any insight for developing a solid masonry bizz?? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

reminisce · 03-30-2008, 03:43 PM

Hello All

I am a 21 year old rookie from NJ/Philly with not too much construction exp, but have been blessed with an oppurtunity.

I've recently partnered with a brick mason with over 20+ yrs of exp with brick-stone face, TRADITIONAL stucco, retaining walls, steps, concrete-cement work, basement-waterproofing etc.

I come from a real estate investment background. Fix & Flip, Rentals and such. So i have a solid business understanding and am always educating myself. Soooo here's the situation: This brick mason that i am "partnering" with is a VERY TALENTED mason...BUT SUCKS ASS at business!!

So I see an oppurtunity to use my business savy combined with his quality workmanship & experience and develop a SOLID masonry business.

I strictly would be focusing on business development, sales, MARKETING, developing quality staff, setting up E-myth style systems etc. Obv his job would be to complete the work.

Now this entity is 2 months old soo ive been doing nothing but digesting construction bizz books, been LIVING on this site and devouring ALL the quality info & knowledge you guys give, and trying to learn as much as i can. Also ive registered the bizz, got insurance, started networking, and am awaiting my Home improvement license.

Now some questions: As experienced masons what insight doyou guys have to offer??

Anything i should beware of or hurdles i should be ready to face?

How have you guys built SOLID masonry business over time?? Ex. marketing, estimating,sales,hiring,dealing with subs.

like i said ALL INSIGHT IS WELCOME....

Alwaysconfusd11 · 03-30-2008, 03:51 PM

Welcome, I am quite young and can relate to you I'm sure about many of your worries. The first bit of advice I would like to give you is not to post mulitple threads, posting once will get you far more responses. I would also like to ask if those pictures on your website are of your work or are they from a library?

reminisce · 03-30-2008, 04:04 PM

im sorry, i thought since i was kinda inroducing myself/talking about business, and masonry i should post in all 3. my apologies. About the website, NO they are not ours, We do great work, but not ours. my foolish web designer put those on there to fill space before i get our pics out to him. I see you are in s. jersey, alwayzconfused, and you state your young, is it possible that i might be able to pick your brain on some things?? thanks

Alwaysconfusd11 · 03-30-2008, 04:41 PM

Ask away, and I would also try very hard to get those pictures swapped out, they scream generic. Also, a HO that wants to put up a fight would probably be able to use false advertisement against you.

reminisce · 03-30-2008, 05:15 PM

you dont know how hard ive tried man. i understand they look CRAZY and also its NOT even our genre. But silly me hooked up with a web designer in idaho soo i cant go ring his neck. but thanks

alwayzconfused:

We do resendial and commercial, any insight on how i might go about building b2b relationships with GC's & builders in atempt to start doing constant sub work along with our own prime jobs? For ex: how might i approach a GC or builder to offer our services.

Also you stated you were young, what hurdles did you face in your starting up, mistakes made, objections from customers due to age etc??

thanks

**genecarp** · 03-30-2008, 05:21 PM

rem, one good way to get started, is to hook up with some good contractors, one solid guy is worth gold, as you begin to get HO clients, always work around your contractors schedule, provide excellent, on the spot service to your contractors, the good contractors always work, if your tight with them , you will always work

Alwaysconfusd11 · 03-30-2008, 05:42 PM

I do not do any new construction, and rarely do I sub so as far as working with a GC I can be of no real help. As far as being young, I grew a beard. It makes me look much older. I have had customers make remarks about my age, but since we are mostly on referral jobs they have either seen my work or know someone we have worked for and trust us. I almost gave an older woman a heart attack when after she signed the final payment she asked how old I was. She couldn’t believe the caliber of work we did with how young I was. I also make sure I act professional, and anyone that comes on the job acts accordingly. I also try to live like I am on the job constantly, so I don’t have to worry about doing something stupid that may cost me work in the future.

stacker · 03-30-2008, 07:05 PM

how does this exp mason feel about,him doing the work,while you sit in an office and look important? have you contributed anything to this business other than "business savy"?are you learning the trade at all from him?you dont say how long he has been in business,just that he has 20 plus years exp.if he has been in business for himself that long,i dont see why he would need you.

as far as how i built my business,you could almost say i fell into it.i took over my dad's business when he passed away 15 years ago.but the quality of my work has been the reason i am still in operation.quality and truthfullness is what will keep your customers coming back.i am in a small town in northwest oklahoma,a town of 6,000.i dont advertize,i dont use marketing,i have a magnetic sign on my truck.i did list with a website,listing masons in oklahoma.from that i have gotten 3 calls.all from oklahoma city,150 miles from me.so i dont get anything from that.

BC Maryland · 03-31-2008, 08:31 PM

Good luck finding masons that can do brick,stone, block and concrete. Its like finding a needle in a haystack. The ones that are good usally have their own company. Finding quality people is a ongoing battle. One Mason and a helper wont be enough to feed you and his family. You might have to push a wheel barrow and a pen.