Spring is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time for your busy season. After a slow winter season, and possibly a slower summer in 2020, you may be seeing more clients this time around. Start preparing now so you’re not caught off guard later. Here are some tips on how a general contractor can best handle an uptick in demand.
Keep track of your clients.
When things get busy, it can be easy for some things to fall between the cracks. Now is the time to make sure you have a good organizational process in place so you can keep track of your clients. One way to do this is with a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. CRM systems help you keep track of your clients, from new leads to project completion. Depending on the complexity of the CRM system you choose, you can track every single part of your project and share the system with others to keep you all on the same page.
Provide additional training.
Take advantage of your slow season and provide some additional training for your employees. Or, if there is not training you want to provide, spend a day or two reviewing policies and procedures. This is not the most fun way to spend your time, but it is beneficial. When you have an uptick in demand, you don’t want to waste time dealing with things that should be simple. By reviewing policies and procedures and/or providing additional training during the slow season, you’ll increase efficiency in the busy season.
Create a game plan.
According to Construction Executive, contractors are looking at some difficulties in 2021. There is a lot of uncertainty, from potential material shortages to labor shortages to postponed and cancelled jobs. Therefore, when you do see an uptick in demand, it can be tempting to take them all on. However, this may not be the best idea. Instead, you should create a game plan and a backup plan.
Look at the projections of shortages this year and look at the skills of your employees. Do you have any subcontractors you can work with to fill in the gaps? Only take on projects that you know you can complete with your available resources. This will help keep you from taking on too much work when you see this uptick. It may seem counterintuitive to decline projects, but if you accept projects that exceed your resources, it will only waste time.
Take some work off your plate.
Our last piece of advice on how a general contractor can best handle an uptick in demand is to take some work off your plate! By partnering with HFS Financial, you will not have to worry about helping your clients find financing. Offer the best contractor financing with HFS Financial. Here’s how to offer financing as a contractor: All you have to do is post our handy widget link on your website, direct your client’s to it, and you’re done! Your clients will fill out our 60-second application, and we’ll fit them with the right loan. It will help you have more time to focus on completing your other projects. To partner with HFS Financial today, give us a call at 1-800-254-9560. “You Dream It, We Finance It.”