jan. 1st and gave up remodeling 5 years ago to concentrate on service and repair work. It has been a good run so far and even though I am not making 6 figures - I do have a nice office and large warehouse with a full time secretary and a great team of service techs and subs. I am Finally able to pay for 50% of their health insurance and give paid holidays and vacation.

I have been able to work "on my business" for these past few years instead of out in the field and that has really made the difference. Also we have been offering concierge service for maid services, carpet cleaning, landscaping, electrical, plumbing or anything else that we do not normally handle. Our clients trust us pick the right service provider and then to oversee that the work is done correctly. They pay us and then we pay the providers.

The work is much less stressful to be sure. Most of our stress comes from scheduling dilemmas and the usual feast or famine scenarios.

Best of luck,
Jesse

A W Smith

At 53 maybe i ought to stop carrying bundles of shingles up 32 foot ladders and screw in lightbulbs for old ladies.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

fez-head

Good lord - I'm suprised you have any knees left

Those old lady's have high vaulted ceilings these days so don't trade in your ladders just yet. They will want you to dust the ceiling fan blades and wash the globes while you are up there changing the bulbs along with a whole list of chores they did not mention during the initial phone call as well.

A W Smith

I dont roof everyday or I would have not sold my power ladder. And yes I know those old ladies all have vaulted ceilings. So I would have to buy a bulb changer or a 12 or 14 foot foot step ladder.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

rbsremodeling

not when the ceilings in the main foyer are 30 ft high

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A W Smith

AHH YES! But I have ceiling kitty to change lightbulbs!

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

1mancrew

AHH YES! But I have ceiling kitty to change lightbulbs!


That has to be the funniest post of the day.

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www.KirbyCustomHomes.com

Green_Handyman

HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!! ah crap thats funny! where can i get a ceiling kitty? havent seen them at lowes or the depot

A W Smith

Not avalable in any store. Its "As seen on the interwebs"

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

AtlanticWBConst

Did the makers of the "Trunk Monkey" design that too?

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- Build Well -

duckdown

Consider getting a franchise with www.handymanmatters.com which will also allow you to outsource the sales part of the job...

Tiger

Production rate is lower for service work. If you want to invoice 30 hours/week you might actually be working 50-60 hours per week when you include all the time that you can't invoice to jobs.

"I have low OH" is a common expression...usually not supported by the facts.

orson

excperpt from their website:

Quote:

Preferred Pricing Handyman Matters performs all work utilizing a preferred pricing format. After being in the handyman business for many years, we have learned to listen to our customers. Our customers have told us what they prefer, here's an idea of how it works: That we disclose all charges ahead of time which means you know exactly how much we charge for our services We are ready to work when we arrive onsite There is a small service charge to get the craftsman to the property Charge hourly with a one hour minimum and then billing continues in 15 minute increments Provide services during our 1-hour minimum which means you don’t have to use us longer than an hour Charge for ACTUAL hours worked which means you don’t have to pay for inflated estimate hours We can purchase any materials that will be needed or you can get them You are only charged for the actual man hours it takes to complete your project We do not ask for any payment upfront Offer a one year guarantee on all work performed We are licensed, bonded, and insured. All of our craftsmen are employees with the company and have had extensive background checks for your safety.

So you're not purchasing a franchise from them, they're just hiring you as an employee to open and run a franchise branch for them?

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