How To Start a Construction Business Using These Tips

The steps to starting a construction business can be found below, followed by points to consider.

Steps to Starting a Construction Business

Researching a Construction Business – See An Inside Look Into the Business You Want To Start.
Choosing a Location for Your Construction Business For more, see Choosing The Best Location for Your Business.
Choose a Name for Your Construction Business. See How to Choose a Business Name.
Legalizing Your Business – See How to Register your Business.
Create Your Corporate ID – See A Complete Introduction to Corporate Identity Packages.
Construction Business Equipment – See The Most Recent Google Search Results Related to Construction Business Equipment.
Estimating Your Start-up Cost – See Estimating Start-up Costs: Are you Missing Anything?
Writing a Construction Business Plan – See How to Write a Business Plan.
Set up a Business Bank Account – See, How to Open a Business Bank Account.
Get the Funding for Your Construction Business – See Getting a Small Business Loan.
Software Setup – Check out Google’s Latest Search Results for Software Packages Related to a Construction Business.
Get Your Construction Business Insured – See the latest Google Search Results for Construction Business Insurance.
Construction Business Office Setup – See, Here are Considerations for The Setup of Your Office.
Choosing Suppliers for Your Construction Business – See, How to Choose a Supplier You Can Depend on
Create an External Support Team – See, Building a Team of Professional Advisors for Your Business
Hiring Employees – See How and When to Hire a New Employee.

Points to Consider Before Starting

Construction is a thriving business in a lot of areas. There are many different aspects of the construction industry. Let’s take a look at what you need to know to start.

The startup costs can be a challenge. For the startup phase, you may want to consider, a small operation and buy used equipment.

Build as you go. You can’t build a building in one day, and you can’t build a strong company in one day either. It is going to take determination and time to build a good reputation and to become successful.

Skill Set:

Handle the necessary machinery and equipment adequately.
Skills and knowledge of all types of tools related to construction.
The ability to give accurate estimates.
Knowledge of remodeling and residential construction techniques, procedures, equipment, safety, and materials.
Proficiency in trim work, drilling and setting hardware for doors and windows, setting windows, stair layouts, etc.
Ability to read blueprints.
Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as crawling for long distances and climbing extended ladders.
Excellent math skills are a plus.
Common Business Skills.

Employee Considerations:

Work/Construction Crew
Skilled Tradesmen
Positions Needed To Run Some Businesses

Hours of Operation:

Depending on the job and your deadlines, you could be working double shifts to keep up, otherwise, regular business hours are possible.

Equipment:

Head, eye, and ear protection, Steel Toe Shoes
Hand saws
Planes
Framing mallet
Circular saw
Table saw
Compound Mitre Saw
Cement mixer
Cordless drill with assorted bits
Work truck/Van with ladder rack and utility box
Composting containers
Heavy construction equipment if needed. e.g. bulldozer, excavator, backhoe, dump truck, etc.

A variety of hand tools including:

Hammer
Sledgehammer
Speed Square
Chalk Line
Chalk Line Clamp
Chisel, Carpenter’s Pencil
Framing Square
Utility Knife
Framing Hammer
Cat’s Paw
screwdrivers
measuring tape
Level, Grease pencil
Nails, screws, and other fasteners
Toolbelt
etc.
List of Essential Office Equipment

Monthly Expenses To Consider:

Common Monthly Expenses

Licenses:

See Our Page on Licenses and Permits

Approximate Minimum Startup Cost:

Bare essential – The majority of your startup cost will be the equipment you need, as well as the building you work out of unless you choose to work from home.

When you first start out, large pieces of equipment such as excavators, dump trucks, and bucket loaders are very expensive.

For instance, a Caterpillar backhoe can cost as much as $97,000 new. Buying used cuts costs by a lot.

A used one can cost about $30,000-$50,000. Another idea is to subcontract excavating jobs and later on if you find it more profitable and there is a high demand for excavating you can purchase your own equipment.

Tips & Considerations:

You must have adequate insurance. This protects your business if any property gets damaged or accidents occur.
It’s best to specialize in some field of construction, e.g. offices, homes, remodeling, foundations and basements, Highrise, etc.
You can outsource jobs you don’t specialize in, you can build a network of contractors and make a profit on the work you outsource.
Another option is to rent equipment. This may put you at a disadvantage when bidding on a job because companies that own their own equipment will be able to offer a lower price.

Pros and Cons:

The Pros:

Potentially high profits
There are many areas in which you can specialize in the construction industry
High demand
You can run the show
You are your own boss

The Cons:

High start-up costs
The construction market can be unstable
Competition for jobs
Potential for dangerous work conditions
It’s difficult to get contracts when you’re just starting out

Resources

The following resources can be useful during the start-up phase and once your business has taken off.

Industry Trends and Statistics

By analyzing trends and statistics related to a construction business, you can gain insights and tips you may not have thought about. Click Here for the Latest Google Search Results Related to Trends in the Construction Industry.

Industry Terminology

Being knowledgeable about your industry is important as a business owner. Understanding the terminology can wait until you have some experience, but to get a head start, you might want to look at some glossaries. Search Results Related to Terminology in the Construction Industry.

Supplies

Your choice of supplies will have an impact on your success. Poorly chosen supplies can hurt your business, so you want to find the best supplies possible at competitive prices. See the Latest Google Search Results for Construction Business Supplies.

Associations

It can be beneficial to join an association. Many offer publications and news that can be beneficial. Many of them also host events you can attend so can network with others in the industry.

Click Here To View Associations Related to the Construction Industry. You may also want to check out our page for tips and insights about Joining a Trade Association.

Top Construction Businesses

By studying other businesses, you will understand what the market has to offer, as well as pricing and other concepts. It’s possible you’ll come up with an original idea or discover something missing from your business. Search Google for the Top Construction Business in Your Area.

Marketing Tips

Marketing is a part of running any business. You can market your own business by trying one technique at a time, testing, and doing more of what works and less of what doesn’t. Have a Look at the Latest Articles for Marketing a Construction Business.

Construction Tips

Whether you are experienced or not in the industry, it doesn’t hurt to check out the latest tips related to construction. Have a Look at the search results for tips related to construction.

Books

Books are another source of information you can use to boost your understanding of your industry. View the Most Recent Google Search Results for Construction Business Books.

Construction Business Training

The more skilled and informed you are about your business, the better your chances of success. Why not take a few minutes to see the latest publications related to construction business training? Google’s Search Results Related to a Construction Business.

News

Using Google News is an excellent way to find stories covered by the media related to a construction business. See Google’s News Search Results Related to the Construction Industry.