If you’re the type who loves to build things, and you just have a knack for drafting diagrams, fixing things, or anything else, chances are the life of a contractor is perfect for you. But how do you take your passion for building things to the next level?
If you’ve recently been working as a laborer and you’re ready to step in line with other business owners or to branch out on your own and start your own contracting business, the good news is that there are many avenues you can take to meet this goal. But you also have to start with the basics as well.
Being a successful contractor can actually earn you a handsome income. And some of the top contractors in the country earn salaries that rival the annual income of the county’s best paying careers.
If you’re ready to get started as a contractor, the following will explore a few things you’ll need to accomplish.
Before you’re going to be able to work on the bigger paying jobs, you’ll need to get a contractor’s license. And though you may be accustomed to working without a license, this only allows you to work on jobs under a specific dollar amount.
For example, many states require a contractor to be licensed in order to work on jobs valued over 10,000 dollars. But in a state such as Tennessee, if you want to work on jobs valued at over 25,000 dollars, you need to have a license. Further, in Tennessee, plumbers and electricians need to have a license to work no matter the value of the job.
At the end of the day, getting a contractor’s license simply makes the most sense, and it’s an investment that proves your skills and ability to work on big jobs. Aside from this, it will give your prospective clients the assurance they’ll likely want before hiring you for a job.
No self-respecting client is going to hire anyone without proof that you can deliver quality results. And as mentioned, a license will give you the certification you need to work on large jobs, but a portfolio will give you the proof that people will ask for when they call you for work.
Building a portfolio doesn’t take much effort. But if you’re just beginning, perhaps you haven’t had enough time to build a substantial body of work. Well, this is where you’re allowed to be creative.
Perhaps you have family or friends who need work done around their property. If this is the case, documenting this work in your portfolio will give you a start. Additionally, if your own property needs work, you should document this as well. This will allow you to add variety to your portfolio.
Above all, a portfolio needs to show both the quality of your work and the range of your skills. And if you can showcase both in a cohesive manner, you’ll be well on your way to landing big-paying jobs.
In any business endeavor, you have to work on building relationships and partnerships in order to be successful in today’s competitive world. As a contractor, this means putting yourself out there and mingling with new client prospects and offering your services where you believe you could be the most useful.
A few benefits of building quality community relationships include the following:
In many ways, building relationships with other contractors also allows you to learn new skills and to gain access to new customers. And some of the best contractors in the business understand the value of working alongside others within their industry. In this sense, they don’t view other contractors as competition, but as confidants who can help their business to grow.
Additionally, networking within your community also allows you to generate more visibility. And the more people who know your name and value the work you do, the better positioned you’ll be when you begin expanding your business into neighboring communities.
Making it as a contractor may take some initial hard work. But it also takes drive, and the will to achieve your goals. And if you hope to own a lucrative contracting business in today’s competitive world, taking all the steps that lead toward establishing a successful business will be the wisest decision you can make.
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