Wow, 45 years! You also must have great experiences to share in your line of business. Btw, if you ever need additional capital for your business don't hesitate to let me know. I operate a business financing firm that has a variety of funding options everything from Startup funding, working capital, lines of credit or even equipment finance. We can do consumer financing up to $50,000 as well.
I agree wholeheartedly. I visit Williamsburg every year, love the area! Sold my Security and Fire alarm company 5 years ago, but started again because of the heavy demand. Never had a coach, but now I‘m definitely looking for a coach at 62.
Hi All, I'm planning to develop a customer relationship management (CRM) app targeted towards busy on the go professionals. This app would be designed to help people who are always on the go and have to manage their customer relationships effectively. I'd love to get some feedback on: Main pain points: What are the biggest challenges that busy professionals face when it comes to customer relationship management? Use cases: What are the most common situations where a CRM app would be helpful for this target audience? This feedback will be crucial in shaping the development of the app. Thanks, Bishav N R
From the start, Ryan was very helpful and is continuing to be helpful about his th-cam.com/users/postUgkxGqOCINHE0Z0E5gxzSdNi9NWGugRY5Hm2 Plans . Also, they have answered all the questions I have asked & I got outstanding support from his My Shed Plans full package.
When I first started we messed up a bid and on top of that a worker broke a panel...to sum it up I ended up putting money out of pocket I told the costumer about it and it was entirely my fault so their invoice wouldn't change ...they gave us a tip and referred us to our biggest client ever we still keep business with both of those clients
Most times it amazes me greatly the way I move from an average lifestyle to earning over 63k per month, utter shock is the word. have understood a lot in the past few years to doubt that opportunities abound in the financial markets, The only thing is to know where to focus.
@RONATO Johnson Anyways not actually, what I know about trading almost borders on zilch lol. I make huge profits on my investment since I started trading with Mrs Debbie Ramirez, her trading strategies are top notch coupled with the little commission she charges on her trade.
Wow, English is not my native language, I've been in the United States for just over a year and I understood 100% of what he said...I'm proud of myself😊
I grew up in an orphanage and one of the most important thing I have learned is to share with your childhood friends and I do always count with them in every proyect I start. Keep them working and helping their family. Blessings from Honduras.
Great advise, been in the trades since I was a kid with my father, then went to work for various companies. About 10 years ago I went on my own and been going strong since 👍
The best supervisor loves his employees. He teaches to competency then to excellence, and then lets his people make him look good so they can get the credit.
Exactly, the best leaders lead by example. My best supervisor was a guy that would never ask you to do something he wouldn't do himself. He was the first guy on site and the last to leave. He worked harder than anyone else but made sure we were organized and had what we needed to get the job done at all times. Everything ran like a well oiled machine.
After being a contractor for 44 years I was curious to see what somebody else would say about being in business. I have to honestly say you nailed every aspect of what I’ve been doing and how I’ve stayed successful for so long. The definitely not the easiest business to be in but very rewarding if you do it the right way thank you.
I have been in the trade for 16years, and I learn so much everyday. It is a tough job to manage for sure. I would be grateful to learn how to best manage the crew and keep everyone on point so that I can get my years of experience on the wall 🔨
I completely agree with you!! On all parts. I am now overwhelmed with work. No social media. No website, all word of mouth. And actually having a tough time keeping up with it all. Careful what you wish for!!
I’ve been in the trades for 20 years now and now owning my own business for the past 7 years. I laughed when he said get quotes back in a timely fashion. I understand that one, getting home late working weekends. It’s tough sometimes. THANKS
The phone responsiveness and many other pointers help establish your brand. Volume extends your brand. Being responsive, fair, present and available in community is cornerstone of growing business. Great video, Kyle.
I started my own insurance business in 2003 and many of the same principles apply in my business as well... ie., showing up, return calls, add value, etc. All things being equal and all things not being equal, people will want to do business with someone they like, know and trust. Price is not the first consideration. The vast majority of my business is referrals at this point which certainly makes it easier to be successful. Great work and stay true to yourself.
Yes agree with your comment 1000% couldn’t have said it better great work ethic , dedication can take anyone a long way plus it speaks volumes about how you conduct business and word of mouth travels , anyway best of wishes on your insurance company also happy New Years 🥳
I agree so much with this. Especially holding to your quote. With prices changing so rapidly in 2022 a lot of people were just charging what they wanted and I felt so much more obligated to hold to my bids even if it meant we made a little less. Looking back now I think we gained a lot of good referrals because of it. We’ve never been the cheapest but I believe we’ve earned our clients through trust and performance.
AMEN...especially about the "don't change your quote" one. I am in architecture, and have been for 28 years. I've been a project manager for about 15 years...and the "we need a change order because we didn't price this, that or the other" is the one statement that will make me throw a contractor directly under the bus every single time. If I find the item in question on the drawings...then the contractor should eat it. Or at least the labor to install the item. Now...if the owner changes his mind, of course they have to be willing to pay for the change. Great job...love watching your videos...very informative.
