Question For The General Contractors Here

6stringmason

I have a questions for all the generals here.

Im a mason contractor and Im always looking for new work and trying to get work from new gc's. One thing I do is call gc's and ask them if they have any projects going on and would like free bids.

I always seem to get the same answer... "not at this time'.

So Im asking how as a small masonry contractor can I get in with these gc's and get estimates to em and get their work?

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Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

MGSProperties

The best way IMHO is to actually meet the contractor face to face, show him what you do , talk about costs , explain what you do different and maybe buy him a cup of java. That is the best way to make new friends with a GC. The GC will never remember to call you from a phone call but if he meets you in person he will remember you for sure!.

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Cdat

Face to face, one on one is always the best way to go. A booklet or album with past work you have completed is good too. Anyone ever getting with me to do something beyond my skill set, I ask for pictures (they speak 1000 words) and the owner of the property's name to see how they like your work.

Don't attempt to kiss my arse either. A nice cup of coffee is nice but that is about as far as you should go. I prefer Starbucks, extra expresso.

jcalvin

A guy that calls me on the phone for no other reason than to introduce himself and to ask for an opportunity to bid, will be blown off as quick as I can. I don't have the time to chase around another sub and check out his work, dependablity, and mostly, honesty. This doesn't mean that I'm not constantly shopping.

The other guys are right. Find a way to befriend them before you drop the nuke. Who knows? Some of my friends don't even turn in a quote on some of their projects.

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Cal


You hired WHO

SevenKitty

I don't know if this would be possible for you or not, but when we first started our biz I sent out a very nice letter on letter head, printed on top quality, resume style paper. I hand addressed every letter so they wouldn't be tossed. The first page was a letter telling about our past experience, what we specialize in, etc. basically an intro letter. The second page I enclosed was a mock bid for a typical 3 bed. 2 1/2 bath house, showing our price and listing the quality materials we would be using. I also enclosed a couple business cards. I mailed this letter out to about 100 GC's in the area and got a very nice response. That is how we got all of our first new construction jobs. I have never mailed another letter because we have been running on all word of mouth from that and the jobs we got off of Craig's List. BTW...I did fax this to several GC that I could not get an address for...that also had a fairly good response.

For you, having a page with pictures of your work would be helpful also.

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IRONMAN Plumbing Contractors, LLC
http://www.ironmanplumbing.com

RPortinga

The previous company I worked for was a residential developer and I managed a couple townhome/single-family projects. I would get letters from different trades ALL the time... and I'll be honest, most of them just went in to a pile to be followed up "when I had the time".

Well, I never really had the time...

But one I received really caught my attention. In this area, the Buildings Association puts on a spring and fall "Parade of Homes" (I'm sure other areas do similar events). A trim carpenter visited one of my model homes and with his intro letter he talked about viewing our model, mentioning details, and provided an estimate for what he could do a comparable unit for.

I actually would have ended up calling him if I hadn't left that company a few weeks later.

So maybe visit some projects in your are with open houses, or during special events and look for homes that have concrete countertops like you do as options and figure up an estimate.

From a GC perspective, having a number for an existing unit let me compare it to what I paid for that unit in a matter of seconds and know if they were in the ballbark, too high, or maybe just blowing smoke.

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Rob Portinga - Bauer Bros. Construction, Inc.
Design/Build - General Contractor - Construction Management

Magnettica

That sounds like an excellent plan. It shows that you actually took the time to do it yourself and not sub it out to some company that stuffs the post office with junk mail. I was impressed with your idea.

Welcome to CT.

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Electrician service in Rahway, Cranford, Clark, Westfield, Mountainside, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Roselle, Roselle Park, and New Jersey | Same day electrical service and repairs | Licensed and Insured Electrician in Rahway

joasis

I use only one mason, but since he isn't going to have time to do my next house, I would take the call and ask pricing....and get the contact information. If it comes when I am not looking, I blow the call off....I know that sounds rude, but I just don't build a resource file to fill time...I build it as I need it.

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Mike Finley

Reading between the lines it sounds like the same thing it always is : Being in the right place at the right time. Nothing new, nothing different, just keep at it and the 20th time will be the charm or maybe it will be the 200th time. Persistance is everything in business.

Heritage

I agree with Joasis and Mike, it's all about timing. If I need you, I'll have you come by the office, visit me on-site, or send out some plans and get a price from you. If I don't need you, I'll blow you off...no time.

It's your job to market yourself and your best bet is with a GC. A busy GC can give you all kinds of work once you prove yourself. But to get your foot in through the door...keep knockin. I'd start off with a letter, then follow up with a phone call asking for an in-office presentation. If you can get that far, the GC will keep your number and atleast have you somewhere in his mind.

Don't under-estimate this...If you get in with just a few good GC's, you'll get swamped.

My 'in subs all turn into little princesses who don't understand wholesale and retail prices. You think I'm kiddin'? How does a 70k painting quote on a 3,000 sq/ft house sound? Or a 75k labour only Drywall on the same house sound?

Friggin aliens.

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Tom M

Thats a great quote Mike. All good advice across the board. Being visible at the lumber yards help sometimes. 6string you need to try and get in with an apartment complex. I have Mason that works for GC'S but he also has this apartment complex locally that is a cash cow. Several jobs a year on account maintence alone, stairs, walks, whatever. He said he has been doing it for 30years and it always keeps him busy.

BuriedHammer

A slighty different way of saying what's been said:

Yes timing is important. If I don't need you, I would not be receptive to a phone call. BUT, if I DO need you, I may HUNT YOU DOWN. So it all depends. But, my policy is to not blow off anyone who takes the time to approach me in person.

The one thing I can't stand is finding business cards littering the job when I go in. They go straight in the fire.

I actually had a guy call me on the phone and say "Are you the builder on this job?" I said "Yes" and he said "Who did this flat work? What did they charge?" I said "Who wants to know?" He says "I'm *** *** and I do quality work." I say "Oooo kay..." He continues "Are you happy with this work?" I said "Yeah" whereby he commences to bad-mouth the concrete work... I politely told him I wasn't interested...

What a waste of cell minutes

RPortinga

I agree with Hammer.
Bad mouthing your competition is NOT the way to make yourself look good.

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Rob Portinga - Bauer Bros. Construction, Inc.
Design/Build - General Contractor - Construction Management