5 Tips to Consider Before Starting Your Own Contracting Business

RCS Influencer Jon Stantz says that in addition to a solid business plan there are a few other considerations to think about before diving in.

What advice I would give a new contractor leads into so many things that I’m not sure where to start. Business is an ever-evolving creature from simple one-man (or woman) operation to multi-million-dollar conglomerates with hundreds of personnel.

Of course, any person that begins a new venture should always have a solid business plan with set goals and a mentor that can provide advice with financials, employee issues, company policies, etc.  

I think there are a few ideas that should be thought about BEFORE a person decides to proceed into starting a new contracting business.

1. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on the road and in the office. There will be plenty of long days ahead to bring about your success. 
2. Please realize that you will not get every job you look at, don’t get discouraged, keep swinging the bat.
3. Never say to a client “No problem, we can do that.” Stay with what you know, learn about things you don’t before you commit.
4. Stay Humble! I have been involved with this industry for thirty years, I still get surprised once in a while by a client or situation that I haven’t encountered before.
5. Lastly, “Please and Thank you” go a long way toward giving you and your company a great character.  Good luck to those starting new ventures, remember Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Jon Stantz is a supervisor, salesperson and repairman for Pell Roofing and Siding in Brazil, Indiana. See his full bio here.