How to approach builders

[hicksplaster]

Hi i have just started my own business as a platerer, I have been plastering for 9 years now but got tyred of subcontracting for other plaster companys, I have been advertising in the local papers and have tried to get work from builders, But all they do is take my quoate but notmy business and i no my pricing is in the ball park, can any body help me with the best ways to approach builders and start to get more work this would be verry much apreiciated thank you

[bricks]

Subcontracting to someone else is a good way in, allot of builders have their set subbies list- if you are not significantly cheaper then you don't get to jump ahead of someone who they know does the job they way they like .

just be carefull if your subbing to another plasterer that you don't steal someone else's customers- In plumbing that results in a pretty hefty dust up.

[Bleedin Thumb]

IMHO you cant beat face to face contact. Every building site you see stop and introduce yourself.

Get in early and if the site foreman indicates that they haven't got the plastering fixed get the name of the project manager and touch base.

Bug them, keep a good diary with job details and dates for followup calls and always follow up in writing. Price your first job as low as you can to get a foot in the door. Its not uncommon to buy your first job if you really want the builder as a client IE price it so low that you may loose money.

[rod@plasterbrok]

You need to present well, be confident and prepare well written professional quotes with a clear scope of works included.

For every 10 builders that are happy with their current contractor there are 2 or 3 that are not. The industry is full of rat bag contractors that employ sub standard contractors. You need to present better than what they have got and work through the numbers.

Target the right type of builder. It is hopless going to a builder building 50 - 100 homes a year when you are one gang. Target builders doing 1 - 10 jobs a year these are the ones most likely to change contractors.

Don't aim to be the cheapest price! Offer a great service that instills confidence and give them a fair and reasonable price. Follow up by giving a great service, by quoting on time, meeting the builder on site to go over the job. Nothing like eyeball to eyeball contact to give the builder confidence.

Just a few ideas for you.

Good luck with it.

[hicksplaster]

Thanks heaps guys it is good to hear from professinals and people who have been in my same position and are willing to help. I will be putting your advise to good use THANK YOU

[rmartens]

A lot of times being out there on the job and working builders will approach you.
In the past I have had builders come up to me and offer work. I think small builders are better to work for as you can give them a price. Large builders tell you how much they pay you as they have people in their office doing all the working out.
I think having one or two builders is fine. Unless you want to cover many metres of work.
Pushing out volumes opposed to quality.
Be firm with your price as when they use you its hard to raise your price so maybe in time the builders who you gave your price may call you as most times others plasterers may do bad work this happens.
Its easy working for builders once you are in. As they will ring you and tell you about a job. Then you will find out what they are like. Not all builders are good to work for.
In fact its hard to find a good builder. Just as much as you want to find a builder, you need to choose the right builder that suits your needs.
A small builder that maybe learnt a trade but not try to make a big profit.

[bugsy]

market the small jobs or renos.
Builders are a pain in the ????, you may not get paid (if ever!) for a long time.
You have to put up with other idiots all the time