bad timing for the slow season? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

amcline · 12-18-2006, 08:15 AM

well im not stocked up good for the winter this year, its slowed the last 2-3 weeks here in orlando but then again im not realy advertising, any of you guys going through the same winter pains yet?
any tips to keeping it going?(jan is usually the slowest time for me)

MattCoops · 12-18-2006, 09:53 AM

I tell everybody this.

You got to advertise when you're busy. So you won't complain that you got slow.

Advertise harder when you're busy, and have money coming in.
So you won't suffer with lack of funds to advertise.

When it is slow, take some time to figure out why, so it won't happen again.

How do you think you can run a prosperous business with NO advertising?

referrals alone?
better count your blessings

JNLP · 12-18-2006, 11:31 AM

I was done with work & thought I wouldn't see any for a few months. Winters here really suck for painters. Hooked up with a remodeler though, and he's subbing me alot of work. Just finished my second house for him & have five more waiting. If he can keep me this busy all the time I'll be in heaven.

amcline · 12-18-2006, 01:30 PM

yea i thought i had a new contractor to sub from but havent gotten one thing from him yet, and my other major contractor is slow also,,,

GPI · 12-18-2006, 03:13 PM

Try door hangers with a discount coupon, if your in altamonte springs, try hanging door hangers in winter park, wekiva springs, and west orlando, I got big returns in slow periods there.

Richard · 12-18-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPI

Try door hangers with a discount coupon, if your in altamonte springs, try hanging door hangers in winter park, wekiva springs, and west orlando, I got big returns in slow periods there.

....or you 2 could hook up and help each other....

Frankawitz · 12-18-2006, 07:54 PM

I use to go around to the local apartment complexs and ask the Managers if they liked the painter they had or would they be interested in letting me paint a unit for them and see if they liked my work. This type of work I always called bread and butter work, you don't get your money for 90 days but once the money starts coming in you'll be fine.

AAPaint · 12-18-2006, 09:48 PM

Wow....I wish it was slow right now so I could have some holidays. This year it's the holiday that's holding me up on all kinds of stuff. Can we skip this christmas, or postpone it or something?

HUDSONVALLEYEXT · 12-18-2006, 10:58 PM

as I posted before we have had no work for 1.5 months now. My partner started going to around to houses being built to talk to contractors... they hooked us up with some painting and siding contracts. These contracts should keep us busy until may or june

BMAN · 12-19-2006, 07:23 AM

We like to say "beat feet" or in other words hit the ground running. If you have no work its either because you arent good at what you do form a quality perspective, or you are not marketing yourself properly. Since you care enough about what you do to be part of this and ask questions then assume you are not marketed good enough. Better signage, your local shopping/ coupon paper or the phone book. When ever you paint a house then put flyers on every other house in the neighborhood. Many things work so go out and bring it to them, dont wait for them to call you.

amcline · 11-30-2007, 11:47 PM

well here it is a year later, i can definatly see the growth, both in schedule and in my books, all i can say is the word of mouth keeps spreading as long as your working, being visible, and constant, i still dont advertise much, dont know what i would do if i did, then i would need to hire a bunch of help, and then id have more paperwork to deal with, for now im cool with the 1-4 man jobs, take on help when needed and not try to float them to the next big job,,,
anyway, just being glad to be here another year later
thanks

HUDSONVALLEYEXT · 12-01-2007, 12:17 AM

I see I posted 1 year ago...No work calls for weeks now I hate the holidays just like last year. I need to start a new business

amcline · 12-01-2007, 12:21 AM

some good advice i got over a year ago,,, advertise even when busy!!! i dont really do that but i take the time to follow potential leads busy or not, and spread my card or name any way i can http://AMClinePainting.com

kinda like that

shed-n-deck · 12-01-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCoops

How do you think you can run a prosperous business with NO advertising?

referrals alone?

I ran an ad in a circular about 7 years ago. I got a call, did the bid, and ultimately told the people that I was too busy to do the work for them for at least 2 months, and I referred them to some other contractors that I knew would do a good job....They contacted the BBB and told them that I shouldn't have bid the job if I had no intention on doing the work. The problem was that they weren't the type to make an immediate decision, and by the time they figured out that they wanted me to do the work, I was stacked up...

I don't know why, but your post made me think of that.