He asks for premium, he gets paid a PREMIUM... he makes enough to pay his company, Greg and his little brother and himself to sustain the life he has with his wife and kids... why need more money?? He even owns a house that he rents to Greg! That all amounts to me that he is a GOOD man, not blinded by the big "money"... take a lesson from that...
Your tips are so resonant. I've been awarded jobs just on returning a phone call alone. I, with the exception of one job, have stuck to my estimates. I communicate, I try to use social media, but honestly, for personal reasons it's not something I really care to do. But I do try! I advertise with a certain large online home improvement project platform. I'm insured. I try my hardest to show credibility and honesty and belief. Let me explain that last one. In my previous career, people would frequently think that I didn't believe them when they came to me with a problem. I saw this as a stigma with regards to that industry. I would go the extra mile to ensure that I did believe them, and listened to them when they were explaining what had happened or needed done. When people come to me now, I try to bring that same level of attention to the conversation, to expand on their idea or concerns, and to make a connection with them. Above all, I try to be kind and attentive to my customers. All the while, I'm trying to make sure I have built in enough of a buffer on the estimate to ensure I can cover any unforeseen situations. Thanks Kyle for being concise and conveying these tips in a clear manner.
First person I talked to when I started looking into building spec houses was my accountant. Great advice to minimize my tax liability which helped me optimize my business model. I would have wasted HUGE amounts of money on the tax man without his feedback/advice.
Love it Kyle. Amazing how simple your rules are and how few follow them. 99% of my work is word of mouth. I live and breathe your rules. Always pays off. Thank you for what you do for your employees and our community of builders.
In my experience a simple walk through prior to bidding helps identify any small details that aren't listed in the scope that need to be accounted for. I know it's not always possible but whenever you can I'd highly recommend it. Great video tho Kyle. I appreciate your wisdom. Cheers.
I will have to agree with you 100% on the quote. I had a very long driveway built and almost at the end he said he messed up on the price and needed more money. I told him he is going to do the job for what he quoted and apparently he did cause even before he finished the job the driveway was falling apart. I really got burned there, but learned a valuable lesson.
I love what you had to say about your help, always said to myself if and when I ever start a business everything you just said is the way I would approach it, I can see why you are successful
I have worked for myself as well as a employee and my creed I live by is I always work for myself no matter what. If I had all the money in the world I would not be working for anyone including myself. Now if I am a employee I may get a check from you with your name on it but I always am working for the customer. If I do not give a great job for the customer despite they may be your client if I am unable to make the customer pleased you will no longer have them as a client and without your client I will not have a job for very long. This has worked for me during my working career.
Hey brother I’m very spiritual and the first thing that I notice is your eyes your energy your awesome man I would love to work under you -- I’m very smart medic for years just I love creativity - it’s so healthy for us to create -- one love brother honor
You are awise business man with morals and a great work ethic. You are definatly right on not changing your bid. I have shortened myself on a bid and I use it as a learning tool so lol I have a lot of them tools in my bag. I'm still learning. All tho I have people give me more than my bid because they were very happy with the final outcome.
In New Zealand tip number 1 would be - On fridays you drop tools early and head down to your local Tavern and proceed to get drunk with your workmates and make fun of other trade guys like electricians and plumbers lol cheers Kyle....awesome tips Buddy
Recently had to readjust a quote that I had already given due to the surge in material prices over the past few months. I hated to have to do it but I did so before starting work and gave my client a chance to decide whether or not he wanted to move forward... he did and completely understood. Though I do agree with you 100% about honoring prices given
I’ve learned always add more $ to your bid and more time because no matter how much time you spend thinking over every detail of the project there will always be something that happens/changes do to problems etc etc and you can never account for everything. I add 10% and that usually does the trick
Very well spoken, I've ran my own business for almost 10 year, and have learn advertising means nothing when your not loyal to customers, over the 10 years I've done very little advertising and stopped a long time ago but seem to stay very busy, i really enjoy your vidoes and tips, keep it up man,very well spoken in this video, I found my self a lot of motivation to move forward from watching your videos
Yes, return Phone calls. #1 I wasn't going to watch this video Kyle but glad I did. I have been retired 20 years now and if more people had your attitude and skill sets construction would be a great trade to be in and work would be plentiful. I am in need of another building addition, have been for some time. But I'm still angry with the quality of my last one I had done in the 90's. I really enjoy your videos, keep up the excellent work.
Thank you for posting this video. I'm a 3 yr reinforcing ironworker wanting to start a small rebar company. Your ideas and values match my own and I really appreciate laying out a clear premise of what to expect when starting up a company. I will definitely be coming back to your channel for future answers :D thank you!
I agree about the estimate when I do my estimates I tell customers a price but I also tell them if we open up these walls floor whatever it is and we find a surprise like structural damage or something like that then the price will be increased. But as long as there is no surprises no problem and my customer is always completely understand that because I work in a lot of very old houses and you run into surprises when you go to a job.
