Starting your own construction business can be a challenge. It has always been a dream of ours to run our own business, but it is not an easy journey. Business ownership and entrepreneurship is a challenging endeavor and is not for everyone. It requires tough skin, never ending motivation, discipline, unwavering will and determination to get done what you need to. We have put together some thoughts, tips, and tricks to help you do it on your own.
TIPS FOR STARTING YOUR OWN CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS
You're gonna hear 99 "No's" before you hear your first "Yes". Being able to keep a positive attitude, not lose sight of the goal, and not give up in the face of adversity is what will make your business thrive. The determination and will to keep trying is what separates most.
There are many challenges we face on a daily basis in construction. Things like permitting, lot setbacks, planning/review boards and difficult site conditions are just the beginning. You will also struggle with situations where you will need to add value engineering while simultaneously not taking away from the main goal of the design. These are just a few of a myriad of other situations that you cannot plan for or see coming. Being able to navigate any challenge efficiently, respectfully and with integrity always needs to be the main goal of overcoming any speed bump.
Be willing to compromise. There are times when you will need to be flexible and make changes. Just be sure to maintain the end vision of the product being built and not take anything away from it in regards to its design/programming and converting the vision into a reality.
A strong support system is very important when starting a business or any new endeavor. Having a group of people that can listen, advise, and help guide you is crucial. Having the support of people more established and vetted in the business world is also huge! It is important to take advice from people that have built things before you and that have accomplished something that you'd like to achieve.
Have clear and consistent branding for your business. It is important to discover your own voice and identity in the business world. First impressions are important and often your logo and how you brand yourself is the first and last thing people will remember about you. You want to be consistent and you want to be easily recognizable. Make sure you find a look that works for you and your company that can be used across all domains.
Client relationships are everything! Without our clients we would be nothing and we would have nothing to work for. We see our clients as more than a transaction, we see them as business partners. They have chosen to invest in us, so we need to invest everything into them. Listen and validate their opinions and their concerns. Having open two way communication is how we build trust with clients. Without the trust of our clients we can't truly be a real team. I want my clients to be as informed as I am on their decisions and know what can be done and what can’t be done. For us, success is a repeat customer. When a client reaches out to us for a second project, that means we have done our job well both at the construction level but also at the personal level. Relationships and customer service is everything and when it comes to business, if you can provide quality service you will always be busy and successful.
Be knowledgeable in your field! Understanding the differences between the different styles of building is very important. Understanding how crucial it is when building whatever style home that you are to be proactive and not reactive to surprises. Problems will always be there but how you navigate and deal with them takes skill and aptitude. Surprises happen, it's how you move forward from them that creates success in your projects and trust with your clients.
Every person, business and situation is different, but hopefully these things help you get started and know what to expect as you are starting your own business. Remember, when you own and run your own business you need to weather most of the challenges by yourself. If you can't solve your own problems and be able to compartmentalize, you and your business will struggle.
Be tough, be strong and be open to help where you can get it.