A big part of being a successful construction business owner is growing your construction firm as quickly and effectively as possible. But knowing how to do that can feel like one big question mark.
Where do you start? What’s going to make the most impact? And how can you grow in a way that’s sustainable—and keeps your business moving forward for years to come?
The good news? There are answers to those questions.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about growing a construction company (and taking your business in the construction industry to the next level in the process):
Step 1. Determine What Sets You Apart
As you probably know, the construction market is extremely competitive. General contractors and other construction-related business owners are often vying for the same construction projects and the same potential clients and potential customers.
And if you want your construction firm to be the one to land those projects, customers, and clients—and experience the business growth that goes along with it? You need to figure out what makes you stand out.
Your point of difference (or your POD) is what sets you apart from your competitors. It’s the unique value that you bring to the market and your customers—and it plays a huge role in helping clients to decide that you’re the business they want to hire.
For example, your POD might be that you specialize in a type of project that not many contractors have experience with. Or maybe it’s that you offer the lowest prices in your market—or the highest level of customer service. Whatever it is that sets you apart, you’ll want to identify it—and then make it a foundational element of your business growth and marketing plan.
If you’re not clear on your POD, it’s time to ask yourself some important questions, including:
- What can I offer customers that no one else can?
- What do we do better than anyone else?
- How is my business different from other small businesses offering similar services?
The answers to those questions will give you deeper insight into the unique value you bring your customers—and why those customers should work with you over other small businesses offering similar construction services.
Step 2. Get Your Operations Running Smoothly
In order for a small business to grow, it needs its operations to run smoothly. Why’s that? So leaders, managers and employees can focus on helping customers and growing the business, instead of spending all their time trying to fix problems.
One of the first things you'll want to do is set up policies, systems, and processes that make your company run like a well-oiled machine.
These include:
- Accounting (payroll, accounts receivable, invoicing, collections, etc.)
- Employee management (time and attendance tracking, benefits, etc.)
- Client/customer management
- Vendor and supply chain management
- Sales and marketing
Step 3. Hire the Right People
A business is only as good as its people—and that includes businesses in the construction industry.
If you want to effectively grow your construction company, you need a great team on board.
What that team looks like will depend on the kind of construction business you’re building, but some key hires you may want to consider include:
- Project manager
- Jobsite manager
- Laborers
- Accountant/bookkeeper
- Administrative assistant
- Designers (for example, interior designers to support renovation projects or design managers to manage all the design details associated with a project)
When you have the right team in place, you’re able to offer a higher level of service to your customers. Your construction projects (and your business!) will run more efficiently. The end product of your projects will be better, and you’ll gain a reputation as a construction firm that does high-quality work—all of which can help you grow your business.
Step 4. Build the Right Network
Hiring the right employees is a critical part of fostering growth for your business in construction. But you’ll need more than your employees to take your company to the next level.
Or in other words, you’ll also need to build the right network.
Again, that network will vary based on the type of business you’re building and the types of services you offer, but some relationships you may want to consider building include:
- Vendors/suppliers (equipment, lumber, concrete, etc.)
- Subcontractors (in case clients want a service or project type your business doesn’t provide)
- Community contacts (fostering relationships in the community can help drive referrals)
How do you build that network? Put yourself out there. Introduce yourself and your business to other construction professionals in the area. Take the extra step and get to know the salespeople at the businesses where you buy your supplies and equipment. Get involved in community events.
The more you put yourself out there, the bigger (and stronger!) your network will be—and that network can play a pivotal role in helping to grow your construction company.
Step 5. Invest in the Right Tools
It takes a lot to run—not to mention grow!—a company in the construction space. And if you want to run and grow your business effectively, you need the right tools.
There are so many construction apps, new technology, and construction software out there that can help you manage your business. When you have the right software in place, your business runs more smoothly and efficiently—so you can focus on growth instead of troubleshooting.
