How to Become a Home Improvement Contractor
Accumulate work experience in residential construction., Consider pursuing formal education., Incorporate your home improvement business., Obtain your builder's license if required., Obtain your first few clients., Build your home improvement...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Accumulate work experience in residential construction.
As a home improvement contractor, you'll be expected to handle every aspect of a homeowner's renovation project.
The best preparation for this expectation is to accumulate experience working in construction.
Options include working as a carpenter for a large general contractor and working as an assistant to an established home improvement contractor.
Aim to earn at least 5 years of relevant work experience before trying to start your own business. -
Step 2: Consider pursuing formal education.
Educational programs in construction are varied and widely available.
Completing a certificate or degree program in a field related to residential construction will improve your credentials, give you additional experience, and help you network with other people in the field.
Anything from a technical diploma or certificate in a building trade to a bachelor's degree in construction management will prove useful.
When enrolled in classes, consider taking courses in business administration as well.
Classes in accounting, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship will vastly improve your understanding of what it takes to make a business thrive. , Formally creating a business is a fairly straightforward process, usually involving filing articles of incorporation with your state and paying a fee.
The limited liability company, or LLC, is an ideal structure for small businesses like home improvement contracting.
This structure protects your personal assets as well as providing a favorable tax impact. , Many jurisdictions require home improvement contractors to obtain and regularly renew builder's licenses.
This license can be obtained through the licensing board of your state (or sometimes your city, county, or other jurisdiction).
Obtaining this license often requires completion of an exam on construction and business law. , Marketing your fledgling home improvement business to those first few clients can be a challenging endeavor.
Take steps to make your business known in the local area, such as taking out ads in newspapers and phone books.
Consider mailing coupons or flyers to some past clients you may have worked with in a prior construction job.
Once you have obtained your first few customers, encourage them to recommend you to friends (offering a discount might be a worthwhile enticement) and write reviews on websites such as Yelp. , Maintaining a base of loyal customers will become easier with time if you perform quality work.
Growing your business may mean hiring additional laborers, implementing new accounting or project management software, and building relationships with subcontractors. -
Step 3: Incorporate your home improvement business.
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Step 4: Obtain your builder's license if required.
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Step 5: Obtain your first few clients.
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Step 6: Build your home improvement business gradually.
Detailed Guide
As a home improvement contractor, you'll be expected to handle every aspect of a homeowner's renovation project.
The best preparation for this expectation is to accumulate experience working in construction.
Options include working as a carpenter for a large general contractor and working as an assistant to an established home improvement contractor.
Aim to earn at least 5 years of relevant work experience before trying to start your own business.
Educational programs in construction are varied and widely available.
Completing a certificate or degree program in a field related to residential construction will improve your credentials, give you additional experience, and help you network with other people in the field.
Anything from a technical diploma or certificate in a building trade to a bachelor's degree in construction management will prove useful.
When enrolled in classes, consider taking courses in business administration as well.
Classes in accounting, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship will vastly improve your understanding of what it takes to make a business thrive. , Formally creating a business is a fairly straightforward process, usually involving filing articles of incorporation with your state and paying a fee.
The limited liability company, or LLC, is an ideal structure for small businesses like home improvement contracting.
This structure protects your personal assets as well as providing a favorable tax impact. , Many jurisdictions require home improvement contractors to obtain and regularly renew builder's licenses.
This license can be obtained through the licensing board of your state (or sometimes your city, county, or other jurisdiction).
Obtaining this license often requires completion of an exam on construction and business law. , Marketing your fledgling home improvement business to those first few clients can be a challenging endeavor.
Take steps to make your business known in the local area, such as taking out ads in newspapers and phone books.
Consider mailing coupons or flyers to some past clients you may have worked with in a prior construction job.
Once you have obtained your first few customers, encourage them to recommend you to friends (offering a discount might be a worthwhile enticement) and write reviews on websites such as Yelp. , Maintaining a base of loyal customers will become easier with time if you perform quality work.
Growing your business may mean hiring additional laborers, implementing new accounting or project management software, and building relationships with subcontractors.
About the Author
Kevin Jordan
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow practical skills tutorials.
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