Summer is in full swing in the Portland area, and we have enough work in the pipeline that we're pretty solid until October. Our crew has grown and the big projects are coming up like I haven't seen in a couple of years. With all that we have on our schedule, it seems like no matter how much you grow, you can't keep up with the demands. This gives us two choices: grow even more or turn away work. I choose that latter because there are still a number of calls for small projects, despite indications on our website that we do not do small jobs and small repairs.
Summer is in full swing in the Portland area, and we have enough work in the pipeline that we're pretty solid until October. Our crew has grown and the big projects are coming up like I haven't seen in a couple of years. With all that we have on our schedule, it seems like no matter how much you grow, you can't keep up with the demands. This gives us two choices: grow even more or turn away work. I choose that latter because there are still a number of calls for small projects, despite indications on our website that we do not do small jobs and small repairs.
There are two things that I want every contractor who reads my blog to think about:
- You should never feel guilty for turning away projects
- There is absolutely nothing wrong with being higher in price.
In fact, I've found that the only way to avoid the little projects that eat up your time and potential for growth is to price yourself out of the work.
We recently had to finish taking the online education required by the state in order to renew our license. One big topic that was mentioned by the state contracting agency was walking away from the projects that don't feel right after you meet with the customer. Like Sprigg Lynn said at the NWFA Expo last April, "Sometimes the best job is the one you didn't get." There are some homeowners who seek out creating misery for contractors, and they live in every town in America. I don't care if they have Bentleys in the driveway and hundred-dollar bills in the Kleenex box, if they seem out of whack, then double your price and walk away.
By the same token, no contractor should worry about being more expensive than the competition. I know some really great contractors who do some quality work but cannot win jobs above what I like to call "Craigslist" pricing. Two factors apply: they are doing estimates for price shoppers (not quality seekers), and they have not justified how they are different and better than the rest of the guys who bought a sander and a bucket of poly and never read the manual.
By the way, folks, I don't know who reads this and lives in Portland, but I'm really hoping to get some quality guys I can refer work to. All my friends who are good are busy, so if any of you all are out there, then send me an email and maybe I can send a few your way. I'd rather keep the work headed to the quality guys. Stay in touch, everyone.
