Winter is always on the minds of contractors, especially those that the majority of their work is outside. Depending on what part of the country your construction business is located, the winter season can bring a time of almost hibernation as the work slows up. But for those who are looking for opportunities, some early planning and a bit of creativity can keep the work flowing and help finish the year well.
For any projects that are on the books, you want to get them to a place they can be continued inside once the bad weather hits. Making sure you get your foundation out of the ground, site utilities installed, and the roof on can set the stage for great winter work. In these situations, I always tried to get the parking lot curbs and the first lift of asphalt installed, which was helpful for working on the project through the messy winter weather to help ensure an early spring opening for the business once the asphalt plants reopen.
Expanding services can be another way to stay busy during the winter, and approaching your existing clients may be a good place to start. After spending time with them on previous jobs and knowing their businesses, are there any projects they may want completed through the winter months? Do their offices need to be remodeled? Would they like a new kitchen? Does flooring need to be replaced? Are they interested in upgrading their lighting for better energy efficiency? Does their storage room need additional or improved shelving? Letting existing clients know what services you can provide could create opportunities.
There are many areas in which you could expand your services, and the slow season can be a good time to venture out. Installation of holiday lighting and decorations, cleaning services, snow plowing, and carpet cleaning can be sought-after services for companies during the holiday season. There are plenty of opportunities in residential work as well. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling, painting, replacing doors and windows, basement remodeling, flooring, custom woodwork, and general handyman work are all great services to provide. Winter can also be a great time to insulate attics and crawl spaces.
Having a shop can also create opportunities. Custom woodwork such as cabinets, entertainment centers, doors, and wall panels can be a good fit for a craftsman. Repairing snowmobiles, small engines, tools, and equipment may keep a mechanic busy.
Offering an incentive with your services may help you land more jobs and earn additional income. Being able to make the most of the off-season can improve a company’s success.
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