What is your biggest need from contractors??

Question

Hey all,

I am about to move up to the north Dallas area. I am planning on starting my own handyman/GC company up there. I have a good network and oversaw the renovation of a 176 unit multifamily property. I have a good amount of knowledge and experience which will help me out.

My biggest question though is what do you as an investor need the most from contractors/handyman?

I want to find somewhat of a niche to begin so that I can at least get my name out there initially for something in high demand

This is a first for me so any words of advice from contractors or anyone who may have some knowledge to pass along would be greatly appreciated

Terrell Garren · Answer

Communicate, show up on time, do quality work for a market price, be honest and responsible.  I have several contractors with these attributes.  It took years to develop the relationships.  I text or call them with a job, they handle it and send me the bill.  No estimates, no bids.  I pay them immediately.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Get your paperwork in order. It must be professional and complete. Let me know if you need any examples.

The most important things to be a successful GC are: 1) Be honest, 2) Be there when you say you are going to be there, no excuses. 3) Say what you mean, mean what you say, 4) Be firm with customers, 5) Get EVERYTHING in writing.

Ray Hage · Answer

Fair pricing, sticking to timelines and being able to anticipate problems. Ideally the contract understands that investor is in this to make money and wants to develop a long term relationship beneficial to both parties. If the contractor keeps doing great work at a fair price, I as an investor will be more than happy to continue with him and not even bother searching around for other bids.

Eliott Elias · Answer

Good communication, even if things go south. 9/10 contractors are grown up children, they leave and ghost when things get tough.

Bruce Lynn · Answer

Be on time and on budget and you will move ahead of the pack quickly.  If you can't do it, don't know how to do it, don't have time to do it....just be upfront and tell us, so we can get someone who can do it.

Mike Dymski · Answer

Written quotes, pre-approved written change orders, no change orders for items that should be known, communicate, and have actions and results reflect what is said (the last of which is likely most important).  Good luck...there is tons of opportunity.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Completely agree.....although in most cases, staying on time and budget are under the control of the customer more than the Contractor.....

Mark Bohstedt · Answer

Joseph, to help boost your new business you might consider purchasing a mailing list of homeowners in your target area and mailing a 4x6 postcard with your info and handyman tasks you can do. There are several online lead companies you can get lists from. Most companies let you pick zip codes and minimum home values so you can target your preferred market accurately.  I recently moved from Arizona to Branson, Mo., postcards provided us two custom homes, several additions, and now we are getting referrals from previous customers.

Joel Forsythe · Answer

In field trade services, consistency in what you contract will build on itself as far as future lead generation.

Every project that is completed based on initial cost, timeline, and quality is a future recommendation. In the early years you combine online networking, active social media updates, client approved testimonials, and be hardline on consistency. Never….. Never….. use verbal communication for estimates or numbers. Get your paperwork templates in order. You can talk about your work ethic, previous project examples, types of materials and finish qualities, etc. But Never throw out speculation- you screen the lead, get the site info, get the client scope of work requested, sell yourself and your standards, then ask what questions they may have. It will of course be ‘how much and when can you do it.’ Which you say, ‘I’ll have time to get something in writing to you by (whatever is truthfully needed based on how busy you are) and I’ll email it to you.” You will be pressed, it’s all they really want to know, but don’t start that habit. Be professional and take time to get your numbers and dates right. Unless it’s so damn easy to estimate it right on the spot I guess, if it’s just handyman stuff. I’d still drive away and email it an hour later.Niche? What are your strengths? Technically all us that started in the trades in our youth and not an MBA program, did what we did best, a lot of it, it’s why the phone rang to begin with, and we had no internet! Jeez, way back then it took forever for word to get around. So what are you great at? Because, once a client thinks you’re great to work with on their home, guess what else they start asking? Do you know anyone that does …..?

What is your biggest need from contractors??

Most Popular Reply