My husband is a contractor and bidding really does take some practice in order to keep yourself in profit.
Also, if people change their mind on something or ask you to do something that takes more time,etc. then it can be very difficult if you do not know what you are doing (i.e. how to write the contract, charging for change orders,etc.).
Perhaps a better approach would be time + materials and just charge so much per hour. I do not know what the going rate is in your area. Just call up a contractor and ask them what they charge. You could find out what a plumber (or electrician or whatever the job requires) charges and charge so much below their prices.
This option is safer for you business wise also.
If you plan to grow a business and hire people to work for you, then you will have a whole slew of other things to learn. Start out small and learn as you go...Don't try and jump in both feet....we have seen many talented men go out of business because of this.
I am not saying not to grow your business....Yes DO! Just make sure you grow in baby steps or the growing pains may just kill you :).
A very talented friend of ours decided he did not want the headaches of running a business,etc. and he works by the hour. He charges $30 an hour. The local plumber charges $35-40 an hour. Some contractors charge up to $50.
He is a one stop shop and the customer is happy that he handles the whole project including picking up the materials if the customer chooses.
If you are good at what you do and efficient at getting the work done, then word of mouth should be about all you need. Our friend has not advertised once.He has just gone from neighbor to neighbor and friend to friend working for them as they share with others about the job he has done for them.
Make business cards and hand them to all you know and everyone you work for. Give them one to keep and one to share...
You will get the work.
Hope this helps!
Kim
----- Original Message -----
From: lssgtark
To: entrepreneursathome@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 12:41 PM
Subject: [entrepreneurs] Bidding Handyman Work
I think most of y'all are not into service industries, but I thought
I'd throw this out there just in case someone might have some
experience and input for us.
My husband's job position was cut from the company that he worked for
3 weeks ago. For the past 6 months he's been supervising our 15 & 17
year old boys from afar in a lawn/yard/handyman business trying to get
a business up and running as he knew he wanted to get a business going
with them and get out of the work place. God's timing was just a
little ahead of ours : )
My husband is a jack of all trades. He can build anything, fix
anything, design anything, figure out anything. The one thing he has
trouble doing is bidding and estimating time and $ for jobs, which is
essential for providing for our family via a handyman business. Does
anyone know of any resources out there that would give a standard of
how to bid and charge for these types of services?
So far our advertising has been through fliers on bulletin boards and
word of mouth. We'd like to get magnetic signs for our vehicles. Any
suggestions on where to get those? My son would like to get plastic
road signs to put up as well. Money IS an object so we're trying to
spend as little as possible at the moment.
We've thought of going to local real estate companies and asking to be
a service for their listings. Any tips on how to present ourselves
and sell our services in this venue? Sales would be my husband's
other difficult area. He's great at building/fixing things, just not
the bidding and selling of his services.
Does anyone have any other advice or resources that might be helpful
just going into a service business?
Thanks so much,
Laralee
http://www.PlymouthRockRanch.com
Recording the Faithfulness and Provision of God for Future Generations
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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