Change orders are an essential component of any final contract. Written authorization with drawings is the only way to go. It will clear the communication channels and keep the budget clear. Also always have 3 tiers of work. This will drive a good convo that sorts where the budget CAN go.
I'm a retired manufacturing business owner. This is wise advice, even something as simple as #s 1 & 2; just get back to people timely! I might disagree a little with the "experience is the best teacher" adage. Usually it's better if you can learn from someone else's experience. Your own experience can be a harsh teacher, because, as a wise man I once worked for used to say, "You get the test first and the lesson afterward!" Young guys starting out ... lots of wisdom here in under 9 minutes. Write 'em down and follow 'em!
You run your business in the same way as the auto shop that I worked at. Honest, up front, and held ourselves at a high standard. I would hire you in a heartbeat.
Launching my husband to go on his own. His father is a very talented landscape architect and my husband knows the biz and there is a huge gap where we live as no one shows up and my husband does and he does his work well. This video was very helpful.
These simple tips are huge! My issue has been taking on too much work, seems good on the calendar but never knowing the delays or issues involved is sometimes hard to determine.
I’m in a different field (auto repair shop owner) but businesses work the same. Answering the phone when ur busy is very important because even if ur busy now if you don’t answer the phone you might now have work next week you need to constantly getting work. Networking with other business owners is a HUGE help. Now as far as what to charge customers at first giving a little below average price is not a bad thing to do so you can get work coming in and over a year or so you slowly bring up ur prices. Now when ur established and have steady work and start getting to the point ur too busy you need to be charging what your really worth but it’s a fine line to walk. If you really do really good work you can’t compare ur prices to some other companies that do half asses work you need to be charging more than the crappy companies. For instance there is another repair shop right next to my shop his labor rate is $20 and hour cheaper, I mark up my parts more than he does, a brake job at his shop is 100 bucks cheaper but I have made a name for myself people trust me to do a good job if ur a customer that is looking for the best prices I am not the shop for u but if ur looking for quality work and quality parts then I’m the shop for you and I have told customers this. When your the cheapest guy in town you will attract the cheap customers and u don’t want that. Most of my customers just want a quality job fixed right the first time they trust that when they leave my shop they won’t have any problems. Some times I get customers trying to get me to do a 500 dollar job for 300 and I just have to tell them no here’s the price it is what it is.
At times especially in old houses cost overruns are unavoidable. Say one opens up a wall or a floor during a renovation. God knows what one might find. None of us are blessed with x-ray vision. I find as long as I have kept the client up to date with progress reports that he/she are usually happy enough for me to proceed. With old houses I'm always at pains to point out that they can be a financial black hole.
I'd like to disagree with the part about sticking with the exact number you quoted. With my contracts, I have an unforeseen clause and that doesn't just represent things that I can't see but that nothing is ever firm, especially now with within 24 hours. Being upfront and honest comes before everything, Communicating and letting them know the prices can change and maybe giving a history of how it's done it in the past. If you have a small job you can get it done pretty quick and no worriea but on bigger jobs, you might need material two weeks in, the prices could change drastically.
Yes I agree with paying out of your own pocket for quoting mistakes but I deal with a lot of jobs where you can’t see subsurface issues so I say MAKE IT CLEAR to the client that it’s based on what you can see and if there’s a much more serious problem that there will be extra expenses or they have the option to withdraw from certain parts of the proposal in a certain amount of time. But always ask before you make a change and make it incredibly clear that there could be extra cost and ALWAYS put everything in writing!!! Edit: oh yea and answering the phone is so right. I’ve also won jobs because they were frustrated with everyone else and I just listened to them. They feel like I care and trust me because of that.
After working in the construction field for 15+ years, answering your phone is key. Answering and DOING WHAT YOU SAY, don't promise the world and then underperform after you have a contract. Its a smaller world than most people realize and so youre reputation is EVERYTHING. If you get the reputation that youre unreliable and cant perform, good luck in the long term.
Have you ever considered letting Greg take the lead on a project? From putting the estimate together, to working with the customer, ordering material and coordinating the trade partners?
If you forget something on a bid yes don't charge more. But add clause in case there's more damage upon opening up a wall or pulling up a floor that no one knows about.
I agree and started our excavation business to take care of our employees and customers to the best of our ability and age with everything you say in this video. I love your attention to detail and and always striving to do better
I have established a company that does artificial turf, EPDM and SBR running tracks, and but not limited to vinyl flooring for more than a decade in Hongkong. Running a company isn’t as easy and could be very challenging, follow his tips and you got half of your challenges under control.
Love this video it’s right on point. One little thing I don’t totally agree with is the pricing being different from original contract. Every contractor has been in a situation no one could have predicted. A “simple” door replacement can quickly turn into finding out the whole wall is rotten etc etc..
