Replies

1. 
   Gabe_Martel | May 19, 1999 04:14am | #1

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   Hi Cosmo

   I suppose that the definition of successful would be as ambiquous as the opinions as how to get there.

   You may already be successful, you may just not realize it.

   Can't tell you the number of times, I've had to step in to help a contractor who wasn't satisfied with his lot in life and thought that others had it better. Subs try to be generals, generals try to be managers, most fail. Nothing works as well as applying yourself to what you're doing now.

   Word of mouth is the slowest form of advertizing but it is by far, the most consistent and reliable method of getting there.

   The reason for this is that every recognizes the fact that it takes a million good words to build a business and 1 bad one to destroy it.

   The guy that builds a 1000 homes a year makes a couple of hundred dollars profit on each. How long would you be able to feed your family on a couple of hundred dollars profit on each house you built?

   Hang in there buddy,

   Gabe

1. 
   cosmo | May 19, 1999 06:12am | #2

   *Gabe, You are right in saying that success is something that not everyone will have the same definition of. success cannot be defined by money alone. I believe it involves doing what you want to do, being considered by your peers as a example of a professional,and feeling good about yourself and what you create. To a lesser degee but still important is some financial success. I am not the kind of guy that has to have a lot of money or materiel possessions, but I would like to know that I could buy them if I wanted to. My goal is to be considered one of the best if not the best builder in town. In my town there are probably 3 top builders in the general public eye. My guess is that they don't have to competitively bid many jobs. If they are anywhere near the ballpark they get it. Whenever you are one of the best or the best in your area in any profession or area of commerce you are ,are should be rewarded financially. I am not concerned about the money because I know that if I do things right it will come.

1. 
   Gabe_Martel | May 19, 1999 07:27am | #3

   *Hi cosmoHave you ever considered the niche market. No one does everything perfectly. Maybe if you used one aspect of something you really like to do and try to build a reputation on it first.Say you were a house builder, but you had a kitchen design that was unique. Something that you could build an advertizing campaign around. You may not always be noticed for doing something better than the others, (because better can't always be seen)but you will always be noticed for building something different.Gabe

1. 
   Stephen_Hazlett | May 21, 1999 03:15am | #4

   *COSMO,I have to say I agree with Gabe on this one.I am not a homebuilder,and have no desire to be one,'cause I am quite happy with my place on the food chain.(roofing contractor).In my limited and very narrow view of things I have found the niche market to be KEY.My niche or specialty is roofing jobs or repairs that the biggest companies in my area won't bother with.Since most of the "competition" doesn't want these jobs I get to set my own price and terms.(an experienced business man like yourself will see the beauty in that)My niche provides my best introduction to bigger jobs.Todays roof repair often leads to the oportunity to re-roof the same house 2-3 years down the road.(or the neighbors house next month,or the friend at work or whatever).I know I can't be all things to all people,but I can enjoy a comfortable living.Also I think you may have mis-judged the circumstances of the top builders in your area.They may not be bidding against you competivly,but I bet they are stabbing each other in the back competing against each other.You may not even be a blip on their radar screen but you certainly could be someday soon.Good Luck,Stephen

1. 
   Glenn_Tepe | May 21, 1999 06:40pm | #5

   *cosmo it sounds like you are doing things right and your head is in the right place. I have worked for the 3rd largest builder in the country who hopes to show 1 billion in sales this year,but i wouldnt trade my meager income for his because of the lawsuits and callbacks they get.Doing a quality job and going to sleep at night knowing you havent screwed a customer for a few bucks is worth it.Keep doing what you are doing and you will get the rewards you deserve.

2. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | May 22, 1999 09:53am | #6

   *cosmo - I've always heard that a buisness supplies either a "service" or a "product" or both. There are advantages to either type business depending on your people skills/tollerance. My point is, you are providing a service when you do a presold or remodel (how do you want me to build it) and a product when you build a spec.(here it is, do you want it or not).We have some products we make and sell, and I like that part of our business about 3 months of the year, then I get bored with it, and want to do something new and challenging. So I do some remodeling, and after a few months of that I long for those relaxed days in the shop making our products.What I'm getting at, is that maybe you are doing sort of the same thing with your specs/customs without realizing it. It probably is a relief when you go from product to service, then visa-versa. -yb.

2. 
   cosmo | May 22, 1999 09:53am | #7

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   I am a small contractor that has been in business a few years building some spec homes and doing a few remodeling jobs. After having a few spec homes sit for longer than I was comfortable with, I came to the conclusion that a successful spec building program is really just a means to get custom homes. I feel that a successful builder, that is not a national builder that builds a 1000 a year, should build maybe 4 customs for every spec.
   I know that very successful custom home builders have taken many years to build their businesses, and word of mouth is the most powerful advertising. I know that there are no real shortcuts, but I would like to hear from successful builders on how they started, and what tips they can give on marketing and management.