In the U.S. alone, there were over 3,7 million construction businesses in 2022. This number keeps growing year after year as the demand is rising exponentially.
This is great news for contractors because it means there’s plenty of work available. Moreover, you can choose your jobs and decide where to focus and schedule freedom at the same time.
Keep reading to learn the best tips on becoming a contractor and what steps you need to take before you start working.
Make a Plan
Whether you’ve worked for a construction company before or this is your first rodeo, you need a plan for becoming a general contractor who’s self employed.
This plan should include your work hours, schedule, jobs, marketing activities, rates, and obtaining any licenses or permits you need to work legally. The plan will also help you track your progress and payments so you can decide what to do next.
Set Your Rates and Schedule
If you want to be a well paid contractor, you need to set your rates. If you’re an experienced contractor, you can set average to high rates to aim for wealthier customers. If you have less experience, start a little lower and build your way up. Research the market rates and set your own accordingly.
Have Contracts at the Ready
If you’re working as a self-employed contractor, you need to have contracts ready to make sure clients stick to the terms of the project.
This is essential for protecting yourself from scope creep, liabilities, and other legal problems that may arise during a project. Also, never sign anything without reading the document several times to make sure you understood everything clearly.
Promote Your Contracting Services
Whether you want to work for a company or on your own, being a contractor is synonymous with a flexible lifestyle. Even though you’re selling your services, you’re still self-employed and need to spread the word about your work.
To get the best jobs you need to promote your contracting services. This means handing out business cards, collecting testimonials, asking for referrals, posting ads, and even building a website.
Know Where You’re Headed
As a contractor, you get to choose your career and decide where you’re headed. If you want to stay a general contractor, that’s up to you. If you want to own a construction company, you can do that. It’s a flexible job with plenty of opportunities for growth so you can always choose what your next step will be.
Becoming a Contractor Is Easy With These Actionable Tips
Whether becoming a contractor is something new for you or you’ve always wanted to work in this field, these tips will help guide you in the right direction. From making a plan to knowing where to find work, contractors are among the most sought-after professions.
Want more tips on growing your business and honing your craft? Head over to our blog to discover all the posts we have on these topics to help you become the best contractor you can be.
