Start Up Check List For Builders - Start Your Business The Right Way
how to start a building business
How To Start A Building Business The Right Way: The Builders Start Up Checklist
Are you an ambitious and qualified builder looking to start up your own building business? Most likely you're great at what you do. So follow this checklist to ensure that everyone else knows that too.
Marketing & Selling
Reach out to your network. Approach family and friends and let them know you’re starting your own business and you’d love to work for them or be introduced to anyone they know.
Create an offer for customers. E.g. "First hour free." Email, phone or visit your network with this offer.
Create a one page profile listing your qualifications, registration, experience and guarantees.
Create a job form to take details from prospective clients - don’t simply write in your diary as it doesn’t look professional. Do this even if they’re family and friends.
Get a site sign printed and put it outside your first and every following job.
Door knock or flyer drop the immediate neighbourhood to let them know who you are.
Operations
Set up a basic tool kit
Get your registrations and/or licensing sorted
Set up basic routines
Invoicing
Order book etc.
Create a job box for paperwork for a particular job to hold job plans, Health & Safety documents, variation order forms etc.
Organise a vehicle
Consider hiring a responsible apprentice you can trust to work unsupervised for a few hours at a time so you are free to work on the business.
Basic Admin
Sign up to an online accounting system (e.g. Xero) and learn how to create an invoice
Create a business bank account
Organise an overdraft or a cash reserve
Talk to main suppliers about opening an account
Build relationships with key subbies
Plan your payment terms and explain them at the beginning of your first job
If you'd like help in setting up your building business the right way, drop us an email and we'll make a time to have a short conversation either over the phone or internet.Graeme Owen - The Builders Business Coach
Graeme
P.S. Whenever you’re ready….here are 4 ways I can help you grow your building business:
1. Grab a copy of my free book
It’s a road map of a successful 15 minute sales call that’s guaranteed to increase your conversion rate. Download here
2. Join Trade Mates and connect with builders who are scaling too.
It's our new Facebook community where smart builders learn to get more income, time and freedom. View our free business resources for builders. Ask questions of like minded business owners and business coaches. Give your knowledge and expertise to help others. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TradeMates/
3. Join My New Group
I’m starting a new group called “OnRamp” to kick start sales and marketing in your business. If this sounds like you, message me with the words, “OnRamp”, and I’ll get you all the information.
4. Join Loft Members
If you’d like help to get off the tools, make more money and get your life back...just message me and put “LOFT MEMBERS” in the subject...tell me a little about your business and I’ll get you all the details.