Need Help In Michigan
i have a small rehab crew we do just about everything and we under bid every job. still can't find enough work. i ran an ad for 2 months. a few calls no jobs. and i called real estate compaines in the local phone book still nothing. went a couple of investor meetings, what else can i do?
you could always buy rehab projects... pay yourself and keep yourself as busy as you'd like.
Look in the paper and around town for the "We Buy Houses" folks and circulate your information to them.
Search for REI clubs in your area and contact them to see if you can contact their membership - offer to do a very small job at cost to show one of the members your workmanship.
Go and "bird-dog" (find) some homes that are in need of repairs and bring them to the attention of the WE BUY HOUSES folks and see if they will do a joint deal with you or see if there is a deal there for them that you can do the repairs on. Bring the deal to the investor with the repair estimates already done and let them negotiate the price of the home with the seller.
You say you under bid every job. Are you meaning you under bid the other contractors or you just under bid for what you actually feel you need to do the jobs? Sometimes the lowest bidder isn't always going to get the job....well if you're dealing with intelligent people anyway.
In any event, you're not alone...this is typical for this time in Michigan. For the last few years we have slowed down about this time. Things will pick up after the first of the year. Hang in there
Quote:
On 2004-12-10 10:15, mcragland wrote:
i have a small rehab crew we do just about everything and we under bid every job. still can't find enough work. i ran an ad for 2 months. a few calls no jobs. and i called real estate compaines in the local phone book still nothing. went a couple of investor meetings, what else can i do?
"...and i called real estate compaines in the local phone book still nothing..."
It is a waste of time to CALL realtors, property managers, etc.
You need to see them in person.
The good ones take a lot of calls, and will forget you while you are talking. If you want to line up work from realtors, property managers, etc. try this:
Print up a flyer, 1/2 or 1/3 of a page.
Black ink, white paper, no fancy hard to read script, just a plain font.
Don't try to write an encyclopedia, just list strong points,
"We knock out Home Inspection punch lists!
Or we can do a total rehab, if you need one!"
References available
Quick punctual service.
Fully Insured.
Name/Phone number/email address
Drop into offices during the day and ask if you can drop a flyer in each agent's mailbox. Staple a business card to every flyer.
You may not get busy overnight, but you'll do better going throught the door to meet people, rather than telemarketing.
If you get a call, don't drop the ball. Give great timely service.
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Try an ad in your local For Sale by Owner magazine.
Try going to the courthouse when several foreclosures are being auctioned and give a card to anyone who will talk to you.
Go to Insurance agents offices and drop cards/flyers.
They routinely get calls from homeowners who are looking for a referral.
Some companies refer to their own listed contractors. But some will give you a referral anyway.
And you may try to get onto that company list as a recommended contractor.
Try apartment complex maintenance "engineers."
Rehab apartments on turnover.
Try condo and townhome HOA's. Lots of hardboard siding, wood windows, etc. out there.
If you get in, do well for them, they may ot ask for bids against orthers in the future.
Go to condo/townhome common areas, often a mailbox area with a bulletin board.
Post flyers and cards.
Put cards on bulletin boards at Lowe's home centers, hardware stores.
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take a close look at your advertising.......km
MCRAGLAND >> contact us. I am just North of you and can help you.
We need another rehab crew and we can also show you some of the ropes.
pete
www.a-house-for-everyone.com