Questions re running a small business and expansio

[Forestboy1978]

Hi all..

Basically, I barely have enough time to return the enquiries that come through for work, let along view them, quote them and schedule them.

Of course we've taken someone on but that's not enough. Need another person at least on the job and possibly a secretary or I stop working on site and start mainly doing admin or perhaps half days etc. I don't want to do this cos I kinda like what I do and I like being physical daily, I think it's good for you to be forced out of your comfort zone by work or exercise. Also, no one will care as much as I do.

Anyone been through this transition and how did you transition?

[Pablo]

Personally speaking, I've been where you are, expanded to 3 squads then decided it's healthier to not feel like killing everyone all the time and only have a few guys again. If you can't handle the volume of enquiries then cut your advertising and cherry pick the good jobs. I virtually interview prospective clients now, I could be out seeing 5/6 folk every night but I couldn't handle all the work so it's pointless quoting for it. You should maybe also consider putting your prices up, you'll get less work but make more money if you're as busy as you say you are.
1 skilled worker and a good labourer is a healthy medium, it allows you to leave site to collect stuff and see possible clients during working hrs so your evenings are free'd up. I then sub contract everyone else as and when needed. It also allows you to spend a day behind the desk every 2 weeks so you can get the invoices done etc. If you employ a secretary you'll need a much bigger operation and you'll need to earn a lot more money to cover her wages. ( her time isn't chargeable so it comes out of your Income).
I wouldn't say don't expand but in the experience of every one I know it'll turn you into an angry, overweight,stressed fella. You're also very susceptible to any financial downturns, seasonal variations in workload and bad weather.



Edited By Pablo on 1465595556

[Forestboy1978]

That made me chuckle. I'm hearing everything you have said load and clear.

And you may well be right cos I already want to kill everyone most of the time lol...

[GB_Groundworks]

Got really busy few years ago had 10 guys on 3 sites spent all day driving between sorting stuff out and fixing problems work not done to standard etc, cost me money and loads of stress just stick to 1/2 jobs at a time now and on site myself working, no one does it like you do and cares as much. Pick the best jobs for the best clients

[Forestboy1978]

Got really busy few years ago had 10 guys on 3 sites spent all day driving between sorting stuff out and fixing problems work not done to standard etc, cost me money and loads of stress just stick to 1/2 jobs at a time now and on site myself working, no one does it like you do and cares as much. Pick the best jobs for the best clients

How do you even manage x2 jobs running whilst working yourself. We've just finished one large job. Large for us anyway. My phone is bluetooth connected to the radio so music cuts when messages etc. come through. Constantly cutting out, it's ridiculous.

We do however, specialise in fencing so jobs are anywhere between 2 hours work for 1 and 2 weeks work for 3 so lots of messing around, as opposed to doing 300m2 of paving or whatever and being in the one spot for the duration.

[GB_Groundworks]

we are on a massive job doing all groundworks and landscaping for a refurb on a £1.5m house £600k refurb basically rebuilt it so we pop in and out of that or my old boy foreman is there plodding on me and the 2 lads in the van do smaller job 1-4 weeks etc or are there, i like 1 at a time but sometimes its chaos

I've got a problem next week old boys away got a little drainage and tanking job to do that i booked in, but also got to get garage floor slab in on big house job. and i priced a big job in runcorn (£50k) that i didn't want but was arm bent into pricing it, i got it now they want it doing in july but we've got a menage booked in hand shaken deposit paid on £35k job so that takes us into august. the big job in runcorn is on a big site all h/s tickets etc that i'll need to sort out trying to find some way out of it now without letting them down.

most are jobs are 2 weeks to few months on 1 site so makes easier moving machines and tackle,

we are also rebuilding the family home at the moment which is a big project. poured 56 m3 base slab last thursday had 8 tons of rebar in it that stole over a week out my busy summer schedule



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1465667323

[Dave_L]

It's very difficult at times, I'm the same as you ForestBoy, I like quoting etc and also being out on the tools - and I hate saying no!

Gotta make hay when the sun shines for aslong as I am capable of doing so.

[lutonlagerlout]

^^
everything that has been said above

I enjoy appointments and quoting but tend to try and get a feel for prospective clients
as soon as phrases like "tiny budget" "needs to be done as cheap as possible" are heard ,I switch off

just stick to quality work for reasonable money and your client base will increase organically
cheers
LLL