Posted by Wall ToolsDrywall contractors often find themselves at the mercy of the successes and failures of the real estate sector. When times are good, housing is booming, and new jobs are practically endless. But, when new construction slows down, it can be much harder to find regular work. How can you make sure that your business stays strong through a real estate slump?
This year has seen a significant draw down for residential real estate, and commercial real estate market has struggled since working conditions changed in 2020. As this summer building season starts to wind down, many contractors are finding themselves without steady work to fill their schedules.
We know you’re not afraid of hard work and hustle, and there is plenty of work to do – if you know where to look. We’ve come up with a few ways to keep yourself (and your crew) busy during slow or uncertain times in the construction industry. We’ve kept it very low budget (and local), so that no matter where you are, you can keep your crew working.
Getting Started
You don’t need a marketing team or a major budget to get your business noticed. Actually, today’s technology makes it easier, cheaper, and faster to market your business than ever before. However, even with technology, you sometimes still need the analog.
The most basic thing you’ll need is a flyer. We recommend you print out a one-page flyer with your services and contact information as a leave behind. Websites like Canva.com have many free templates you can use and can be set up in a few minutes (see some examples below). Feel like your artistic skills aren’t up to par? Then try somewhere with full design and print services, like Staples, and they often have helpful staff to assist you. Make sure to print several and keep them handy in the work truck.
Bonus Tip: Have a few happy customers willing to give you a good reference and include links to your social media channels on your flyer so that others can see examples of your work.
Build New Partnerships
Expanding your social & business circles is critical to your success, but the hardest part is knowing which relationships are worth fostering. However, there are some businesses and industries that are consistently seeing new customers – regardless of economics. Focus on finding businesses that provide products and services that fit specific needs.
Develop partnerships with water & fire restoration companies, framing contractors, window companies, hardware stores that provide installation services (Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc.), real estate offices, and other trades & contractors. Many of these businesses have customers that occasionally need your services and may be able to provide referrals for you. Some home improvement stores will have a place to register contractors for customers to choose from, so be sure to stop by and ask your local stores.
Bonus Tip: Some real estate offices will even allow you to leave a stack of flyers on their reception desk (especially if those flyers come with cookies or candy for the nice receptionist.) Also, almost every large real estate firm has a weekly sales meeting, and if you attend one, it’s a great opportunity to meet with a room full of realtors.
Advertise Remodeling Services
Remodeling projects can be tedious, but in the absence of new construction, it can be a good way to keep steady work flowing. A remodeling project can be as small as a single room, or as large as an entire hotel. Of course, remodeling is going to take more than just the drywall trade, so having strong partnerships with other trades can come in handle here.
If you have a group of trusted tradesmen that you work with, you could consider advertising your remodeling services as a group. Customers will get the benefit of experienced tradesmen each doing his own kind of work, rather than a general handyman who knows a little of everything. This can give you (and your partners) a more competitive edge over the competition and keep the business moving forward.
Bonus Tip: Showcase your skills by showing before and after photos of your jobs. You don’t need to be a social media expert. Photos or short video clips of actual jobsites show that you are a professional working in your field every day. Be sure to post to multiple social media platforms for the best exposure.
Expand Your Skills & Services
In addition to wall-finishing and plaster work, there are similar services you can offer to gain potential business. These additional services don’t require expensive additional equipment, but they are already in line with your current skills and equipment, with some minor supplementing of tools.
- Stucco – Stucco is becoming a more popular exterior wall covering as customers continue to realize its durability. Stucco application used many of the same methods and tools as plaster, so offering this as an additional service might not require a lot of extra work.
- EIFS – Similar to Stucco (but with a few more steps), Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) starts with a layer of insulating foam covering the exterior, and then it is covered with a layer of synthetic Stucco. This method is especially popular in colder & wetter climates, where traditional Stucco might not be appropriate. The tools needed don’t require significant financial investment, and your crew likely already has the required skillset.
- Wallcovering – Wallpaper and wallcoverings have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. The “Millenium Gray” fad seems to be waning, and personalized spaces are the more popular choice. While some pasting supplies and equipment can be a bit pricy, there are plenty of affordable wallpaper installation tools available to make the job easier.
Connect With Property Management Companies
Property management companies can be responsible for several types of properties, including rental homes, apartments, business offices, and shopping centers. Each of these will need repairs and renovations, so establishing a connection can be very helpful for you. They may not need your services today, but they might in the future.
Property managers often keep a vendor and contractor list, and they usually like to have a selection of contractors from each trade to ensure the quickest response. Another contractor’s busy schedule or missed phone call could be your opportunity to pick up business. Many of them have a few basic requirements for registering, like providing a copy of your business license and insurance, and once you are set up, you can start providing them with work.
Bonus Tip: This is another opportunity where a one-page printed flyer for your business could be useful. You might not always get the decision-maker, so having something that can be passed along helps.
Bid on Government Contracts
State, local, and federal governments manage countless properties and buildings. Each entity is constantly searching for contractors to provide work. Bidding on these projects can be time-consuming and often require a lot of documentation. However, finding and bidding on contracts may not be as hard as you think. If you find yourself without work, looking for government contracts is a good way to fill your time.
The easiest place to start looking is your local city or county website. They usually have a section labelled RFP or Request for Bid. Most localities only require you to be a registered business with appropriate licensures and insurance policies (if and where required) to place a bid. These places would be the most likely to have new projects come up regularly, so it is recommended to check them at least once a month.
Federal government contracts can require a lot more work for bidding, and certainly require more upfront work before you are able to place a bid. Bidding on contracts is free, but you have to register before you can bid. You can find federal projects for free on SAM.gov, while state and local projects require checking individual state procurement websites or aggregators like Bidnet Direct.
There are several contracts offered through the Small business administration (SBA), and they have a great resource with step-by-step instructions on how to register and place bids: https://www.sba.gov/counseling/how-to-win-contracts/ explains it.
