To anyone who has hired a Home Improvement/Remodeling Company.?

Hi Mott!

As a former publicist, I strongly believe in third party endorsement. I generally wouldn't hire someone based on an ad or flyer -- unless there was something really compelling that would make me want to meet the person and get a quote. if I read an article in the paper that cited a company in a positive way, I'd be more apt to contact them to bid on a job.

My husband is an engineer and really handy -- but we have hired people to do various projects:

-- Our subdivision has a "recommendation board" on their website, which we check. If I'm pleased with a company's service, I'll post my recommendation.

-- We hired a neighbor to replace our roof. He was in business for awhile, and we figured that we knew where to find him if there were any problems.

-- I'll ask friends for recommendations, if I like the work I see in their homes.

-- I've asked store vendors if they've had positive experiences with any workers/companies. (Some stores have given me business cards for third parties.)

-- If I'm totally blind, we'll check kudzu.com for recommendations. (This is less-than-ethical, but why don't you start your son-in-law off by posting a recommendation without, of course, saying he's a relative....)

-- Last year we were building a stone shower in the master bath. We hadn't hired anyone to do it, but were leaning towards a fellow recommended by a neighbor. T. and I were looking at stone in Tile and Decor, and a very pleasant fellow started chatting, giving us great stylistic ideas. Long story short, I took a chance and -- after checking this guy's references and looking at samples of his work -- we hired him. He did a beautiful job and I've since recommended him.

It's tough getting started and with this economy a competitive price structure really helps. I hope my experiences spark some ideas for you.

They expect them to leave the country after a few years and start up in their own country. When they do the American firms will move the remaining white collar jobs to India and China with American trained managers, where they will pay no tax to the US, lower wages overseas and put profits in the Caribbean banks. You heard it here first. What I haven't quite got is how they are going to blame this on poor minorities and what used to be the middle class in America. I bet it will be your constant demand for education that did it.

I have not hired one, I am one who started out just like your son-in-law.

I started out working for friends and relatives. I had business cards printed up and estimate forms - all for a professional image and to show I was serious and not just a fly by night contractor.

Have proposal forms printed up with company name. Have a separate business phone and answering machine so you can answer your phone knowing it's a business call. You can use your cell phone but please don't have some funky voice mail message - have your business message. Me - I would have a separate phone for business.

Your son-in-law should have a neat/clean look with clothes that fit a working contractor. I always had a clean shirt with me in case I got a call for an estimate during the day when I was already working on a job. If you are not cleaned up I suggest you schedule an appointment for the next day when you can be looking good. Image is a big thing.

A clean company truck is also a must. It does not have to be brand new - but it should be in good shape - no dents/no cracked glass/ and the bed should not have

6 old bicycles in it. Image counts, remember that.

Word of mouth is a powerful form of advertising. By starting small it won't take a lot of jobs to keep you busy. Doing a bunch of advertising right away could get you more work than you really need. A conservative approach is the best.

Jobs that are high profile such as a nice subdivision are great for promoting your company with a nice yard sign. You can have these printed up for about $15-$20 each. If you get a job for a high profile person this could be your best way to get your name out there. A business owner, teacher,etc., someone who comes in contact with a lot of people on a daily basis - they will tell everyone about you - so do a good job if you work for one of these people, and give them a really good price on their job because their word of mouth is worth a lot.

So, no I would not go out and spend a bunch of money at this time. First you need to get all the other things set up and in place as I mentioned. Get a separate checking account set up, phone, Company name and logo, Truck,Clothes, a few job signs,business forms such as estimate sheets, proposals,letterhead,envelopes,business cards.

Think of a really good name for your company. Nothing trendy and a name that is easy to remember and conveys strength and confidence,quality.

* Triton Construction * Five Star Construction * Accurate Construction * Omega Construction * Premier Construction * First Choice Construction

Get your truck lettered with logo and graphics/phone number about $350

Keep that truck clean as a pin - even if you have to run it through the car wash 5 times a week.

Be on time for all estimates - don't take the kids or the wife with you.

Don't let anyone answer the business phone except you - if you are not there instruct others to let it go to voice mail.

I have been a general contractor for 31 years now - we are a lot bigger now, but I still remember starting out. The biggest mistake new owners make is they get all excited and spend way too much money at first on the wrong things.

And if you are funding your son-in-law that's fine, just remember he needs to know the business must survive on its own at some point. I suggest when he figures the materials for a job to total the cost + sales tax. Take that total x 18% for overhead, then add the 18% and get a total and take that total x15% which is your profit.

Labor should be around $25 per hour.

He should only add helpers as he needs them, screen them carefully and tell them their appearance and attitude must be customer friendly.

Money is only made when he is working, therefore he must learn to delegate his time well. I used to round up materials after work or on saturday for jobs coming up. That way i could work on the job 8 hrs. a day, unless I had an estimate to go on. You can't make money walking around inside Lowe's 2 hours a day, or taking an hour to eat breakfast and an hour for lunch. It just won't work.

After I hired my 3rd carpenter I then and only then went to doing estimates almost full time. I still put on a tool belt when I could - I still do that today when it's needed.

Run it like a business, help him understand that.

If you come back to yahoo answers with another question - Start it with Tedruski as I will be watching out for it.