When you become a licensed California contractor, are other construction professionals your colleagues or you competitors?
The best answer is that they can be a little bit of both. Certainly, they’re going to be times when you are trying to bid against your colleagues and get a project that they would like to have. But others in the industry are your partners, too, and it makes sense to work with them (and not just against them) on a regular basis.
Why would you want to work with other contractors? Here are three of the biggest reasons…
#1: You’ll win more business together – the bigger the project, the more likely it is that the customer will need several contractors, and several areas of expertise, to get the job done. By partnering with other contractors, you can bring a variety of skill sets to the table. That means you can provide a combined quote, just like a larger construction company would but without the huge overhead costs.
#2: You’ll get more referrals from other contractors – even if you don’t work together with other contractors on the same job, or within the same contract, there’s a good chance you can refer business to one another. After all, no one can handle all the work that’s out there, and you’ll likely have jobs you have to turn down because of scheduling concerns. That process works both ways, and you might be able to get a significant amount of work from other contractors who know and like you.
#3: You’ll get to know more about construction – one of the best reasons to spend time with contractors who have different specialties than you do is to pick up a little bit of knowledge about their trade. You may never end up working on the same kinds of jobs, but you’ll know enough to talk with your customers about different specifications and possibilities, which makes you more valuable as a contractor.
While it’s true that most contractors are in some level of competition with one another, it’s also true that there’s plenty of work to go around and succeeding in the construction business is often about finding the right fit between your skills and the customer’s needs, not winning every single job. So be sure to partner with others when it makes sense and enjoy the rewards.
Ready to become a licensed contractor in California, or to expand your construction expertise? Either way, the admissions team at CSLS can help. Click here to contact us today to learn about courses, schedules, and financial aid.