I am a GC, the hardest thing I’ve encountered is finding people who know what they’re doing & show up. Iv gone thru 100 ppl in 1yr. It’s so hard to find competent people Also, u need to document/voice record initial walk threw’s and write down everything. Document & estimate every change order. Or it’s death by a 1000 “but remember you said”. Some people will really make a big deal later about a broken receptacle cover u said said “no problem” while giving a estimate on they’re addition. In fact forgetting that will sometimes be all they remember
I work in the auto repair industry. These ring true and many things I follow very close to. I also run the Walmart model. I also take on any job that comes my way. I Don't care if it profits a buck or a thousand bucks. Also I've found it very good to drop what I'm doing to help a customer right away as long as what they ask won't take me all day. For example the other day I had a full shop and full schedule but a new customer showed up with no blinker. You could tell this bothered them. I said I was busy but let's take a look. I dropped all that with and installed the bulb for them. It was probably a ten minute job. I gave them a fair price. They thanked me over and over. About 2 days later they called and bought 4 new tires. They paid for them and before they left they mentioned that I'm going to be their main mechanic from now on because the service was to notch
If working on pre existing buildings you can’t stick to a quote a portion of the time, especially with something such as roofing. There can always be unseen damage that needs to be replaced that you cannot see until you start tearing out the old stuff. Because say you quote a siding job and when you tear off all the old siding there is no outside sheathing or it’s just foam. You would be spending almost as much as your quote is just on extra material alone!!
This is a great video! Understanding how contracts work is a key one when trying to step up your game in construction (I would say this as it’s what I do but I genuinely believe it is important).
Love your videos Kyle. Great to see someone who runs a successful business that they love while being humble and thoughtful in sharing such valuable information.
i just paased my contracts exam, and im in the process of getting my licence, but i dont know what to do or how to start, and your video really helped a lot. my father is a general contractor and i learned everything from him, but i know that i can do better and grow bigger.
I own a construction company in Virginia for 45 years this is this guy one you should take note on.Great vidio
Thanks bald chef!!
Hi.can I ask a question from you?
The bald chief where at in VA?
Wow, 45 years! You also must have great experiences to share in your line of business. Btw, if you ever need additional capital for your business don't hesitate to let me know. I operate a business financing firm that has a variety of funding options everything from Startup funding, working capital, lines of credit or even equipment finance. We can do consumer financing up to $50,000 as well.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I visit Williamsburg every year, love the area! Sold my Security and Fire alarm company 5 years ago, but started again because of the heavy demand. Never had a coach, but now I‘m definitely looking for a coach at 62.
Answering the phone is very important.
Hello
Yea man. Communication is definitely key.
&
I want to hug you for saying truth. Answer the phone, simple.
Thank for saying this. 😊
Hi All,
I'm planning to develop a customer relationship management (CRM) app targeted towards busy on the go professionals. This app would be designed to help people who are always on the go and have to manage their customer relationships effectively.
I'd love to get some feedback on:
Main pain points: What are the biggest challenges that busy professionals face when it comes to customer relationship management?
Use cases: What are the most common situations where a CRM app would be helpful for this target audience?
This feedback will be crucial in shaping the development of the app.
Thanks,
Bishav N R
From the start, Ryan was very helpful and is continuing to be helpful about his th-cam.com/users/postUgkxGqOCINHE0Z0E5gxzSdNi9NWGugRY5Hm2 Plans . Also, they have answered all the questions I have asked & I got outstanding support from his My Shed Plans full package.
When I first started we messed up a bid and on top of that a worker broke a panel...to sum it up I ended up putting money out of pocket I told the costumer about it and it was entirely my fault so their invoice wouldn't change ...they gave us a tip and referred us to our biggest client ever we still keep business with both of those clients
Same thing wIth me!
Most times it amazes me greatly the way I move from an average lifestyle to earning over 63k per month, utter shock is the word. have understood a lot in the past few years to doubt that opportunities abound in the financial markets, The only thing is to know where to focus.
@RONATO Johnson Anyways not actually, what I know about trading almost borders on zilch lol. I make huge profits on my investment since I started trading with Mrs Debbie Ramirez, her trading strategies are top notch coupled with the little commission she charges on her trade.
@@williamleonard2242 Pardon please, are you giving her your money or your coin?
@@ebonicalbert5711 My coin stays right in my trading account, my account just mirrors her trades in real-time that's the idea behind copy trading.
Technically crypto has already taken a high rate in the financial markets,
@@williamleonard2242 What a coincidence you invested with Mrs Debbie Ramirez also? My bi-weekly trading Return is $28,600.
Wow, English is not my native language, I've been in the United States for just over a year and I understood 100% of what he said...I'm proud of myself😊
I'm looking to take over my dad's business and grow it to the next level. I appreciate your words here.
Same here
Same
Same check out our Instagram I just made. Laurentcarpentry
I grew up in an orphanage and one of the most important thing I have learned is to share with your childhood friends and I do always count with them in every proyect I start. Keep them working and helping their family. Blessings from Honduras.
