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How long did it take you to get your first job as a general contractor?

  • Less than a week

    Votes: 5 29%
  • 1-2 weeks

    Votes: 3 18%
  • 2-3 weeks

    Votes: 0 0%
  • 3-4 weeks

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  • 1-2 months

    Votes: 2 12%
  • 2-3 months

    Votes: 2 12%
  • 3-4 months

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  • 4-5 months

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  • 5-6 months

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  • 6-7 months

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  • 7-8 months

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  • 8-9 months

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  • 9-12 months

    Votes: 2 12%
  • I'm still looking!

    Votes: 3 18%
  • I couldn't find one...

    Votes: 0 0%
1 - 20 of 64 Posts

SmartConstruct

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I got incorporated at the end of May.

In less than a week, I had a client call me to accept an estimate for a deck job. But, he wanted to do half of the work, so I decided against taking the job. A week later, I got a call from a client to accept a siding job, but I forgot to put in that I was installing the soffit in the estimate, so he changed his mind. I got those jobs from putting up 1,000 cheap flyers.

I did a basement estimate and a kitchen estimate in the following two weeks. I got those estimates from going door to door with my business cards (300 doors total). They said that they were getting other estimates.

At the end of last month, I had a client call me and said that I gave him a good price on a basement estimate, but was confused that I didn’t itemize the estimate like I stated I would do in my website, so I didn’t hear back from him. I spent the last two weeks designing my website and building it with SEO. I did a small drywall repair estimate from a client who just sent me an email asking if I was available two weeks from now. I got those two estimates from sending out 1,500 expensive flyers.

I got a homeowner who said that he wanted me to install a deck for him last Monday, but then I called him and his son said that he was in the hospital with ammonia. I got this estimate from a lead generator.

I just did a siding estimate today. I got that estimate from my newspaper advertisement that finally has given me a lead after 7 weeks of advertising.

I’m working as a sub for a contractor off-and-on, but I’m trying to figure out when I’m going to get my big break and, at least, get a small $500 job. I read a book on building a construction business and it says to budget three months before you get your first job to get your marketing rolling and to get customers to recognize your name. Any suggestions? I know that I’m making stupid GC rookie mistakes, but does anyone know how I can speed the process up?

I’m 28-years-old and I’ve gotten comments on how young I am doing this type of work (additions, basements, kitchens, bathrooms, etc.). But, when I was 22-years-old, I ran a flooring company for 7 months while working for a previous contractor. But, the jobs were so small with that kind of work that I turned more than a third of them down and the jobs that I did have only averaged $1,500 in labor. Is my age that serious of a factor? (It was 5 years ago.)

When I was installing the flooring, one flooring supplier told me that it takes 6 months for contractors to become established. One of the reasons that I quit the flooring business is because it had gotten really slow (It had been 6 months, but, now I realize that I quit shortly after New Year's... slow season).
 
Pester your friends and family. They can help you get a few jobs under your belt, AND, you'll learn to avoid working for friends and family. But if you're starting out...

No, you're not too young.

Don't itemize your estimates. Get that promise off your website. It's just a way for homeowners to get a mini-project plan to shop to lowballers.

Call back the guy who wanted to do half the deck. Tell him you'll do it if he still wants you to do it.

No more sending people estimates. You put together a contract, you go over to their house, and you say, "I want to do this job for you. Write me a check and I'll start tomorrow morning."

Keep doing most everything you've been doing, but drop the paid referral service - you have to be a top-notch closer to make those work.

Good luck. Hang in there.

Edit: Make sure the jobs you bid are jobs you can really do.
 
There is no magic number for when you will become established.

It is your reputation you need to work on.

Do not rely on your web site alone.

Get out and meet people. Don't BS anyone, be honest & yourself.

If you tell someone you are going to do something make certain you follow through on it.

A "Can Do" attitude can go a long ways, learn to be a problem solver...:thumbup:
 
I’m 28-years-old and I’ve gotten comments on how young I am doing this type of work
Depends upon you. I looked like 18 years old, when I was 28. The passion and knowledge to do the work was most successful for me. I wasn't out to be a GC at that point in time. Did not have the cash flow for it. Was proving myself and learning the trades, which has served me well.

I always got those questions from home owners about my age. Tell them how and why you can do the work. A knowledgeable passionate 'young un' who's out to prove themselves frequently trumps grumpy old contractor and slick salesman.