Again, the “right software” will vary from business to business, but some tools you may want to consider investing in to help run and grow your construction business include:
- Accounting software
- Time tracking and payroll software
- A client management platform
- Project management software
- Bid software
- Marketing tools (for example, tools that allow you to schedule your marketing messaging to social media platforms in advance)
- Insurance management—including workers’ compensation
Workers’ comp is important for all industries—but it’s especially important in construction, when injuries aren’t uncommon. Hourly combines time tracking, payroll, and workers’ comp, using real-time wage data to calculate workers’ comp premiums with to-the-penny accuracy.
Step 6. Get the Word Out About your Business
You can’t grow your business if people don’t know about it. That’s why a key element of growing a construction-based company? Marketing.
There are a variety of ways to market your business, including:
- Social media marketing: Building a presence on social media platforms helps get the word out about your business—and can also help you foster relationships with potential customers.
- Advertising: Both traditional (for example, a local newspaper) and digital advertising (for example, Google AdWords) can be a great way to get your business in front of your target audience.
- Word-of-mouth marketing and social proof: One of the most effective marketing tools at your disposal? Your existing customers. When you finish a project, ask your customers to write a testimonial or film a testimonial video for your website; when potential customers see that you were able to help their peers, they’ll be more willing to hire you (a concept known as social proof). You can also encourage word-of-mouth marketing by incentivizing your clients to refer their family and friends (for example, by offering them a discount on future services.)
Bottom line? Your business grows when you connect with more customers. And in order to connect with more customers, you need to get the word out and market your business in the construction space.
Step 7. Build a Reputation for Customer Satisfaction
You can do everything in your power to grow your construction business. But if you’re not doing good work or providing great customer service to your clients, those efforts are going to fall flat.
The most effective way to grow a construction company (or any company, really) is to build a reputation for being a great company to work with. And how do you do that? By prioritizing customer satisfaction.
When you’re working with clients, make the process as easy, seamless, and supportive for them as possible. Do high-quality work. Make yourself available if they have questions. Be kind, courteous, and helpful when dealing with customers—and make sure anyone else that represents your company (including employees and subcontractors) does the same.
When you build a reputation for customer service and satisfaction, your clients will continue to work with you on future construction projects. They’ll tell their friends and family. Word will spread that your construction firm not only does good work but is easy to work with (again, word-of-mouth marketing and social proof are powerful!)—and your business will continue to grow as a result.
FAQs on Growing a Company in the Construction Industry
Have additional questions about starting and/or growing a construction company? Let’s take a look at a few FAQs:
What is the most profitable construction business?
Construction companies with less competition tend to be more profitable—so if profitability is your top concern, you may want to consider starting a niche specialty construction business that doesn’t have much competition in your area.
For example, if there aren’t a ton of concrete installers or commercial builders in your area, that might be an area you want to specialize in. That way, if and when a project comes up that fits your specialty? Chances are, you’ll get the business—and the profit that goes along with it.
That being said, there’s no single type of construction business that’s always more profitable than others—profitability depends on a variety of factors, including the area of operation, the volume of projects available in that area, and the quality of work performed by the business.
Is construction a fast-growing industry?
Yes! The construction industry is poised to grow by 35% over the next decade.
Is it profitable to own a construction company?
While construction companies certainly have the opportunity to be profitable, the profitability of any individual business will depend on a variety of factors, including how many projects the business takes on, how much they spend on materials and labor, and how much they’re able to increase revenue as their business grows.
Use These Tips to Grow Your Construction Company
Growing your business in the construction space can feel like a challenge. But with the right strategy—and the steps outlined above—you can create a clear road map for how to take your business from where it is now to where you want it to go. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and grow your business!
1. Introducing Yourself
Your introductory email needs to pack a lot of information into a small package. Try something like this:
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Hello Jane,
My name is John Doe and I work for ABC Agency, where we provide business insurance policies to many of Dallas' rockstar small businesses.
Congratulations on your new business, Jane's Bakery. Are you wondering if you have all the insurance you need? Or if your policies will really cover you in a pinch?
