Contractors, it’s time to prepare for busy season!

The busiest season for contractors is quickly approaching. For businesses such as landscaping and carpentry, for example, the busiest months of the year are May – September. As the days get warmer and longer at last, make sure your business is ready for the 2024 busy season!

Here are a few considerations to help prepare your business for the months ahead:

Look Back

When operating any business, it’s important to take meticulous records. Look back on last year. What month was your busiest? What went well, and where is there room for improvement?

Keep detailed records this year to make next year’s preparation easier!

Review Your Insurance + Additional Coverage Options

All contractors should have the protection that insurance provides. General liability coverage protects your business from unexpected and often expensive costs of third-party claims involving bodily injury and property damage.

Before busy season begins, contact your insurance agent. Review your current coverage, and evaluate if additional coverage is needed, such as inland marine or Errors & Omissions.

Looking to explore your commercial insurance options? Use our Find an Agent tool to locate an independent insurance agent near you! Working with an independent insurance agent means getting the coverage that’s right for YOU, your needs, and your budget.

Learn more about the benefits of working with an independent insurance agent: 10 Reasons to Purchase Your Insurance from an Independent Insurance Agent

Marketing

How do you typically get business? Examine your current marketing strategy, and see where there may be room for improvement. This is the perfect time to try implementing new techniques, too, like sharing your work* on social media to showcase your talents, engage with your current clients, and attract new business!

Questions to Consider:

• Do you have a website? If so, is it mobile-friendly? In 2024, the majority of internet activity comes from mobile devices such as smartphones. In fact, search engines actually favor mobile-friendly websites with optimized user experience. Test your website’s mobile friendliness by viewing on a mobile device.
• Do you have a Google listing, and is all information on the listing correct?
• Do you currently use social media? If not, consider starting. Social media is an effective and inexpensive way to gather leads for new clients and provide information on the services you offer!
• Do you encourage referrals, whether by word-of-mouth or online reviews?
• Do you offer any incentives for returning customers, such as discounts?

*Before sharing photos of your work, remove anything from the photo that could identify personal information about your client, such as faces and addresses. Never share photos of a client’s property without their permission.

Inventory

If you haven’t already, take the time to review your inventory. Do you have all the tools you’ll need for the anticipated needs of the season?

Recognize the trends for the upcoming season, and take inventory on what you’ll need most. Get the supplies you’ll need to ensure that supply chain issues won’t impact your business.

Remember – you won’t want to break the bank getting all new supplies at once if it isn’t necessary. Prioritize what needs to be done first.

Staff + Support

Is your contracting business a one-person operation, or do you have a team or other supporting staff? If you’d like to hire additional help this year and haven’t already started your search, now is the time!

Participate in job fairs.

Share opportunities in online job listings.

Get the word out!

Opportunities for Growth

Lastly, think about ways your business can improve and grow this year.

Are there learning opportunities you can take advantage of? Keeping up to date on industry trends will help you continue to hone your craft and remain competitive.

Is there an area of weakness you can take steps to address, such as time management? Make an action plan before the busy season begins!

Are there opportunities to streamline your business processes, such as beginning to accept mobile payments? Mobile payments offer a convenient method of payment for clients and can even assist in your efforts to maintain detailed records throughout the year! Learn more: Advantages of Accepting Mobile Payments

This blog was originally published on April 3, 2023. It was last edited on March 19, 2024.