Service Work Vs. Building

dirt diggler

not cuz you told me to CS ...


plan from day one was to build


it's what i get up in the AM for





BUT --- i have a helluva time passing up service work. It also comes at the most convenient time .... and ive got one service client under contract for a remodel (may as well be a new pool w/ the net).


So there is a benefit to having the base of service clients.


NOW --- i will say one thing. ill never forget

i worked for a builder who told me one time (why he was telling me, i have not a clue; i didn't ask that)

he said "I've never understood how a builder can also be a service technician --- I've never figured out how to successfully pursue both"


i think back to that and I THINK I understand ... (I have several reasons)


what do you all think he meant by that statement???

dirt diggler

hmm

POOLMANinCT

he meant to FOCUS! you can not do both w/o the resources..
until you have the resources chase a niche, the pool biz can be segmented into many areas, all of which you can do very well in if your are focussed

dirt diggler

part of me would love to put all the eggs into one basket and focus focus focus on that


i tend to do that somewhat already. I don't advertise anymore for the service work



it is like wearing two hats ....


it's hard to pass up those openings/closings .... not to mention remodels

Bob Kovacs

You could do very well in either, or you could do very well in both if you're willing to put the structure in place to do both. The key is figuring out which makes you happiest, and focusing on that one first. If you still want to pursue the other, you've got to add the people and systems to get it up and running almost as if it was a separate operation. While there may be some sharing of resources, as you know the two aspects of the business are different enough that you need different skill sets on each of the two sides.

It's the same dilemma that many contractors face when trying to integrate a handyman operation into a full-blown remodeling company. You can either half-azz it and just do the occasional "on the way home" handyman project or use them as fill-ins, or you can set up a person to take calls/make appointments, schedule work, and collect $$, and set up dedicated employees to do the handyman work full-time.

Bob

SmithBuilt

I do both. I'm afraid if I give up service work for the customers I have they may use one of my competitors. I don't want a competitor to get they're foot in the door.

It is though at times to schedule. I do not have another crew just for service. The expense to set up another truck with tools is cost prohibitive at this time.

I have found that it is profitable. In time I believe I will be able to add another truck.

POOLMANinCT

dirt where are you from?