Great advise, been in the trades since I was a kid with my father, then went to work for various companies. About 10 years ago I went on my own and been going strong since 👍
Big up
my number one: There is no second chance for the first impression.
When you make a mistake in front of the client, there is no way back.
Any first impression tips
The best supervisor loves his employees. He teaches to competency then to excellence, and then lets his people make him look good so they can get the credit.
Exactly, the best leaders lead by example.
My best supervisor was a guy that would never ask you to do something he wouldn't do himself. He was the first guy on site and the last to leave. He worked harder than anyone else but made sure we were organized and had what we needed to get the job done at all times. Everything ran like a well oiled machine.
First?!! Spoken like a true man and a good person - this is sage advice for anyone doing anything. Love what your channel and business is all about.
Great honest advice ... honesty go a long way. Great channel, love the content.
Be honest and straight up.Everybody makes mistakes, own it. Peace
This doesn't just apply to the construction business but it applies to customer service in general. Well done Sir.
Farming too!
Amen to the phone call, I have awarded jobs based on that alone.
Damn young man, you made me what to come out of retirement and start a new business. Well done.
After being a contractor for 44 years I was curious to see what somebody else would say about being in business. I have to honestly say you nailed every aspect of what I’ve been doing and how I’ve stayed successful for so long.
The definitely not the easiest business to be in but very rewarding if you do it the right way thank you.
Thank you for your service Sir. You have built so many wonderful things for people I’m sure, and have made Earth a better place for everyone to live.
I have been in the trade for 16years, and I learn so much everyday. It is a tough job to manage for sure. I would be grateful to learn how to best manage the crew and keep everyone on point so that I can get my years of experience on the wall 🔨
I completely agree with you!! On all parts. I am now overwhelmed with work. No social media. No website, all word of mouth. And actually having a tough time keeping up with it all. Careful what you wish for!!
I’ve been in the trades for 20 years now and now owning my own business for the past 7 years. I laughed when he said get quotes back in a timely fashion. I understand that one, getting home late working weekends. It’s tough sometimes. THANKS
My favorite Chip Foose quote, which apparently was his dad's, "it's what you learn after you know it all that counts"
#11 Clean up! Seriously, I have repeat customers based on that alone.
Great advice! The one thing I always have kept in mind on a job is that my name is on the project. A few extra minutes can make all the difference.
Under promise and over deliver. I agree a bid should never change unless customer adds or changes scope of work. Great advice and love your work.
The phone responsiveness and many other pointers help establish your brand. Volume extends your brand. Being responsive, fair, present and available in community is cornerstone of growing business. Great video, Kyle.
I started my own insurance business in 2003 and many of the same principles apply in my business as well... ie., showing up, return calls, add value, etc. All things being equal and all things not being equal, people will want to do business with someone they like, know and trust. Price is not the first consideration. The vast majority of my business is referrals at this point which certainly makes it easier to be successful. Great work and stay true to yourself.
Yes agree with your comment 1000% couldn’t have said it better great work ethic , dedication can take anyone a long way plus it speaks volumes about how you conduct business and word of mouth travels , anyway best of wishes on your insurance company also happy New Years 🥳
A lot of great advice here. Thanks brother
I agree so much with this. Especially holding to your quote. With prices changing so rapidly in 2022 a lot of people were just charging what they wanted and I felt so much more obligated to hold to my bids even if it meant we made a little less. Looking back now I think we gained a lot of good referrals because of it. We’ve never been the cheapest but I believe we’ve earned our clients through trust and performance.
AMEN...especially about the "don't change your quote" one. I am in architecture, and have been for 28 years. I've been a project manager for about 15 years...and the "we need a change order because we didn't price this, that or the other" is the one statement that will make me throw a contractor directly under the bus every single time. If I find the item in question on the drawings...then the contractor should eat it. Or at least the labor to install the item.
Now...if the owner changes his mind, of course they have to be willing to pay for the change.
Great job...love watching your videos...very informative.
Took me two tries to watch this. Costumer called so you know, I had to answer
MONEY!!!! Have been selling to contractors over 20 years and the guys that do this, are still in business and successful. Kyle. #11. Find a Mentor
He asks for premium, he gets paid a PREMIUM... he makes enough to pay his company, Greg and his little brother and himself to sustain the life he has with his wife and kids... why need more money?? He even owns a house that he rents to Greg! That all amounts to me that he is a GOOD man, not blinded by the big "money"... take a lesson from that...
Your tips are so resonant. I've been awarded jobs just on returning a phone call alone. I, with the exception of one job, have stuck to my estimates. I communicate, I try to use social media, but honestly, for personal reasons it's not something I really care to do. But I do try! I advertise with a certain large online home improvement project platform. I'm insured. I try my hardest to show credibility and honesty and belief. Let me explain that last one.
