Aim small miss small absolutely! Narrow your business down to one or two things, be THE BEST at that one thing and you’ll always have business. It’s also easier to streamline all your processes and requires less tools and far less runaround. I’ve finally got to a point that I won’t entertain anything outside my expertise because I know there’s plenty of work in my niche.
* In construction, find to meet the customer's demand. * Take the oxygen like rolling some money in business. * Aim small miss small, focus and aim both. * Generate leads through marketing and content. * Implements things on time but be patience for results.
TThank you to everyone for all the excellent advice. I was a union ironworker for Local #48 for over twenty years, and when work was slow, I filled in the gaps with various jobs, mostly in construction and moving. Now, at 53, I feel I should have started something long ago. I believe in networking, quality work, and being a problem solver, as the gentleman suggested. In fact, one of my mottos will be, "We have no problems, only solutions." I'm in Oklahoma City, just starting out. If you have any more advice, please feel free to drop me a line. I'll start with small construction, clean-up, and moving jobs. I like to do business with people who value good business. - Shawn
I hate to disagree about the marketing but your work speaks for itself if the work is on point the word of mouth will keep u busier then u want. This is 2021, things have picked up but if u do great work more will come
I started a small septic business a year ago, this is all great advice and I'm going to start with trying to Market my company because I have no idea how to do that, aim small Miss small
I'm young and want to be a contractor. I want to hear a little about how you started . everything starts with a plan , I want to know the steps you took to execute that plan . really insightful and nice video thanks you
I've been in distribution for 10 years now. Many contractors made hay while the sun was shining over this last decade. Now our market is softening and our clients are finding the marketting pill hard to swallow. They didn't spend the needed time or capital while the times were good. So now they are sucking wind.
Halfway through the video listening to Tom, I noticed the Spartan War helmet, then immediately looked down at the picture on the desk and was like "Damnit" lol
What about concrete guys they do sidewalks, drives, parking lots, to just do one thing limits you and have lot of free time. I do only interior relating to trim, doors, built in;s, interior painting or stain abused trim. My mainstream is trim. between projects will install interior, exterior or storm door,. i get asked do you do roofs? no Do I build sunrooms? No Do I build houses? After that one my tag line is I don't build houses I finish them
I am estimating in the public works sector because I feel like small contractors have more support there than in the residential sector. What do you think?
I understand the concept of narrowing the focus, as it applies to a specific trade like painting. But what does this look like in terms of general contracting? Since by definition you are a generalist, who is responsible for managing the specific trades?
You can still narrow your focus. Retaining walls, dock builders, single story homes, commercial infill, ECT. Each of these tasks are lucrative but, have differing subs and prime specialty tools. Good luck
Dude I am having a hell of a time finding a Logo designer. you said in one of your podcast...that I listen to everyday! You said to find a professional logo designer. I have ideas and shit about the logo but I want to start getting my brand out asap. I need a good logo to have people remember! been eating all your info on the daily so keep kicking ass my man
Holycrap! This hits so close to home. I have had challenges on these exact items(in this exact order 🤯). I mean really..EXACTLY THESE PROBLEMS over the last 2 years. Thanks you for the summary and spark/ ignition for my big pivot 💯💯
I have a question. The plan is start my own handy man business, what would my niche be. it involves having a wide skill set and doing a good amount of things. i was thinking would my aim small miss small mentality be focusing on taking small jobs? focusing and taking small but consistant jobs that will keep me busy?
Myself and a friend want to start a business for the industrial setting because we have tons of experience in the trade but don't know the steps to get started. Like what licensing do we need, where do we go to make it happen, what else do we need? Those are questions that someone who has always received a W2 needs to get out here on our own. I understand the generalities. It's the details I don't understand or know about.
I just started a small business renovating bathrooms. And was wondering if your 50% rule goes for materials on items like 2000$ shower valves or really expensive tiles etc... Love your channel man I'm learning tons I didn't know about the business end. The shit I didn't know how to teach myself.
