Our primary customer is middle class america. We typically do handyman work, a couple of kitchens a year and 2 to 3 bathroom remodels a month. This year we did an addition for the first time and did quite well financialy.
But because we work for consumers we always have a slow period in August/September. We figure its the school starting thing. This year we wrapped up the addition in August and had some moderate work so it seemed ok. Then September. Ssssslllllllllooooooowwwww!!!
I had enough work to keep one of us working most of the time and filled in with rental property work and upgrades. And we took some time off and went to some training so it isn’t like we wasted it or anything.
But man is just seems to go on forever and you can’t seem to get anything to fall into place. Then………out of the blue I get a strong possibility on 2 nice bath remodels, a light renovation and another cheap bathroom upgrade all in a weeks time. Booked two today and am meeting with the 2 bathroom folks tommorow with my proposal.
Been doing this long enough now not to panic and to try and make the best of it. Upped the advertising, made calls etc. Just seems to turn around on its own. Anyway it still sucks. But maybe its over! DanT
Replies
And soon, hopefully, you'll be swamped.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Feast or famine. Still new enough for it to drive me crazy. Were about 3/4 through a large renovation and I have one or two jobs after that. I have some new advertising coming out soon but i'm always reluctant because in the past all my advertising hasn't scored me anything. So far 95% of my business is word of mouth, referrals, and some flyers I passed out.
Hi Dan.
If you do kitchens and baths you can do anything. Get some connections from cabinet/tile/plumbing/ stores in your area.
Find out the construction companies that do insurance work (they always need help)
And among other thinks advertise in your local news paper as a basement specialist.
And learn few tricks on plaster restoration and repairs.
That should keep you busy for the rest of your life.
YCF Dino
on the foundation side of work, we working about 70 hours a week and since the hurricane we cannot get enough help. it normal for me to clock in at 5:30 am under the dark of night and might get off by 5pm. saturdays forget it, whole crew working.
Yap. I know the fealing.But was kept us busy was the repairs and the plaster work.The Idea was to get our feet in the door.
Small jobs can get you the big ones too.Many times we start with drywall/plaster repairs and we end up with additions /kitchens/bathrooms etc. etc.
See you.
YCF Dino
Same here in the UK. Most of September had nothing except a couple of time-wasters. Fortunately had enough backlog to keep us going. Will have to remember this next year
John
What's scarey is the holidays are rapidly approaching! Always a slow time for me. Seems to last until about the beginning of March most years.
Dez,
Since the bulk of my work was interior ( at least when I was selfemployed) and I depended on a steady stream of new houses, It was always February, March and ofetn April that killed me. The last jobs in the ground before bad weather were done around January and the new ones weren't on line until April. Almost every year Iwould work up until the December 23rd and pick up again by the 2 January. By 1 february I would be wondering where all the work went.
I could never figure out what was more unsettling. Screwing around on a weekday because you had nothing better to do, Or Playing hooky from work knowing you had so much to do.
So, I started to sandbag stuff. I would line stuff up for homeowners and the like and then give them my Builder rate if they could wait until February. Worked pretty good.
I don't know if it will work in your case but I contractor I know, a small shop with the owner and one or two helpers but he might run a couple of crews in good times, started to work for charities in the lean times.
he helped with a couple of Habitat houses and did a couple small jobs for a rural group that goes out and fixes house for old folks.
Funny thing was that soon after he started doing charity work he started getting calls for paying work. His name got out to the local big wigs and they liked how he worked. Pretty soon he had more work than he could handle, even as some other contractors were still in the doldrums.
He still makes time for some charity work. At least one weekend a month or so. He calls it 'Priming the pump'.
Maybe something to think about.
You are gonna laugh at me.
I have done a lot of things over the years . Now till before Christmas is great for bathrooms and kitchens.
I used to be just a painter when I was very young starting out and worked 7 12s in the summer. I hunted all winter on purpose. You can get in two days in 12 with an airless or with drywall tools in the winter. Save set ups and clean ups.
My family has a lot of peddlers in it. Apple season starts in Sept. Pumkins are comming off now!
Spring and Summer , is the time to buid a spec and Fall and Winter is the time to buy a repo.
Tim Mooney
No, I wouldn't laugh at you. Well maybe. :-)
We just have a slow 4 to 6 weeks this time every year. This year we were well prepared and kept busy. Just doesn't make it any fun.
We actually are pretty busy around the holidays. Lots of folks want to look good for the relatives. And it seems there is always one or two that think you can do an entire kitchen remodel the week or 10 days before Christmas. Once they find out that can't happen they become the first job for they new year. Right after my week in Florida! Thanks for the info. DanT