In my previous career, people would frequently think that I didn't believe them when they came to me with a problem. I saw this as a stigma with regards to that industry. I would go the extra mile to ensure that I did believe them, and listened to them when they were explaining what had happened or needed done. When people come to me now, I try to bring that same level of attention to the conversation, to expand on their idea or concerns, and to make a connection with them.
Above all, I try to be kind and attentive to my customers. All the while, I'm trying to make sure I have built in enough of a buffer on the estimate to ensure I can cover any unforeseen situations.
Thanks Kyle for being concise and conveying these tips in a clear manner.
Thanks brother. Appreciate it
Yeah he's very articulate
Hey Ted have you ever thought of expanding your construction company through funding ?
And another tip for anyone starting out, get a good accountant!
Listen to them with both ears and eyes fully engaged and mouth in park on level ground.
First person I talked to when I started looking into building spec houses was my accountant.
Great advice to minimize my tax liability which helped me optimize my business model.
I would have wasted HUGE amounts of money on the tax man without his feedback/advice.
20 y.o third year apprentice in Australia here. Some great tips I've never fully thought about, thanks man great vid! 👌
TheDude2097 what part of Aus?
Sydney!
What line of work are you apprenticing?
Carpentry, just finished my apprenticeship and starting up my sole trader
Love it Kyle. Amazing how simple your rules are and how few follow them. 99% of my work is word of mouth. I live and breathe your rules. Always pays off. Thank you for what you do for your employees and our community of builders.
By far, this is the foundation of success in this industry. I definitely can see your motivation, direction and drive, with great work ethics.
In my experience a simple walk through prior to bidding helps identify any small details that aren't listed in the scope that need to be accounted for. I know it's not always possible but whenever you can I'd highly recommend it.
Great video tho Kyle. I appreciate your wisdom. Cheers.
I will have to agree with you 100% on the quote. I had a very long driveway built and almost at the end he said he messed up on the price and needed more money. I told him he is going to do the job for what he quoted and apparently he did cause even before he finished the job the driveway was falling apart. I really got burned there, but learned a valuable lesson.
I decide to start my own business two years ago making a carports iron fences and metal buildings, and this video help me a lot thanks for the info🙏🏼
I love what you had to say about your help, always said to myself if and when I ever start a business everything you just said is the way I would approach it, I can see why you are successful
🤜🏻💥🤛🏻
Great video. Nice and Simple for new small business starting and being successful at whatever they choose to do . 🙏
I have worked for myself as well as a employee and my creed I live by is I always work for myself no matter what. If I had all the money in the world I would not be working for anyone including myself. Now if I am a employee I may get a check from you with your name on it but I always am working for the customer. If I do not give a great job for the customer despite they may be your client if I am unable to make the customer pleased you will no longer have them as a client and without your client I will not have a job for very long. This has worked for me during my working career.
Hey brother I’m very spiritual and the first thing that I notice is your eyes your energy your awesome man I would love to work under you -- I’m very smart medic for years just I love creativity - it’s so healthy for us to create -- one love brother honor
You are awise business man with morals and a great work ethic. You are definatly right on not changing your bid. I have shortened myself on a bid and I use it as a learning tool so lol I have a lot of them tools in my bag. I'm still learning. All tho I have people give me more than my bid because they were very happy with the final outcome.
lloyd barten that's interesting, maybe if you are that good at doing the job people will give bonuses just so you make them the priority in the future
all good tips, answering and calling people back is a huge one!
I wish more contractors in my area had this approach to business. Keep up the good work Kyle - signed fellow hands on CS major.
In New Zealand tip number 1 would be - On fridays you drop tools early and head down to your local Tavern and proceed to get drunk with your workmates and make fun of other trade guys like electricians and plumbers lol cheers Kyle....awesome tips Buddy
Haha
I want to move to New Zealand, cheers Paul and Kyle 🍻
Build your name. Guarantee a good and fast job. And your clients will take you even if your price is higher than the next guy.
Recently had to readjust a quote that I had already given due to the surge in material prices over the past few months. I hated to have to do it but I did so before starting work and gave my client a chance to decide whether or not he wanted to move forward... he did and completely understood. Though I do agree with you 100% about honoring prices given
Lately our issues been when we give quote by the time we start job materials have shot up in price...osb is 30 a sheet...wasn't 3 weeks ago lol
Yes, but knowing that, it's important to be upfront about this
110% agreed! In practice all these tips are based and great!
I’ve learned always add more $ to your bid and more time because no matter how much time you spend thinking over every detail of the project there will always be something that happens/changes do to problems etc etc and you can never account for everything. I add 10% and that usually does the trick
Very well spoken, I've ran my own business for almost 10 year, and have learn advertising means nothing when your not loyal to customers, over the 10 years I've done very little advertising and stopped a long time ago but seem to stay very busy, i really enjoy your vidoes and tips, keep it up man,very well spoken in this video, I found my self a lot of motivation to move forward from watching your videos
Yes, return Phone calls. #1 I wasn't going to watch this video Kyle but glad I did. I have been retired 20 years now and if more people had your attitude and skill sets construction would be a great trade to be in and work would be plentiful. I am in need of another building addition, have been for some time. But I'm still angry with the quality of my last one I had done in the 90's. I really enjoy your videos, keep up the excellent work.