50% for everythiing... the job costs 4k to be done and material another 4k... total cost of job is 8k (let's say that's the price another expert will charge you to do the job and it includes the material cost) you charge 16k... something goes wrong, you have money to back up your work. You don't charge enough and things go wrong, you don't have money to back it up, consequently you go bankrupt, out of business, gone, nada. Some people will say it's expensive (they are real pain in the s trust me... the ones you connect with and don't care about the price because they liked you are the best customers, their friends have money too)
@Thee official Laila let's say at the beginning you don't have good branding, don't known how to sell, don't have good content... so you don't deliver a great experience. IN THIS CASE (and I don't know, do what makes sense for you) double your job cost (labor including taxes, workers comp, restroom, dumping) and charge a small fee for material handling For example I do siding, in order to get work I say ok Right now I know I don't deliver a great experience... in the mean time while I create content and my branding and systems I make sure I have covered my job cost, overhead (my salary included) and some profit. So my prices end up being higher than everyone else but not too high so that I have no chance to get jobs Regular siding guys charge let's say 13k for a job, big companies charge 23k for the same job ... I end up charging between 22k and 26k (my goal is to charge some day 60k - 80k for a specialized job of the same size) I don't base my price in the competition I base it in the experience I can deliver (understanding their wants and pains, great follow up, great website and content, innovative systems and ways to serve them based on what the market secretly wants, great branding, great job in process experience, great after job experience, etc) and my company and personal finances Hope I could deliver my ideas to you and there are of some help... but remember, do what makes sense for you, test and see what works, keep learning and before all, be joyful
The circle game is commonly played when a person forms an “OK” with their hand below their waist to trick a second person into looking at it. If the second person is caught looking at the hand gesture, that person is then punched by the person who made the gesture. I’ve been playing this game since Jr. High! And ….no…. It has nothing to do with White Supremacy.
I'm mostly sick of do a lot of work on someone's yard then when the work is done they don't want to pay and i can't take them to small claims court because there wasn't a contract i just spent 100 hours on a lady's landscape gave her her bill and have heard from her and she hasn't paid me a dime she said everything looks good her neighbors said everything looks good so why am not getting paid
Aim small miss small absolutely! Narrow your business down to one or two things, be THE BEST at that one thing and you’ll always have business. It’s also easier to streamline all your processes and requires less tools and far less runaround. I’ve finally got to a point that I won’t entertain anything outside my expertise because I know there’s plenty of work in my niche.
Exactly Heath!
Generals make bank bro.... whatever works for you. We are only as good as our team and knowledge base
@@contractorfighttv Can you be a general contractor without experience in construction?
Guam contractor
@@emmanuelawosusi2365 No way
* In construction, find to meet the customer's demand.
* Take the oxygen like rolling some money in business.
* Aim small miss small, focus and aim both.
* Generate leads through marketing and content.
* Implements things on time but be patience for results.
TThank you to everyone for all the excellent advice. I was a union ironworker for Local #48 for over twenty years, and when work was slow, I filled in the gaps with various jobs, mostly in construction and moving. Now, at 53, I feel I should have started something long ago. I believe in networking, quality work, and being a problem solver, as the gentleman suggested. In fact, one of my mottos will be, "We have no problems, only solutions." I'm in Oklahoma City, just starting out. If you have any more advice, please feel free to drop me a line. I'll start with small construction, clean-up, and moving jobs. I like to do business with people who value good business. - Shawn
“ this isnt just a 100 yrs sprint guys. This is a MARATHON” nice one 👍🏼
Started a year ago. Straight to the point advices. Practical tips for a practical field.
I hate to disagree about the marketing but your work speaks for itself if the work is on point the word of mouth will keep u busier then u want. This is 2021, things have picked up but if u do great work more will come
Yep, I agree. My motto for business is that there is nothing that good service can not fix. It basically resolves almost of your primary woes
I started a small septic business a year ago, this is all great advice and I'm going to start with trying to Market my company because I have no idea how to do that, aim small Miss small
Excellent Advice. Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful Juan!
Thank you! It opened my eyes.
Nice work, those fore arms are quite impressive. Well done, ty.
It's good to know I'm on the right track. Tho patience will definitely be something I focus on.
Make sure you have experience in your trade and do great work and word of mouth will travel fast
Very very useful tips! Thanks Tom!!
I'm young and want to be a contractor. I want to hear a little about how you started . everything starts with a plan , I want to know the steps you took to execute that plan . really insightful and nice video thanks you
I agree with you on focusing on one area Or a specific trade
Thanks for all the tips, I really like all of them, specially tip # 4.