At ABC Agency, we pride ourselves on providing robust, comprehensive coverage options to companies like yours with flexible, pay-as-you-go plans.
Are you available this week to talk more about how we can help? I can help you find the most affordable rates and the best policies out there.
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Cheers,
John Doe
2. Presenting a Quote
Once you've met with your potential client, a quick reply with their quote will get the ball rolling.
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Hi Jane,
Thanks so much for meeting with me this morning. I loved touring Jane's Bakery–I can still smell those delicious chocolate chip cookies baking! You have a great location, and I'm sure you're going to do great on Front St.
After reviewing my notes, I've pulled together an insurance quote for you (attached). I recommend a business owner's policy. A BOP includes several insurance products in one: liability, property insurance, and business interruption insurance. It offers robust coverage at a competitive price.
I'll call you in a few days to see what you think about this insurance plan. In the meantime, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me or call me at [phone number].
Again, thank you for your time today. I look forward to working with you in the future.
Cheers,
John Doe
3. Thanks for Purchasing a Policy
Gratitude is important! It's never a bad idea to thank your clients for their business.
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Hi Jane,
Thank you for choosing a business owner's policy with ABC Agency. We know it's so important to get the right coverage for your business, and we are honoured you've placed your trust in us.
We're excited to work closely with you, and our no. 1 goal is to make sure you're business is always protected.
Do you have any questions? We are here to help. Reach out whenever something comes to mind.
Thank you again for choosing ABC Agency to insure Jane's Bakery.
Cheers,
John Doe
4. Welcome Email
A welcome email helps clients feel like you're there to help–and can softly pitch other insurance products you offer.
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Dear Jane,
Welcome to the ABC family! We are thrilled to have you as a new customer and can't wait to meet all of your insurance needs.
As an independent insurance agency, we work with multiple insurance providers to find the best coverage options for all our customers. If you need any other type of insurance–like [include additional offerings unique to your agency, like life insurance, health insurance, home insurance or anything else]–we can help you too.
Do you want to discuss any of these policies?
Cheers,
John Doe
5. Introducing a New Product
A happy client may want to expand their business with you.
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Hello Jane,
I hope all is well with you and Jane's Bakery. I stopped in yesterday for a blueberry muffin and coffee, and they were delicious. I loved the hint of cinnamon in the muffin! Was that your idea?
I wanted you to be the first to know we are now offering commercial vehicle insurance to our policyholders. Auto insurance for your catering vans is super important since your personal car insurance won't cover them.
We're offering this insurance coverage solely to our current business clients at the moment and have some very competitive rates.
Would you like me to work up a quote for you?
As always, thanks so much for being a part of the ABC family.
Cheers,
John Doe
6. Asking For Referrals
Once your relationship is established and comfortable, let your clients help you grow.
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Hi Jane,
You've been a valuable member of the ABC family for two years now, and we so appreciate your business–not to mention the muffins you supply for our monthly meetings!
Because you are a valued policyholder, I wanted to ask a quick favour. I know you are active in the local Chamber of Commerce, and I'm hoping you might know some colleagues who would benefit from working with our insurance company.
Referrals are one of the most effective ways to connect with our community since people really trust their friends, family and colleagues. Is there anyone you'd recommend I speak with?
Remember that in addition to business insurance products, we offer everything from life insurance policies to pet insurance.
As a thank you for your help, we will send you an Amazon gift card of $100 when your referrals buy insurance from us.
Thanks so much for your help!
Cheers,
John Doe
7. Policy Renewal
If your client needs to renew their policy with you, send an email like this:
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Hi Jane,
I hope you're doing well! What a year it's been—from being listed as one of the top 5 bakeries in Dallas to being an official vendor for the city—you have so much to be proud of.
Just a heads up that your business owner's policy is up for renewal soon and will expire on June 15, 2023.
If you're still happy with the coverage, we can easily renew it for you.
Do you have some time to chat this week?
Looking forward to serving you again!
Cheers,
John Doe