Why So Many Construction Contracting Businesses 'Do It Hard'
By Jan Smith
Many building contractors start their own contracting business for one major client. This leads to all sorts of problems for them because they are usually excellent tradespeople but not always good business people and generally have no, or very little, marketing experience.
And as so often happens, they have a 'falling out' or that particular major client 'screws them' so badly they end up in all kinds of financial trouble.
They are usually so busy 'doing quotes' at the time many of the marketing courses offered through community business groups are run, that they have great difficulty picking up the business and marketing skills they need.
Because they are usually a family business, if they are reasonably well organized, it is the partner of the tradesperson who usually does the books. But as she most probably has a full-time job as well to help the family survive, she doesn't have the time either to attend these business classes. Chances are also high that they have a child or two as well and as we all know, kids need time and attention too.
So consequently, many of our construction contractors are "doing it hard".
They need more and better business and marketing skills to survive as a business.
Ideas, both business and marketing ideas; have no borders. They can be transmitted from trade to trade, country to country.
It is my experience from working in the Industry, that Electricians can help Plumbers, Plumbers can help builders, builders can help landscapers and everyone can contribute to the well-being of the Industry as a whole. They just need a 'maestro' or a 'traffic cop'.
The end beneficiaries are the users of a contractors services.