Starting a business

[hole]

CW has given you very good info !!! Unforeseen things happen all the time, a " Change Order" will generally cover that. As far as book keeping, invoices, proposals/contracts , you can generally get by with a few hours a week when your business is small. As mine has grown, my wife now takes care of it all . Like most have said, keep good records, and always take a deposit to cover the materials, that way , God forbid, your only out labor if someone stiffs you
Good Luck

 

[coldwater]

CW has given you very good info !!! Unforeseen things happen all the time, a " Change Order" will generally cover that. As far as book keeping, invoices, proposals/contracts , you can generally get by with a few hours a week when your business is small. As mine has grown, my wife now takes care of it all . Like most have said, keep good records, and always take a deposit to cover the materials, that way , God forbid, your only out labor if someone stiffs you
Good Luck

I use that phrase like a weapon!

Now's the time to decide what you want....Change orders = $$$$$....YOURS, not mine! Said while I'm holding the bid quote pad in my hand...

 

[xj287]

Starting your own business can be a truely overwhelming task! If your good at what you want to do and there is enough market for it, you'll do just fine, if not......well, dont even bother. When I started my repair shop 6 years ago I had alot of help and advice from friends and relitives that had started thier own businesses. That helped alot! Talk to your local chamber of commerce and secritary of state, both will usealy have a web site and give you all the information you'll need. You also need to check with your local dept. of taxxes, or at least a good accountant or tax profetional and they can point you in the right dirrection.

The next big thing is to start slow, part time and never get in over your head. Keep operating cost as low as possible. Your customers should understand that your just starting out and you might not be able to compete with the big boys right off, but if they like you and the service you provide they will come back to you for their every need.

While your building your business dont be suprised if you feel like your married to it. You almost have to be! It will get easier over time, and a truely succesful buisness will almost run it self.

Be careful about giving credit to customers! I've had to eat more parts and labor bills then I care to remember! And NEVER I repete NEVER give a quote on a job! Make sure your customers know the difference between an estimate and a quote and only give rough estimates. Keep your customers informed all the way through the job as well so you don't hand them a bill at the end of the job that was far more then they planned on.

Hope that helps and good luck!

 

[susie]

Dont forget to make millions in the first year and buy your favorite red head a Jeep