Is it possible to do domestic work only ?

[Sparx-66]

Hi Everyone, I've just joined & have a fundamental question - is it possible to survive doing domestic work only ? - I've launched a domestic only business just over a year ago, I have been actively canvassing since - High quality leaflets, Yell advert, Which trusted trader, full page advert in an established local magazine delivered to 19000 homes, fully signwritten van,& plenty of cold calling at businesses that are connected with the domestic market. I'm an NICEIC member & that is very prominently featured. The point is that despite all this only a trickle of work comes in & overall having paid out to all this commitment I've earnt significantly less than a part-time shelf-stacker at a supermarket. So is it just a question of time ?

 

[HandySparks]

Welcome to the forums.

Got a link to your website?

 

[Spoon]

Hi mate. Welcome to the forum.
The domestic market looks flooded at the moment it seems.
Every man and his dog jut wants to go on a 5 week course and then they get the thousands of pounds a week that the course (that they have just spend a few gran on) promised them they would get.

It seems that most of the domestic guys here get most of their jobs though word of mouth. They can confirm or refute that.

Take a look a this site. I put my address in and got more than 150 people in a 5 mile rad of my house.
http://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/Search

 

[PEG]

Hi,and welcome.

The first bit of my two penneth,will sound harsh...

The " Trust a trader" carry-on,and for that matter,the "Prominent Scheme info",are only there due to payment. Little else,in terms of encouraging domestic trade.

The year long drought,tells you something needs changing,and fair play,you are on with it.

I do not know if the area in which you reside,corresponds to the stereotype of "Gods waiting room",but maybe that type of customer, are not responsive,to the methods already employed.

i do not know your experience or specialist topics,but you will need some of each,to succeed. Marketing alone,will not achieve this.

Try to get others,to do your bidding. Instead of carpet-bombing large areas with leaflets (19000 is impressive littering:winkiss go and chat to 19 builders/tradies.

It will mean driving about,taking time,having front,and,getting flirted,but sooner or later,you are going to be doing your tasks, before,during and after them. So get to know them.

You need to engineer being, slightly nearer the inner circle,with your name and number,being forwarded by others,hopefully after their successful experience.

In my humble opinion,people who pick up a flyer,ring and employ...are desperate.

You would seek advice from friends,family,others first. They could simply be "in a hurry"...that is fine,but those are the busy people who make the least time to pay you...

They could have no-one else to ring...which could be a few things,but one is,never being able to ring the same outfit twice...

I have been S/E most of my working life,and have a large number of pals,similarly occupied.

The building up of trade,in an area maybe already saturated,is a slow,steady affair. The better these foundations are laid,the stronger,and the longer,you will continue to prosper.

To date,i have weathered three recessions,in this fair isle,and not once,did i ever stoop so low,as to advertise :lips: (just a bit of fun,but true)

Be patient,persistent and tenacious...the S/E journey will demand it. Good luck.

 

[tomspark93]

I set up just over a year ago, I don't advertise really. I just have a few free online ads which haven't brought in any work. I still live with my parents and have less pressure on me but I already feel like I'm building up slowlyit just takes time. I do some work for a few builders now and if work drys up I just sub myself out. Word of mouth is the best way by far but the cost of that is time and doing a good job at a reasonable price. I do have a Google page which has brought in maybe 3 or 4 jobs. I am also planning on handing out flyers to a local new build site as none of the home haves alarms/outside lighting etc

 

[SJD]

Yes - I do about 95% domestic (the odd commercial job is usually only because I've done domestic work for the customer first).

The first year (2012), I made hardly anything (OK, with a bit of help from my accountant). I'm now in my 5th year and as busy as I want to be. It will take a couple of years to build up a decent client base - assuming you plan on doing decent quality work so that you get repeat business and referrals.

I also think some of the advertising you mentioned is not worth the money (I have a particular dislike of over-priced listings or directories, and any outfit that charges for leads/referrals). Many of my best jobs have come from customer referrals. I've also worked with one or two builders, but always billing direct to the customer (I hate being dependant on some other trade feeling like paying).

