I Sure Miss My Business

MinConst

As some of you may remember I moved from NY to Fl and have since not had much luck in my remodeling business. I had to take a job as a computer tech as I have much experience in that field also. But I sure do miss my remodeling work.
I'm close to the point of taking the lettering off my truck, thinking about selling my trailer and giving into the fact that people here aren't ready to pay for quality work. In the 9 months I've been here I have done a handful of proposals and 95% of them practically laugh at the prices I come up with. I have even dropped my rate to see how that would fly. It seems the small guys here work for a six pack and don't care to make a living at the trades.
I guess I just had to cry on the shoulders of the good old people here. Stay healthy and keep busy.

__________________
Paul
Minichillo's Construction
Website
I will never leave you hanging!

Craig

Paul,
I was just thinking about your move to Florida and wondering how it was going when up pops your post. Sorry to hear that things are not going as planned. At least the weather is better than here in upstate NY. Hang in there. Hope things improve with time.
Craig

__________________
"Send lawyers, guns and money."
Craig

joasis

Hang in there! It can take a few years to develope a solid reputation and accpetance in the area.....meanwhile, network, and just hold the line, no cheaper rates. I know your work...if you sell a job or two, pretty soon your reputation will be selling your work, and the rates will be secondary.

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Glasshousebltr

Stick it out Pauly and don't sell your gear...... you'll really regret it later.

Bob

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Bob

MinConst

Hey
Thanks for the positive feedback. That's all I need to keep hangin in there. I'll wait it out and see how it goes.
I never was one for doing two jobs at once but I will throw some more advertising out there and see how it goes.
Appreciate it.

__________________
Paul
Minichillo's Construction
Website
I will never leave you hanging!

tcleve4911

The Glassman is right. If you sell your stuff, your cost to replace it later will be astromonical. The tools you have can make you money. And how will you build home office computer stations? Just a thought.
I relocated from Maine to Vermont and found it difficult to ride into town & just start working. Work part time, do small jobs, network with vendors & subs.
Sounds like your first love is remodeling.

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Back in Maine
Dubbin' Around
Doin' good stuff ......

kevjob

for gods sake man dont sell anything! I am new and in same boat and have decided to add marketing from footbridge and some other ideas to boost business stay with the part time job if you have to pay ther bills and realize this the slow time of the year give it till fall and see what happens. Good luck this business needs stand up guys like your self.

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

picks

dont sell your stuff guy!
i just moved from LI, NY to Southern NC 6 months ago, and I thought I would be booming right now! But its a struggle to start a business in a new place. I am making progress...meeting builders, subs, getting small jobs from HO's...
but i still work full time for someone else..
luckily he is a good guy and lets me take days that i need to do my own work.
hang in there and stick with it if u love it

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MattCoops

joasis hit nail on head

your the new fish in the pond

you haven't built up a repore yet

try to brand an image of your company in those floridians eyes
meanwhile,
network with some other contractors and catch some flow through them

__________________
Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more

dirt diggler

Paul, not sure what your background story is or how long you've been in Florida. I don't even know where Spring Hill is or what it is like

Is it an area where work is booming?? Some parts of Florida are, or at least were.

But lotsa guys here talk about wanting to move outta Michigan cuz of the lack of work/poor economy.

is that a factor in Spring Hill?? If so ... why did you move there??

If not ... the others are right --- you're kinda starting over. Takes time.


One thing ... if you start slashing prices to keep up with the hacks ... then you'll get into that rut. And if the job you have supports you ...

id just byde me tyme and keep tryin

all ya can do

it's not the end of the world by any means ... it's just business ...

MinConst

Thanks Dirt, and others.

I know what its like to start up and I will make it. The job I have pays the bills, well most of them :-) and I will keep on truckin and tryin till it works. I like it too much to give it up.

Paul

__________________
Paul
Minichillo's Construction
Website
I will never leave you hanging!

dirt diggler

hey ...


that's better than lowballin just to land work ... and still not payin your bills

the_turd_man

service businesses do well in yellowpages others? who knows
newspapers like the shopping guide are excellent! they have a business directory it works for me! Use unconventional tactics
coupon discount limited time targeting homeowners works for me
I do $1000 off septic installation sometimes and actually sell a upgraded system with outlet filter, washermachine filter and electronic tank monitor all these goodies cost me $250 I put a retail of $1000 on them including installation. so for $250 im giving a 1000.00 discount
it sells like crazy why? Im doing something different

I use gorilla marketing tactics
election type signs every job. I ask to leave it up for 30 days most people say yes
medians where you can get away with it

I fax every builder in the local builders assoc. I made a list off the website. I follow up with direct mail. The phone started ringing

I examined my market for a niche nobody else did. I will take jobs others cannot do or don't want to. No problem I charge double

Some fields are over saturated earnings are low. Find a nich
The housing market is very stagnant right now in florida. Sales are down prices have fallen . It affects a remodelling business

advertise church bulletins

contact agencies like centro compecino and ship who pay for remodelling and repairs for the aging and poor. Takes a mo to get paid but it works. It is by bid and people dont bid cheap when they wait for pay

contact homebuyers sitting on hurracaine damaged houses still 70 mi south of you. People are still fixing those homes. look for the signs we buy ugly houses, cash for homes etc. call them it can't hurt

these are thing I would do

p.s service magic sucks

stoneanthony200

and build a spec home on it. Put some of that quality into it and perhaps that could be your spring board into business there...

__________________
Stone Anthony, Owner/Builder
SVA Holdings, LLC
617 1st NH TPKE, Unit #2, Northwood, NH 03261
(603) 608-3321 Phone, (206) 203-2139 Fax

dirt diggler

that's some pretty simple advice right there ... I like that

tamsells

Paul,
Look for some Realtors in your area. Give them your cards. Go to their office and give them information about your services. I refer only quality professionals and I'm often asked to provide names of people / companies that "can do the work" with quality. I keep that list with me at all times.
Tam