How Do I Get Work?

Jkeely

I am 22 years old and started my business about 3 months ago. So far I have only done minor work like painting, drywall repair, and a small bathroom remodel. Things that a handyman should be doing . I tried posting on craigslist, what a joke, i spent two weeks bidding jobs that i didnt get. I understand how to bid, and bid low, but not to low, because i needed the work. Didnt get one of them. If I wanted little painting jobs and drywall repair i could do that all day. I want more. I have bigger plans than being a handyman. What can I do to get bigger jobs? or just more jobs? Any advice would help, thanks

Jason Whipple

Sorry, but at 22 years old you probably still have a lot to learn about the trades. Not to mention the business end of things once you've learned your craft.

Why aren't you working for someone that could teach you these things first? Kinda putting the cart in front of the horse aren't you?

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Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
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GregS

You have to start small and learn what you are doing. Take your time and grow your business. Learn how to run the business without getting into too much trouble and then start expanding.

If you do a good job for small things, those clients will consider you for the larger things they require. Just make sure you know how to do it before you say Yes.

Jkeely

Yes I do have alot to learn, but i have worked for my uncle who is a very successful general contractor and microsoft consultant, for a while. Also his son, my cousin, started accurate electric in washington state when he was 22, now 28, and he has been very successful doing about 5 million a year. I have spent alot of time with both of them learning the business side of things. I feel comfortable doing this, running the business and taking care of employees, i just cant figure out how to get going good?

HUDSONVALLEYEXT

What kind of truck or van do you drive to estimates? are you professional looking?

Jkeely

I drive a 2004 dodge ram single cab long bed with my business logo and number on the side. I dress pretty well, i have t-shirts made with my logo on the front and back and im clean cut. I can talk to people very well, i just need the chance. I need to get potential clients, not people wanting to know how much something costs and not have the money to do it.

excellencee

If you have the opportunity to do small drywall repairs and paint jobs, DO THEM. As long as you are priced properly, any money is better than no money. Your truck is lettered so the neighbors will see you. I hate to say it but I did some ****ty jobs just starting out. It takes time and volume of work to be able to pick and choose jobs. When I have work done at my home I support those who can and will reciprocate. They might not always be the lowest price but I trust them and know that if they ever need an electrician personally or for their business that I'll get the call. I just had AC installed in my home a few weeks ago and the HVAC guys sign is still in my yard advertising his work. I'm thinking about getting some made, looks like some cheap advertising to me and it works for him or he wouldn't do it. Good Luck.

kevjob

I would taking those handymen jobs as a way to show my talents to them and potential clients who see you in the neighborhood. No one starts out taking million dollar jobs.

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

DavidC

If you can get drywall and painting jobs all day, go get 'em.

The hardest part to picking up repeat customers is to get in the house the first time. Do a great job, pick up after yourself, go the extra mile, yadda yadda yadda.....

But get in there the first time and work TOWARDS your GOAL. You may not be doing what ever it is you are aspiring to but you will establish some cash flow and you will have a captive audience for your pitch.

Good Luck
Dave

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www.CookContractingLLC.com

excellencee

Something else I just recently started is coupons. When I finish a job, I give the homeowner a refidgerator magnet with coupons for them and coupons "For A Friend". I went to Staples and bought the laser business card stock. I print them on my printer. The top card is my business card, next a coupon for them, followed by a coupon for a friend. I break out the cards in 2 strips and put a magnet on the business card. They can keep it on the fridge or electrical panel. They now have 2 coupons for them and 2 to give away. I give $50 off of a $250 job. Small service work is usually under $250 so no discount. BTW I raised my prices by $50 just in case of a coupon. If no coupon, bonus for me. Make the coupons for something you want to do. ($150 off a deck)

Jkeely

Thanks, those are some good ideas and advice. thanks for your oppinions

Mike Finley

I'll repeat what is being said and make sure there is no mistaking what they mean -

Stop whining and take those small jobs and do them to the best of your abilities. (Don't make me post the 'Bloom where you are planted' story again.)