I've been in distribution for 10 years now. Many contractors made hay while the sun was shining over this last decade. Now our market is softening and our clients are finding the marketting pill hard to swallow. They didn't spend the needed time or capital while the times were good. So now they are sucking wind.
Love the tips
Halfway through the video listening to Tom, I noticed the Spartan War helmet, then immediately looked down at the picture on the desk and was like "Damnit" lol
Dang man I just found this ! Great content bro I'm glad you shared this with all of us.
Great advice. All things that are easy to forget when you are in the grind
So true!
Good tips. Appreciate that
🔥 thanks for the tips. All very valuable. Love the back drop. Got my sub.
Absolutely 🙌🙌🙌
Thanks. Advice advice advice priceless. Thank you blessings
Glad it was helpful!
What about concrete guys they do sidewalks, drives, parking lots, to just do one thing limits you and have lot of free time. I do only interior relating to trim, doors, built in;s, interior painting or stain abused trim. My mainstream is trim. between projects will install interior, exterior or storm door,.
i get asked do you do roofs? no
Do I build sunrooms?
No
Do I build houses?
After that one my tag line is I don't build houses I finish them
How is it going a year from then? Are you just charging hourly or by job?
Thank you so much for you advise, very wise, very precise!!! Just what i need to learn.
Great thoughts
Great video
Thank you as a friend
Thank you too
Outstanding video
Glad you liked it!
I am estimating in the public works sector because I feel like small contractors have more support there than in the residential sector. What do you think?
Very helpful Thank you❤
I understand the concept of narrowing the focus, as it applies to a specific trade like painting. But what does this look like in terms of general contracting? Since by definition you are a generalist, who is responsible for managing the specific trades?
You can still narrow your focus.
Retaining walls, dock builders, single story homes, commercial infill, ECT.
Each of these tasks are lucrative but, have differing subs and prime specialty tools.
Good luck
Dude I am having a hell of a time finding a Logo designer. you said in one of your podcast...that I listen to everyday! You said to find a professional logo designer. I have ideas and shit about the logo but I want to start getting my brand out asap. I need a good logo to have people remember! been eating all your info on the daily so keep kicking ass my man
Have you tried 99Designs? Also check Fiverr
@@contractorfighttv thank you! its bad ass that you replied! Just added you on IG and am now on you FB groups as well. Keep kicking ass brother
Holycrap! This hits so close to home. I have had challenges on these exact items(in this exact order 🤯). I mean really..EXACTLY THESE PROBLEMS over the last 2 years. Thanks you for the summary and spark/ ignition for my big pivot 💯💯
But where do i go when i first start off to find jobs? The internet (Where)? Contractor businesses? Ask someone else?
I am 29 years old and just got my general B number. Finding good workers is my hardest thing
What state are you in? I might know a couple people who are looking for work
Teach
I have a question. The plan is start my own handy man business, what would my niche be. it involves having a wide skill set and doing a good amount of things. i was thinking would my aim small miss small mentality be focusing on taking small jobs? focusing and taking small but consistant jobs that will keep me busy?
Nice! Thx!
This guy just helped me so much
Glad to hear it Alicia
Good tips thanks
Happy to help
I'm a new plumber contractor. I'm a medical gas installer but also do new construction
Hey a really great video is you voicemail video the template was great and dammit I forgot the TH-cam title somebody pleas and thank you.
Owning my crap !!! I have that problem, I try to do the whole remodel instead of specializing in one thing!!!
You're not alone in that Tom.
You can always specialize in doing the whole remodel! 😂
Myself and a friend want to start a business for the industrial setting because we have tons of experience in the trade but don't know the steps to get started. Like what licensing do we need, where do we go to make it happen, what else do we need? Those are questions that someone who has always received a W2 needs to get out here on our own. I understand the generalities. It's the details I don't understand or know about.
Hey have you found out about how to start? I also need help with it
Keep shreddin boss!
Always!
Thanks for the useful tips. What does the upside-down okay symbol mean?
It’s an X-ray of my kid’s hand - an inside family joke.
I got my general A engineering license I don’t know what to do with it.
Tom, what is that white hand ,up side down, meaning????
