New business start up

**Paratus** · 25-03-2011, 08:24 AM

I've been Dry lining/ ceiling fixing for around 10 years now and decided to try starting my own business. I'm looking to set up offering the following services:

suspended ceilings (installation & repair)
metal stud partitions & MF ceilings
taping & jointing

I'm looking for a bit of advice/ expertise in the following:
* What are you best forms of marketing and rumming up new business?

* Is it worth while driving round bigger firms of the same nature dropping off business cards for subby work?

* With regards to price, any opinions on the going meterage rates for putting up metal, taping and ceiling fixing?

Thanks in advance for any advice/ tips!!

**amestaper** · 25-03-2011, 04:21 PM

Looks like you've just answered the question I asked earlier in your introduction post.

Business cards? Im not convinced they work with new contacts as Ive given away over a thousand cards this last year and got no work. You may have better luck than I did, but I was at business networking meetings handing out 50 at a time and the only feedback I got was special offers and spam via email from people I met.

I think its just about keeping yourself in the work loop, getting your face known with new clients and signing up on this site wont harm your efforts as you may get to know more people in similar trades.

Things will still be difficult for next 2 to 3 years. If I had steady well paid work as an employee I would stay put for the moment.

**Paratus** · 25-03-2011, 05:25 PM

Thanks.

Getting the first job seems to be hard, got the website up and running, dropped of cards to local shops and businesses. Just need a kick start getting the first ones to land.

Anyone got any opinions on services such as CHAS and Constructionline for drumming up leads?

**Brian S** · 27-03-2011, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Paratus

Thanks.

Getting the first job seems to be hard, got the website up and running, dropped of cards to local shops and businesses. Just need a kick start getting the first ones to land.

Anyone got any opinions on services such as CHAS and Constructionline for drumming up leads?

Best bet for your first job would be a local small job, local paper, shop windows, and don't forget about Estate Agents, one of our first jobs came from one.
Website is good, but get it optimised, gets your site onto the first page.

CHAS and Constructionline is good, Servicemagic is another good one, had a couple of good ones off there, but there is a lot of dross and "Just looking for an idea of a price" there as well.
Yell.Com is worth it, got a lot of enquiries from this, but don't bother with Yellow Pages, in 2 years not even an enquiry

**TonyM** · 27-03-2011, 10:55 AM

Personally I think it's the wrong time to start a business. You'll be trying to compete when rates are generally low and you'll have all of your start up costs on top, coming out of your earnings. Unless you have a good lump of cash behind you for when you don't get paid on time and to carry you for a month or two, i'd wait. I'd hate to be in your position, touting for work from new companies, but then again, I don't trust anybody, and only work for people I know or who have been recommended to me.

**Paratus** · 27-03-2011, 06:41 PM

Thanks for the feedback, some good ideas there Brian cheers.

Also thanks TonyM, I see what your saying but I'll just have to suck it and see!

**coastaldrywall** · 27-03-2011, 07:05 PM

sign up to glenigans for the free trial and see what is being built in your area, and get the builders details then send them a letter of introduction

**Paratus** · 27-03-2011, 07:35 PM

Thanks I'll try that

**CDM DRYLINING ltd** · 29-03-2011, 07:25 PM

what is ' glenigans ' ?

**coastaldrywall** · 29-03-2011, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by CDM DRYLINING ltd

what is ' glenigans ' ?

http://www.glenigan.com/
good place for leads

**CDM DRYLINING ltd** · 29-03-2011, 07:58 PM

thanks for that , you keeping busy ?

**coastaldrywall** · 30-03-2011, 06:28 PM

yes we are, do quite a bit down your way

**firstchoice** · 24-04-2011, 10:17 AM

Best Advice is make sure your a peoples person, people buy people first then you have to get the pricing right.....whats right is the $24 question

**Tommy** · 10-08-2011, 07:00 PM

Guys I in the same story as Paratus
I like to open my on business as u see my ex posts I'm New in uk
have : NI number (UK)
CIs card ( as a know self employed card )

i sorting out my CSCS health & safety test and public liability insurance now
do i need any other think to get started ?