Upon concluding your education, whether at college, university, or through an apprenticeship, there are several considerations to reflect upon before embarking on your journey as a self-employed tradesperson. Below are a few key aspects to contemplate.
Checklist
Ensure that all qualifications are finalized, printed, and readily accessible for clients.
Obtain references from educators or former employers to present to your clients. This can significantly enhance your chances of securing the jobs for which you are bidding.
Capturing images of your previous projects serves as an excellent method to demonstrate your expertise. Keep these images readily available on your mobile device or social media. Potential clients may be hesitant to hire a young tradesperson lacking extensive experience, but showcasing your work can increase the likelihood of securing their business.
Tools and Materials
Identify a reputable builder’s merchant that can supply all essential materials for the tasks you will be undertaking. You may also consider opening an account with your builder’s merchant if they provide this option. This arrangement is advantageous as it facilitates tracking your expenditures and allows you to present clients with material invoices when necessary. After receiving payment from your client, ensure to settle any outstanding balances promptly.
Verify that you possess the necessary tools to execute the jobs you will be performing. Tools can represent a significant expense, so consider purchasing second-hand or refurbished items. Arriving at a job site without the appropriate tools can complicate your tasks and prolong your time on-site unnecessarily.
Logo and Uniform
Establish a logo and business name. You can enlist a third-party designer to create your logo at a modest cost. This investment can yield substantial benefits by increasing your visibility and recognition within the industry.
Acquire work attire featuring your logo to present a professional appearance when arriving at a client’s premises. First impressions are crucial; if you appear well-groomed and professional, clients will likely feel more at ease with you, reflecting your dedication and pride in your work.
How can you secure new work as a tradesperson?
Have business cards printed and distribute them to local retailers or building suppliers, inquiring if they would permit you to leave a few for their customers. This straightforward approach can effectively generate new work opportunities. Additionally, provide your business card to any of your clients so that they may refer you to friends and family. A substantial portion of self-employed tradespeople’s clientele emerges through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Establish a website – A website is an excellent method for acquiring clients. Most activities today occur online. Once you have established a website, you can strive to rank for local keywords in your vicinity, feature all your credentials, recent projects, and even permit client testimonials. You can also display your membership in any organizations, such as the Gas Safe Register if you are a plumber. This will enable individuals to view your work and reach out. Contact us and your Trade Member Account Manager will be happy to refer you to our web developers who can go through some options with you to get a business website published.
- Register with us as a tradesman. This is another straightforward and economical action you can take to seek work in your locality.
- Place an advertisement in the local newspaper. This form of marketing has seen a decline recently. Consequently, advertising in the paper has become much less expensive than previously. Thus, I recommend capitalizing on this opportunity and getting an advertisement produced as soon as possible.
- Create a Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter page; this will enable individuals to view all of your work and facilitate communication. Update regularly with your projects and any promotional offers you may have. Social media is an excellent avenue for enhancing your name recognition in your local community. After all, it is free and does not require much time to set up, making it essential for new tradespeople.
- Provide promotions to attract clients and establish relationships while gaining recognition in the area. Although this may initially result in a slight loss, it will assist in expanding your client base.
- Vehicle stickers. These are a brilliant idea as they can easily generate work for you. Once you have completed 3 months with GoTradesman, we will send out a free car magnet with your name and logo on, absolutely free.
Additional considerations
Customer relationships are crucial when you are a self-employed tradesperson. Concentrate on providing new clients with the best experience possible. By cultivating loyal customers, they are more likely to utilize your services again and refer you to their family and friends when they require assistance. Do not undervalue the importance of repeat business; after all, building a solid customer base is essential for success. One key aspect to remember is word of mouth; if individuals do not receive quality service from you, not only will you lose that one client, but you might also miss out on one or two additional referrals that customer could have provided.
Public liability insurance – This coverage is essential for self-employed tradespeople, as it provides protection in case of any incidents.
Are you listed in the gas safe register or the NICEIC register? If so, promote it, as potential clients are interested in knowing your membership status. Failing to disclose your membership could impact the number of projects you secure when providing quotes.
Connect with other local businesses to explore the possibility of referrals when they are unable to take on additional work. This is an excellent opportunity to establish relationships with nearby tradespeople. For larger projects, consider collaborating with another trade in your vicinity to complete the task efficiently.