Are you struggling with how to make your construction company grow? You’re not alone! Marketing your construction business can feel intimidating. You’re good at what you do, but it takes more than skill to build a sustainable trade company.
Whether you’ve just launched a brand-new construction business, or are 10 years in, it’s never too late to implement tips and techniques to grow your business and improve cash flow.
Wondering “how can I effectively grow my construction business?”
Here are 10 fail-proof tips to give your business a boost!
1. Build a great team
2. Become a specialty pro
3. There’s no better advocate than you
4. Focus on customer service
5. Invest in the right technologies
6. Reward referrals
7. Reassess your marketing strategies
8. Work with the best customers
9. Pros helping pros
10. Be proactive
Let’s take a closer look at the many ways you can work towards building your trade empire!
1. Build a Great Team
Growing your construction business may be the ultimate goal, but building a great team is the first step in the right direction. Focus on attracting, retaining and developing a team of talented individuals that will help drive your small business to great success!
Recruit, mentor, reward
A flourishing construction business is far from a one-man show. Which makes attracting skilled workers a top priority to grow your business. Finding quality talent is one thing, but hiring the right fit for your team’s culture is the ultimate goal. Don’t settle for the best candidate on paper, focus on identifying talent and potential to create a team that works well together.
As a business owner, your job isn’t complete just because your roster is full. One of the best ways to retain and develop top talent is through mentoring. Don’t just assign a task and move on, walk them through your thought process and properly train new hires. Remember residential construction and renovations are a very taxing industry! Keeping some of the industry’s best talent engaged means rewarding them for their hard work and dedication through annual reviews, raises, etc. Before long you’ll have created an unstoppable workforce to help you take on bigger and better projects to grow your trade business.
2. Become a Specialty Pro
Just because you’re capable of turnkey renovations, doesn’t mean you should market yourself as such. Consider the following; What drives your passion? What completed projects do you get really excited about? What skill set sets you apart from the competition?
Become an expert in your niche
Finding your niche can truly help scale your construction business. Clients are always searching for the best, so classifying yourself as such (or “specialists,” “experts,” or “pros”) can help grow a trade business by dramatically increasing your share of the market.
3. There’s No Better Advocate Than You
You know your business best, so get talking! Word of mouth can help increase your leads and introduce your construction business and services to future clientele.
Speak up!
When you find yourself in a group setting, look for opportunities to plug your business. Talk about projects that excite you, new challenges you are taking on, and major accomplishments your trade business has achieved. You never know how far down the grapevine your next client may be. And the best part? It’s free!
4. Focus on Customer Service
Roofing may be your forte, but to the average customer, it will be your quick follow-ups and service with a smile that gains their attention. Providing the best customer service goes a long way in building a reputable and trusted construction business.
Prioritize communication
What lines of communication do you have open to your customers? How frequently do you respond to client inquiries? These are all questions you should consider when evaluating your company’s communication practices. Utilize contact forms, live chat, email and phone. Strong communication throughout all aspects of a project will not only improve customer relations but also improve project outcomes. Talk about a win-win!
5. Invest in the Right Technologies
Growing your construction business means investing in your construction business. Consider investing in the best equipment and the right technology, and watch your small business thrive.
The best equipment
As the phrase goes; “work smarter, not harder!” The right tools and equipment can help facilitate your workload and improve worksite efficiencies. Bettering your workflow and allowing you the time to take on bigger and more profitable jobs.
The right technology
By introducing the right technology to your trade business you’ll minimize lost time and increase revenue. Consider investing in a good customer relationship management (CRM) platform or accounting tool to facilitate your workflow and boost your bottom line!
6. Reward Referrals
Referrals are undoubtedly some of the best business you can attain, and a key tool to growing your construction business. As a business owner, building trust is paramount to landing a project, and through referrals you’ve already been identified as a reputable business to that potential client.
Build excitement with a referral program and reviews
Develop a referral program that truly incites your clientele. You may consider offering a discount on their next project, cash incentives, gift cards, or even electronics. It’s a worthwhile investment as a strong referral program has the ability to turn old clients into new homeowner leads.
In addition, collecting frequent customer reviews can get the word out that you’re a pro who does great work and provides top-notch customer service. With homeowners searching online for a pro more than ever, it’s imperative that homeowners can find your business on notable home improvement, review sites like HomeStars. Collect reviews frequently and help improve your bottom line for years to come.
7. Reassess Your Marketing Strategies
Marketing your business may seem like a major undertaking, but when it comes to building an audience and growing your customer base, a little truly goes a long way.
Get social!
Start with social platforms you already frequent such as Facebook or Instagram and create business pages to share project photos, blog content, and industry news. Invite friends and family to share your page and get the word out. Using social media to boost your marketing efforts is a free and vital way to increase awareness to grow your trade business.
Work on your online presence
Creating your brand’s digital existence goes a long way in growing a construction business. After all, whether we’re searching for a juicy burger, or renovating our bathroom, the first place a consumer looks is the world wide web! At the bare minimum, create a website for potential clients to browse services, peruse your project gallery, read through testimonials and access your contact details to get in touch.
Other digital tools such as Google My Business can help inform prospective clients on your business hours, services and share images of past projects.
Give HomeStars the assist!
From developing a top-notch digital brand presence to growing your trade business by connecting with qualified homeowners, HomeStars has you covered! Gain exposure to the 9-million homeowners who visit HomeStars every year on one, easy-to-use platform with the reputation management tools to help you close more jobs. Click here to learn how HomeStars can help get your construction business to grow!
8. Work with the Best Customers
A great customer base is key in growing your trade business. Even after the project is complete, they will continue to be your business’s best advocates.
Be selective
It may sound crazy, but don’t be afraid to refuse work. If a customer is being difficult from the start, outlandish with timeframes, or requesting projects you are unsure you’ll be able to complete, your answer should always be no. In the long run it’s much more beneficial to focus on clients you can make happy than risk the fallout in the long run of an unhappy customer.
9. Pros Helping Pros
Developing a broad network of colleagues, vendors, and clientele is one of the best ways to grow your construction business.
Find pros on social media
The concept of networking is far from new – but social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, make it easier than ever! Join public interest groups to “virtually” meet with other contractors. You’ll gain advice and insight on industry standards for everything from employee salaries to quoting for projects.
Join the conversation through online forums
Give your residential construction company a voice and contribute to online trade forums. These digital forums such as Contractor Talk are a great way to connect you with other professionals in the industry, identify you as a trusted home service pro in the trade and even introduce you to your next lead.
10. Be Proactive
Waiting for leads to fall into your lap is a poor business strategy. Get out there and grab them!
Get your next review through HomeStars
While Google reviews go unmonitored, HomeStars has a dedicated review moderation team to verify the content of every single review. Say goodbye to those misleading negative reviews that are so damaging to your online reputation! Collect HomeStars reviews and let your reputation help bring in more business.
Get promotional material in the mix
Get your business out there in front of the public with promotional pieces, from lawn signs to customized, branded merchandise. Let the world know who you are, and how you can help them!
Even if they’re not ready to go ahead with a home renovation or repair project now, your business stays top of mind with the frequent reminders put out into the world.
Help Grow Your Business When You Join HomeStars
Growing your trade business is a breeze with HomeStars. We’ve got all the right tools to build your online reputation and get the right exposure to connect with job-ready clients. Ready to get started? Click here and start growing your construction business today!
