From home renovation projects to new builds, people will always seek out the work of an experienced and reliable contractor. This translates to huge opportunities for those in the construction industry who know their craft well and who are interested in starting their own business.
Whether you have already established a small business or you are in the planning stages, use the tips in this guide to help you grow your construction business. With the right mindset, tools, and processes, you can be successful.
Establish crystal clear business practices
In construction, there are a million ways to handle customer questions, to approach the consultation process, or to deal with suppliers, let alone all the varying opinions on best practices for installing new cupboards, cutting pipes, or protecting tile from moisture damage.
When you are only working with a handful of contractors you trust, it’s easier to maintain a consistent set of business and work practices. As your business grows, consistency becomes more complex.
Take the time to set up clear business practices, from what to do when a customer complains to how long you should wait in between paint coats. This makes it easier for your employees to live up to your expectations and for you to run a successful business even if you can’t be there to oversee every job.
Surround yourself with experts who understand the construction business
You may know everything there is to know about renovating a bathroom and all the nuances of drywall installation, but you probably don’t have an accounting degree. And, when it comes to legal issues and insurance, forget about it.
But, these aspects of running a business are critical. This is especially true for contractors, who deal with so many different moving parts, from building a team with the right skill set to safety concerns and customer service.
Whether it's optimizing your tax deductions or ensuring your business is as risk-averse as possible, having a team of experts at your side can save you from making costly mistakes. To help your construction business grow, work with an accountant, lawyer, insurance agent, and any other experts such as a business coach and financial advisor, who have experience working with contractors.
Market for the digital era
A lot of contractors start their business from word-of-mouth referrals. But, if you want to grow and to remain competitive, you’ll need to have a marketing strategy in place. This includes more than printing out some business cards and brochures.
Create a digital presence with a professional website that showcases your past work and makes it easy for customers to contact you.
Consider developing blog posts for your website or other content such as educational videos – content marketing can help to establish your business as an authority in your area. It will also help to generate new leads for your business.
Don’t underestimate the influence of social media marketing – 75 percent of construction firms use social media to promote themselves. Use your Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter pages to share finished projects, to promote special offers, and to keep your customers engaged with news, events, and helpful insights.
Invest in your team
The contractors you work with are your greatest asset. They represent your business and will interact directly with your customers. So, keep your standards high.
One mistake you don’t want to make is to hire a full-time or freelance contractor who isn’t experienced or who doesn’t share your work ethic. This could lead to some of the common problems that plague the construction industry like projects that go over budget, that take too long, or that don’t live up to the customer’s expectations. You may save money upfront on labor costs, but you’ll lose out on the rewards of running a business with a stellar reputation.
To run a successful construction business and to grow your list of customers, make sure your team consists of the best of the best. Invest in annual training to make sure your workers are well-versed on the latest advancements in their craft. You can also set up a mentoring program so your more experienced workers can pass on their knowledge to your newer hires.
Use high-quality equipment
You probably already know this from working with different tools and equipment but, the better the quality, the better the results. By using high-quality machine tools, measuring equipment, hand tools, and other gear, you and your team will be able to work faster and complete jobs with less difficulty.
At Zoro, we know how important it is to have the best tools on hand for the job. From generators to screwdrivers, we have all the supplies you’ll ever need to run a successful construction business. Even better, you have our support – if you have a question on any of our products or if you aren’t sure what’s the best tool for a specific job, reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.