Here at Goldblatt, our mission is to help professional tradespeople build. We offer professional-grade concrete, tile, masonry, and drywall hand tools to help you accomplish work both you and your clients can be proud of. But today, we’re going over some of the best ways you can build your contracting business. Whether you’re just starting out as an independent contractor or you’ve been running your business for a while, here are seven tips to build your contractor business and help you win more bids, gain more referrals, and expand your clientele.

1) Create a website (if you haven’t already).

More and more people are finding leads online. And sites like Angie’s List are making it easier than ever for people to hire reputable contractors. That’s why it’s important to have a clean, easy-to-navigate website for your contracting business. Be sure to list all the relevant information a prospective client might want to know, such as general company information, work capabilities, and contact information. You don’t need to be an internet expert to design your website, either. There are plenty of tools and websites, like Squarespace, you can use to help you create a great-looking website without spending a fortune.

2) Compile a project portfolio.

Even if you’re just starting out as an independent contractor, chances are you’ve completed some great work as part of another company. Be sure to document every project you work on from beginning to end. It can be as simple as snapping a few photographs on your smartphone during each phase of construction. If you can gather customer testimonials that speak to the quality of your work, it will give you even more credibility. By building a portfolio of successfully completed jobs and placing them on your website, you will give prospective clients confidence in your craft. And when people feel confident in your work, they are more likely to hire you for their next construction project.

3) Acquire branding materials for your business.

Branding your business is another way to set yourself apart from the rest of the contractors in your area. Through websites like Fiverr, you can hire affordable graphic designers to create a company logo. And business cards are easier than ever to order, with many online companies even offering design help. Don’t forget about some of the additional branding items that can help set you apart from other contractors. For example, you can order stationery with your company letterhead or pens with your business name, logo, and phone number. Consider putting your logo and contact information on the side of your work vehicle as well. You may think your skill speaks for itself, but spending some time to build your brand will help you appear more reputable and gain more clients.

4) Be thorough with documentation.

Of all our seven tips to build your contractor business, this is the one that is most likely to be overlooked. Clients want to feel completely comfortable with the people they hire. Especially because, oftentimes, your clients will have little to no knowledge of concrete, tile, masonry, or drywall work. That’s why thorough documentation is so important. It pays to be as detailed as possible when drawing up estimates, scopes of work, and takeoff lists. Even if your customers don’t understand all the information you provide, this level of transparency will help reinforce your credibility – and it might set you apart from other bidders who are less thorough.

5) Use high-quality construction tools and materials.

Ultimately, your completed work will speak for itself. And using high-quality tools and materials can help guarantee a job well done. Using premium materials may cost a bit more, but it will result in a good-looking end result that can better withstand the test of time. For high-quality tools, look no further than Goldblatt. We have been providing professional concrete, masonry, tile, and drywall workers with hand tools that are built to build since 1885. From brick trowels to grout floats and everything in between, our tools will help you get every construction job done right.

6) Don’t sell yourself short.

The old saying that “you get what you pay for” is perhaps nowhere truer than in the trades. Sure, some clients will automatically take on the lowest bidder for their proposal, but those aren’t the kinds of jobs you should be looking to win. Good clients know that any job worth doing is worth doing right. Your skills are valuable, and you should take all factors into consideration when preparing your bid. Don’t forget to account for things such as rest time and lunches in your labor costs, especially on larger-scale projects where multiple workers are required. As long as you are doing high-quality work, you can justify charging a higher price.

7) Prove your worth from the start.

If you’ve decided to take the leap and start your own contracting business, there’s no doubt you have extensive knowledge of your trade. Showcase your wealth of information when speaking with prospective clients. It will help build trust and show that you can get the job done right the first time. Be sure you are able to easily and honestly answer any questions that arise before the client selects a contractor. Part of your job as an independent contractor is to educate customers to ensure they fully understand the work you are proposing. Prove your expertise from the beginning, and your projects will go much smoother from start to finish.

It’s time to get to work.

If you’re still reading, it’s clear you are motivated to succeed with your company. We hope these seven tips to build your contractor business will help you set a strong foundation for the future. Do you have any advice for contractors that we didn’t cover here? Contact us today and we may feature some of your tips in our upcoming blog posts.