ATTN: Construction Contractors

**steveestewart** · 01-17-2010 04:36 PM

I am currently considering the idea of starting up a contracting company that grows over time. I'm aware that construction is down at the moment, but this would not be my primary income. I have always enjoyed construction and ultimately, my dream career would be to own a successful contracting company that builds Creative Custom Homes from the ground up. Here's a little background and my question:

I am currently working in the pool industry, but have also held management jobs in landscaping, general construction, concrete work, and tree services. I have grown up in an area where most families work in construction and this sort of thing is taught as an everyday way of life, so I KNOW most areas of construction. I am mostly skilled in landscaping and pools, but understand the processes of most areas of construction, even if I can't personally do it alone. I am very good with networking and managing as I work in this field and have started a couple side businesses of my own. I am also very good at tests and academics (I have been to college). My question for all you contractors is this:

Would I be more successful by using people I know and find jobs in all areas of work at the moment: Framing, Painting, Roofing, Landscaping, Pools, Fences, Decks, Plumbing, Wiring, etc (I have connections in most areas of construction) and just contract all the work I find out. Maybe even work with them on my days off as well so I could learn until I find what field I seem to be hitting a lot OR figure out which area of building I want to specialize in first and then find jobs doing this? How did you get started?

I would love to find someone who would fund me to take the Contractor's exam and learn the trade through them (while working for them), but no one seems to be hiring ANYWHERE at the moment. If I wanted to just start on my own, would I need a lot of insurance, etc. to do small remodel jobs? I'm just trying to figure out how I can get my foot in this extremely slow line of work as soon as possible.

Thanks for the advice!

**DerekS** · 01-17-2010 06:22 PM

All of the contractors that I know are pretty busy now. Even though housing starts are down, lots of people are staying put and doing projects. The $8k 1st Time Homebuyer tax credit is fueling this as well.

You may have to find a licensed contractor and work for free if you want to get your foot in the door. I bet if you show even the slightest proficiency, and are reliable, they'll pay you. Good, dependable help is always hard to find.

Even if you have to work for free, you should be able to get plenty of side jobs to help you build up cash and experience. Landscaping, tiling, hanging cabinets, changing electrical outlets, and other relatively easy tasks that scare your average homeowner will be easy money makers. Stuff like painting, tiling, and hanging cabinets are also relatively low liability so you don't have to worry about being unlicensed/unbonded.

Contracting is a business where you can make ALOT of money. Just don't develop bad habits like so many contractors do. Work quick, clean, be reliable, and stay away from hard liquor! Good luck!

**steveestewart** · 01-18-2010 09:20 AM

Thanks DerekS for the advice. I currently have a pretty good friend ( a bit older than myself) that is doing what I want to do, which allows me an advantage over most people. Would you say the best route for me would be to hit him up about working for free or someone that's not a friend? I guess what I'm asking is, would I be better off trying to find someone that will teach me the contracting side of construction more 9like my friend) or try to do some laboring and learn how to do it myself better (and potentially have a paying job in the future with them)?

**DerekS** · 01-18-2010 09:33 AM

I think you should do both:

Assuming your friend can improve your skillset, and you have a good working dynamic with him, I'd work for free and learn all that I could.

Once you feel like you've developed your skills enough on certain tasks, post Craigslist ads, put up flyers, knock on doors, whatever to pick up side jobs. Tiling, hanging cabinets, carpentry, and other low liability jobs are best to start out.

In this business the more people you meet and learn from, the better. Contractors run the gamut from extremely disciplined, high volume craftsmen, to completely dysfunctional drunks who only get jobs because they're willing to do non-permitted work cheap. You can learn something from all of them.

Good luck!