What Skills Do You Need to Excel as a Contractor?

As a general contractor, you can earn a median income of $89,300 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Whether you’re switching careers or finishing up a contractor education, learn what skills are necessary to find success as a contractor.

Clear Communication

If you don’t have strong communication skills, you’ll encounter misunderstandings with subcontractors, clients, suppliers, and more. People skills are key to success in contracting.
When working with clients, it’s important to show up on time, act professional, listen to what the client is saying, and speak clearly to set the scope of the project. Misunderstandings with clients can cost you a job or cause your crew to do extra work that’s not in line with the client’s wishes.

With suppliers and workers, clear communication helps you get the supplies you need on time, schedule the right workers at every site, and keep the project running on time and budget.
If your communication skills aren’t as sharp as they could be, cultivate your active listening skills. Let clients speak, then ask questions if things aren’t clear. Repeat what you heard back to the client to get verification. Before you start working, get everything in writing.

Don’t overlook email and text communication. These modes of communication are increasingly popular in the trades, so you’ll need to follow up quickly and professionally when clients text or email, too.

Troubleshooting Problems

Things will go wrong. When they do, how will you react? The best contractors problem solves on the go to keep things moving. This might mean finding an alternate supplier if there’s a materials shortage or pulling your crew from one job to go to another if bad weather prevents you from working outside.

If you don’t sweat the small stuff, you’ve got a head start on this powerful quality.

Project Management

As a contractor, you will be managing the projects. Both your clients and crew will look to you to set the schedule, manage the job budget, obtain permits, follow OSHA guidelines for a safe workplace, and bring the project to a successful completion.

Since you’ll typically be managing multiple projects at one time, it can help to use project management software.

Curiosity

A curious contractor, one who always wants to learn something new, will go far. Cultivate curiosity by staying up to date with new trends, from technology to materials. Contractor classes and continued education (like CSLS), forums or in-person events allow you to exchange information with experienced professionals who may offer you useful perspectives and advice. In turn, you can share what you’ve learned with clients while evolving your service model to reflect changing trends.

Reputation

When you’re just starting out, you might not have a reputation. As a new contractor, your focus will be on building your reputation. The easiest way to do this is to keep your word to clients, always showing up when you promise and doing what you say you will.

Do work that makes you proud, then stand by your work with a guarantee that protects the customer’s investment. If you skate by with subpar work, it will come back to haunt you in the form of customer complaints and loss of reputation.

Another way to look at this is to underpromise and overdeliver. For instance, if you can complete a painting job in 2 days, quote the client 4 days. If the job takes you 2-1/2 days, you’ve under-promised your ability and over-delivered, and the client is happy.

By paying attention to the details, communication, budget, time frame, and other variables, you can keep your clients happy and build a strong reputation through word of mouth. As you complete your contractor education, pay attention to these qualities. Where are you strong, and where could you bolster your skills? By aligning yourself with the qualities your clients are looking for in a contractor, you can find success after completing your contractor training.

About CSLS:

CSLS is the largest contractor licensing school in California with over 25 locations throughout the state. We have the highest success rate of any school – 99% of our students pass their exam on the first try, and that’s guaranteed or your money back.

Our teaching process prepares you in a step by step manner for everything you need to know to pass the law, business, and trade portion of your exam. Our programs are designed for convenience. We have online programs, home study, crash-course and in-school options, making it easy and affordable for you to become a licensed contractor.