So you are a contractor floating along when times are good, picking and choosing jobs to bid on, getting referrals left and right. The economy starts to change a little and people are spending less. The news affirms this crisis and suddenly things are very gloomy in the construction industry. How can the small contractor stay in business?

Let’s start by saying many have already gone. The first sign of a slow-down, some contractors change careers until things look better. If you are a contractor who enjoys his work and is looking for ways to grow your business then you need to make some changes. Believe it or not, we must all change to improve what we do. (ie I know how to swing a hammer, but a nail gun makes sense in many situations)

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1. Time Management Systems

The most critical thing to getting started is a fool-proof and organized way to manage your time. If you cannot gain control over your own time, it will be very difficult trying get even more done in a seemingly shorter amount of time.

Use whatever system you are comfortable with. Some owners simply have a one-sheet To Do List each day and that is enough. For others, a more complex Day Planner or scheduling software & PDA is the way to go. At the very least, start doing whatever you feel comfortable with and can manage. You can always add to, or take away from, any system you set up.

That’s the beauty of a good system: always dynamic and flexible.

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There are some trades whose services are always going to be needed no matter what the country’s financial future holds. Areas such as the construction industry will always find people who need their help, whether to build extensions or additions during times of plenty or carry out repairs during lean times. This makes it an attractive sector for people who have the skills needed to be successful construction workers and an attractive prospect for those with the acumen to also run their own company.

If you think you have all of the abilities you need to take on the challenge of making it big in the construction industry, then it’s time to see if you can cut the mustard when it comes to construction.

First things first, no matter what kind of company you’re setting up, you’ll need a comprehensive business plan. This will help guide you through the early days of your company and will be an essential document for helping to attract investment. You’ll need to make some big decisions in the early stages, such as what the mission statement of your company will be and the type of jobs and areas you plan to be focusing your attention on.

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