Home: Message List - How can I grow my home Improvements business?

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

MRFINANCE — Wed, 28 May 2008 02:36:28 GMT

Boy such a wealth of KNOWLEGE I couldn't begin to give better advice.

Ok I will. Hand out leaflets of your service and try something like Val-pak coupon mailers.

Joe

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

int4852 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:03:22 GMT

Chroman,

The following are a few tips regarding the home improvement business. I started my landscape business with my own money and the determination to give it all I have, no previous business or landscaping experience. Four years later my business is thriving and the limits are endless.
We are in the same boat with respect to our industry being as looked at as unprofessional, etc...But we also get paid to make things beautiful....

Take a look at the following and see where you can improve:

If you want to be treated like a professional look and act like one.

DO NOT ever cut corners..

Treat each customer as if they were your first and last...

Referrals are the best marketing you can have but takes time. Once you get going and offer a great service the work will find you..Trust me..

Partnerships fail at least 80% of the time...I am part of that 80%...

Never give up. If it is your passion and you enjoy taking something old and outdated and making it

For many customers this is the biggest investment they are going to make and for them to put their money and trust into you that is something to not take for granted.

As far as working for builders be aware that you should be well funded to take on bigger projects since it takes longer to get paid and when working for most residential customers they, most of the time, look for quality and value when most contractors what the lowest price and will sacrifice quality..

Just a few tips from my experience...Good luck because the fun, if you want to call it that, has just started for you..

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

Remodeler — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:04:33 GMT

Dear Chroman,
I own a remodeling and a business consulting company. My mission is to improve the reputation of the remodeling industry by helping small remodelers improve their business. We all hear horror stories about the remodeling industry. I suggest several things to improve. First is to join NARI (the National Association of the Remodeling Industry) They have been a tremendous resource for me. Second, get a subscription to "Remodeling" magazine. They have excellent articles to help you improve. There are also other trade magazines that offer subscriptions for free.
I just developed a free on-line business analysis program that is available at www.remodelingmagazine.com. Go to the web videos link and click on "The Balanced Business". It is a 16 minutes long video and takes you through every aspect of running a successful remodeling business. (or any business) Also visit www.profitableremodeling.com for more information. Please let me know if the program helps you and good luck with your new business.

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

scsurfguy — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:48:30 GMT

Do you have a website that we can check out? You stated that you would like to work for larger companies. What city or state would you be willing to travel to to work. Local, Statewide, National? And how many people work for you?

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

LUCKIEST — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:44:05 GMT

chroman, One more item, Yesterday's (Wed Jan 2) Personal section of the Wall Street Journal
has an article of interest. "Spending Wisely On Remodeling. Might be helpful.
LUCKIEST

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

mainstreetifs — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:36:19 GMT

Email me at Mainstreetifs@yahoo.com

I am in the commercial insurance business but most of my clients are large trade contractors including painters, I will let you know what they do to get business. I would just post it here but there is a lot of information.

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

slavaret — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:22:59 GMT

Luckiest, this is one area where I would agree a formal business plan is essential.

I think contracting jobs that cannot be outsourced to China have a much better future in the US: less competition, more pricing power.

The problem here is ripoffs and flakes. The key is to project professionalism: a new truck with a rack, logo and a toll free number big enough to read on the freeway, a clean uniform, a good phone system / website, good phone skills, timely response and prompt service. A nice sign on the lawn telling people who you are while you are doing the job. Nice gestures showing you care about the property you are working on - like plastic floor coverings for your car at better car mechanics.

Apart from the truck, these things don't cost much but make more affluent consumers more comfortable doing business with you and give you more pricing power - people would be willing to pay a little more if they sense professionalism and reliability. Word of mouth would still be the best advertiser - if people are happy and got more than expected - they will go out their way to get your business - but you still have to ask. Maybe a follow up feedback letter with a pre-paid return envelop asking how you did, where you can improve, WHO ELSE can benefit?

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

Buffalo — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:34:07 GMT

Our company can certainly help you out in this area.
My email is mike@buffalographix.com.
Please feel free to contact us at anytime.

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

chroman — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:16:40 GMT

Thanks Lighthouse24. I will try this

Re: How can I grow my home Improvements business?

Lighthouse24 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:10:53 GMT

Chroman, I think we have people in this community who own businesses that do that work, and I'm a lot of us have used various vendors. Depending on Buffalo's recommendations, you might consider a new post that says something like "Any recommendations for providers of business signs or logo shirts/hats?"