 

[Welchyboy1]

Yes - I do about 95% domestic (the odd commercial job is usually only because I've done domestic work for the customer first).

The first year (2012), I made hardly anything (OK, with a bit of help from my accountant). I'm now in my 5th year and as busy as I want to be. It will take a couple of years to build up a decent client base - assuming you plan on doing decent quality work so that you get repeat business and referrals.

I also think some of the advertising you mentioned is not worth the money (I have a particular dislike of over-priced listings or directories, and any outfit that charges for leads/referrals). Many of my best jobs have come from referrals. I've also worked with one or two builders, but always billing direct to the customer (I hate being dependant on some other trade feeling like paying).

I can pretty much second this post above, takes time but once youve built up a decent customer base you can earn really good money

i have alsofound leaflet drops, internet lead generating sites a waste of time generally, in comparison to the time/cost

it is a bit like a snowball effect, very slow at the start but if your good at what you do youll be pick and choosing your work in the years to come, well worth the investment in the end, especially reading about what company and agency day rates are lately

 

[Sparx-66]

Hello again & many thanks to your replies on this subject, I appreciate your comments. Thanks.

 

[HandySparks]

Hello again & many thanks to your replies on this subject, I appreciate your comments. Thanks.

Welcome to the forums.

Got a link to your website?

You do have a website, don't you?

 

[Sparx-66]

You do have a website, don't you?

Yes I do, thank-you, I should of mentioned that also in my posting.

 

[stevethesparks]

Most of what I have to say is replication of what's already been said.

The likes of trust a trader and rated people etc etc are far too competitive now, as well as expensive as you may find most of your purchases will be ignored. So many customers on there are time wasters and want things done for a pittance.

Leaflet drops, total waste of time, what do I do with all the trash that comes through my letter box? If its not addressed to me it goes straight in the bin.

Free advertising, all this ever got me in the past was endless time wasting phone calls either from scammers or the advertising companies trying to get me to upgrade the advert.

Purchased advertising I have never done so cant comment on.

A website, in my opinion is a good thing as long as you can keep the ratings up for search engines as a lot of people will google for a local sparks.

Getting in with local building companies and word of mouth will eventually be your best sales pitch.

I will add however, its all very well being the best tradesman in the world but you have to be a good businessman first. My business acumen was nil and have learnt they hard way, this is possibly most peoples downfall.

 

[HandySparks]

Yes I do, thank-you, I should of mentioned that also in my posting.

So, what proportion of enquiries are you getting as a result of people seeing your website?

And can we have a link please?

In fact, if you're after business, why haven't you added a signature line with your web address in it?

 

[Sparx-66]

So, what proportion of enquiries are you getting as a result of people seeing your website?

And can we have a link please?

In fact, if you're after business, why haven't you added a signature line with your web address in it?

The website has been live for two months now, & presently can be found top half of page 2 on google search for electrician in my area. I have web stats & generally have 6 unique visitors per day, so far not a single visitor to the website has called/e-mailed, all I get is a moderate stream of canvassers trying to sell me something - fuel cards, advertising, insurance, etc etc. In actual fact my single biggest result for work has been my direct leafleting - a lot of foot-slogging, & obviously not sustainable over the long term. The other main thing is that like many others I do not want to be a sub-contractor at the beck & call of people who don't understand the criteria of electricians, & promise stuff to customers that may not be achievable/compliant leaving you as piggy in the middle, then play the money game of delayed payment & 'do this next job - then i'll pay you for the last' So being a true independent & finding customers directly or at least as a recommendation & being able to assess, explain & quote is where i believe we as electricians should be.

 

[stevethesparks]

Doing the odd sub-contract job for larger firms can be a life saver where regular money is concerned, particularly when starting up.

 

[Risteard]

can be found top half of page 2 on google search for electrician in my area. I have web stats & generally have 6 unique visitors per day, so far not a single visitor to the website has called/e-mailed, all I get is a moderate stream of canvassers trying to sell me something

With no disrespect intended, that is because only bots will find you if you are on page 2 of Google. Almost no human searching for an Electrician in their area will go to page 2. You need to try (over time) to get to the top of page 1 and then you might start seeing some results.