Worked, briefly, for a remodeling start up when I was 24... they suggested I put shoe white in my hair to make me look grey :laughing: Never did, but I seriously considered it. Ended up being very good at selling roofs. Thought I was getting screwed on money and wanted to do my own thing. So that was short lived.
 
Discussion starter · #8 · (Edited)
Don't itemize your estimates. Get that promise off your website. It's just a way for homeowners to get a mini-project plan to shop to lowballers.

No more sending people estimates. You put together a contract, you go over to their house, and you say, "I want to do this job for you. Write me a check and I'll start tomorrow morning."
What if homeowners want different prices? I'm working on a siding estimate and he wants a separate price for windows demoed and installed and a separate price for gutters demoed and installed. I thought to give them an itemized price list using MasterFormat to get their trust.

How do you put together a contract, go over their house, and say "I want to do this job for you, etc."? Do I call them on the phone or show up unannounced? What if they're not there or do not answer the door?
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Pester your friends and family. They can help you get a few jobs under your belt, AND, you'll learn to avoid working for friends and family. But if you're starting out...

No, you're not too young.

Don't itemize your estimates. Get that promise off your website. It's just a way for homeowners to get a mini-project plan to shop to lowballers.

Call back the guy who wanted to do half the deck. Tell him you'll do it if he still wants you to do it.

No more sending people estimates. You put together a contract, you go over to their house, and you say, "I want to do this job for you. Write me a check and I'll start tomorrow morning."

Keep doing most everything you've been doing, but drop the paid referral service - you have to be a top-notch closer to make those work.

Good luck. Hang in there.

Edit: Make sure the jobs you bid are jobs you can really do.
What if homeowners want different prices? I'm working on a siding estimate and he wants a separate price for windows demoed and installed and a separate price for gutters demoed and installed. I thought to give them an itemized price list using MasterFormat to get their trust.

How do you put together a contract, go over their house, and say "I want to do this job for you, etc."? Do I call them on the phone or show up unannounced? What if they're not there or do not answer the door?
 
Don't itemize your estimates. Get that promise off your website. It's just a way for homeowners to get a mini-project plan to shop to lowballers.

No more sending people estimates. You put together a contract, you go over to their house, and you say, "I want to do this job for you. Write me a check and I'll start tomorrow morning."
What if homeowners want different prices? I'm working on a siding estimate and he wants a separate price for windows demoed and installed and a separate price for gutters demoed and installed. I thought to give them an itemized price list using MasterFormat to get their trust.

How do you put together a contract, go over their house, and say "I want to do this job for you, etc."? Do I call them on the phone or show up unannounced? What if they're not there or do not answer the door?
Break the job down in to phases. Give them a TOTAL price for each phase.

BUT....explain that the price is only good as quoted if the phases are done at the same time. No coming back in 5 weeks for phase 2 and then in 6 weeks for phase 3...etc etc etc....

Line item pricing only goes in T&M...
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
I kept my job for a builder, when I couldn't keep up with side work is when I went on my own. Family and friends will help you to. When working in their neighbor hoods pound the pavement, go meet people.
You can't go door to door without a license in my area. A law was recently passed. I can drop off flyers or doorhangers, but I can't knock on doors of people that I don't know. There was a problem with burglaries.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
I grew a beard to look older when I was in my mid twenties. How much starting money do you have and what does your truck and/or trailer look like?
I had around $7,000. I spent $1,000 putting a basic ad in the newspaper which will last for 8-1/2 months. I spent another $400 on flyers. I spent $250 on incorporating. How much money do you suggest I have?

I have an older Ford Explorer. It is on my list to sell it and buy a pick-up. A trailer is on my list as well. But, I don't plan to get one for another year. I figure a pickup will do me well for now.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Don't itemize your estimates. Get that promise off your website. It's just a way for homeowners to get a mini-project plan to shop to lowballers.

No more sending people estimates. You put together a contract, you go over to their house, and you say, "I want to do this job for you. Write me a check and I'll start tomorrow morning."


Break the job down in to phases. Give them a TOTAL price for each phase.

BUT....explain that the price is only good as quoted if the phases are done at the same time. No coming back in 5 weeks for phase 2 and then in 6 weeks for phase 3...etc etc etc....

Line item pricing only goes in T&M...
So, don't give them a price for labor and materials? I was just doing generic estimates. With a fixed labor price (not including add-ons) and prices of cheapest materials (to keep my estimate competitive, in case they want to get something more expensive later)

What is T&M?
 