Thank you for this. I’m doing them all so I know I’m on the right path!!
Thank you for posting this video. I'm a 3 yr reinforcing ironworker wanting to start a small rebar company. Your ideas and values match my own and I really appreciate laying out a clear premise of what to expect when starting up a company. I will definitely be coming back to your channel for future answers :D thank you!
I agree about the estimate when I do my estimates I tell customers a price but I also tell them if we open up these walls floor whatever it is and we find a surprise like structural damage or something like that then the price will be increased. But as long as there is no surprises no problem and my customer is always completely understand that because I work in a lot of very old houses and you run into surprises when you go to a job.
Change orders are an essential component of any final contract. Written authorization with drawings is the only way to go. It will clear the communication channels and keep the budget clear.
Also always have 3 tiers of work. This will drive a good convo that sorts where the budget CAN go.
wildtwindad yeah good idea , you can either have our cheap option or our expensive option just not the competitors option haha
I'm a retired manufacturing business owner. This is wise advice, even something as simple as #s 1 & 2; just get back to people timely! I might disagree a little with the "experience is the best teacher" adage. Usually it's better if you can learn from someone else's experience. Your own experience can be a harsh teacher, because, as a wise man I once worked for used to say, "You get the test first and the lesson afterward!" Young guys starting out ... lots of wisdom here in under 9 minutes. Write 'em down and follow 'em!
You run your business in the same way as the auto shop that I worked at. Honest, up front, and held ourselves at a high standard. I would hire you in a heartbeat.
Launching my husband to go on his own. His father is a very talented landscape architect and my husband knows the biz and there is a huge gap where we live as no one shows up and my husband does and he does his work well. This video was very helpful.
These simple tips are huge! My issue has been taking on too much work, seems good on the calendar but never knowing the delays or issues involved is sometimes hard to determine.
I’m in a different field (auto repair shop owner) but businesses work the same. Answering the phone when ur busy is very important because even if ur busy now if you don’t answer the phone you might now have work next week you need to constantly getting work. Networking with other business owners is a HUGE help. Now as far as what to charge customers at first giving a little below average price is not a bad thing to do so you can get work coming in and over a year or so you slowly bring up ur prices. Now when ur established and have steady work and start getting to the point ur too busy you need to be charging what your really worth but it’s a fine line to walk. If you really do really good work you can’t compare ur prices to some other companies that do half asses work you need to be charging more than the crappy companies. For instance there is another repair shop right next to my shop his labor rate is $20 and hour cheaper, I mark up my parts more than he does, a brake job at his shop is 100 bucks cheaper but I have made a name for myself people trust me to do a good job if ur a customer that is looking for the best prices I am not the shop for u but if ur looking for quality work and quality parts then I’m the shop for you and I have told customers this. When your the cheapest guy in town you will attract the cheap customers and u don’t want that. Most of my customers just want a quality job fixed right the first time they trust that when they leave my shop they won’t have any problems. Some times I get customers trying to get me to do a 500 dollar job for 300 and I just have to tell them no here’s the price it is what it is.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm from Guayaquil. I'm an motorcycle mechanic and I like to watch your videos.
In caps.... i LOVE THESE TIPS. YOU'RE AWESOME KYLE. I DON'T KNOW YOU BUT I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR YOU.
Thank you brother ,you brighten my way with great tips in construction business . l really appreciate 🙏
Honesty is key!!! Do what you say you will do and charge only what you quote!!! Respect bro
I appreciate your information my brother
Good advice on not changing quotes. That’s something that would really bother me as a client
At times especially in old houses cost overruns are unavoidable. Say one opens up a wall or a floor during a renovation. God knows what one might find. None of us are blessed with x-ray vision. I find as long as I have kept the client up to date with progress reports that he/she are usually happy enough for me to proceed. With old houses I'm always at pains to point out that they can be a financial black hole.
Hello from South Florida 🌴 I'm starting out now, i needed this.
I'd like to disagree with the part about sticking with the exact number you quoted. With my contracts, I have an unforeseen clause and that doesn't just represent things that I can't see but that nothing is ever firm, especially now with within 24 hours. Being upfront and honest comes before everything, Communicating and letting them know the prices can change and maybe giving a history of how it's done it in the past. If you have a small job you can get it done pretty quick and no worriea but on bigger jobs, you might need material two weeks in, the prices could change drastically.
Yes I agree with paying out of your own pocket for quoting mistakes but I deal with a lot of jobs where you can’t see subsurface issues so I say MAKE IT CLEAR to the client that it’s based on what you can see and if there’s a much more serious problem that there will be extra expenses or they have the option to withdraw from certain parts of the proposal in a certain amount of time. But always ask before you make a change and make it incredibly clear that there could be extra cost and ALWAYS put everything in writing!!!
