So has anyone decided to specialize their business in one particular aspect? We had discussed this before but just curious if anyone ever went in that direction?
The best example would be Stan who has become very successful in his stair fabrication or should I say “art”?
I’ve been thinking about it (not stairbuilding mind you but ‘something’) as the homebuildingaddition market seems to be very competitive here now and wondered if becoming a “specialist” would help business?
Anyone made the change?
Mike
Replies
I've tried but it's hard. I currently advertise "Cabinets~Stairs & Trim" but the current cabinet job resulted in my being general on a full bath remodel.
The next job after this one was a call for an upgrade to the kitchen cabinets. simple like I like it. But now it's going to be new sheetrock on the master bedrooms ceiling , can lights through out the house, an upgrade to a more efficient 13' window wall unit and a complete front porch rebuild leading to ,(she's considering) all new siding.
Sometimes it's hard to just specialize.
My dream is to be busy enough to just build cabinets, drop them off and run, no install. But the reality is I do just about anything that's needed.
Sometimes being multi talented can be a curse.
My dad used to say : " Never tell anyone what you know how to do , they will have you doing it"
In the midsts of that "change" currently.
Not an easy go. 90% of my leads were word of mouth. Makes transitioning from renovation construction to custom woodworking tough.
Specially when ya gotta pay the bills.
Little by little.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Just a thought:
In know what you are asking, and I am off in left field, but:
Specialize in being better than the rest in the homebuilding / additions market.
What made Ben and Jerry rise to the top? A refusal to compromise quality.
I am sure there are other examples of success stories, and folks who came up with products that the public could not do without. Sorry going blank, like Sancho, I need some sleep.
Adios and buenos noches.
No plumbing, wiring, landscaping, installing fences, tile work, or masonary. Carpentry. And I'll GC a job or few in a year. I think thats specialized enough for me.
Best to you and yours, Chris.
Some say I know too much? Can you ever?
Specializing for me would be suicide. I find I have to do it all. If I specialized it would severely hinder my ability to compete. I have a lot of friends that appear to specialize but turns out that they are doing everything anyway.
If you can do it, best of luck.
DoctorDave
I can't add anything useful. However, it always seemed interesting to me that some subs specialize to simply work on one thing, and others supecialize to be able to use lower paid workers.
I started down the specialization road, at least thinking hard about it and working a short time for the best sub in the valley, but found better margins in general remodeling.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
We have had two employees leave us to go into a specialty.
The first is now a furniture maker. Our company sometimes uses him to build kitchen cabinets, though he doesn't really like to do these. We purchased a beautiful dining table which can be either a circle or expand to seat 12 comfortably. He has supported his family doing this for over 20 years. Not rich but what would an old hippie like him do with money.
The second went into business last year. He makes windows and doors for the restoration market. He was doing this on the side until he had a year's work lined up. He seems to have plenty to do and is as frugal as they come. He will do all right though I would find the work lonely and a bit repetitive. If you establish yourself in this specialty and control your costs, you can do pretty well though there is a pretty solid ceiling. We would hire him back in a minute if he gets tired of it.
Schelling,
Interesting...thanks.
I had always thought about the custom door or window route (your reply reminded me of it) but in Floirda now, all these components have to have "state approval" so the custom market is hard to get into without a lot of admin money for engineering and testing of each item.
I would LOVE the furinture making aspect so good for that guy!!!
Mike
I specialize in window and door, repair and replacement. Most of what I do is repairs on Andersen, Therma-Tru and some Peachtree products, but I'll work on any brand window or door. I have a price sheet for frequent repairs. After that, it's patio door replacements and an occasional front door replacement. I accept credit cards, so I get paid the same day the work is completed. Occasionally, I'll do other stuff, it depends on how busy I am. I like specializing, it definitely cuts down on the amount of time I spend quoting and I get paid right away. Also, I charge a fair rate that homeowners have no problem paying, as I'm a specialist in what I do.......not unlike an electrician or plumber. When I did 'everything', I was competing against 'everybody'....
John
If I would have specialized I probably would still be in business for myself.
I made the mistake of since I know how to do it that I should do it.
I should have subbed out a lot more than what I did---- I ended up wearing too many hats & was getting burnt out on it---- so when I got the call to go run work for large mechanical contractors I didn't look back, I just jumped at the "easy" way out.
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