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  • hi Mitchell, how about leaf clearance, shed/fence repairs, flat pack furniture pick up and assembly not evryones cup of tea i know but i will turn my hand to lots of odd jobs during the slow winter season. As ive mentioned to you on another thread, get pally with plenty of other tradesmen in your area, give them your card and get theirs, ask for sub work or referrals, then you can put their names forward for work you dont do, its swings and roundabouts for work after all! if your a bit handy at other trades, let those guys who specialise in it know that your available all winter if they need a lift even as a labourer.Personally i enjoy labouring for other tradesmen in the winter, it makes a welcome change from me making decisions!

  • try and start putting jobs off now if you can. It's mainly existing clients who will tolerate you suggesting scheduling a job in for january or feb, but small paving jobs, repointing etc are good bankers for the slow period.

    Once your more established its less of a problem.
    My first few years i found that i was plenty busy up until chrsitmas as there is still leaves etc winter tidying to do, but its January and February that you just don't pick up many new enquiries/ leads (aside from blown down fences trees etc) so you need to have put some jobs aside for this period.

  • PRO

    Look to tread middle ground as the weather can throw a curved ball. Last winter was milder than those in the previous few years - down here minimal frosts, no snow but wet at times.

    So, in theory many more 'normal' activities can take place. We've turfed and planted & dare I say, even cut grass in Jan/Feb when ground temp has risen above 6c hence grass grows, but in previous years it been gritting/snow work etc.

    The knack is convincing your customers to allow jobs to be scheduled.

    Also, don't forgot to Google search LJN, some members have come up with all manner of ideas in the past. All it needs is one or two good ideas and you're in business.

  • PRO
    If delaying any jobs, just be sure the customer really will wait. I lost a couple of jobs last year that we had agreed to do in the winter but hadn't fixed a date. One went to a true surgeon who was "in the area" and the client still hasn't done anything with the cleared area 9 months later! As Gary says, get them scheduled in. But talk to the customer and try and establish if they really mean it when they say "no rush".



    Simon Smith said:

    try and start putting jobs off now if you can. It's mainly existing clients who will tolerate you suggesting scheduling a job in for january or feb, but small paving jobs, repointing etc are good bankers for the slow period.

    Once your more established its less of a problem.
    My first few years i found that i was plenty busy up until chrsitmas as there is still leaves etc winter tidying to do, but its January and February that you just don't pick up many new enquiries/ leads (aside from blown down fences trees etc) so you need to have put some jobs aside for this period.

  • Yeah I've lost jobs in the past by waiting either the customer finds someone else whos around or had a couple schedule it then ohh I've not got the money now...
  • PRO
    Try to close it down, get quote in, verbally confirm and back up with an email leaving customer in no doubt about what he asked to happen, when he asked it happen and the price he agreed to....

    Mitchel ingham said:
    Yeah I've lost jobs in the past by waiting either the customer finds someone else whos around or had a couple schedule it then ohh I've not got the money now...
  • PRO


    Mitchel ingham said:
    Yeah I've lost jobs in the past by waiting either the customer finds someone else whos around or had a couple schedule it then ohh I've not got the money now...

    Do you mean they said they'd ring you back at the end of the week or whatever? That in my experience usually means they're getting other quotes in so will only ring you if you get the job. These people also are generally the ones that price is the only factor.
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