Restarting In Connecticut - Advice Needed:)

Karlosak

I worked as a remodeling contractor in Arizona for more then a decade, I recently moved to Connecticut. Things are totally different, the marketing ways which worked in AZ, they do not work here.
After 15 years in the business, first time in my life I am loosing ground.
Can somebody tell me how to get the first jobs in CT? I know after that I wouldn't have problems, my work always brought me the second one.
For some reason, simple (newspaper, flyer) advertising does not seem to bring anything.
Thanks
Steve

Richard

Well, first welcome to the forum...

yeah, CT is a strange place...since it's a small state people tend to go with the "guys they know"...I think your fliers and such might have been ineffective because no one knows you. They see the ad, but dont know the name. I suggest either team up with (part time work with) or sub for someone for a bit. I'm not saying give up the business, just saying dont expect to be self sufficient right off the bat. If you do good work, no worries, it will get busy.

Are you offering a discount for the winter? How's your portfolio of past work pictures? Do you have a website? These are real big up here--people want proof of quality--CT is the richest state in the nation and the most stuck up...I hate it, so be prepared

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Rich

Karlosak

Thank you,

Hope these things will work. I do offer winter discounts, but as you have said, till they do not know me, nothing works. I talked to lots of contractors regarding subs, everybody is keeping the jobs for themselves. So...every advice welcomed I keep on and try to survive.
BTW: I do have a portfolio, my website will be done soon.
Steve

jmic

What part of Ct. are you in? And Welcome to Ct. and Contr.talk

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___"Remember You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression"______________________
Joe

P construction

I lived in ct and a contractor for 10 years till I moved to nc for longer months of outside work i have a lot of connections up their depends on what part you are moving to

Karlosak

My wife works in Farmington, bought a house in Wolcott, seems a nice suburban area, but I see that within an hour I can reach almost everywhere, so I plan to work in the area of West Hartford-Farmington-Danbury-and South West. Anything within 1,5 hours is suitable, in Arizona I sometimes travelled more than 2 hours.

P construction

What kind of work do you do ?

troyamuso

I'm down in lower Fairfield county CT. Just keep on talking to people, do a great job and make sure you do a great job every time. It's true this is the richest area in the country, people are real guarded untill they know they can trust you. I have clients who give me a key to there 5 Mil $ home. It took me a few years to get there but once you prove yourself and get into "the circle" you'll be a happy camper. There's lots of money around here people are ALWAYS remodling. Just stick to it and you'll get there. Good luck!

Karlosak

I do mostly everything. I used to be a Master Builder, I prefer doing kitchen and bathroom remodeling. In AZ I had also access to mill.dollar homes. I do custom designed bathroom, showers, installations, custom flooring (stone, etc), fireplaces, interior stuff and masonry, if needed. I am a good stonemason, but prefer inside works.
Steve

Richard

I fell in love when I saw this bathroom...sorry for low quality, I'm getting a digital Monday--
http://www.contractortalk.com/attach...1&d=1163250742
http://www.contractortalk.com/attach...1&d=1163250755
http://www.contractortalk.com/attach...1&d=1163250765

Attached Thumbnails

     

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Rich

Karlosak

For some reason my macintosh doesnt allow me to post the pictures. I did similar bathrooms, with granite, marble , stone.

Richard

did you click "manage attachments"?...it should then allow you to browse and insert pics from your comp...

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Rich