Family joke
I just started a small business renovating bathrooms. And was wondering if your 50% rule goes for materials on items like 2000$ shower valves or really expensive tiles etc... Love your channel man I'm learning tons I didn't know about the business end. The shit I didn't know how to teach myself.
50% for everythiing... the job costs 4k to be done and material another 4k... total cost of job is 8k (let's say that's the price another expert will charge you to do the job and it includes the material cost) you charge 16k... something goes wrong, you have money to back up your work. You don't charge enough and things go wrong, you don't have money to back it up, consequently you go bankrupt, out of business, gone, nada. Some people will say it's expensive (they are real pain in the s trust me... the ones you connect with and don't care about the price because they liked you are the best customers, their friends have money too)
@@Rafael-Bravo thanks man! Because I have lost money on a few jobs because shit has gone wrong
@Thee official Laila let's say at the beginning you don't have good branding, don't known how to sell, don't have good content... so you don't deliver a great experience.
IN THIS CASE (and I don't know, do what makes sense for you) double your job cost (labor including taxes, workers comp, restroom, dumping) and charge a small fee for material handling
For example I do siding, in order to get work I say ok Right now I know I don't deliver a great experience... in the mean time while I create content and my branding and systems I make sure I have covered my job cost, overhead (my salary included) and some profit.
So my prices end up being higher than everyone else but not too high so that I have no chance to get jobs
Regular siding guys charge let's say 13k for a job, big companies charge 23k for the same job ... I end up charging between 22k and 26k (my goal is to charge some day 60k - 80k for a specialized job of the same size)
I don't base my price in the competition I base it in the experience I can deliver (understanding their wants and pains, great follow up, great website and content, innovative systems and ways to serve them based on what the market secretly wants, great branding, great job in process experience, great after job experience, etc) and my company and personal finances
Hope I could deliver my ideas to you and there are of some help... but remember, do what makes sense for you, test and see what works, keep learning and before all, be joyful
what does the hand gesture mean?
The circle game is commonly played when a person forms an “OK” with their hand below their waist to trick a second person into looking at it. If the second person is caught looking at the hand gesture, that person is then punched by the person who made the gesture. I’ve been playing this game since Jr. High! And ….no…. It has nothing to do with White Supremacy.
@@contractorfighttvloool
As a stone mason my niche is ideal yet also not always in demand
Waouuu ... just discovered this channel.. 😍 👌 🙌 ❤️ 🇨🇮
Brilliant!!
Solid advice
Thanks for watching!
I like it!
I'm mostly sick of do a lot of work on someone's yard then when the work is done they don't want to pay and i can't take them to small claims court because there wasn't a contract i just spent 100 hours on a lady's landscape gave her her bill and have heard from her and she hasn't paid me a dime she said everything looks good her neighbors said everything looks good so why am not getting paid
did you ever get paid?
Do you have disclose your profit to customer? If customer is requesting
You don’t have to do anything. If asked I tell them 50%
No reason to avoid it.
Thanks
No problem
Second City Web Design has package pricing.
Success* sorry couldn’t help noticing it was spelled incorrectly
Bro need help I got all the answers but no seaport when learning to be GC
I'm getting started in interior demolition . Are there a software i can use for pricing
Try Homewyse
I’m a new contractor
I wonder how many meme formats are in this mans videos 😂😂
Solve the pain add to the pleasure
Maybe spelling success correctly would be a good start. .07
How get contractor license
A friend of mine who is in contracting makes about 3K dollars per day.
He would love to help you out.
It was important to keep that painting up on the desk. Gotta make sure everyone knows what you are about. Way to own your shit.
#FW more like # White Fear , open your eyes to the hate you believe and how you came to believe it
Takes money to make money
lmao that fucken picture on the desk
Will anyone in Ohio help with pricing. I will cash app u for help. I'm very skilled in flooring but dry wall.
Homewyse.
SUCESS! LOL
Contractor fight tv ahahahahahahahshahahsss
Sucess...lol
What's with the upside-down okay sign? In some cases that certain despicable individuals use that as a symbol of their belief in white power.
In this case it's a hand xray and a joke between Tom and his kids.
We did it in highschool. If you look at their hand when it is below the waist. You get punched.
Hearddd
deepwoken