Need some insight on starting a business

[drthunder7]

I'm 17 and live in Kansas and I'm looking to start a business that deals with building decks for residents in my local area and I was hoping to get some advice on how to go about starting a business of that matter. I have built 4 decks in the past year and have the knowledge it takes to plan and built a deck for any application but the guy I learned everything from moved and I lost contact with him before I could really get some advice on starting a business like this. What does it take start a business in this field. I'm young and I'm not sure about people really having confidence in a 17 year old high school kid building a deck. I have most of the tools I need for the jobs already a truck and a trailer for transportation of the materials and all the equipment so it leaves me at were to start. How do you get your name out as being a reliable service that builds quality every time, should I put an ad in the newspaper and use previous customers as a reference, or what’s a good method on getting your name out there. I'm looking to make this into a long term business that I can slowly turn the work over to other people and sit on it as a form of income as the owner. I do a lot of hard labor now and I was looking at more of the entrepreneurial side of things and how to really start making money and I thought this would be a good plan from the knowledge I have gained thus far. Really any advice at all would help me out a lot and I would appreciate your insight and anything you have to say.

[n/a]

well a lot of advice can be given here.

Do you have any pictures of the 4 decks you help build in the past? It might be good to start building a portfolio of the decks so people can see your previous work, and build trust in you (even if your young!)

You have to advertise locally first. Start small and hopefully turn big. I would start in local newspapers, websites that are local, you can get involved in local online forums. I would not invest a ton into ad advertising until you completed your first few jobs. Sometimes just getting some flyers printed or business cards and just get the word out yourself works as well. Take good pictures of the first few decks and create a nice brochure and a half page/full page ad.

There is just so much you can do at this point. Eventually it sounds like you want to hire people to do labor while you manage and take care of sales? Right? Build yourself up enough where your phone is ringing enough for you to move toward management of other people doing projects. anyways there are a lot of experienced people here that can offer you more advice!

[Gaulkin]

Do you have your contractors license? You also have to pull permits for decks from the city, if you don't its illegal.

[drthunder7]

Thanks guys I'm loving the quick feedback, as of now I do not personally have any permits or licenses, that’s the part I'm missing about my old partner, I'm looking into the local building codes and trying to get everything I need to get this idea off the ground and start making some money. I did happen to take pictures of two the decks that I built although it was with some assistance I personally did all the labor. I hear about reputable business and I'm just trying to make a name for myself at a young age so I don’t have to live the typical American lifestyle of working a 9-5 to make other people money. I do currently own a mowing business here in town and make around 600 a month in the summer without doing anything but managing everything and making sure all the customers are satisfied with the services I offer, and of course that all the work gets done so I was trying to take the same concept expect make quite a bit more than 1200 a summer, and build myself a reputable name at the same time for long term customer relations and a business that in the end I can simply manage and work on some larger scale projects that produce a lot bigger income. Also I figure I need to get around 1000 dollars for advertising and to finish buying tools necessary for the job, I can’t think of bank that would loan a 17 year kid that money with a co-sign on the loan and do not have that as an option so if you guys have any ideas about how to find investors I would love to hear what you have to say. Once again thanks for the advice and I appreciate your time.

[Gaulkin]

You may have to wait until your 18 to get your contractors license but im not totally sure on that so you should double check.

[moneymagnate]

(I'm young and I'm not sure about people really having confidence in a 17 year old high school kid building a deck)

Your age is an advantage

[drthunder7]

Thanks for the insight guys I love being able to come to a place were everyone has the same goal in mind and can share there own personal advice. I recently met a guy here in town that is interested in going into busienss with me so its not quite what I was after but he already has the building permits and expeirence and I thought I would let ya'll know how it turned out. Have a nice day god bless you

[Crysco]

Don't let your age stop you aside from licenses and state regulations.

Sounds like you already have good things going with your mowing operation, think back to what you did to get started, make the changes for contracting and do it again.

Being young is advantage you have more time, and you probably don't have a lot of bills yet.

Look into the legal aspects though, anytime you make money the government wants their piece too, so take the necessary steps.

Keep up the good work. Try reading some books if you haven't already.

[CIsaac]

Thanks for the insight guys I love being able to come to a place were everyone has the same goal in mind and can share there own personal advice. I recently met a guy here in town that is interested in going into busienss with me so its not quite what I was after but he already has the building permits and expeirence and I thought I would let ya'll know how it turned out. Have a nice day god bless you

Be very careful with partnering at this stage; but I'm sure you know this already. Don't let your age stop you; if you partner with someone now, just make sure to get an agreement (especially to include you advertising the job as yours in the future; you def don't want anyone saying you were their employee). Then when you get to 18, you have the freedom and experience to set up; but seriously watch out.

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