I get dozens of emails each month from home improvement contractors around the world asking the same questions…“How can I be successful as a construction contractor?”
You can scour Google, YouTube (check out my channel) or several podcasts on contracting success. You can ask your Uncle who has been a contractor for 40 years. You can shoot the shit at the monthly Contractor Association meeting.
There’s no shortage of sources for you.
How to be a Successful Construction Contractor
I have been successful as a contractor and have worked with hundreds of others through the years to help them improve their businesses.
There are many very important things that contribute to the success I’ve seen many have. Some of those are:
- knowing your numbers and pricing work properly
- getting your mindset right (aka ‘get your head out of your ass’)
- building a great team
- having a clear vision
- the ability to market & sell
I could list more. But, I want to touch on the one thing I believe is crucial if you’re going to be a successful contractor.
Being a Successful Construction Contractor Requires Discipline
Defined, it means “prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior.” Or, “a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity.”
In short, it means to do the stuff that needs to be done when it needs to be done.
It means you make the phone call you need to make. You show up and do the actions that will lead to ‘wins’ in your business.
It means you have a plan and work the plan without excuse or apology. It means you have a Code of Conduct or what I call non-negotiables in your business.
For example, one of my non-negotiables is “never go to a prospects property without following our phone pre-qualification process called Shin-Fu.” That means when the phone rings and the client says “come out I want to hire you,” we slow it down and follow our process. Every time. No matter how enticing.
Another example of a non-negotiable is the weekly meeting. We have them. They are rarely convenient. They cost a lot of money to have the team there. But, the benefits greatly outweigh the hassles.
Discipline.
It means consistency of action regardless of your emotions, moods, amount of money in your bank account or how many people you have on your team.
Want to be a successful construction contractor?
Step 1: Identify what actions will lead you toward success…there’s really only a couple for each of us.
Step 2: Do them all the time. Not for a week or two. Not only when it’s convenient. All the time.
Commit now to living a life a discipline. Reach out if you want help.
