Starting A New Business - Advice Wanted

christos

We have just started a business as a plumbing contractor and was wondering what score is? Is this nationwide or just in certain areas. We live in the Chicago area and need help in getting this business up and running and getting some jobs.

CNCconstruction

I wish I had found this website before starting my own company. A lot of the things discussed here I learned by trial and error.

One thing I always do every day that has helped a lot (even tho a small thing) is make a list every day of what needs to be done. It is so easy to forget to call a customer at that certain time or go to an estimate or what ever.

Also marketing like a few have said, just getting into marketing this year. there is no better way to sell than word of mouth, but word of mouth drys up.

So far this year I am finding that a listing in C&G newspapers by me is helping me sell more than my yellow book adds. Believe it or not I have sold more jobs from Craigslist than both my yellow book adds combined.

TDuBois

JDS,

Great advice! I am also starting a new GC business and would appreciate you emailing me your pricing spreadsheet. Not sure how this works but my email address is on my profile.

Thank you in advance.

T

MOTB

You have started off smart by asking for advice which is the beginning of your planning. What you should do is create a mini-business plan to keep track of all the things you need to do since your emotional excitement will easily have you sidestep a key set of items. Writing things down will allow you to review, cross-off and double-check your start up items.

Check out this post http://www.contractortalk.com/f16/qu...ntation-61587/ on business planning. You do not have to go to the level of that post since it is business planning with a goal of raising some money, but it broadstrokes things you will need to address.

Then ensure to name yourself correctly to get your image started. Another thread for naming your new company is http://www.contractortalk.com/f12/na...g-smart-62128/

Among all your other items, you need to get a simple website up along with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to draw in leads as economically as possible. There are a ton of threads on this topic.

And last but not least is to begin personally networking with all the General Contractors and Remodeling Contractors in your area. Ensure to be professional, indicate what you are building and do not forget to ask for advice on where else to go, etc., since handshakes are as equally as important as all the forum members who will offer you advice to succeed.

Good luck! Brian

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Helping contractors find work, manage jobs, communicate with others and get paid quicker using software over the Internet

Merbs

I have only been in business for myself for two years and they have been great. My advice to you is to keep reading contractortalk, remodeing magazines to learn about other contractor's business practices. When I started my business two years ago I tried to be everything to every customer. Now I only do interior remodeling and home repair. I don't even sub out roofs or exterior painting/siding anymore. It is impossible to be the best at everything. Find the work that you enjoy the most and just run with it. Good Luck

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Kitchen Design and Remodeling in Boston
Bathroom Design and Remodeling in Boston
Finished Basement Design and Remodeling in Boston

buildpinnacle

I had a thread some time about this titled 'why do we have to be everything to everyone' or somesuch. Although many will disagree, I am a firm believer in NOT diversifying. Find out your niche and what you excel in and throw everything you have into it. Be the best 'Roofer' or 'Kitchen and Bath Remodeler' or 'Deck/Patio Builer' etc. You will find you will have more time and more money.

My advice to add or pile on top of all the good advice so far is simple. Make certain you have the proper amount of capital for the upstart. Most all new ventures fail because they are undercapitalized. I know it's been done, so you other guys don't lambast me. However, the rule stands true to the exception. A couple grand won't cut it. You need to be able to operate for at least a couple months without cash flow if it takes some time to penetrate the market and get some contracts written. This supercedes everything in my opinion.

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Wilson518

Read some books,and then act quickly. Don't be fascinated by the books and theorys.Practice will tell you how to do.bill gates alson don't finish his college course.

MOTB

Good comment. But just remember to use a spell checker to pick up the most common spelling mistakes. Communication is an art for in itself, and spelling and grammer help. But being from China, you did better than many others that I have seen so we will give you a break.

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Helping contractors find work, manage jobs, communicate with others and get paid quicker using software over the Internet

Tinstaafl

Good grammar helps too. But with you being a communication facilitator, we'll give you a break.