You will get better jobs, that is exactly how it works, that is exactly how it is supposed to work. What you are experiencing is perfectly normal. Have patience and be the best drywall patcher in the world right now and you'll get bigger opportunities, guaranteed.

Generation Y I am guessing, huh? Your generation has the defective gene that leads them to believing exactly what you posted here. Only your generation would post something like that.

WarnerConstInc.

I'll take all of your small jobs you dont want to do in trade for the 2 PITA ones I have had cramping my style since April. I love the in and out pay me quick jobs. You can seriously bank off of those. Dont give cheap bids to get work, you just piss people like myself off. That was all I did for 2 or 3 years and I think my life was a lot easier then. Yes eventually you can pick and choose, I have just got to that point this year after 7, 8, hell I dont remember how long this ride has been going for. Deal with it, do a stand-up job on all that little stuff and it will lead you to great things. If you have a crappy attitude about painting this, patching that no one will call you back. The first job I ever did for the company that I get most of my work and referrals through was a $100.00 patch and paint behind a washing machine. Now they have me mess with all the important stuff and I send a grunt to do my dirty work. Allthough some of that dirty work pays very, very well.

PA woodbutcher

No kidding patch and paints are like money in the bank. If a guy could knock out 6 or 7 in a week...... I had a customer once in Alaska. Never met the guy, he lived in Hawaii. He had 3 apartment complexes a couple of duplexes and a condo. Every time someone moved out seemed like they had a hole in the wall.

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'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan

hbelectric

Sure everything you ever wanted to know, for the right price of course.
Why don't you ask your cousin, since he so successful. I started small and still small, because of financing. If i had millions, then it woul be so much easier to get bigger.

Anyway the small jobs are good, you will ussualy keep those people for years. Eventually you work for the right people and your name get's passed around. I used to hate this, but now when things get slow, i'm thankful for old customers and referals.

Generally i have never advertised and don't ever plan on it, atleast for Electrical.

MALCO.New.York

Entitlement issues!!!! What a MoFo!

Slow and steady is the course.

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Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
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Jkeely

Haha i love the Ronald Regan quote.

Ok I have already asked my cousin and uncle, they suggest advertising, which of course cost money that I dont have. He recomended buying a full page add in the paper which would run around 800 dollars for one sunday add. Great idea because its like throwing your money away putting an add in the classifieds because there are 20 other contractors that do the same thing. He said i would get more work than i could handle. The problem is coming up with 800 extra dollars with a house payment truck payment insurance so on and so on..

The reason I asked on here is because my cousin thinks so big and focuses on major million dollar commercial jobs. Plus with all this knowledge all in one place, I would like to gain as much as i can. Also getting more than just one oppinion is always a good idea.

Thanks to everyone that has posted.

Double-A

Um, first of all, quit listening to your family if they really think that a full page ad in a Sunday paper is a good idea for a one man show. Second of all, ask those family members of yours to get off their butts and show some damned confidence in your and your abilities or to tell you the truth one.

If you're so hot and capable, they should be falling over themselves to pass your name and reputation along to every hardhat on the job site that needs your services.

If they don't feel you're ready, what makes you think you're ready?

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Jkeely

Im just one man right now but have a few guys that have helped me and i would like to hire full time.. and my uncle and cousin live in Washington state, I live in Oklahoma. I just moved back from washington about 4 months ago.. thats why they arent passing my name around to everyone.. Jack

Nail banger

Make up some more flyers and while you are doing the patch and paint go around the neiborhood and stick um in doors, mailbox's ect. When I fisrt started 3 years ago I hung 4 shutters for a couple and charged them $50. The year that followed that they did about $50,000 in work to there house. I am always fair in my pricing to them and now just take care of the small things for um at no charge. I have been out at dinner with my girlfriend and had them pick up the tab. They then raved to everyone in the bar about me.