I grew a beard to look older when I was in my mid twenties.
That's what I do :laughing:
I had around $7,000. I spent $1,000 putting a basic ad in the newspaper which will last for 8-1/2 months. I spent another $400 on flyers. I spent $250 on incorporating. How much money do you suggest I have?

I have an older Ford Explorer. It is on my list to sell it and buy a pick-up. A trailer is on my list as well. But, I don't plan to get one for another year. I figure a pickup will do me well for now.
I started with 40k and it wasn't enough. I busted my ass and had a lot of help from my dad in the financial department in my first few years. I'm in the 5th year and im starting to do pretty well. I took my first vacation this year sinse starting the company.
 
T&M= Time and Material/Cost Plus...

You will need AT LEAST 6 months business & personal operating capital.

More would be better...:thumbsup:

Do not play the low ball game to gain a clients trust. EVER

Be up front and explain to them what they are getting in your price.

This is where you sell yourself & your company....:thumbup:

The age thing...overcome it with a professional appearance & demeanor.

You will also need an outstanding knowledge of construction practices & techniques to explain a project.

An extensive knowledge of products & materials is also mandatory.:thumbsup:

DO NOT rely on BS as many clients today have done extensive homework...:thumbsup:
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
T&M= Time and Material/Cost Plus...

You will need AT LEAST 6 months business & personal operating capital.

More would be better...:thumbsup:

Do not play the low ball game to gain a clients trust. EVER

Be up front and explain to them what they are getting in your price.

This is where you sell yourself & your company....:thumbup:

The age thing...overcome it with a professional appearance & demeanor.

You will also need an outstanding knowledge of construction practices & techniques to explain a project.

An extensive knowledge of products & materials is also mandatory.:thumbsup:

DO NOT rely on BS as many clients today have done extensive homework...:thumbsup:
Regarding T&M… I wasn’t going to break things down by time or square footage. I was just going to give prices in regards to certain installation aspects (ex: Install siding… Materials: $2,927.21, Labor: $3,152.38 / Remove and demolish windows… Materials: --, Labor: $322.50 / etc.) in a document separate from my estimate. Is listing it that way in a separate doc a bad idea?

6 months business & personal operating capital… I’m not too worried about this. I have 2 months in already and 1 average size job will give me enough capital to last a couple months. I’m doing a lot of work as a sub right now anyway.

“Do not play the low ball game to gain a clients trust. EVER.”
How do I initially stand out from the competition? We all look the same, but they’ve been in business for years.
 
Regarding T&M… I wasn’t going to break things down by time or square footage. I was just going to give prices in regards to certain installation aspects (ex: Install siding… Materials: $2,927.21, Labor: $3,152.38 / Remove and demolish windows… Materials: --, Labor: $322.50 / etc.) in a document separate from my estimate. Is listing it that way in a separate doc a bad idea?

6 months business & personal operating capital… I’m not too worried about this. I have 2 months in already and 1 average size job will give me enough capital to last a couple months. I’m doing a lot of work as a sub right now anyway.

“Do not play the low ball game to gain a clients trust. EVER.”
How do I initially stand out from the competition? We all look the same, but they’ve been in business for years.
Only give TOTAL job cost, not labor & material.

You stand out by explaining that you only provide high quality materials. Ask them to provide a list of materials/products to be usd on the job. Helps to eliminate the low ball crap.

I used to get clients to compile a spec book for their jobs.

Everything was called out.

This way all Contractors bid apples....
 
Regarding T&M… I wasn’t going to break things down by time or square footage. I was just going to give prices in regards to certain installation aspects (ex: Install siding… Materials: $2,927.21, Labor: $3,152.38 / Remove and demolish windows… Materials: --, Labor: $322.50 / etc.) in a document separate from my estimate. Is listing it that way in a separate doc a bad idea?

6 months business & personal operating capital… I’m not too worried about this. I have 2 months in already and 1 average size job will give me enough capital to last a couple months. I’m doing a lot of work as a sub right now anyway.

“Do not play the low ball game to gain a clients trust. EVER.”
How do I initially stand out from the competition? We all look the same, but they’ve been in business for years.
You will need that operating capital when something goes wrong on your dime. As a GC, its all on your dime when something goes wrong
 
Build a rep as a guy who isnt claiming to be cheap. Doesnt nickel and dime for chit, knows what he is doing and expects to be paid for it. Nailing your first few estimates (especially cost plus/t and m) will help tremendously.
 
1 - 20 of 64 Posts