In the competitive world of contracting and project management, securing new business often requires more than just digital outreach or word-of-mouth referrals. A proactive and personal approach, such as driving to job sites, can make a significant difference. Here’s why hitting the streets and visiting job sites is a strategy that can set you apart and help build strong business relationships.
Building Personal Relationships
As Leon Gordon highlighted, the contracting business is all about relationships. General Contractors (GCs) and project managers are more likely to trust and do business with someone they’ve met in person. By visiting job sites, you establish face-to-face connections, which are crucial for building trust and credibility. Personal interactions help you understand their needs better and demonstrate your commitment to the project.
Direct Communication and Immediate Feedback
When you visit a job site, you have the opportunity to communicate directly with the decision-makers, as Drew Gardner suggested. Asking the superintendent or project manager about upcoming contracts and submitting your bid on the spot can expedite the process. You can get immediate feedback and answers to your questions, which can be more efficient than waiting for email responses.
Making a Lasting Impression
Standing out in a sea of competitors is challenging, but personal visits can leave a lasting impression. As Alexandria Renee mentioned, going to job sites, introducing yourself, and gathering contact information can make a significant impact. Following up with a personalized email after the visit reinforces your professional image and keeps the conversation going.
Picking Up Unexpected Opportunities
Shay Mck’s experience illustrates that job site visits can lead to unexpected opportunities. By driving around and introducing yourself at new builds, stores, hotels, homes, and other construction sites, you can pick up jobs that you might not have found otherwise. This approach not only helps in getting immediate work but also builds a network for future projects.
Demonstrating Commitment and Reliability
Visiting job sites shows that you are serious about your work and willing to go the extra mile. It demonstrates your commitment and reliability, qualities that project managers and GCs highly value. Joni Shellhamer’s success in working with 65 contractors by simply stopping at job sites and giving out cards is a testament to the effectiveness of this approach.
Understanding the Job Scope Firsthand
By being on-site, you get a better understanding of the job scope and specific requirements. This firsthand knowledge allows you to tailor your services and proposals more accurately, increasing your chances of winning the contract. As Mo’nique Rivera pointed out, knowing whom to talk to and understanding the site’s needs can significantly enhance your approach.
Creating a Personal Touch
In a digital age, a personal touch can make a big difference. Lucimar Lopes Xavier emphasized the importance of hiring good professionals, and a personal visit reinforces your professionalism. It shows that you are approachable, easy to communicate with, and genuinely interested in the project’s success.
Community Insights
Engaging directly with the community and gathering insights from others in the field can also be valuable. For instance, in response to a query about the best ways to market a post-construction cleaning company, Lauren Sue LaFoy and Bethany Kattner both emphasized the importance of physically visiting job sites and talking to builders. These firsthand interactions can open doors to new opportunities and foster strong professional relationships.
Terri Crespo added another layer of insight by emphasizing the importance of knowing someone in the field. She suggested that wearing a hard hat and vest while hitting the streets to meet project managers (PMs) and superintendents (supers) can be incredibly effective. This approach, supported by Janete Chaney and Sherrylynn Abousalem, highlights that success often depends on personal connections within the industry.
Local Market Outreach
Bethany Kattner’s approach exemplifies another aspect of driving to job sites—local market outreach. By reaching out directly to the community and letting them know about your services, you can tap into local projects wrapping up, as she did in the Orlando, Florida area. Her call to action for reliable clean-up services, supported by Kenny Hoff’s advice to drive around with PPE and business cards, underscores the importance of being proactive and visible in your local market.
Conclusion
Driving to job sites and engaging in face-to-face interactions with superintendents, project managers, and other decision-makers is a powerful strategy for securing new business. It builds personal relationships, provides direct communication, makes a lasting impression, uncovers unexpected opportunities, and demonstrates your commitment and reliability. In an industry where trust and relationships are paramount, this hands-on approach can be the key to growing your business and establishing a strong network of clients. So, as Alexandria Renee aptly put it, the best thing to do is just go out there.
When you visit a job site, it’s best to bring a site visit sheet to take detailed notes. This will help you present your company professionally and ensure accurate pricing by asking the right questions.