From Contractor to Business Owner: 5 Steps to Growing Your Contracting Business

You’ve probably seen contractors on social media go from a one-man operation to being the
owner of a large successful company, and you’ve probably asked yourself “how do I grow my
construction business?” Or “How do I get more customers for my construction business?”
Certainly, there is money to be made in the industry, and many social media “gurus” promise to
teach you their secrets if you would just buy their online course and follow all the steps. At Ido,
we believe knowledge should be shared for free, and hard-working contractors should be
empowered to run successful contracting businesses. The following is a series of five steps to
set up contractors for scaling their business.

Transitioning from a contractor working hourly to a successful business owner in the contracting
industry requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and a strong focus on growth. In this blog
post, we will delve into five key steps that will guide you in building and expanding your
contracting business. We'll explore the essential elements for success from how to start a
contractor business, to carving out your niche, to finding a mentor, to mastering the business
side and leveraging effective growth tools.

Step 1: Build Your Niche

It is no secret that many business leaders often preach specialization as the key to success.
This stems from the simple idea that to differentiate yourself in the competitive market, whether
it is contracting or otherwise, it's important to develop a niche or specialization. For many,
starting a handyman business might be the easiest step in the process. However, developing a
niche and growing your clientele is typically where most falter. But before you hurry to start a
contractor business, it is important to consider some key questions to set yourself up for
success.

Define your skill set and niche: Before you get worked up on what licenses do you need to
start a construction business, it is important to sit down and consider what skills you bring to the
table. If you have already worked in the industry for several years, this step might be easier.
Alternatively, if you are new to the industry, and have not spent much time on work sites, or are
just beginning to join in on projects, you need to pick a primary skill set toward which to devote
your time and energy.