subject: Common Mistakes Contractors Make In Business [print this page] If you feel you have not really made something huge in your contracting business, it could be because you are committing a lot of mistakes. As a building contractor London, you should exercise proper judgment, prudence, diligence, passion, and determination. Most of all, you should avoid doing any of the following:
* You are not part of builders federation.
It does not matter if you are just a small business or you are starting in the industry. Do your best to become part of associations for home builders London. A membership can carry plenty of benefits.
First, your business becomes more credible, as home buyers and sellers would view your membership as a sign of your dedication to the job. Second you will learn the trades of the business. How do you really deal with your clients? Where do you search for them? Moreover, considering that most federations are composed of hundreds of members, creating your own network would be much easier. Lastly, you will learn to work and abide by the standards developed by the organization.
Sure, plenty of these memberships ask for fees, but they are worth it if you simply think about the rewards.
* You do not create contracts.
Perhaps out of your desperation or ignorance, you do not sign contracts with your clients. Regardless of how much you know the person, it is always wise to create and sign contracts. It forces you to stay true to what you both agreed. Furthermore, it ensures that what you are doing is completely legitimate. Should you find yourself not getting paid, you can always have the contract to present to the courts.
* You have no license.
For you to be considered a professional contractor in the UK, you need to have a license. This certification is essential, furthermore, to avoid getting into conflict with several government agencies. Besides, for those who want to find a contractor, they would easily trust and prefer those who have licenses.
* You do not have a good team.
You cannot really expect to run your business all by yourself. You need to have a team, whether outsourced or not. However, it is also not enough you have people. They should be the best you will ever find today. Keep in mind that the human resource is the greatest asset any business can ever have. Be careful when you are about to select the people you are going to work with.
Most contractors these days would hire outsourcing providers to do the job. You can also follow this style, especially if you have not a lot of time to train. Nevertheless, this also means you need to make sure that the existing team is capable of the work. Ask for proof, such as portfolios or references.
* You lack discipline.
There are other reasons why you would fail as a building contractor. You are wasteful when it comes to your finances, you do not meet deadlines or demands of clients, or you are negligent with the tasks at hand. All these can be solved, though, if you would just develop discipline.