Edit: oh yea and answering the phone is so right. I’ve also won jobs because they were frustrated with everyone else and I just listened to them. They feel like I care and trust me because of that.
After working in the construction field for 15+ years, answering your phone is key. Answering and DOING WHAT YOU SAY, don't promise the world and then underperform after you have a contract. Its a smaller world than most people realize and so youre reputation is EVERYTHING. If you get the reputation that youre unreliable and cant perform, good luck in the long term.
I don’t like the bid low to land the job, beyond that advice is gold! I appreciate the video, well put together, thank you.
.... "stay relevant".... stay busy... great advice
I think it would be great if you could explain how you pay your employees and how you give incentives in order to get the most work done properly.
Cheers for Best advice mate👏
Have you ever considered letting Greg take the lead on a project? From putting the estimate together, to working with the customer, ordering material and coordinating the trade partners?
No... that’s not his job
Appreciate the tips.
That’s nothing against Greg at all. But he’s not an owner and I didn’t hire him for that.
@@RRBuildings you are 1 lucky man with Greg... the 2 of you fit like a glove together
If you forget something on a bid yes don't charge more. But add clause in case there's more damage upon opening up a wall or pulling up a floor that no one knows about.
Good stuff! I like these short videos where you're sitting down and talking to us as if we were there asking you business questions
I like these short videos too.
I loved all of these! Especially 4-5-6
Great video. Make every one of your customers feel like they are your ONLY customer. Develop long-term relationships.
Spot on Kyle, your advice applies to every business!
I agree and started our excavation business to take care of our employees and customers to the best of our ability and age with everything you say in this video. I love your attention to detail and and always striving to do better
Where is your excavation company located at what city ?
@@victorramirez7343 Salt Lake City
@@lifeofaking996 nice and do you have a business Instagram you know some where I could check out your work ?
I have established a company that does artificial turf, EPDM and SBR running tracks, and but not limited to vinyl flooring for more than a decade in Hongkong.
Running a company isn’t as easy and could be very challenging, follow his tips and you got half of your challenges under control.
Love this video it’s right on point. One little thing I don’t totally agree with is the pricing being different from original contract. Every contractor has been in a situation no one could have predicted. A “simple” door replacement can quickly turn into finding out the whole wall is rotten etc etc..
I am a GC, the hardest thing I’ve encountered is finding people who know what they’re doing & show up. Iv gone thru 100 ppl in 1yr. It’s so hard to find competent people Also, u need to document/voice record initial walk threw’s and write down everything. Document & estimate every change order. Or it’s death by a 1000 “but remember you said”. Some people will really make a big deal later about a broken receptacle cover u said said “no problem” while giving a estimate on they’re addition. In fact forgetting that will sometimes be all they remember
I work in the auto repair industry. These ring true and many things I follow very close to. I also run the Walmart model. I also take on any job that comes my way. I Don't care if it profits a buck or a thousand bucks. Also I've found it very good to drop what I'm doing to help a customer right away as long as what they ask won't take me all day. For example the other day I had a full shop and full schedule but a new customer showed up with no blinker. You could tell this bothered them. I said I was busy but let's take a look. I dropped all that with and installed the bulb for them. It was probably a ten minute job. I gave them a fair price. They thanked me over and over. About 2 days later they called and bought 4 new tires. They paid for them and before they left they mentioned that I'm going to be their main mechanic from now on because the service was to notch
I love how you say job.
“Jyawb”
I think every point you made is valid and should be followed in a variety of industries
If working on pre existing buildings you can’t stick to a quote a portion of the time, especially with something such as roofing. There can always be unseen damage that needs to be replaced that you cannot see until you start tearing out the old stuff. Because say you quote a siding job and when you tear off all the old siding there is no outside sheathing or it’s just foam. You would be spending almost as much as your quote is just on extra material alone!!
Thank you so much sir I kinda have to motion of it because common sense but this will help my brother and I as well as my family.
This is a great video! Understanding how contracts work is a key one when trying to step up your game in construction (I would say this as it’s what I do but I genuinely believe it is important).
Love your videos Kyle. Great to see someone who runs a successful business that they love while being humble and thoughtful in sharing such valuable information.
wonderful, all the way from grenada in the caribbean...
Agree with everything except social media being better than buying ads.
Great video, like your common sense approach. Treating your clients the way you would want to be treated. Keep up the good work & videos .
That’s how my mother raised me
@@RRBuildings It is so evident in your videos. Good man. Your parents are over the moon proud as they should be.
This is life advice that applies to any business. Well done sir.
i just paased my contracts exam, and im in the process of getting my licence, but i dont know what to do or how to start, and your video really helped a lot. my father is a general contractor and i learned everything from him, but i know that i can do better and grow bigger.
#1 answer your phone is
100% correct. I’ve heard the same thing from people. Contractors just don’t pickup or return peoples’ calls.
Your the best!! I just started my small business of construction and I learned alot from this video👍